Any thoughts on Rottweilers

Been interested in the breed for awhile. I like big dogs and the fact their naturally protective. I also like that they're expensive meaning that not any and everybody can afford them. I'm aware of their past reputation being similar to what the "pitbull" is now. I know they're still known as an agressive breed but not number one on the list anymore. My main reasons for wanting to transition over to rottweilers are size, temperment, color,athleticism, oh and did I mention the size and protection quality.

 

They are nice dogs. If you are looking for a seriously protective dog (not just all bark), I'm sure you could find a breed better suited. Still if you are set on Rotts they'll deter people that's for sure, but in recent decades people have been breeding them more for show and companionship. You'll find better stock in the european bloodlines of Rottweilers then you will here in America, especially if you are interested in training protection sports i.e. schutzhund, ring sport, PSA

I don't think I've ever seen a Rottweiler doing ring sport, its almost exclusively Belgian Malinois. They can do schutzhund just fine if you get a decent dog, and PSA is focused heavily on real life scenarios. You need a confident, sound dog for that sport that can take heavy environmental stress. Those decoys don't go easy on PSA dogs lol

 

I had one that I bought from a Persian man, made a great herding dog, but that's about it.

 

Big Dog Big Shit, Little Dog Little Shit. Thats My Motto! Good Luck.

 

GAME-DOG.COM should have been a deterent from posting this here but oh well. Nothing wrong with a rottweiler IMO there just not the APBT. Since you are interested in them for protection then I hope you know how to channel there drive for dominace. Now you said athleticism, if thats what you want then your not going to be fully satisfied. Good luck bro. By the way, pound for pound the American Pitbull Terrier is by far the best dog in the world.

 

Theres plenty of forums for rotties, this is not one of them. GAME DOG. jmo

 

you want protection buy a gun while you still can. you want a good dog keep a APBT.

 

I hope you do your homework. Just because a dog is expensive doesn't really mean to much anymore. :rolleyes: You can go buy yourself an AmBully for 10g'z if that's what you're looking to spend.

Rottweilers are very dominant dogs and like to have a job. Natural protection is true, but these were first and foremost herding dogs. I highly suggest looking elsewhere than the US if you are looking for a good working line. They are a whole different ball game than APBT's when it comes to training, they are usually very pigheaded and without the proper training and handling I could see it going to HA or a very dominant unmanageable dog very fast. Most people who use rotts as working dogs specialize in that breed in particular, they certainly aren't for everyone.

 

If you were being robbed would you rather have this^^^

or this

 

Hence the off topic thread.

My wife is from Germany and has family who can get us in touch with some reputable breeders. I still love the APBT but my interest in being breed educated is in the Rottweiler. I'm looking to have one for yard protection. True that many breeders have watered down the rotty breed but the APBT has suffered some serious blows as well. It's hard as hell to get a true to standard APBT unless you know someone that knows someone and with the APBT you never know who is being watched by big brother. Anyway I'm sure someone on here owns or have owned both breeds so what are the pros and cons of each?

 

we are just giving you a hard time. it is all good brother...

 

Remember the APBT is not for protection although it can be trained for such activity. Let's not do the picture comparison. Rather immature and too easy.

 

Are you looking for a yard dog that is just going to alert you to someone on your property or a watch dog who's going to rip some a** if someone comes onto your property? Two very different things.

 

i had a rottie once. he was dumb as a brick, but did his job and kept my yard secure. now, for yard security i like doberman better. my female comes from top of the line dogs (for doberman that is), and she's is very good at her job. not to mention highly intelligent. though i do agree with ben, mr. 9mm always does the best job. i've seen people who are happy owning rotties, but they eat too much for my taste, and their size is more of a hinderance were they to have to chase something down, imo. my dobe is slender and athletic, very well suited for the a$$ getting business. expense doesn't necessarily mean quality. i would suggest thouroughly researching the lines of any dog that you might get.

 

I just don't see any con's to owing APBT. rottweiler on the other hand i see no upside. i couldn't see putting any trust in a dog for protection. ROBER with gun + owner with dog = your ass getting blown away

 

I had two Rotts and all they did was eat, sleep, shit and eat some more! They looked and sounded mean but were big lazy lap dogs.

 

Rottweilers tend to be stubborn and a bit dim witted. For workability, intelligence and athleticism I would sooner use a Doberman.

 

If you are wanting a guard dog/companion. I would go with a Great Dane, not only are they impressively large, but they are very intelligent (I had one that I forgot to tell him he could move and I found him sitting in the same spot two days later hungry as a wolf) and they have a destructive bite. Plus girls love a big fuzzy dog, especially when he's a pup with the big feet/head/ears.

 

Get a german shepard... I think they are a little more athletic

 

I've seen some rotties that are above and beyond what most here are being critical of. It just depends on the owner. Lazy owner, lazy dog. How tolerate can the APBT be to rotties and vice versa?