What's your opinion?

[jarhead]

I have the opportunity to obtain an 8 month old boy who was born June 2006. He was sold by a breeder/trainer to a man and wife no kids. After 3 months he was returned in Nov. 2006 because the man travels and the wife didn't want to take care of him. I wonder if there was another issue (destructive behavior) but have no way of knowing. The kennel has had him since Nov. They have been working on obedience with him. The kennel owner is a very reputable trainer. He trains many police dogs and has a devout obedience training customers. We are a family with 6 children from 18 to 8. We took the kids to see the dog and he seemed very friendly. He nipped a little while licking our hands but it was not malicious at all.
I guess my question is if it would be to late for socializing with children. I have read several web sites on dogs and early socialization with children is suggested.
Also my wife is concerned with how much he will shed. All the sights say they are average shedders. We don't know if he would be as bad as a Lab. Will house training be difficult at that age? They are extremely smart so I feel it will be relatively easy.
My sister had a Rott and it was a great dog so I don't believe all the negative opinions on the breed.
Any opinions, suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. We want to get him soon so no one else gets him before us.

Thanks in advance

[happyjappy]

I also got my boy late, I got him at 4 1/2 months as he was returned to the breeder, the people who had him were leaving him up to 12 hours a day on his own. I was told he had no behavioural problems. I brought him home, I have kids, and cats and another wee dog. He has adjusted well and is now 15 months old. I had no problem house training him, he was almost there by 7 months. I adopted the NILIF approach to let him know that if he wanted to live with me, he has to obey my living rules. He is a very bright boy and although we attend regular obedience classes, I have started working with him on my own concnetrating on obedience moves. In short, I have had no problems socialising my boy or getting him used to children....just go back and train him as you would a puppy that you get at 8 weeks.....hope this helps

Lynne x

[moz205]

I got my first Rottie when he was 3 mo. At the time I was single so he wasn't exposed to kids very much, if at all. Well, this guy, who was somewhat aggressive, (so people say!), at 5 yo accepted my newborn son from day 1. I came home from the hospital, put my son in his crib, spent time with Rommel, then held my son and let him sniff and smell. He was so excited, which had me a bit nervous, but he was great! The first night home with the baby, whenever anyone came in to see him in his crib, Rommel ran right to the crib and he would sit there right in between them. He would just push them away with his body if they (brave good friends) reached in. He definitely let outsiders know they were to look and not touch. This was a spoiled rotten Rottie, for his first 5 years with very little exposure to kids especially in his house. He was very close to me and accepted a hubby and child immediately from day 1. He was so attached to me that when I was in the hospital, he refused to leave the house at first or go further than the front of the house. He would pull a Marmaduke dead stop. Even through those annoying toddler years, he never once threatened my son. As this was my first Rott and I was young and didn't know better, this dog was not neutered and only was trained by myself with help from my dad. He was with us for a great 13 years. Just do this step by step.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by jarhead

Any opinions, suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. We want to get him soon so no one else gets him before us.

The desire to "beat" somebody out of getting the puppy may be one of the worst reasons for you to get this dog because it implies no research has been done--no talking to breeders, no talking to owners of Rotties, no books have been read, likely not much time spent reading thru the various groups here.

I would advise against you and your family getting the puppy.

The questions you're asking--about housetraining, how much Rotties shed--are elementary. You should know the answers to these before bringing home any dog.

Do you know you may lose your homeowner's insurance if you acquire a Rottie? Do you know this is a breed that benefits from obed training, strong leadership, and lots of mental and physical exercise?

Educated owners who have done their homework before acquiring any breed of dog are much happier and more contented because they face fewer surprises, since they know what they're getting themselves into. If you get this puppy, you'll be learning on the job, so to speak, and with six children, your and your wife probably have your hands full.

If you think the Rottie is for you, I suggest start doing research.

