Ive been thinking...

[I love dogs]

...about getting a rottweiler for a while now, but I'm a little worried about the stigma.

Have any of you guys found that being a rottweiler owner has led to people assuming you are knucke-dragging sociopaths? Do parents hold on to their kids that little bit tighter when you walk past them with a slobbering barely- muzzled monster?

Or does it in fact make you feel reet ard?

Please help...

[Judi W]

If you are worried about the stigma, don't get one. Sturdy dogs need sturdy owners. The only reason for concern is if you don't raise a dog that is well-behaved and a welcomed member of the community.

[jbach]

Read here as soon as you get the chance.
http://amrottclub.org/ownershp.htm

You will eventually hear all kinds of comments owning a Rottweiler. People on walks will sometimes turn around a walk the other direction. Others will be standing next to you in Petsmart unaware they are near a Rottweiler, and when discovered, will say "Those are vicious killers, get your dog away from me." We've had people on walks in our neighborhood literally pick up their poodle and run in the opposite direction. This is with our dogs on leash and behaving nicely.
Read all you can before you decide to get a Rottweiler, make sure everyone that will be in the house with a Rottweiler is in total agreement on its purchase/adoption.
I'm never worried about the stigma of being a Rottweiler owner, but my eyes have been opened to idiots I never would have encountered before.
Welcome, and make sure you research well before you decide to live with a Rottweiler.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by I love dogs

Or does it in fact make you feel reet ard?

Not sure what this part of your post has to do with anything .....but....

Nope, never worried about the stigma. We've been in training with Jules since he was 4 months old & are still in training & will be for years to come. Most people don't hold their children back because Julius is a gentleman in public. You must raise them so they do not match people's stereotypes of them. That includes years of training, socialization & many other factors....

Please read up!


Brooke

[LavenderRott]

Why a rottweiler? Why not some other breed? Just curious.

[babybluetx23]

Let me put it in a better light for you......
If you CAN and WILL be a sturdy responsible owner and you feel you can house and PROPERLY take care of a rottweiler then your next step is to raise them right and PROOVE people wrong. Train, socialize, love you rottie and show people how WRONG they are about this breed. And if they still look at you like you are walking a killing slobbering machine, then to heck with them! There are always going to be ignorant knuckle dragging sociopaths out there that have it in their mind that ALL rottweilers are killing slobbering machines that were put on this earth just to do harm.
Honestly it is their loss!

[TrishB]

Sure there's a stigma. But there is with every breed. Get a little fru-fru poodle and see what sort of comments you get then. Or get a blue eyed dog and see what happens then. That's just it about dogs - everyone is an expert and everyone has comments to make.

The real question is that if it would bother you to such a level as it would interfere with your enjoyment of your dog. Sure I'd like people not to be afraid of Parker. But it's no skin of my butt if they don't.

[moondog]

This stigma has been earned, it did not materialize out of thin air. We can thank bad breeders and ignorant, weak owners for that. There are far too many of both.

If you are the type to worry about what others think of you regardless of circumstances, you do not have the self-confidence to raise a Rottweiler.

[Blair]

Yes I get people holding their children closer when they see Zeus, I see people walking towards me and then do a quick U-Turn when they notice Zeus. But I also get people who are afraid of Rottweilers but they went up and petted Zeus and all he did was lean on them and they didnt want to leave. I have people make comments to me like they didnt know why they were afraid of Rottweilers cause Zeus was so sweet and gentle. Each time we take Zeus out it seems like less and less people are afraid of him and less parent are holding their children back Zeus is nothing but a big love bug. If some one wants to tag my dog cause he is a Rott so be it, but I will be there to help them learn how a true Rottweiler is!

[Ocean]

I was ready for the stigma of owning a Rott, but truthfully found that MANY more people said "What a beautiful dog!" and wanted to visit with her than ran in the oher direction. In fact, I have never heard anyone say anything like "that's a dangerous dog." The only exception was the girl in the shelter who looked at Ocean and said "I don't trust those dogs," but she was standing right next to us and didn't move so I don't know how deep that distrust really went...

It also probably has to do with location; here on Long Island more people have big dogs and therefore are more used to seeing them than in suburban areas...

[HerculesMomma]

Originally Posted by I love dogs

Have any of you guys found that being a rottweiler owner has led to people assuming you are knucke-dragging sociopaths??

I am kind of short, but I surely don't drag my knuckles. So I'm sure that people don't think that part is true. I'm not sure about the sociopath part as I usually don't ask people if they think I'm a sociopath and for some reason strangers don't usually offer up those opinions....hmmm, I wonder why? Not that it would matter anyway, my Mom's got my back covered. She already tells everyone that will listen I'm crazy anyway

Originally Posted by I love dogs

Do parents hold on to their kids that little bit tighter when you walk past them with a slobbering barely- muzzled monster?

Yea, actually I've seen people do that. But my dog isn't "barely muzzled" he's simply NOT muzzled and he's not a slobberer. Crap, you mean I got a monster from the shelter? I thought it was a dog?!?! Dangit, I knew something wasn't right with him. Who cares? Thats their problem. I didn't get a dog, especially a Rott, to make any kind of statement to anyone.

Originally Posted by I love dogs

Or does it in fact make you feel reet ard? Please help...

That seems like a rather ignorant question. Yes, every single one of us feels like a retard here, that's why we own this breed of dog. Won't you join our little retard club?

Sorry, but I just don't see how anyone answering these questions going to help you make a decision? Are you getting a dog so people will make a "to do" over you and it? If so, then I think you're barking up the wrong tree. You might want to expand on your questions a bit more before some of us misunderstand you too much.

[RottyMom]

Originally Posted by HerculesMomma

That seems like a rather ignorant question. Yes, every single one of us feels like a retard here, that's why we own this breed of dog. Won't you join our little retard club?

Ok, now I can't stop laughing...that is so funny...(i know it's been a tough couple of days around here) I know you don't mean to be funny but thanks for the laugh and I think your observations in regards to the nature of these questions is correct.

[HerculesMomma]

Originally Posted by RottyMom

Ok, now I can't stop laughing...that is so funny...(i know it's been a tough couple of days around here) I know you don't mean to be funny but thanks for the laugh and I think your observations in regards to the nature of these questions is correct.

Ah, I kind of did mean it to be funny even though I thought it was somewhat of a, what would you say? A silly question. So I decided to respond with a silly answer Sometimes I can't stop my sarcastic sense of humor

Seriously I love dogs, if you do really need help people here will help you. I just think (or hope) if you were serious about getting a Rott that there might be some serious type questions you would want to ask other than questions about other peoples perceptions about the breed if you got one. C'mon, these people here are smart - give them some tough questions!

[moondog]

Originally Posted by HerculesMomma

...Yes, every single one of us feels like a retard here, that's why we own this breed of dog. Won't you join our little retard club?

LOL...Well, if being a Rottie owner makes me a retard, I am glad to have the label! My dog might disagree with that, though....

[AngelBunny]

All our my friends are either dog or animal people or fine w/ the fact we have Rottweilers. When it comes to others, I don't care a rat's tail about what they think.

One thing you do need to worry about, I love dogs, is whether your insurance company will continue to insure you house if you get a breed of dog deemed dangerous.