Considering another Rotti

[mygirl]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum but have been lurking a while. I wish all this information was available to me when I had my first Rotti 15 years ago! This is a great place! I am thinking of bringing another Rottweiler puppy into our family but I'm still on the fence about it. My girl was born in 1991 and came to us as a 7 week old puppy from a BYB (I know better now). We were extremely lucky in that we never had any major health issues and she was a love to be around. My children grew up with her and we always felt safe with her around. She died at the age of 10. A tumor ruptured and she had internal bleeding. I rushed her to the vet but her veins were already starting to collapse. I was in shock. She never showed any signs of being sick until the morning she died.

She used to do this thing with her head and I was wondering if this is a Rotti trait or it was just her... When I would sit next to her and look at her she would put her forhead against my forhead and push a little but kept her head firmly against mine for a minute or two. It always seemed like that was her way to show me she loved me too.

Two years ago I was getting the itch to have another dog but I remembered the responsibility that went into owning a Rottweiler and how people shied away from us and since my kids were young and I knew they would have friends over I figured let me get a dog that most kids would be comfortable with so we got a Lab He is a sweet boy but I only realized the other day just how vulnerable I am with him. I went out to get the mail and when I came back my Lab was laying in the doorway waiting for me so I left the door open a crack (storm door closed) because I didn't want to move him and I went to put on the laundry. A few minutes later my daughter is telling me there is someone in the house! I go flying to the front door and it's 4 women who don't speak english starting to walk up stairs to the bedrooms (they never knocked or rang the bell). It turns out they were cleaning women and had the wrong house - I have never felt so vulnerable in my life! Now, where was my Lab? DANCING all around these women like it was a party! He never barked once! My first thought was that Dakota would have barked and let me know immediately there was someone in the driveway - they would have never opened the door if she was standing there. I was lucky they were not a threat but it could have been anyone coming through that door. So my front door now stays locked but this experience has made me realize how much I miss my sweet girl. I haven't decided what to do yet and will take my time because I still remember although owning a Rotti was wonderful it comes with a huge responsibility to the breed and the people who come into contact with us. I know this is long - thanks for reading!

Claire

[Sharon Marples]

And thank you Clair for understanding the responsibility that comes with owning a rottie. Not all of them will allow strangers in the home, but some will But more often than not, just their presence will stop someone and have them call out or ring the bell.

All I can suggest is to keep reading many of the threads here about adding another dog to your home and the continued responsibility of such. Good luck in your decision, you are WAY far ahead of many who think of getting a second dog and do so without thinking.

[SaranBear]

Originally Posted by mygirl

Now, where was my Lab? DANCING all around these women like it was a party! He never barked once! My first thought was that Dakota would have barked and let me know immediately there was someone in the driveway - they would have never opened the door if she was standing there.

Well not all rottweilers are "house protectors". My dog does not bark at people coming into or near the house... only at cats/ skunks.... sometimes other dogs...

During the day he will gladly allow anyone into our home. Everyone gets a butt wiggling greeting and the only way I can tell if someone is near the house is if he starts wiggling his butt. Although at night he does bark at and "go check out" unusual noises. But we have had our landlord come in our house during the day while we were gone (they didn't tell us) and Bear was just happy to have company...

[giglz15]

Duke is the same way. He would let anyone in the house, BUT he would never let somene he didn't know into our backyard. But if the doorbell rings he doesn't even move from his spot on the couch. Melonie

[mygirl]

Originally Posted by SaranBear

Well not all rottweilers are "house protectors". My dog does not bark at people coming into or near the house... only at cats/ skunks.... sometimes other dogs...

During the day he will gladly allow anyone into our home. Everyone gets a butt wiggling greeting and the only way I can tell if someone is near the house is if he starts wiggling his butt. Although at night he does bark at and "go check out" unusual noises. But we have had our landlord come in our house during the day while we were gone (they didn't tell us) and Bear was just happy to have company...

Before I got Dakota I was around a friends female Rotti who happened to be a big mush and would welcome anyone into the house, she was just so happy to see you. So I know not all Rotts are house protectors but Dakota would never have let them in the house. My reasons for getting another Rotti would not be for protection. This incident just made me realize how different my experiences with these two dogs are and just how much I miss having a Rottweiler. I wonder if this is more a case of differences in their personalities instead of differences in breeds.

Claire

[Canadianrotti]

I would never consider getting a dog as a form of protection. It is MY job to keep Raelin out of harms way and safe. That being said, I do understand that the mere presence of a large dog, particularly a Rottweiler or other similar types of dogs, will keep people at a distance!

Good on ya for being responsible, and doing your homework BEFORE getting another dog, if only more people would do the same

Oh, and a very good friend of mine had always had a Rowweiler or Dobi around. About a year and a half ago, they PTS their wonderful 10 y/o Rott, and decided to get a lab instead because of their young kids. He found out that several parents would not allow their kids over to their house because of the Rottweiler they had!
Well, he does like their dog Riggs, but he said in no uncertian term will they ever have a dog other than a Rottweiler ever again! Riggs is just a pup, and will be around for a while, and by the time Riggs is gone, the kids will be out of the house, and they will have a rotti again!!

[AngelBunny]

While you're researching where to get your next Rottie. check into rescue. Some very nice dogs who would make outstanding companions are to be found in rescue.

[Mookie's Mom]

Well, there is much responsibility with this breed no doubt about that. But their intelligence is unmatched (my opinion).

My mom lives only a block away from me and is in her eighties. I leave Roxe with mom during the day because mom has a tendancy to open her front door to anyone too easily. Seeing Roxie is at least a deterent.

I also am not afraid to walk late at night, so if my mom calls needing help, Roxie and I are there. One night as I was walking to mom's house, I got to an alley opening and Roxie started gowling. I didn't see anything and said "what are you growling at girl?" In that alley, hiding behind a dumpster were two men! It was 11PM at night and there was no reason for them to be there. I walked past them with Roxie and she kept looking back and growling. They followed for about half a block and then must have decided they were no match for Roxie.

This was a time that I was glad my son had talked me into this breed of dog! My first dog was a Rottie. I was leary, but I fell in love with the breed. Roxie is my second Rott.

They are the best!