[Gunsey'sMom]

I tend to agree with Angelbunny. And I speak from experience. I was an unprepared Rott owner, and if I could save someone from the same mistake we made, I would. Not that I would give my dog up, or that he is a bad dog, but I would have much rather have been prepared and researched ahaead of time--it would have greatly benefitted both of us. If I had had the chance and someone had told me what I am tyring to tell you I would be very grateful.

Am I saying that there is no way you can raise this dog? Of course not, I was unprepared but we ammended that quickly!!! But that is TRULY NOT the way to do things--that is what I am getting at. This is a wonderfully special breed that needs much care respect, attention, time, exercise, and mental stimulation. That is how they thrive. They want to be with you simple as that. So I would consider long and hard and research before diving in unprepared. If this IS the dog for you he will be there!

[evilshiddenclaws]

well my dog is approx 1 year old and he was a rescue and he's turned into a very lovable dog in only 3 months. i think the last two posts make a lot of sense, you should maybe do some research and if you have any doubts maybe you should speak to reputable breeder. my rottie sheds quite badly just now but thats not to say yours will, every dog is different. and house training is just one of those things you have to go through with any puppy or rescue dog. you should look into these things before considering this dog.

im not saying you shouldnt take him, i'm suggesting you do a bit more research into the breed.

[Sheenagirl]

I see you have done some homework on Rotties. You did know they are average shedders and being your sister has a Rottie, you probably have talked to her in respect to Rottie behavior.
Sheena was not around children at all until she was five years old. I was a bit hesitant not really knowing how she would react to a newborn (my first granddaughter). Sheena accepted the baby with no problems. Mostly Sheena didn't even pay attention unless the baby was crying and Sheena would go over and look to see what all the noise was about. Even as Taylor was growing up Sheena was well behaved.
Your children are older - so if you plan on taking this pup to obedience class and working with him and with your family involved in his care and training I can't see any reason not to get him. So long as you and your family are really committed to working with him - go for it!
As far as shedding - about twice a year they will blow their coats and shed more but a good brushing daily will keep the hair to a minimum - along with feeding him a good brand of dog food (see nutrition section for lots of info).
Good luck!

[jarhead]

Thanks to you all for replying. I appreciate your honesty and concerns. I grew up with dogs (shepherds, bassets, retrievers, dachsunds) and we have had dogs (boxer, lab mix). My family has owned a dog food manufacturing and delivery business in Chicagoland area for 40 years so we are not novices to dog ownership or exposure. I am new to the possibility of getting this rott. It seems like a golden opportunity and that is why I am now researching and soliciting experienced opinions on this awesome breed. I did the same for the boxer. I'm anal like that for alot of things we buy. Things are starting to fall into place so it really has a good feel to it. I have checked into the insurance already and that is not an issue where I live, neutering is being arranged as well as a crate. If he goes before we are ready then that is life but since the opportunity has come up I am investigating the possibility with vigor not seen by many.
So thank you all and keep the info coming this is a great forum and I appreciate the help.

[beate51]

Originally Posted by jarhead

I have the opportunity to obtain an 8 month old boy who was born June 2006. He was sold by a breeder/trainer to a man and wife no kids. After 3 months he was returned in Nov. 2006 because the man travels and the wife didn't want to take care of him. I wonder if there was another issue (destructive behavior) but have no way of knowing. The kennel has had him since Nov. They have been working on obedience with him. The kennel owner is a very reputable trainer. He trains many police dogs and has a devout obedience training customers. We are a family with 6 children from 18 to 8. We took the kids to see the dog and he seemed very friendly. He nipped a little while licking our hands but it was not malicious at all.
I guess my question is if it would be to late for socializing with children. I have read several web sites on dogs and early socialization with children is suggested.
Also my wife is concerned with how much he will shed. All the sights say they are average shedders. We don't know if he would be as bad as a Lab. Will house training be difficult at that age? They are extremely smart so I feel it will be relatively easy.
My sister had a Rott and it was a great dog so I don't believe all the negative opinions on the breed.
Any opinions, suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. We want to get him soon so no one else gets him before us.

