Rottweiler Question

Message edited 3/9/2008 9:23:33 PM.

Re: Rottweiler Question

Sorry this is long -

Getting a dog to protect the house isn't a bad idea...but the personality of the dog is going to be what it's going to be.

I had a doberman who wouldn't have hurt a fly...he was the sweetest dog in the world. Anyone could manhandle him.
My BF has had two Rotties, both of them sweethearts....never bit, attacked or did anything to anyone. And she has three kids - two of which were born with her first dog, one born with the second.

Both of these breeds are not naturally agressive. They are highly intelligent which is why they have been trained as guard dogs, but it's not their natural inclination.

BUT - most people are afraid of these two breeds so if you get one, it doesn't have to be mean or agressive...most people will have a natural fear of it. People would cross to the other side of the street when I walked my dobie.

Our Weimaraner is wayyyyyyyyyyyy more agressive than my dobie or my friends Rottie....if she doesn't like someone, she growls instantly and when a stranger comes to the door - you would think she were going to tear their heart out. She's never actually done anything, but she acts much worse than any dobie or rottie I've ever seen.

Research breeds and figure out what is best for you...my friend has a Rottweiler cuz she feels very safe with a big, scary dog in the house that will bark when it hears something. Whether her dog would actually do anything doesn't matter, she just feels safe this way. When she didn't have a dog, she felt very vulnerable when her husband wasn't home.

Re: Rottweiler Question

Thank you so much for your response!

I totally understand what you are saying. I think I want a dog for the feeling of protection. My husband fears the dog will ruin our house and that we won't be around enough for it.

Do rotts usually destroy furniture? Can they be kept in one room all day with 2 walks a day?

Re: Rottweiler Question

Are you getting a puppy or an adult rescue?
I recommend starting with crate training on any dog when you first get it - then slowly allowing them run of the house (or a couple rooms) over time.
Remember, if you want the dog to protect the house, he/she has to be able to see what's coming and bark. When we had Misty crated she obviously was useles as far as protection...now that she has free roam she can look out a window and bark at someone or something.
There will usually be some destruction with a puppy - see the what's the worst thing your dog ate thread - but they grow out of it and with training and attention almost all dogs end up being trustworthy.
I would recommend, if you don't have the time for training a puppy (lot's and lot's of work) contact a breed rescue in the area and get an older dog. You still should do three walks a day minimum, or at least be able to let the dog out a few times to go to the bathroom. But, a two or three year old dog doesn't generally need to be housebroken and trained.

Re: Rottweiler Question

I have a rottie-mix and he is a wonderful dog but he doesn't like strangers and he is very protective of me which makes it very difficult to have someone come into the house (including family and friends). I understand your fear and need for protection but I would rather have a dog that looks scary but is a mush. As the above poster said people will naturally be afraid of a rottie but I don't think you should train it to not like strangers. Sorry to ramble but I hope that helps.

Re: Rottweiler Question

I agree with the posts above. I have a rottie mix who is a great big mush BUT her big size and deep bark are definitely intimidating. Know that if you intend to get a big dog training is a must. Let me know if you have any questions.

Re: Rottweiler Question

I actually have a golden/chow mix. He is about 70 pounds and has a LOUD bark. And when anyone PULLS up in front of the house he goes nuts. BUT I don't think he would hurt anyone. BUT his bark would definetly scare them away.

Rotts and dobies are GREAT dogs. But I wouldn't get one to train to be vicious. I think if anyone knew that dog was inside they wouldn't come near it even if the dog would lick them to death

Re: Rottweiler Question

Re: Rottweiler Question

I don't think you need a vicious dog as protection to your home. Barking dogs are the biggest deterrent in burglaries because they don't know the temperament of the dog especially bigger dogs.

I have heard that Rotties are excellent family pets and very good with children. However, you have to be cognizant that it is a dog and will always behave as a dog.

I would research some breeds and give it a little time before you jump into a dog. You don't want to make an impulsive decision when it comes to taking a dog into your home.

