Tips

Choosing a Puppy

So now that you know good places and bad places to get a Rottweiler, next in line is learning how to choose a good puppy. And here comes the advantage of purchasing from a reputable breeder, he or she will screen you (remember all the questioning we talked about previously?) and determine which puppy matches you best. Since the breeder has watched the puppy grow and bloom, his or her choice will be definitely more accurate than yours, seeing the pup for the very first time.

And let’s face it: puppies are all adorable; it is extremely easy to make a bad choice simply because their cuteness blurs the mind. Most will find irresistible the first puppy that comes to them.. “oh, look it likes me!’’ they will say. Generally this inquisitive puppy is simply the most assertive one, the one that may be more on the assertive side if you are not a consistent leader. On the other hand, some may feel sorry for the puppy that shies away and the other litter mates pick on. Prospective puppy owners may feel bad for it, and therefore decide to adopt it out of pity. These specimens however may turn out fearful, anxious or highly submissive and therefore may be prone to fearful biting. However, no general rules can be set in stone.

Some puppies may appear a bit independent, exploring on their own. These may not develop a good bond, as they may tend to be solitary and live their own lives. The best puppies are ultimately those that tend to be somewhere in between, curious and alert but not all over you. They may initially be a bit cautious and open up once they understand you are no harm.

You can do a few temperament tests along with the breeder to study the pup’s reaction to certain stimuli. William Campbell developed a series of tests that can be handy. Consider though that the way the pup reacts to these tests may give you an idea about the pup’s temperament ,but the pup’s disposition may shift variably as it grows (nurture vs. nature theory).

So are the more assertive Rottweiler puppies always to avoid? Not necessarily, they may make great Shutzhund candidates, tremendous show dogs or make a good pet for an experienced owner capable of delivering consistent no-nonsense training.

If you are purchasing from a reputable breeder, the puppy will be at least eight weeks old. This is very important. By this age the puppy has learned important life lessons from its littermates and mother. One of the most important lessons is bite inhibition. If you watch a batch of puppies playing, you will notice that when a boisterous one plays too rough, the other puppies will suddenly yelp in pain and withdraw from the game. The boisterous pup therefore learns that in order to play with its litter mates it must inhibit its bite and bite more gently. Mother dog will also teach other important social skills such as how to submit and behave.

If a puppy is removed too early, it will miss out on these extremely important life lessons and may also develop significant emotional problems that may lead to insecurity and behavioral issues down the road.

By the time you pick up your puppy it should have been given its first set of shots and first de-worming. It is your responsibility to continue the booster shots and follow up on de-worming. If you purchased from a reputable breeder you will have 24 hours to have his health checked.

Choosing a Rottweiler

Adult or puppy? Most like to get puppies because they are cute and the owners like to watch them grow. However, with puppies there are no guarantees. What you are basically looking at is a blank slate. Yes, the breeder may help you choose the right temperament, but the outcome of the pup still remains a big question mark and will depend on both nature and nurture.
With an adult dog, what you see is most likely what you get, if the dog is good with children, he will likely stay that way if they treat him right, if the dog is a little on the weak nerved side, he may never become a confident dog, but you may manage him if you have what it takes.

Most dogs in shelters are adolescents around 18 to 24 months old. This is often due to the owners not being able to deal such dogs during their teenager phases. A Rottweiler may be very testing during this time, but if you are consistent, you will eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel and your dog will likely shine.

Female or male? Some owners prefer females, others like males. It is ultimately a matter of choice. If this is your first Rottweiler your best bet may be a female, they are smaller and may be more docile. Males may be more stubborn and they can get quite testing during their adolescent stages, especially if left intact. They have raging hormones and may become stubborn and same sex aggressive as they reach social maturity. Owners must be able to stand their ground, but with firm and consistent training it may turn out to be no big deal.

Females however, are also prone to be same sex aggressive, this is something to consider if you are adding a Rottweiler to your household and you already have dogs. The same sex aggression seems to exacerbate if the dogs are very close in age. Male and female combinations are less likely to fight, but this is not always a general rule of thumb. Socialization and training may help partially curb aggression towards other dogs, but according to the American Kennel Club in describing the Rottweiler standard “An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs should not be faulted.’’

Choosing an Adult Dog

If you are going the adult route there is an advantage: you get what you mostly see. The dog has bloomed already and you are more likely to have a transparent idea of what he is rather than a blank slate. While this is a good thing, should there be a behavioral problem, by now it has put roots, and therefore it is more difficult to eradicate.

Upon selecting an adult Rottweiler avoid shy or aggressive Rottweilers, as they may be a handful for inexperienced owners. Spend time with the Rottweiler, walk him, and ask him some commands. Have a feel of who this Rottweiler is and what he or she has to offer. Ask the shelter or foster as many questions as possible. If you are unsure, most will be happy to allow you do give the Rottweiler a try so you can have a better feel. If you have other pets at home, this trial period will allow you to have an idea if there are chances of everyone getting along.

