Newbie on Board

[lucky82c]

Hello all!! I'm so excited to be in this forum. Rottweilers are one of my biggest "hobbies" so to speak. I've been reading about them (and other breeds) since I was in high school and I'm 22 now. I had one when I was younger for several years, but she unfortunately went to my sisters boyfriend when they split. Anyways, since then I've always wanted another one but the timing has been wrong, either not enough space or not enough time. Well finally the time is right! I just have a few questions. I've read many books on the breed, and I've read many books on training dogs, so I know it'll be a challenge, but I think I'm well prepared. Here are my questions though, any responses good or bad, I'm all ears for.

1. Do you guys think it would be better for the puppy if I waited until it was warmer outside to get him/her? I live in Michigan and the ground's already covered with snow!

2. Books are nothing compared to real experience! Is there anything I should know, or any tool I should definately have before I bring her home?

3. Does anyone know of any or have any links to REPUTABLE breeders in Michigan? I had a bad breeder for a sugar glider I had and it was horrible. The poor thing had some disease and died within two days of me having her, it was heartbreaking. I've found many websites for breeders around here, but I just wanted to know if any of you have dealt with any.

Thanks so much for your time and responses!!!

Constance Renee

[Patty1231]

Hi! Welcome to the board!

1) I don't think a puppy this time of year would be a bad thing. Might me a little tough on you going out into the cold multiple times a day (and multiple times at night) for potty breaks/training.

2) There is so much to know! Search the archives on any questions you might have or just search in general.

3) Breeders cannot be posted on this forum and since you're a junior member and can't get PM's you're going to have your work cut out for you. Do a search here on breeding information to find what to look for in a reputable breeder and don't accept anything less. The AKC has guidelines on its website as well as the URC on theirs.

[Denise L.]

Hello and welcome! You sound like me about a year ago! I waited until the time was right, did alot of research and joined rottweiler.net!

I went for a rescue though. I knew I wanted to help the homeless and as I work full time a puppy would not have been a good choice for me. I got the sweetest boy in the world and we have come so far together in 8 months.

The others here will give you lots of good puppy info.

Good luck in your search!

[LavenderRott]

Well, Howdy Neighbor!

First off, I must tell you that breeder recommendations are not allowed on the forum. Since opinions differ on "reputable" it can get very sticky.

Personally, housebreaking in the snow and cold is not my idea of a good time, so I would wait until spring to get a pup. That gives you a good couple of months to do lots of research into a breeder! It also gives you loads of time to surf in here, make friends and learn more then you can imagine.

If I am not mistaken, the Detroit Dog Show is in the next couple of months. Going would be an excellent chance to meet "rottweiler people" and see dogs that interest you. Maybe find someone who breeds.

[Canadianrotti]

First off welcome and enjoy. There is a tonne of info and very helpfull people here, I have learned a lot in the year I have been hanging around (my god, it has been a year already!).

1) I live about 3 hrs north of you near Toronto, and we got our pup last year on x-mas eve. She was about 8 weeks old at the time and has survived ok, so I dont see you having an issue. However it does get mighty cold waiting for your pup to pee!

2)Have your crate ready, your house puppy proofed, and extra $$ in the bank for those unknowens ( and the knowens like shots, fixing, etc.)

3)have you thought about rescuing. There are a lot of amazing dogs looking for good homes. I am sure that rescuing a dog will provide you much satisfaction knowing you have saved a pup. Rescuing a pup can save you a lot of bucks as well, and you can get a more mature dog that has been temperment tested so you know what you r in 4.

Good luck and stay in touch. It is worth while to post lots here and become a member here, then you can post and see pics!!!

[Karyn]

Welcome! Read, Read, Read!! After losing three dogs to illness I rescued my Winston and he has been a God send. There are puppies in rescue - regretably way too many puppies who need homes.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Ryan & I got Julius in January & we told ourselves we would never get another puppy in the winter. We were piling on the coat, scarf, hat, etc. every half hour to take Julius out. Brrr! Was NOT fun... Well it was, but it was cold fun!

I agree with Sandi. Go to as many dog-shows as possible. Look at the Rottweilers & talk to the owners/breeders.


Brooke

[MontanaRott]

Welcome to the forums. Stick around and read and learn and have fun!

[lucky82c]

Thank you all sooo much for the responses! I would love to adopt a Rottie rather than buying one if its an option. I have a very large place to live however, its a duplex, and I contacted a Rottweiler adoption site, they told me i probably wouldnt e able to adopt a dog because I dont have a fenced in yard, and i dont own my home :( Maybe I'll just keep looking and find one that will let me. My 2 kitties were both adopted and I love them sooo much. Thanks for the dog show tip!!! I watch them on tv all the time, I'm sure it be fun to see one in person!! And I'll keep doing research and keep on chatting with u all! I just want the pup/dog to be as happy as possible. I'm a big civil and animal rights advocate, so I just want things to be good for the pup! Any suggestions on food brands?