ETA: I have two dogs... a border collie/chow mix and a Jack Russel Terrier. The Collie never has destroyed a piece of furniture or been destructive to anything in the house. We rescued her from a municipal shelter. The JRT on the other hand, we bought as a puppy and he was wild! He was crate trained for the first 3 years we had him and he hated it. Now, he has free run of the house and has not destroyed anything in over 2 years.


On another note, the collie is big with a very loud bark but most people are just afraid of the Jack because he jumps and nips.

Message edited 11/11/2007 11:51:04 AM.

Re: Rottweiler Question

I have three dogs...
Jessi is a 65lbs Pitbull/Shepard mix, she has the body and face of a pit, so yes she is very intimidating and she barks very loudly when people come near the house.
But she is a big mush and very smart.

Morgan is our 35lbs pitbull/terrier mix and she is def more aggressive when it comes to strangers in the house, so I tend to keep her in her crate till she calms down, unless its people like deliverymen

and we just added Riley our 5 mth old 50 lbs German Shepard. Again her size is most intimidating right now. She's not really a barker and she is very friendly and smart.

I feel that getting a dog to protect your house is a great idea. I'm pretty sure no one will ever be stupid enough to come into our house
I think getting a dog that will be loyal to your family would be best. My friend has a Rottie and she is so sweet and loyal, Pitbulls are great dogs, despite their bad rep, and German Shepards which or course I'm partial too. But there are so many breeds out there would would make a great "guard dog." Just research what dog you think would be a good fit into your family.
Good Luck


eta: when i was very young my family had a doberman...who I don't remember but apparently was very attached to me. So much so that he would growl at my parents if they tried to discipline me. When my mom was PG with my brother, the dog started to become aggressive, showing his teeth and growling at my mom. So my parents ended up giving him away.
SO like someone else posted before, you don't need to get a viscious dog to protect your house, just one loyal enough to go above and beyond to protect their family and home.

Message edited 11/11/2007 12:45:41 PM.

Re: Rottweiler Question

Re: Rottweiler Question

When DH and I started talking kids, with him working nights I wanted a dog. I was more for the Lab and he wanted a Rottie since he had one when he was younger..Well, we got the Rottie and I LOVE her with all my heart. She is still just a puppy, 6 months, but she is amazing. They only bark when they want to alert their owners to something. She is socialized and I also spent time at puppy class and she is going back to do work at advanced training and going to go to Senior Citizen Homes. She is like "Good Dog Carl" in those books. She is wonderful with my little cousin's and now with a baby on the way I am not worried at all...she has been great and I am so happy and thankful we got the Rottie.

Please FM me if you have any questions and if you need a trainer, our lady was wonderful!!! Good luck!!
BTW: I am usually alone at night with DH at work and I feel so safe with a baby on the way and a Rottie to protect us!

Re: Rottweiler Question

IMO a lot has to do with the socilialization and training of the dog, not necessarily the breed. I have an almost 2 yr old rottie and he is the biggest mush I have ever met. He just adores attention and is very good with children. He's afraid of the vacuum and runs away when you chase him with the swiffer However, if a stranger walks in the house, unaccompanied/unwelcome he will make sure the entire house knows about it. That happened once when the BF and I had him in the bedroom and someone on the other end of the house opened the door (so a delivery guy could come in) and walked away, Max walked into the kitchen and then saw the guy come in. Ohhh boy - he has a deep bark.
To sum it up: my rottie is a big cuddly mush but can protect when necessary.

Re: Rottweiler Question

We have Porter, he is a pit/boxer mix. He would not hurt a fly. He is however very protective, especially of me, if he does not trust someone he will stand in front of me and growl and bark at them to stay away from me. He knows the good from the bad people. He also does this with our 2 year old niece and 3 month old nephew.

I think any dog will be protective of the family. Even my tiny 8 pound poodle is protective. If DH play fights with me, my poodle is all over him growling and barking and tugging at his shirt.

Re: Rottweiler Question

i don't think you should train it to be vicious- that could backfire.
i think a large barking dog would scare a burglar away.

ETA: There are lots of large breed dogs at shelters!

Petfinder - Rotties

Petfinder - Dobermans

Message edited 11/15/2007 4:24:07 PM.