How to know if a Rottweiler is a good dog for you...

I adopted a Rottie not full prepared for what was in store, and although everything has worked out well, it could be a blessing or a nightmare for some...

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• An open mind and an open heart...

1. Are you active? Rottweilers are very very energetic dogs. Even the most well trained will need plenty of room to roam. If you don't have a large yard are there dog parks or other enclosed places where you can take the dog daily? Do you have the energy for this?

2. Are you ready to be responsible for a very powerful animal? When you get that tiny black and tan puppy you don't think much about this. But that puppy is likely to grow into a protective large dog (most well over 100lbs). So you need to have a secure yard. Training and socialization at a young age is NECESSARY. But it doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars either, there are many self guides to dog training that I have found more useful than classes. And socialization just means introducing your puppy or if the dog is full grown very slowly and carefully introducing your pet to new sounds, people, places, animals, ect...not hard but socialization is key to having a well mannered Rottweiler, they rely on it!

3. Do you have money for vet bills? I ask because right off my Rottweiler was getting into mischief that sent him to the vet left and right as a young dog. And Rottweilers are prone to some health problems...

Tips & Warnings

• Rather than going to a breeder and paying high prices, if you are not looking to breed, then go to your local animal shelter. Most shelters do behavior assessments so they can tell you if a particular dog is right for you and your family.
• Rottweilers are great family dogs. But I do not recommend them for families with small children for the main reason of the fact that they do have a very strong tendency to jump on people in a playful but overpowering manner.
• Rottweilers inherently have a high prey drive, and although any dog if raised from puppyhood with another animal will most likely grow to to love it, introducing and adult Rottweiler to a kitten would not be a good idea unless you know the dog likes cats already. So not recommended for home with small pets.
• Rottweilers were bred to guard, they will no doubt become attached to one or more people or their property and they will protect it wholeheartedly, so especially with Rottweilers any behavior you do not like needs to be nipped in the bud as soon as it arises, and they will challenge you over and over about it, you have to remember that you are the boss and this dog has to listen for its own wellbeing.