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

[Rajiki299]

Hey guys, this may be an old topic but I'm thinking of buying a puppy in the fall, I'm purchasing a house that's on an acreage near a college where I work at (Grad student/future employee) I have a lot of time to spend with the dog and train it and stuff, I'm just really torn between a german shepherd and a rott. Somehow I think of g.s. as more affectionate, family dogs whereas the rott is more of a guardian for the family (I've heard some people say they can't hug their rotts too much cuz they need space?) What are your opinions on the matter?

[JoJo]

You say you are a grad student, future educator? Well then, why not do what you do best, EDUCATE yourself and LEARN about both breeds? This is a Rottweiler forum. It's been told that if anyone wants to learn about the breed, this place is a college education full of information. Read all the stickys. Do searches and read, read and read. Then find yourself a GSD forum. There hopefully you will learn all about that breed. Then start going to shows, find a working club and attend. Observe both these "working breeds" in action. After that, then think long and hard on what you want either one for. Possibly find a good mentor who will guide you along. After all that, then make a choice. But please don't just run out and get "either" breed just to get a dog. Also, when you do decide, be careful on where you purchase your dog from. That's another time though, you have a lot to learn before that.

Welcome to the forum. You got a lot of reading to do. If you type the word "hugs" in the search section, (above toolbar) you will find your answer(s).

[kilasmamix3]

I hug my rott all the time (: All dogs are affectionate if you train them right.... It depends, you do all your research and then decide which one you like best. They are both wonderful breeds.

Dezaree

[mac 2]

Originally Posted by JoJo

You say you are a grad student, future educator? Well then, why not do what you do best, EDUCATE yourself and LEARN about both breeds? This is a Rottweiler forum. It's been told that if anyone wants to learn about the breed, this place is a college education full of information. Read all the stickys. Do searches and read, read and read. Then find yourself a GSD forum. There hopefully you will learn all about that breed. Then start going to shows, find a working club and attend. Observe both these "working breeds" in action. After that, then think long and hard on what you want either one for. Possibly find a good mentor who will guide you along. After all that, then make a choice. But please don't just run out and get "either" breed just to get a dog. Also, when you do decide, be careful on where you purchase your dog from. That's another time though, you have a lot to learn before that.

Welcome to the forum. You got a lot of reading to do. If you type the word "hugs" in the search section, (above toolbar) you will find your answer(s).

good post jojo there is a lot to think about before considering either breeds

[Nishasmom]

My dog is super affectionate; she loves to cuddle. she will lay her head right in your lap and sleep while you massage her head . She thrives on kisses and hugs (both giving, and receiving). And a little head pat will make her day! Nisha is like my little shadow; if I leave the room to for ANY reason, she follows. She will get up of a dead sleep to follow even if I am just getting a water from the kitchen! If my BF and I are in separate rooms, she lays right in the middle so she can see us both . There are rotts that are not "cuddlers", but their are also GSD that don't like it.

The affection level a dog wants depends on each individual dog. I know chihuahuas and maltese that would rather be left alone!

My advice...go for the rottie !! You will fall in love....of course, I am a little biased!

[bigdogweilerx2]

I agree with Paige.But I do think the females are more affectionate as in huging,but my male will kiss me and stay right next to me too!I had a GS and wasn't as affectionate.But between the two kinds Rotties all the way!

[JoJo]

All dogs are affectionate if you train them right....

That is not a true statement. First what do you consider "affectionate"? I had a male who despised being hugged and he was trained. He tolerated me if I hugged him. But since I knew I was being disrespectful to him, I didn't. Training has nothing to do with affection. You are putting human emotions into this. Dogs can't "think" human. Rotties are a noble breed. Treat them with dignity and respect. If one doesn't like hugs, then don't hug but that doesn't mean they aren't affectionate. He would have done anything I asked of him within reason. My current Rottie is a very affectionate dog. He'll accept hugs from us, but he rather have his chest rubbed not hugged.

[rottcrazed]

My Rotts have always been affectionate, the females more than the males, yes, but the males are affectionate in their own way.

Do I hug my dogs, sure? Would I let a stranger hug my dogs? No. They do need their space - I have found with my own dogs and those of my friends that they are very accepting of people welcomed by their owners, but should someone at a dog show come up to me and ask if they could hug my dogs, I would say no and explain why.

They are fantastic family dogs (I have 3 kids), they simply need lots of training and socializing and they will be fabulous pets.

I can't speak of the GSD, never owned one ....

Kristi

[Nishasmom]

Originally Posted by JoJo

.... he'd rather have his chest rubbed not hugged.

Yes, Nisha would rather be "massaged" than hugged too. I consider "tummy rubs" affection; dogs like this b/c they actually benefit from it .

