thinking about getting a rottie :) - lots of questions

[snakesNxD]

[note: this is very long!! i'm sorry...i just have a lot of questions]

hi all. first i want to say i've been reading a lot of the posts on this board & they have been VERY helpful & informative
but there are questions that i still have.
i have always wanted a rottie, but have never lived in a place that would allow dogs. i am finally moving to a apartment that allows dogs & now i am seriously consedering getting one...although here are the facts:
i will be moving into a nice size 2bedroom apt, on the 2nd floor. i am a student at college and have a job, so i will be away from the apt from 8am til about 12.30 (i'll come home for the puppy) then off to work until 6 home at 6.15.

question #1: is it ok to leave my puppy for that long? i will be crate training & leaving her (i plan on getting a female) in the crate for the time i am gone.


there is no yard, & i am prepared to do whatever it takes to exercise her (hehe, i could use the exercise too!!)

exercise??:::

i will walk her in the morning, for about 10-15 mins (or until she does what she has to) , then again when i come home in the afternoon. i am planning on taking her for a run in the evening when i get home.

questions #2: are the morning & afternoon walks sufficient? how long can/should the run be in the evening? it does get cold/snow in the winter...is running in the winter alright for a puppy?

what would be the best for the situation?


i want her (the dog) to be friendly with cats & other dogs. i don't think i will have a problem socializing her with people as i will walk her through the center of town & take her everywhere i can (as soon as she is house trained). i will make all my friends come over to the house so she can socialize in the house as well as outside.
i have a cat. so i don't think she will have a problem with cats then, since she will be living with one.

question #3: am i right to assume because i have a cat she "should" be friendly with other cats?

question #4: socializing with other dogs might be a problem. only one of my friends has a dog & i will try to get them to play every chance i can. how do i find puppy classes?? i will be living in northampton mass area. (if anyone is from there...i would LOVE to speak with you about your rottie...please email me if you can). or whatelse can i do to socialize her with other dogs??


ok, last thing
i work at an animal hospital & all the tech and vet tell me are "DONT GET A ROTTIE!" you can NEVER trust them!
i've read so many stories about how GREAT their rotties are & i've met a few nice rotties, but i've also met a few not nice ones. i know a lot has to to with training, and i will work with my dog EVERY single day!

question #5: my younger sister (she is 18) is VERY afraid of large dogs. will my dog sense this and try to hurt her? i know dogs can sence fear (i think) so what will be my dogs reaction to her in that case? plus, they will only be seing each other maybe once a month if that.

question #6: will the parents temperment reflect how my dogs tempermant will/should be?

question #7: i would like to know some reputable breeders in my area that i can speak with & hopefully get my dog from. any suggestions from anyone on this board. i am willing to travel (driving distance). so anyone in the NY, CT, MA, RI, VT, PA??
this is probably one of the things i am scared about. i want to get my dog from a reputable breeder AND i think it would be nice to talk to some people that they sold dogs to..is that even possible??

i want to say THANK YOU in advance for any help!!! i know i wrote a TON & i apologize, but i don't want to do the wrong thing here...but i really would like to own a rottie! any help at all will be apreciated.

thanks,
liz

[Nancy Estes]

Just a quick answer on one point only - your schedule - it CAN be done if you're willing to spend the time and effort. I raised 3 dogs & 2 cats in an apartment in New York City. (I was a LOT younger then!) Your schedule will probably have to do a flip-flop. The puppy is likely to sleep a lot during the day when you're gone and is going to be wide awake and ready to go in the evening and at night.

Nancy

------------------
von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[German Vanegas]

I would highly recommend you to purchase the following inexpensive book:

"The New Owner's Guide to Rottweilers"
by Urs Ochsenbein
Published by T.F.H.
ISBN: 0-7938-2750-7

It will answer every and any question you may have. In fact, it will be your handbook to properly raise the great Rottweiler

[LucyJ]

Liz-
The book German mentioned is excellent. I also sent you a lenghty email, neighbor. I live in Springfield