Constance Renee

[mars817]

Originally Posted by lucky82c

I contacted a Rottweiler adoption site, they told me i probably wouldnt e able to adopt a dog because I dont have a fenced in yard, and i dont own my home :( Maybe I'll just keep looking and find one that will let me.

I'm in your boat, sort of. I'm looking to adopt sometime next year. I now have a place with a yard, but when I started looking before did not and I found a few that would adopt to me without a yard, so if you keep looking around you should be able to find a rescue or two that will adopt to you. I've volunteered in rescue and we didn't require a yard. If someone doesn't have a yard and wants a dog they know they don't have the option to just put it outside and that they have to walk it and such, which is better anyway. Good luck

[SABELLESMOM]

Too bad the adoption folks are being so hard. I know it's because they want the best situation for the animal, and it's difficult not to find it personal. Also, what happens if you have to move and the next apt won't allow your dog? Getting a dog is a forever commitment. You could look into shelters, perhaps their rules aren't so stringent. Even so, leash your dog. There is nothing sadder than a careless owner with a dead dog.

Good luck with your breeder search if that's the way you decide to go. Investigate and make sure the sire and dam have had health checks and OFA certifications. Once you find one, you may still end up waiting for the pup to be bred and born. Your breeder will want to know a good deal about you and will try to suit a pup to you! That's a benefit from a really good breeder. He/she'll get to know you a bit and will help you get a great match.

If this is essentially the first Rottie you will have as an adult, them maybe you'd want one with a bit of a softer temperament, and female. Time of year won't matter in the end winter potty training isn't quite as pleasant as summer, maybe...but the job is still the same.

Since you don't have a fenced yard you will want to keep the dog leashed and get to training classes quickly. Don't stop after one set of classes either. Hopefully there are a variety of parks, lake areas, exercise trails, etc. where you can take your dog...to practice what you learn in teaching your dog and just to have fun.

Find a good veteranarian, one who likes Rottweiler sized breeds. Many years ago, I had a GSD...found a vet...he was very uncomfortable with my large puppy. He even yelled at me. I had not been careless! My dog was on a very short leash and was being challenged amd barked at by a much smaller dog on about 4 ft of leash. Her dog barked and carried on. Heidi sat and barked once! He told me to control my animal. Find a good vet "before" you make an appointment. Still, if you find one you don't like...Find a new one!

[lucky82c]

Thanks again guys Im in my apartment for the next 4 yrs, and after that me and my partner are buying a home, lol. So I dont foresee me moving being a problem. In the worst case scenario, if I were forced to move I live in a college town and the landlords are good about letting u have dogs, Ive thought about it too. I have a yard, the front just isnt fenced, just the sides in the back. I would always have him on a leash when out though, and my town is swarming with parks and a lot of other "animal allowed" zones. I know that the pup/dog will be a lifime commitment and I'm willing to make it just that, I guess thats y I've waited so long to get one. I want a girl, I'm a bit partial to female dogs, but if a boy really needed a home, I'd go with that too. I think we've decided at this point to go with a rescue animal though, so Im not looking into breeders now.. I'll just keep trying until I find a place that will work with us, we all have the common goal of wanting the best for the dog, so I think eventually I'll find one that will let me adopt. I'm going to check with my landlord and see if she'll let me put a fence up though at my expense. I'm sure she wont object, lol.

Constance Renee

[dmoniz]

Hey, welcome! I am planning on moving to k-zoo in about 4 years. I'll be out there this christmas with my husband visiting family in GR and looking at land in k-zoo. We got our rottie from a rescue when he was 7 weeks old - so you can get pups from rescue as well if that is what you want. Good luck!

[majicka]

Hi and welcome!!

I think it's great you are going to look further into adoptions and rescuing! Have you checked out petfinder.org? I found my Happy on there, he was about 4 months old when we adopted him. He may only be a semi-rottie but that's fine with us! It took me about a month to find him.

I lived in a 900 sq ft apartment with my big rottie Bruno and my labx Brazen, it's totally do-able, the bonus was my legs looked fabulous from all the walks and runs

We adopted Brando 2 years ago in November, where we live now we have a fenced yard but we still took him out to potty. It was a really really cold winter..and sometimes puppies just can't wait for the shoes and jacket! We adopted Happy in the summer and it was sooo much easier.

Good luck and keep on readin'!!