Soon to be new Rottie owner

[Babybags]

I've actually found a great breeder, after lots of research and I've visited her at her part-time job to see her male dog that she occassionally takes to work with her. I've pretty much had some kind of communication with her (about 2 months) after starting my research. She wasn't sure about me at first (not because of the guard dog thing, which I didn't say to her), but because I was very nervous of her dog. I told her I hadn't been a round a dog in over 15 years and the last one I had were two Yorkshire Terriers (which by the way acted like guard dogs), they really just did a lot of barking. After being around her dog, which is a wonderful 135 pound male, I truely have gotten used to the breed. Soon she'll be coming to our house to see everything and then we'll be going to her house so see her pack. The GUARD DOG part was only mentioned between my husband and myself. I did ask the breeder about temperment and how generally the breed is with a ferret (since we have one and children, she took the time to tell me. She also mentioned she might not have a puppy for me, so she give me the information to another breeder. This isn't about being macho or having some type of dog outside in my backyard. I've loved dogs all my life and still do, I'm just getting used to them again. After going to so many dog shows and starting up again this year I fully enjoy the breed and many other breeds, including a Tibetan Mastiff, just not all that hair. My two girls are starting to enjoy them also, we have a neighbor who has a Rottie, unfortunately; I'm thinking the dog was bought from a puppy mill, but we go to see him about every weekend so my girls can get used to a puppy.

My MAIN question was how do you feel about the breed itself, as in temperment, shedding (I've heard different views on this), socialization, obedience training (which places are better for this), etc.

[Shelby427]

What titles does the breeder's dog have? 135lbs sounds quite large - generally males are around 100 - 115lbs. Did the breeder give you the OFA #s so you can check online?

If you're weary about getting a rottie, don't get one. Rotties need strong leadership and if you're even a tiny bit hesitant to get one, I suggest you find another breed.

And, a ferret is a small, fast animal, your rottie may look at it as prey. I would make sure all contact between the two are strictly supervised until you can make sure the rottie doesn't see the ferret as prey.

[Babybags]

I apologize, I can't remember the titles. I've been to one of the shows where the dog (I thought) was 135lbs won a ribbon, but I can't remember, I don't recall for what and what color, she is registered with the American Rottweiler Club. I still get all that information mixed up. I can always go on her website to find out.

The last time I talked to her she was waiting to get this information, I think from her vet, I can't remember. I've obsorbed so much information I'm going nuts.

The breeder did tell me about the prey instinct with a Rottie when I told her I had a ferret. I wouldn't let my children or my ferret be around the dog unsupervised.

That feeling was about a year ago and I don't feel that way anymore, if I did my breeder wouldn't be even thinking about letting me purchase a puppy from her. She knew it had been over 18 years since I had any type of dog. She atleast gave me a chance to learn and find out if I was still interested. She'll be coming to my home with one or two of her dogs to check out my house and then I'll be going to her home to check out her Rotties (all 7 or 8 of them, maybe). If I was nervous like I was before I would have told my husband forget the dog, let's get fish. My whole upbringing has been around dogs and I'm the most determined person and I don't let anything stand in my way of learning when I want something bad enough. I've even spoken too an 85 year old lady who has 3 Rotties of her own and has more than 35 years experience and fully enjoys talking to me and know that I love animals, especially the Rottie, German Shepherd and Yorkshire Terriers and that I'm doing the right thing. She knew I a bit nervous at first and told me the same thing, but after all the information, research and talking to a lot of people who train, breed and everything else with Rotties, she feels I'm on the ball in purchasing and being a great Rottie owner.

[fostermom]

This is just my two cents but here goes.
My son had our old family golden, Toby. They were devoted to each other so there was never any debate about who Toby would live with. When Toby died (of old age) John wanted to get another dog. I tried my best to talk him into an adult but he wanted a PUPPY. He had grown up in a multiple dog home, even gone to obedience training with Toby (although John acknowledges I already had Toby trained so it was pretty much a cake walk for him). So John had dogs before, but he didn't have much background in training a dog (which sounds pretty much what your background currently is).
We researched golden breeders...we talked to the breeder and made it clear this would be the first dog he had to raise/train and we wanted an "easy" dog. Riley came into John's life at seven weeks. Pretty soon I was getting calls about Riley biting when they tried to correct her, Riley pulling on the leash so hard they can't walk her, Riley not listening, Riley chewing electric cords. John was WAY over his head with this dog. Riley is now almost two years old. She's improved in many ways but is still a handful.
And this is a golden...now let's talk ROTTWEILERS.
Rottweilers are large, working breed dogs. They have minds of their own. They are capable of making decisions about how the house should be run if you don't make the "rules" clear to them. I went from living with goldens to living with rottweilers and didn't have a problem. But I had done an enormous amount of obedience training with my goldens so had a pretty good grasp on what was necessary to end up with an obedient, well mannered dog. If I had a family looking to adopt one of my foster rotts with your background, I'd STRONGLY recommend getting an adult first...one that was pretty much bomb proof. Use that dog to learn about rotti's and then consider a puppy for your next dog. A rotti can demonstrate a strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge...maybe not the best choice for a newbie.
You might get a pup that is maleable or you might get one who is quite a challenge. You might get one that is fine with the ferret or you might get one that is highly small critter aggressive. With an adult, what you see is what you get. My current (rotti/shep) foster recently had a close encounter with a one pound pup that was running down the aisle at our local pet store..the pup ended up between Rocky's front legs and Rock just gave it a casual sniff. He's hugely social, dog and cat friendly, no "issues"...the type of "easy" dog my son needed. He would be a great dog for a novice home.
I had a family inquiring about one of my fosters. They ultimately went out and bought a pup...six months later I get an email from them asking if I can take the pup...it was too much for them to handle. Nice family, great home for a dog, but just not experienced enough to deal with this pup. I would just hate to see you get over your head with a pup that needs a more exerienced owner than you currently are.
Again, just my opinion. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

[coot-coot]

I am glad you are doing your research on the breed. It is very important to know. They are great family dogs. I have a 16 year old and a 9 year old they have both grown up with rotties have always loved them with no problems. Good luck to you in your search. I hope you find the perfect rott for you.