Getting a pup....rottweiler or german shepherd?

[crazyonehuh]

How can a person go wrong with the advice and suggestions that are given here. Read everything with an open mind and take it all to heart. We are all very personal when it comes to "our" breed. Take time to explore your options. Never owned a GSD but cant and wont say anything wrong with the breed. Good luckand remember... patience

[dsfrye37]

I have had both breeds and both breeds are wonderfull.Right now I have a 2 year old Rottie and a 10 year old lab mix. This is my first rottie, she is very outgoing and affectinate towards me and mostly everybody as long as they r acting right(non-aggressively) I know when my rottie gets up every morning she wants everybody up so she can start her day. lol. Just remeber it depends on the dog not the breed! Educate yourself on both breeds and always remember Rotties and German Shepeards are working dogs(high energy levels).They r not your toy lapdog. They need guidance , structure , and a good strong person to nurtutre them into a well behaved dog. What is your sole purpose in having the dog? Rotties and german shepeards as well as any working class dog. Just remember when you think you have finished training your Rottie your Rottie has allready trained you lol

[SABELLESMOM]

Originally Posted by dsfrye37

I know when my rottie gets up every morning she wants everybody up so she can start her day.

Thank GOODNESS, mine (GSD's and Rott's alike) don't/didn't do that! It would be a cold day somewhere extreemly hot, if my girls/boy ever did anything like that unless the house was on fire. When I sleep in... so do they.

You're right, tho. Dogs are individuals within their breeds. However, the 2 breeds in question, have some definate simplarities. Probably why the OP decided to post. A wise thing to do.

[natesmom14]

Grew up with a male GSD who loved being around us kids- was very affectionate and sweet- couldn't ask for a better dog! Currently own a female Rottie w/ 3 young kids in the house and I can say the exact same thing about her! She LOVES attention and affection.

Actually, my husband taught her a "give me a hug" command that he asks her for every day when he gets home from work. If he is busy greeting us, she paces around waiting for her turn- as soon as she gives her "hug" (standing up and putting her paws on his shoulders), she heads off to lay down and relax! Actually, anyone can give her the "give me a hug" command and she very willingly does it (and doesn't jump on you otherwise!)- and it's really neat to see her tailor it to the kids- she is SO gentle when she does it with them!!!!

[fostermom]

I am the rotti foster for a gsd rescue. I own rotti's (who BTW are ALL affectionate and love to be petted) and decided, after fostering several gsd's that I prefered fostering only rotti's. The gsd's I fostered tended to be more wound up...the rotts would be snoring away in the livingroom and the gsd would be continuously "patrolling" the house. They also tend to be more vocal. I really prefer the stable, calm temperment of the rotts.

[skigod377]

Meh, I like both breeds. My two rotts grew up with my son, and they never had a problem accepting affection. Moocah is older now and would rather not be bothered, but Rab is old, too, and still very affectionate. I truly think it depends on the individual dog and picking a certain breed will not guarantee you the behaviors you want. Good luck!

[nancyhq]

I am a new rottweiler owner. My puppy is about four months old. He tends to get hot so he does not like to cuddle but he wants to be right next to us all the time and loves hugs. He's extreemly affectionate, great with kids and other dogs. But we have spent time placing him in social settings. He just went to the vet for another round of vaccinations and he kissed the tech as she lifted him onto the table. I'm amazed how well he listens and responds to our comands and requests. He learns quickly and likes to please. But, he is stubborn, very strong and smart therefore he requires training. I've known German Shepards who were wonderful too. I don't think you can go wrong with either breed if you do your research on breeders, health problems and tendancies within the breed. I rescued my puppy but luckly I was able to receive some history on him and was able to meet the parents. They were both sweet dogs. Good luck! I look forward to hearing about your puppy no matter what breed you decide to get.

[genczx3]

I have both. My Rott is more affectionate. Neither are "family" dogs, they are working dogs that require 24/7 attention.

Careful in chosing either.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by genczx3

I have both. My Rott is more affectionate. Neither are "family" dogs, they are working dogs that require 24/7 attention.

A working dog with correct temperament can be the best of the best of "family dogs", so I'll have to assume yours have some quirks that prevent them from being good family dogs. They certainly shouldn't require 24/7 attention. A working dog with a sound mind has an "on" switch AND an "off" switch.

Just curious.....you say you have both. Is the GSD the one you weren't going to take, and is the Rottweiler the one you gave away? Or do you have a whole new "set" of dogs?

[genczx3]

Originally Posted by moondog

A working dog with correct temperament can be the best of the best of "family dogs", so I'll have to assume yours have some quirks that prevent them from being good family dogs. They certainly shouldn't require 24/7 attention. A working dog with a sound mind has an "on" switch AND an "off" switch.

Just curious.....you say you have both. Is the GSD the one you weren't going to take, and is the Rottweiler the one you gave away? Or do you have a whole new "set" of dogs?

Ended up keeping the Rott and moving into a house with a yard... couldn't do without her. I figured I'd get her a companion, and I always wanted a GSD. Of course, I have someone that comes every day to check in with them while I'm at work.

By 24/7 attention, I mean you can't just leave a Rott or a GSD in the backyard or in the living roon to chill all day...they'll get into too much trouble. They require a lot of attention and training that most people can't handle or provide, I learned that the hard way. Of course, I had to make certain adjustments in my live to be able to keep them... and I love having them.

Finally , I would be very careful in making assumptions about people based on reading a thread or two...

[moondog]

Originally Posted by genczx3

Ended up keeping the Rott and moving into a house with a yard... couldn't do without her. I figured I'd get her a companion, and I always wanted a GSD.

Well, I'm glad you didn't have to give her up after all. Good for her, good for you.

Originally Posted by genczx3

By 24/7 attention, I mean you can't just leave a Rott or a GSD in the backyard or in the living roon to chill all day...they'll get into too much trouble. They require a lot of attention and training that most people can't handle or provide

As long as they DO get the attention and training they need, and most people CAN provide it if they choose to (most just don't understand it's a mandate, not an option with a working dog), a dog with a solid temperament most certainly CAN lay around all day without getting into trouble......once they are old enough. My dog is from very strong working lines and she sleeps the day away and is ready for work when I get home.

Originally Posted by genczx3

Finally , I would be very careful in making assumptions about people based on reading a thread or two...

Not sure what you're talking about here....I made no assumptions about "people". I simply asked. If that's what you mean, then it appears you are the one making an assumption.

If you're talking about my assumption that a working dog that can't be a good family member has quirks, then duly and carefully considered, I'll stand by my assumption.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by genczx3

I have both. My Rott is more affectionate. Neither are "family" dogs, they are working dogs that require 24/7 attention.

Careful in chosing either.

What kind of work do you do with them?

[Missmeliss57]

HAAAAa, I am sorry I had to laugh at Rotties not being affectionate! My girl loves touching, hugging, the infamous rottweiler leaning and especially kisses! Everyday when we wake up we kiss and hug and start our day. Anytime she gets a chance she is trying to touch me or give tons of kisses, she is more affectionate than other breed of dog I have met!
I would however like to tell you that rotties are extremely smart dogs and you better be ready to be mentally stimulating to him or her and have your limits tested!! I have gone to the furthest extents to keep my stimulated so that she has never destroyed one thing in my house and was only crated for 1 month when she was a baby. Working dogs need tons of exercise! Whatever you decide, good luck!