[felicityjay]

well i am totally biased...as i'm sure many of the other members are... so i hope you have asked a GSD forum the same question!!!! ; )

my bitch is the most loving soppy huggy dog i have ever ever known... if i lie on the floor she will come and lie right up alongside me and likes to slide under my arm!!!! sometime though she does like to go and lie somewhere quiet on her own... same as me i guess!

however each dog has it's own personality and if being affectionate is high on your list of priorities make that clear to your breeder and they should be able to find a match for you.- you will still need to make sure that you go to training and socialise your pup and build a relationship of trust to ensure you keep an affectionate dog

good luck with your decision x

[tatertot]

My husband had a german shepherd and a rottweiler when we started dating. I loved both dogs. Dogs will have their own personalities even within the same breed. The rottie loved to place her head on my lap and sit there for long periods of time gazing at me with those adorable eyore eyes. The GS would never look anyone in the eye and would be content to sit at a distance watching everybody. The GS would worry until everyone was home safe for the night. The rottie on the other hand...off duty...sleeping...snoring.... I love both breeds but we ended up choosing a rottweiler. Good luck with your research to find the best dog for you. I have only been a member for a short time but am amazed at the wealth of knowledge on this site.

[wamack]

I currently have one of each breed, a male GSD and a female rott. I do think affection has a bit more to do with sex rather than breed. My male GSD couldn't care less if you hug him or not, he'll often try to walk away, where as my parents have a female GSD and she's super affectionate as is my female rott. Definitely do research because these breeds personality traits are very different. Over the years my DH & I have come to discover that while we love both dogs Alex is our last german shepherd and it's all rotts from here on out. Reading everything you can on this forum is great too, there are very knowledgeable people here who are glad to share information. I'm completely hooked and I check this forum everyday. Good luck with whichever pup you choose.

[Dieselpup]

Hi and Welcome to this forum.

I happen to own one male Rottweiler and two white German Shepherd bitches. The short answer is, much depends upon the individual dog.

My Rott's two years old and an absolute love bug. I hug him, kiss him, rub his belly straddle him and hold onto his ears and say "Gee UP" likes he's a horse (I've been doing this to my dogs since I was a small kid). He loves when kids give him a belly rub and cuddle him. I don't allow them to hug him, though, and certainly not straddle him.

He's being clicker trained by me and he's doing his beginner's obedience trial tomorrow.

I found him a "hard" puppy to raise. Adolescence nearly killed us all. He NQ'd in his Novice ob. class at 10 months. He was thick headed, turned deaf, and thought I was a green alien with an arm growing out of her forehead whose hair was always on fire.

He's gotten MUCH better, but sometimes refuses to do some of his exercises--like sitting with his butt flat on the ground (prefers to squat at times like he's got hemoroids). Sometimes chooses to run off during a recall.

Now for the shepherds. My oldest bitch is a velcro dog. She will not leave my side. At one year, 5 months, I can take her off leash in public and she'll stay at my side (wouldn't dare do this with Rott). She seems more willing to please and really tries in obedience. She's willing to continue working amid exhaustion and heat (but, then she's a white dog, weighs less than the rott, and has a longer snout). Adolescence was a breeze with her. But I can do the same things with her (and her sister the younger bitch) that i do wth the rott.

Older bitch and rott are entered in ob. competition tomorrow.

At the end of the day, they all sleep in my room surrounding my bed (the younger shepherd sleeps under my bed).

This is my unique experience. I have only one Rott whom I love dearly; however, I don't think I'd get another one right now because raising him was so hard and he was my first dog.

If this will be your first dog and first Rott, you must be aware that these dogs can really test your patience. I did a great deal of research on the breed before purchasing my dog, but you've gotta experience what it's like before you can appreciate the issues.

It might be better if you could adopt a stable adult rott from a rescue, if you do indeed to get a rott.

Let us know what you decide.

[pazzo]

I grew up with Gsd's and have been owned by a couple Rotti's. I am currently owned by an incredible Gsd, Nando!

My opinion is they both are incredible working breeds. A dog with a good temperment is of most important no matter which breed. You can find crackpots in both breeds....just like people. I find them to be very similar. Both breeds are very loyal and extremely family oriented. Very intelligent, strong minded and need training, training and some more training (this is mostly for us! ) Niethier my Gsd or rotti's lend themselves to strangers easily....no agression, you can pet and greet them just fine, but they could really careless about outsiders. This has been my experience. Good luck, If your going for looks a beautiful Rotti takes my breath away. My Gsd is definitly a looker too!!!!!!! LOL!

Personally I don't think you could go wrong with eithier!

[SABELLESMOM]

I've had both! Either breed, well bred is: highly intellegent, stunningly beautiful, and happiest when with their people! Both are intuitive, loving, and loyal. My GSD's (Heidi, Fritz, Ginger and Race) involved a bit more grooming and shed more than any of my Rottweilers (Jazmine, Sable and Rave).

My Rottn's are a bit more comical. They seem to have a sense of humor, actually. They pull pranks and walk off grinning happily to themselves. My GSD's? Well it was more of an individual thing. Heidi was the only one with a joke on her mind.

The GSD's were a bit more businesslike...all the time, not just "on" during training. My Rottie, Raven, and my GSD, Heidi are/were intense. Rave is the most intense dog I've ever known! She's the only one completely clicker trained. She "locks on" practically. Then shows "pride" when she figures out what is wanted. Then never forgets! A real dream dog. But who's to say, had I understood clicker training, then...that my GSD's wouldn't have done just as well.

GSD's probably fare a bit better in the public opinion category. There are many who think Rottie's turn on their owners and eat children. Have a sense of humor...stupidity is always about.

So, investigate! You've selected two of my favorite breeds. I'm certain you would be happy with either. Training is essential. They don't come pretrained and with perfect manners. You have to be willing to take that on. You sound like you are looking forward to that part!