If you notice any problems, honestly think it over and discuss options with the shelter/foster parents. Many issues can be reduced and even solved with the aid of an experienced trainer or a reputable dog behaviorist.

Rottweiler Appearance

The Rottweiler is categorized by the American Kennel Club as a working breed. The Rottweiler breed is large standing 22 to 27 inches tall at the withers and weighing between 70 and 120 pounds. Males tend to be considerably larger framed and much bulkier and heavier than females. Females typically have a more feminine look. Proportionally, the breed is slightly longer than it is high. The breed is over all very muscular and powerful.

The head is typically broad between the ears, a dry forehead is preferable even though, some wrinkling is expected when the dog is alert. The overall expression is noble and alert.

The inner mouth is preferred to be dark. Teeth meet in a scissor bite, with the lower incisors touching the inside of upper incisors. The eyes are dark brown, almond shaped, neither protruding nor receding.
The coat is straight and medium length with a course outer coat. An undercoat can be present on neck and thighs, and this varies depending on climatic conditions. Color is always black with rust or mahogany markings.

Tail is typically docked short, close to the body, leaving one or two tail vertebrae. However, more and more breeders are electing to keep the tail full length. A full length tails is not means for disqualification since the AKC standard claims “ The set of the tail is more important than length.” Nails are strong and black and declaws are often removed with the tails a few days after birth.
The Rottweiler is a trotter when it comes to gait. Its motion is fluid, efficient and ground-covering. This is a great trait for a herding breed.
Having a history of being used as a guard dog, this breed is claimed to be territorial and protective, and therefore, can be initially suspicious of strangers. It is overall calm, confident and courageous with a typical wait-and-see attitude. A strong willingness to work and please makes it a very versatile dog. Protective of the home and family, this breed is an intelligent dog that prefers to stay around its family rather than outdoors alone.
The breed may at times be intolerant of other dogs, therefore “an aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs should not be faulted in the show ring”, according to the American Kennel Club. Shy or aggressive specimens however shall be excused from the show ring.

The Ideal Home for a Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is not a breed for everyone and does best in a home with an experienced handler capable of delivering no-non-sense training. Poor breeders along with owners lacking experience have caused the spread of weak nerved specimens, and an 100 pound insecure dog baring its teeth at any passersby is a huge liability! Rottweilers require dedicated and knowledgeable owners willing to commit in providing loads of exercise, training and socialization. Being a working breed, they require owners capable of supplying this lovely breed with mental stimulation and physical exercise so to drain this working breed’s energy and make a more relaxed pet.
If the buyer is purchasing a puppy it is of vital importance to purchase the puppy from a reputable breeder. Staying away from backyard breeders and puppy stores is a must. Poorly bred Rottweilers can have significant health issues not to mention temperamental ones. Do not be fooled by the Rottweiler’s impressive looks, many actually have a soft side and do better with gentle handling.

This dog does best around the family. Left alone outdoors alone in the yard makes them unhappy, frustrated and intensifies territorial instincts. They also may be nervous and frightened if left alone away from their owners. I learned this from experience: at times, we put our Rotties outdoors in the hopes they would play together while we mopped or vacuumed the floor, only to find both of them behind the door minutes later. As most Rottweilers they loved to be with their family and did not want to miss out anything when outdoors.

Rottweilers generally do not make good pets for the disabled or the elderly. Being large, they may not be easy to handle. Children may also have a hard time walking a Rottweiler. They also require lots of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent them from getting into trouble and being frustrated.

Rottweilers may live well with families with kids, but close supervision is always a must. Rough housing should not be allowed. A child should never be left alone around a Rottweiler, no matter how good he or she is. Being large dogs, they may unintentionally, knock over a child or react to a child mishandling them.

Rottweilers are highly intelligent and versatile. An abundance of specialties await owners of this breed, indeed Rottweilers excel in a variety of sports and specialties such as herding, personal protection, agility, obedience, carting and Shutzhund to just name a few.

Rottweilers are ultimately a breed of dogs that require lots of time and a big commitment. This is why the Rottweiler is not a breed for everyone and should never be adopted on the spur of the moment or worse, as a Christmas gift.

Using Crates

There seems to be a lot of controversy on the topic of crates. Some people see them as little prison cells. In reality, a crate mimics a dog’s den. In nature, canines have a den instinct. This derives from the fact a mother dog raises its pups in an underground hole and therefore puppies and dogs feel naturally comfortable in a small area they can relax in and call home.

Often, you may notice that if you leave your crate open, your dog will naturally investigate it on its own terms and may even enjoy sleeping in it. However, despite being liked by canines in general, a crate should not be over used. This means, you should never keep your adult dog in a crate for more than eight hours straight. If your dog has not met its exercise and social needs even six hours may be way too much. Crates are not storage facilities!

