Advice on new puppy...down the line.

[metalhead212]

I am looking to you guys, the experts, on information and suggestions on another dog. I am not looking to buy one right away, I want to wait a few years while I raise the one I have now so that when I end up getting a second pup, (I feel that animals need to come in two's so they have a "companion" to entertain themselves with) my puppy now, Orion, will be able to help show the little guy how to behave like a big guy and give me a little assistance in training him. I have always wanted a Rott. I have done A LOT of research on these dogs and I know for a fact that they get a bad rap due to neglect and inproper training. If I had children I wouldn't hesitate for a second to get a rott. I am just wondering if you all think that it is a good choice seeing as though a lot of you have way more experience and knowledge of the K9 world more than I do.

As of now in the house it is myself, my girlfriend, Orion our lab mix puppy (4 months), and our four cats Boo (2.5 yrs), Simba (9 months) , Oreo (3.2 years) , and Desiree (1.2 years).

We have started to become very active since getting the puppy, and we actually feel **** good. We needed something to get us up off our ass's and Orion was the key. Of course that wasn't the only reason we got him, he needed us and our love and we needed his. Now that we have been so active and are now getting into a routine I feel that we have now reached a place where, if we build upon our foundation, we can supply the activity that a bruiser like a rott needs. We work a normal 8 hour schedual, but I am able to leave mid-day for an hour or so to come home and take care of the puppy. We have the perfect schedual for crate training, and I am just curious if we have what it takes to take care of a rott.

We are not looking for a rott because it is a "living security system" we want one because they are some of the most loving, passionate animals I have ever encountered. We know that their built in protection instinct is something that we will have to deal with, but through training I am sure that we and the pup could manage it.

Our neighborhood is a close proximity area. All the houses are within a few feet of each other. All good people, just packed close. Our house is a three bedroom deal so we have plenty of room for the whole family. We have a fenced in back yard with a six foot privacy fence and no large gaps or breaks for a tiny puppy to squirm through.

Also what are the exact insurance requirements when owning a rott?

Thanks so much!

A rottie is a dog just like any other. Just remember that they are a working dog and need firm handling just like any other working/herding dog.

Also, not all dogs will get along when they grow up. I have two dogs (one 8 week old puppy) and I have no intentions of leaving them together when I'm gone because I know that they will always be challenging each other. I have two intact males, it will not be fun when they mature. I'm guessing your lab mix is a boy, so I would highly consider getting a female rottie.

All dogs will protect or flee. It depends on the actual dog. If you want a dog as a guardian then I would look for rotties who are bred for that type of work and have the confidence they need to protect. but you could still end up with a dog that will flee instead of protect. My Dobie, I know will protect me but I am training my GSD for PP work because I feel safer knowing that my dog has been trained to protect. But this should ONLY be done if the dog has the right temperament. If you get a dog that is unstable and train it to bite you will run into MANY problems and you will have yourself a highly agressive dog.

[metalhead212]

We have already decided that we were going to get a girl. There is no question about that. Males tend to be the more dominate one, and we feel that a less dominate female would work best with our strangely mellow lab mix. She will of course get training as soon as possible. We just want to get as much information on the breed as we can now, so that in a few years when we are ready to make a purchase, we will be as informed, and knowledgeable about what we are getting into, as we can.

[joce]

I was convinced I wanted a rott and had for years and then I went dobe

rotts are great but its hard to find a good breeder. In fact I'd start looking now and going to shows and seeing who you like. You have to watch for hips and temperment especially. I talked to breeders who said this dog will keep everyone away from your house,I swear I slowly backed away right then. A lot of the breeders jsut breed for a really bad temperment.

As far as protection its usually jsut the looks of the dog that do it. A visual deterant,other wise you need to get a professionally trained dog and it'll probally be an adult. Even if you get a dog from lines were they do things like schutzand those dogs still go through the training.

[corsomom]

I have a 5 year old rott, great dog, very stable temperment. He likes people but I have seen his protective side. When my husband was away on a fishing trip his cousin who was pretty drunk stopped by to see my new corso pup. when I told him it was time to go he would not leave and grabbed my arm. Bruno jumped up and grabbed his arm, didn't break the skin, just let him know that there would be no grabbing me. Drunk cousin left in a hurry. As far as insurance, alot of companys will not take you if you have a rott. State Farm does not discriminate. They did ask us if he had ever bitten or had any type of attack training.