A Newby saying Thank You

[Sweet72947]

I have been lurking on the Rottweiler Forums for a while now, and I decided to register so that I could post this thread to thank you. I do not currently own a rottweiler (I have a lab mix and a schnauzer/dachshund mix), but I do love the breed. I have met many wonderful rottweilers while volunteering at the rescue shelter, and thought that I might like to own one someday. But from lurking on this board and reading all the stickies, and everything, I have decided that rottweilers aren't the right breed for me after all. I will just admire them from afar (well not really, I'll admire them while snuggling their wiggly butts at rescue :) ).

I justed wanted to say Thank You for having this great site. It really DOES make a difference!

[Steelerfan]

I wish there were more people like you.

[AngelBunny]

I've had Rotties as my only breed of dog since 1984. I do not plan on owning another breed of dog until I'm physically incapable of handling them. I admire most everything about the breed. They are superior in too many ways to enumerate.

However, they are not a breed for everyone. I tip my hat to you for being honest and mature enough to understand this. I so wish--so very much wish--more people were like you.

What were the reasons you decided this breed isn't for you?

[Sweet72947]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

What were the reasons you decided this breed isn't for you?

Well, the biggest reason is that they require a strong owner, and admittedly I have my waffly moments. I also don't feel that I am experienced enough to own a rottweiler. I am 25, and my family has had three dogs: a chesapeake bay retriever, and my current two I mentioned before. Maybe in the future when I have more dog experience under my belt, I can reconsider owning a rottie, but for now I will just continuing learning. :)


Steelerfan -
HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO! *waves Terrible Towel*

[jlaack]

Well, the biggest reason is that they require a strong owner, and admittedly I have my waffly moments. I also don't feel that I am experienced enough to own a rottweiler. I am 25, and my family has had three dogs: a chesapeake bay retriever, and my current two I mentioned before. Maybe in the future when I have more dog experience under my belt, I can reconsider owning a rottie, but for now I will just continuing learning. :)

I also have to commend you for really putting so much thought and research into deciding what is the right dog for you. By doing so I'd say you have demonstrated much more responsibility than a good percentage of owners. And if you decide in the future that you a ready to be a Rottie person I'm sure the breed will be around.

[missingmarley]

i'd also like to chime in with thanks to everybody on this board - rotts definitely AREN'T for everybody and this is a good place to figure that out. my first rott was a stray (he's been gone two years now), and he sold me on the breed, though I was admittedly ignorant and made too many mistakes to count. He ruled the house and it was a little rough at times. i know, I know ...

This is a breed that definitely gets under your skin, and I'm waiting until my two old mutts decide they've lived long enough to really consider getting another rottweiler. My issue is not myself, so much - though I have my waffle moments too! - but my partner, who's convinced that he needs to raise a rott from a puppy to make sure it won't grow up to kill him. I'm all about rescue, but that may not be an option. Still struggling with the whole thing, and am still not convinced I have the cojones to raise a rott right.

I do, however, love researching and dreaming ... And it IS great to see somebody who admires the breed but knows their own limitations. I've just never trained a dog like a rott needs to be trained, and don't know if I have it in me. How are you ever certain???

[Steelerfan]

Steelerfan -
HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO! *waves Terrible Towel*

Thanks, I needed that. The Patriots are pretty good this year, and football season in New England has been challenging.

I've heard that chesapeak's are a handful, my next door neighbor has two, great dogs.

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by missingmarley

My issue is not myself, so much...but my partner, who's convinced that he needs to raise a rott from a puppy to make sure it won't grow up to kill him. I'm all about rescue, but that may not be an option.

My rescue group is not unique in holding meet & greets. These events showcase foster dogs, giving people opportunities to meet dogs available for adoption and talk to their foster moms & dads. (They're also an excellent way for potential adopters to check out the rescue group--and for the rescue group to check you out!)

I suggest you and your partner go to a meet & greet held by rescue operating in your area.

Read the group's site, then go to the meet & greet and ask about where the dogs in the program come from and what the group's policy is on aggressive dogs and dogs with a known bite history. Verify what you've read on the group's site with what volunteers tell you.

If possible, go to different meet & greets to talk to different volunteers.

You and I know, but your partner yet doesn't, it's a fallacy to think that to get a good dog you need to start with a puppy. If it was true you had to raise a dog from a puppy because rescue dogs are too dicey, I'd be long gone. Our homelife makes is best to foster mature males so mature males are what we've had in our home going on 10 years, one after another. It's almost certain that once he goes to meet & greets, sees, and interacts with the dogs available for adoption his thinking will change.

[jlaack]

My issue is not myself, so much - though I have my waffle moments too! - but my partner, who's convinced that he needs to raise a rott from a puppy to make sure it won't grow up to kill him. I'm all about rescue, but that may not be an option. Still struggling with the whole thing, and am still not convinced I have the cojones to raise a rott right.

Keep in mind that rescues have puppies from time to time. People do surrender their pregnant females. But if you are uncertain about being able to handle one you should look into an adult who came from experienced owners (yes they do make it into rescue). That way you know the dogs tempermant and you skip the crucial development periods or rather someone else did the appropriate training for you. For me while it would be nice to have a cute fuzzy puppy I am so glad I missed the housebreaking and the chewing.

[missingmarley]

Thanks AngelBunny and jllaack ... Very very good advice, and I think I'll take it!

And again, thanks everybody on this board for pushing hard for doing the right thing by the breed.

[fostermom]

I'll freely admit I am so not a puppy person, but do want to point out something. It is important to do the right things (at the right times) to raise a puppy and not create problems...an inexperienced owner might inadvertently create an aggression or fear issue...we've had people come on this board thinking you had to "mess" with the pup's food to not create food aggression, or you had to alpha roll the pup to "show it who's boss"...so in a way, an inexperienced owner might be better off with an adult dog. With an adult dog,what you see is what you get (this applies to ANY breed!). Also, a puppy is pretty much an unknown entity. You can have a rough idea of what it's adult temperment will be, but have no guarantees. Especially in a rescue scenario, the dog is evaluated in a home situation and the rescue and foster mom/dad work hard at matching the appropriate temperment to your home. The adolescent rotti I fostered over Christmas HAD to go to an experienced home. He had a working temperment and would have been a handful for most homes...my last two rotti fosters could go to literally ANY home..they were/are "easy" dogs...sociable with absolutely no "issues". So I would urge you to not discount rescue as an option.