Thanks in advance

Hi there,

I agree that early socialization is very important with any dog, no matter what breed. I would try to keep him on a weekend and closely monitor him. Also visiting him and spending some time with him would be helpful.
Rotties shed . but their hair is short, so brushing is a daily routine for me. Also I feed him two raw eggs a week and it keeps his furr nicely.
He should be kept in a kennel, just big enough for im to stand up and turn around comfortably.
When he is in his kennel, he should not be bothered, because that should be a place for retreat, peace and quietness. It depends also if there is lots of noise nad stress in you house, because you have a big family, a dog can become quiet nervous.
I woud observe his behavior around the children. Rotties are working dogs and also cattle dogs, they like to be mouthy, either to get attention or use their mouth because of instict.
A Rottie defenetly needs behavior classes and a FIRM hand.

[dogsbydoug]

One of our dogs was adopted at age 3 (well, guesstimated somewhere between 2-3 yrs old), and he has proven himself to be very good with kids.

I do tend to agree with AngelBunny on this one. If you want this pup simply to get him before someone else - let him go.

[harlychick77]

I would have to agree with angelbunny. Do your homework on this breed. Talk to others, and I don't just mean on this discussion forums. Friends and family, or strangers that have a rottweiler. Read as many books as you can. Have your kids do the same. The more you know about this breed, the better it is in the long run. I did four month's in reasurching this breed. And everything there is on the rottweiler. And now, nothing that my puppy does is a surprise to me. Except getting to know her personality. And her getting to know me and my family. My daughter who is eight, rented a book on rottweilers in her school library. You may want to go to this web-site. It's about children and rottweilers. I even had my daughter read this article. Go to Rotts and Kids
Good luck, cause your going to need it!


Harlychick77

[hatemzalloum]

I surely agree with all of the above. I think you will have to be a great person in time management to be able to organize and control a family of eight + a rotty! Unless all members of the family share the responsibility, and in this case the right hand has to know what the left hand is doing.
I wish you the best of luck

[Marylou Mader]

If your wife is worried about a dog shedding with 6 kids in the house, DON"T get the dog...

[winniecnm]

Originally Posted by jarhead

Thanks to you all for replying. I appreciate your honesty and concerns. I grew up with dogs (shepherds, bassets, retrievers, dachsunds) and we have had dogs (boxer, lab mix). My family has owned a dog food manufacturing and delivery business in Chicagoland area for 40 years so we are not novices to dog ownership or exposure. I am new to the possibility of getting this rott. It seems like a golden opportunity and that is why I am now researching and soliciting experienced opinions on this awesome breed.

Keep researching. Figure this thing out first between you and your wife if this breed is for you and then decide if you want a pup or if you want a rescue. Please read the breeding forum's sticky about finding a breeder when you get the chance.

[harlychick77]

Also, If your wife loves the house and the furniture more than her own family. Than I would not get a rottweiler. We have a puppy and she is nine weeks old. My husband the other day told me "It's a good thing that we don't have expensive furniture" We'd be in trouble. Are puppy's middle name is NO!!! So far are puppy does not shed yet. But I know in the future she will. And I'm prepared. I know If I did not like shedding, I would not have bought a rottweiler, or any dog that shedds in that case. Also, It's very important that you and the Wife are at aggrement on a rottweiler. If the other isn't, then don't get a rottweiler. Your just going to set this dog for failure by the family and most of all by the Wife. Mabe you can make a promise to her to help clean up the house more often. Once the dog get's there. I have all wood floor in my home. It's great to have wood floor, when It comes to doggie accadents. But you can see every speck of dirt and grass on the wood. So, about every two days I go through the house and sweep and mop. I make it a habbit to do that now. Even though Ginger are rottweiler does not shed yet.
I also do it more often. That way I will be able to pick up stuff that can be danger to are puppy. The last thing I wan't is a two thousand doller emergency vet operation. Give it some time. Mabe your wife will make a complete turn around.


Harlychick77