Discusses the image and reality of the Rottweiler as pets. Are they good dogs or unpredictable predators?
Are Rottweilers darlings or dangers? If one only read the Carl, the Dog books, then one would be led to believe that they are darlings. If one only listened to anti-Rottweiler sentiments in the media, then one would be led to believe that they are dangers. This is the danger of forming an uneducated opinion. Uneducated opinions tend to be extreme, especially in regard to dogs.
Rottweilers can be darlings and dangers. In actuality, a good Rottweiler, trained as a family guard dog, is a darling to its family members and a danger to those predators that would threaten its happy home.
The Rottweiler is a breed of working dog thought to have descended from the herding dogs used by the Romans. The Romans used dogs to guard their army camps and to drive their cattle. Drover dogs said to have descended from the Roman herding dogs were used in southern Germany, particularly in and around a prosperous market town, Rottweil. Hence, the breed's name, Rottweiler.
Rottweilers are large dogs. They are very muscular. Rottweilers are intelligent, making obedience training a necessity. Their hair is short, rough, and even. Rottweilers are black, with tan to dark brown markings. They have short tails that they carry straightly. Males stand about 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and bitches stand about 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder. A full-grown Rottweiler's weight should give the impression of ferocious power combined with extreme agility.
If you are thinking about purchasing a Rottweiler, then research the breed on your own. Meet with local breeders. Check out their dogs. Look into the American Kennel Clubs resources. Interview local dog trainers. You will need a good trainer to help you train your Rottweiler anyway. Meet your local veterinarian and ask his/her opinion and experience with the breed and area breeders and trainers. Do your homework. Form your own opinion, based upon facts.
Do plan on finding an experienced trainer to help you obedience and guard dog train your Rottweiler. These are powerful dogs that need to know who is in charge. They are well known as "man stoppers" in the attack dog-training communities around the world. Rottweilers are also well known for their extraordinary biting power. Do yourself, the dog, and your community a favor by committing to having your Rottweiler trained, as soon as you can.
Listed below are three contacts to help you research the breed on your own.
American Rottweiler Club
Secretary,
Doreen LePage,
960 S. Main St.,
Pascoag, RI 02859,
Breeder Contact,
Lauri Ladwig,
1184 E. Fleetwood Ct.,
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 424-1304
