rottweilers and kids

[fergie]

There is one nagging concern I have in regards to getting a rottweiler. After hearing about some incidences of rottweilers attacking children, I am wondering if it is safe to have a rott if you have kids. I don't have kids now, and I will get a dog before I do, but I don't want to put either the dog or my future family in a bad situation. Is it possible to introduce a child into a family after you've had a rott for a few years? I know that ALL dogs should be supervised with kids around, esp. the young ones who don't understand that "riding" a dog or teasing one is bad. Believe me, there is nothing more aggravating than watching children torment an animal. All I am wondering is if anyone here had their rott(s) before kids came into the picture, and how they handled it. I love rottweilers and I want to make an educated decision which will benefit everyone involved in my life, dog included. I confess, some of these media reports that I hear about kids being mauled by dogs scare me, and I have been told by many that my choice of breed is "unwise" because "rotties are unpredicable" I know that rotts are only sound when they are socialized properly, bred properly and trained properly. It is too bad that the dogs which are poorly raised become the spokesdogs for the breed. In any case, your feedback is highly appreciated.

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Sarah Ferguson-Lee

[Tony4Rotts]

Well Fergie, just to speak from experience i had a female and male rottie, they both were spoiled and when my wife was pregnant we never had a second thought of what would come. All i knew was that they were so protective of my wife when she was pregnant. And when our child was born they loved him and were all slobs, and kisses! They were introduced to him when he was an infant and when he hit his little toddler years they loved to herd him and my 3yr old nephew. Just keep in mind that it all boils down to the breeder and socialization of the pup you choose. So choose wisely, preferably from a reputable breeder who's rotties have sound temperaments.

[frontierrots]

I have 7 rottweilers and every single one is super with any child! Even the ones that are not so hot with strange adults!

The big thing is socializing them with children before they leave the breeder and continued exposure to well mannered "nice" kids throughout the dogs first year

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Diane
Frontier Rottweilers & Shiba Inu
www.frontierrots.com

[German Vanegas]

Fergie,
The whole key about Rotties and kids lies on getting properly informed:

First, the right dog has to have an stable temperament bred into it, which it comes from professional ethical breeders. Knowing how to observ and analyze the puppy's behavior, as well as that of its dam and sire, will give you very good indications as to the possible temperament that it may develop in a selected pup.

Second, proper introduction to children, under supervised conditions, and early socialization with all kinds of people and possible enviroments, will make the puppy more confident and comfortable around kids.

Third, educate your children as to how inter-act with the pup or dog. Children may upset the dog by accident or even intentionally. Therefore, my advise is to always supervise your kid(s) and your dog when they are together. Teach them how to behaive!

Fourth, start to gain control on your puppy by training it at an early age. Do not wait until it grows into an unruly dog. Basic training will teach the dog to obey to your commands, thus making it controllable.

Last but not least, obtain good books and get information from reliable sources, to learn about the proper upbringing of the magnificent Rottweiler.

I can tell you that my Rotties love my children and their friends, with whom they all play together all the time. But, I pity the fool who attempts to harm my kids, my dogs will die defending them or otherwise...

[Maggie]

Hi fergie, I totally agree with all the truly sound comments. All my children have grown up with the dogs and are just wonderful,but we always use common sense. One of the things I put in my puppy book is,when you bring a brand new baby home from hospital you automatically teach your children how to handle the baby, and would never tolerate them poking,or sticking sticks up their nose or in their eyes and ears, so why allow it with a puppy. One of my other rules are that the kids all feed the dogs right from the word go and take it away once,this teaches the puppy the pecking order,hope this helps and they are truly wonderful family companions.

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand

[rotts]

Hi Fergie , just speaking from my experince
i have allways found that the rottts to be
very gentle with the kids . one must remember
that to include them with all the family
activity , as i know they can get there nose
out of joint.

[HerdmyRott]

I agree 100% with what everyone has said, but don't forget never to leave your children alone with ANY dog! I have 2 Rotties, both are very loving with children, but 1 has a high prey/herding drive (he's a highly trained herding dog) and tries to herd the children around, knocking them over in the process. It is always a good rule to never have small children and dogs alone together regardless of the breed.

[Alison]

i have a 6 year old dauter and a 3 year old son and my 4 bitches love them to deth
one thing i i wold like to add is if your kids have friends over crate the dogs for kids tend to play ruff with ecother some times and the dogs get protecteve i always crate my dogs when the kids have friends over only when i am around them do the kids get to play with the dogs

[bearkat]

When I was 4 years old, my babysitter had a boxer named Bo. He instantly took to me, and let me "ride around" on him. He followed me everywhere, and when I was quarantined with measles, he demanded to be let in the room with me FOR 6 DAYS!! He was also known to not like adults, and when adult company came to my babysitter's, he was quickly put in the back yard where he couldn't threaten anyone. My Rotties are the same way... Out in public, children can approach me and my dogs, and the dogs just love the children. I would never dream of leaving any dog with any child unattended, but with the proper introduction, and guidelines set down for the child, they should get along great. One of the characteristics(sic) of the Rottie is that they are very devoted to their family. They will protect their family to the N'th degree, and they adore their family members. I shouldn't think that with the right training, on both the child's and the Rottie's part, that you would have any problems. Now, with a terrier, well...... that is a different story.......

[This message has been edited by bearkat (edited March 03, 1999).]

[fergie]

Thanks guys, for the sound replies.What do you make of all the media "junk" we hear about rotts attacking kids? Is it due to poor socialization and breeding? This is my guess... With all the wonderful stories I hear from everyone here, I really am getting settled on the idea of getting a rottie in the next 4 years or so. I bought the book "The Ultimate rottweiler" recently and it has been great to read. I have also read the rottweiler today, and I found that book was very thorough and honest. Thanks again

[German Vanegas]

Fergie,
I wouldn't call media "junk" those reports about children killed by dogs. Even though, it's a fact that the media portrays "one side of the story" (sometimes, quite distorted and blown out of proportion), it is also a sad reality of life that many children (17 according to stats from the Center for Disease Control) have been mauled to death by Rotts.

Think about this, the majority of those unfortunate incidents could have been PREVENTED! Those disgraceful incidents (that hurt us all, Rottie fanciers) occur mainly due to a combination of factors, such as:

-bad breeding (wannabes and the unethical type, producing either shy or vicious dogs)),
-poor upbringing and training (no comminment to raise that pup properly),
-irresponsible dog owners (people that out of ignorance or neglicence allow or instigate their dogs to become dangerous around people; which it's totally unnaceptable!),

And so forth. The point is, do all the right things and never leave kids unsupervised inter-acting with dogs (particularly, big dogs).

The key to this issue is: RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP... Many people couldn't care less.

[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited March 04, 1999).]