Rottweilers

ORIGINAL: hdkutz

If you want a true rottie find a breeder that you trust and that has imported his breeding stock from Germany. Look at the health certs. and the working titles on the dogs. The breeder will match you to a pup. A good rottie will require a firm assertive handler. IMHO they are similar in personality to a good working shepherd. They seem a little more laid back than GSD`s but don`t confuse that as being lack of drive.

 
If one is looking for a pet then Germany working lines would not be someone I would get a dog from.
pet homes don't need a dog with a high drive.Seen to many dogs returned because the drive did not match the home. 

True but then you are just getting a watered down version of what the breed was meant to be. If that`s the case get a Golden. I feel breeds that are bred to work should maintain that drive and quality. You shouldn`t get a breed based on how cool it looks.

A rottweiler (american version) is still a lot different than a golden.  The rottweilers i've met (even strange ones that were loose and have come up to me) have been amazing, sweet, gentle, smart, and bonded dogs.  A golden is fine but nothing like a rottie.  Same with dobes; I doubt i could handle a german dobe from working lines, but our three are some of the BEST dogs you could ask for. 

They're not "watered down" imo, just better suited for family life.  Not many pet owners could handle a high-drive dog like a working line rottie, and i'd bet MANY of those dogs would end up with behavioral problems and end up in shelters.

Edit:  I also want to say, I don't think looks has much to do with it, at least for me.  I don't think dobes or rotties are really the best looking dogs (don't get me wrong, they're beautiful, but I think the sibes and malamutes and tibetan terriers and etc are much more impressive in looks).

Interesting thing about the German and American lines, thanks!

Anyway, I'm not going to get a Rottie anytime soon (and if I do I really want maybe a mix or from a rescue at least), but they are so fascinating and lovely. How are they with other dogs and with strangers? How do you channel or provide an outlet for the dog's high drives? And are they really as "guard dog"-ish and "dominant"/"pushy" as they are made out to be?

ORIGINAL: hdkutz
True but then you are just getting a watered down version of what the breed was meant to be. If that`s the case get a Golden. I feel breeds that are bred to work should maintain that drive and quality. You shouldn`t get a breed based on how cool it looks.

Just because they don't come from Germany doesn't make them any less a Rottweiler.
My dogs are all American lines,they still have plenty of drive to work for me.Plus they make great pets for people looking for just that.
I'm of the opinion that if the German bred dog was so good.Why is it here?And why can they not produce them selves?People import all the time and not to many have started a line with what they imported,they must continue to import. 

ORIGINAL: mondayblues


Anyway, I'm not going to get a Rottie anytime soon (and if I do I really want maybe a mix or from a rescue at least), but they are so fascinating and lovely. How are they with other dogs and with strangers? How do you channel or provide an outlet for the dog's high drives? And are they really as "guard dog"-ish and "dominant"/"pushy" as they are made out to be?

 
If you have a dog with lots of drive,or even just as a pet .Daily walks and giving your dog a job helps to channel it.A job as  in taking the dog to training classes.
My dogs love people and some play well with starnge dogs.Elwood can not play with other dogs as he was an only child anot know how to share.

Life with a Rottie can be a beautiful thing. When i was a kid we had a female named Scarlett. She was obediance trained, which would be the first thing I would suggest doing if you decide on a Rottie. Anyway she was incredible with my younger brother and I, all of our friends, and any other child. However, if an adult that she didnt know came to the house she would stand sentinal at the door(not growling) but showing teeth until someone in the family opened the door and shook their hand. The second we shook she knew that she could " stand down" and then her hunt for a belly rub began.But if noone answered the door, noone came in. I dont own a rottie at the moment because I'm more of a presa canario person these days, but if I ever got another dog besides a presa I'd get another rottie.

There are downfalls to owning one though besides the health issues that have unfortunately tainted this amazing dog..you will always have those occasional people who cross the street to avoid you and your beautiful dog, you'll find it a little harder getting homeowners insurance, infact in some areas finding a house could be difficult. Again, my advice is obediance, obediance, obediance..and when you finish advanced obediance...take another class to refresh the skills because, as with any large breed, if you give them and inch theyll take a foot.

Goodluck in your search for that special dog, I hope that whatever breed you choose turns out to be the breed for you!
-sincerely, Dave

Here is a great video if you want to know a little about the breed:
[linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BmUkgmzEhc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BmUkgmzEhc[/link]
 
If you want to know alot about the breed from people who have been involved with them for many many years - and I do mean involved - check out rottweiler.net. 
 
Most of the people on the site have rotts that have titles you would not believe in everything from conformation to all aspects of working competitions.
 
I have 3 rotties and they are the absolute best dogs I have ever owned.  Mine would never win conformation titles, though they are all purebred rotts.  They dont' do any sports in competition.  But they are truly wonderful dogs for the right family. 
 
As far as the 'get one from Germany' comment, I don't agree at all.  We have some incredible lines in the states now.  Many of those lines may come from German dogs, but be very very careful about buying a 'german' rottweiler.  There are tons of BYB's out there asking insane prices for them and when you check out their registration - if you know what you are looking at - you will see that they aren't 'german' at all!!
 
Rottweiler.net is seriously the best place to get info on rottweilers. 

ORIGINAL: rutylr



Just because they don't come from Germany doesn't make them any less a Rottweiler.
My dogs are all American lines,they still have plenty of drive to work for me.Plus they make great pets for people looking for just that.
I'm of the opinion that if the German bred dog was so good.Why is it here?And why can they not produce them selves?People import all the time and not to many have started a line with what they imported,they must continue to import. 

 
Just like there are tons of German Shepherd breeders that get their foundation stock imported and then continue the lines , the same thing with rotties.

[linkhttp://www.donnerbergrottweilers.com/breed-standards.html]http://www.donnerbergrottweilers.com/breed-standards.html[/link]