If your work hours are long, hire a pet sitter or somebody that can come in the middle of the day to say hello and walk your dog. Puppies under six months should never be left in a crate for more than four hours. A crate is a great tool for house training or simply to give your dog a place to relax. It is also a safe haven if your dog cannot be trusted in the home.

If you are purchasing a crate to potty train, make sure it is big enough to allow your puppy to stand up and turn around, but at the same time snug enough to not allow him to do his business in one corner and sleep comfortably in another.

If you are rescuing an adult Rottweiler go slow on introducing the crate: he may have never been in one before, and it can be quite intimidating, especially the first nights when he still needs to get used to the new smells, new faces and new noises. Your best bet it to create a safe area with baby gates and put the crate in this safe area with the door open with treats, toys and blankets inside. When it comes time to feed, place the food bowl in the crate, remember great things happen in there!

As he starts associating the crate with positive happenings you can try to toss a treat in there while giving the “kennel up’’ command in a happy voice. Do not close the door as of yet. Let him out and then repeat. When he understands the meaning you can close the door for a few seconds. Do not open the door when he is whining to get out. Open only when he is calm. Remember praise only when he goes inside, if you praise for getting out of the crate he will think that is good to get out, when we want him to love being in the crate, because good things happen in there. As he gets good in kenneling up, you should no longer use a treat to lure him inside, instead you should shift to giving the treat only when he complies to go inside the crate. You do not want to be stuck with a dog that thinks “ hey, no treat? I refuse to go in then”, rather you want a dog that goes in because you said so and that gets rewarded for complying.

After that, you can start giving treats randomly. However, I prefer giving a nice stuffed Kong most of the time, especially when we are heading out somewhere. This will keep your dog occupied for some time and the crate will be likely to remain a nice and rewarding place to be. If you have an adult Rottweiler that is house-trained, the size of the crate does not matter much. You can afford a larger crate that allows more room to stretch and allows your dog some much deserved space without feeling crammed.

Troubleshooting your Rottweiler: Some Rottweilers associate the crate with social isolation. This means that if you repeatedly close your Rottweiler in the crate right before leaving for work, your Rottweiler starts associating the crate with being left home alone. In this case, it is best if you close your dog in the crate and stop giving cues you are about to leave at random intervals. Close him earlier while you are wearing your pajamas. Or close him randomly and just sit next to crate reading a book. You want to remove the ‘’bad stigma’’ the crate may have assumed.

Where to get a Rottweiler

It is far easier to say where NOT to get a Rottweiler puppy. Adopting a Rottweiler puppy from a pet store is quite high risk because often these puppies come from puppy mills which engage in mass producing puppies with genetic disorders, serious diseases and bad temperaments.

Newspaper ads and ”free to good home” signs are to be wary about because there are no guarantees on the puppy’s temperament and/or presence of any genetic disorders that may show up later in life. These puppies may appear to be a good deal since they are considerably cheaper than purchasing from a reputable breeder, but you may encounter problems later and have zero support.

I learned this the hard way. My very first Rotties were from a backyard breeder. The price was right and the puppies were adorable. Just to conform to the BYB name, the stud and dam where in the backyard along with other breeds of dogs they were breeding. This should have been a strong warning sign, reputable breeders usually focus all their energy on improving one breed and more likely than not, the stud is not in their home, since they work hard on selecting the most appropriate partner that will improve the breed.

Another strong warning sign to be aware of is the fact that they were allowing us to bring home two puppies at once. Reputable breeders would never allow this; they know how difficult it is already to cater to the needs of one puppy that bringing two home is most of time, out of question.

While double earnings will tempt most people, reputable breeders care more about their puppies than anything else. They are well aware of the risks of sibling rivalry, and know that not many households have the time and dedication to train each puppy separately so to allow them to bond more with the owner than with each other.
These breeders instead complied immediately to the request of taking the two pups home, they actually stated they were happy ”that brother and sister could stay together’’. So hubby and I signed a check and the pups were on their way to their new homes.

And then it happened: as we were riding home, both puppies started developing diarrhea. We did not think much of it, since we presumed they were stressed from being in a car possibly for the very first time, and away from their home, with two total strangers.

But my male’s diarrhea was getting worse overnight and by the next morning he was refusing food. Of course, this was on a Sunday when all the vets in town were closed. I called the breeders and they told me they had no clue what may have been wrong with him. I researched a bit online concerned about Parvo, I tried calling again the breeders to ask if the pups had possibly been exposed to other sick puppies. There was no response. I left a message and they never called me back. Evidently they were avoiding my phone calls.
Laying lethargic in a corner whimpering in pain, we rushed our male to the emergency vet one hour and a half away, The after math? Two nights hospitalization and a bill for $1,300. This would have never happened with a reputable breeder that offers a health guarantee. Phone calls would have been returned, and very likely the bill would have been covered, at least in part. This was the last time we would deal with a BYB. Hard lesson learned.