Rotteweiler's?

Question

I've just bought a beautiful Rotteweiler puppy! When people ask what breed he is, and I tell them, 90% of people pull the' oh right, a rotteweiler' face. Why do people still prejudge this breed? Dogs, like people, are not born bad, how they are bought up defines the charachter they develop into! Does anyone else own a dog that people frown upon, down to bad publicity, or lack of understanding...?

Answer 1

Congratulations on your new pup! Hopefully from a reputable breeder or a rescue!
I own 2 Rottweilers now. One is my first, the other is the 3rd.
I lost 1 about a year ago to stomach bloat/torsion.
I get the same reaction from people when I say I have 2 Rottweilers- so I know what you mean. The reaction comes from stereotyping, bad media, and a lack of understanding.
I think a lot of Rottweilers have a bad reputation because well-intentioned owners find the breed too difficult to manage and train, thus leaving the dog without proper social skills and manners. Many times the dog ends up confined to the back yard or worse.
My advice to you is to become the very best ambassador to the breed that you can possibly be. That will help your dog, and the rest of the responsible Rotty owners out there to at least somewhat diminish the negative attitude in your corner of the neighborhood so to speak.
Good Luck, and hang in there! If this is your first Rott, please seek advice from people who KNOW the breed and know it well.

Answer 2

I know what you're going through. I have a female dobie, however she's a red/rust and I didn't have her ears done, reason being if I'm not going to show her why pay for it, otherwise I like the look of it. Anyway, I walk her around town a lot and people always come up and say how sweet she looks and "Oh, is that a greyhound, weimerener, lab...mixed breed?" And I tell them no, she's actually a Dobie, and then they say, oh is she mixed. When I tell them no they tend to pull back a bit. And EVERYONE says, "They look so much sweeter without their ears done." Well, I disagree, but if I can get people to approach my dog and pet her before I actually tell them what she is I have found they're a lot more responsive and willing to give her a chance. A lot of them are surprised dobies come in other colors besides black/tan.
I think a lot of the "aggresive breeds" got a very bad rap in the media, whether it's news stories regarding attacks or in the movies. I remember reading something a couple months ago about a pack of chihuahuas attacking a sheriff. Were the dogs put down? NO, b/c everyone thinks it's funny and they don't cause much damage. But everyone knows smaller dogs are much more likely to bite, they just don't cause as much damage. So it isn't reported, that's why they aren't up there on the lists. Also, no one seems to be able to think for themselves or even give something a try. They don't understand that it isn't about the breed, it's about how the owner raises and treats the animal.
It's really upsetting when people aren't even willing to give a dog a try, it's just like racism, judging a dog by it's 'breed.' The other bad thing is when they have their kids around and won't let the kids touch the dog or even go near it, 'b/c it's one of those mean dogs'. Complete idiocy. But yeah, a lot of people have been in your situation and it's really sad that people aren't willing to give a 4 month old puppy a chance to be fun and friendly.

Answer 3

I owned a Rottweiler years ago and got the same thing, but I now have a Pit Bull and the reaction is worse. It is ignorance and a lack of information. People get upset when you condemn all people of certain race, and yet it is the same thing with dogs. Of course there has been a great deal of bad publicity for the Pit Bulls but those dogs for the most part were trained that way or raised improperly. I often have to laugh at their ignorance because I did previously own a very unfriendly Akita (who was raise incorrectly) that wanted nothing more than to bite who ever he could, and yet everyone wanted to hug him. In contrast my pit would not hurt a fly and I have had people try to mace him in the park, and others who pick up sticks as soon as they see him. My pit never has growled at anyone or anything. He is actually a big chicken. People need to look at actual statistics on breed attacks and look at the dogs past. It is very unfortunate that the world is like that, because both Pits and Rottweilers are great dogs when raise right and that more than anything love their families.

Answer 4

Rottweilers are beautiful puppies but, like any other breed, need to be trained and educated in order to make them into beautiful adults.

Unfortunately many Rotties have been bred, bought and raised by the wrong people and a full-grown Rottie who is not under control is a very dangerous animal.

THIS CAN BE SAID OF ANY LARGE, POWERFUL BREED OF DOG!

German Shepherd Dogs, previously known as Alsatians, came in for a lot of prejudice some years ago.

I have had long coated and short coated GSDs. At one time I told everyone that the short -coat was an Alsatian and the long coat was a German Shepherd (they were litter-mates). Some people gave my 'Alsatian' that look but were more relaxed about the long coat which they didn't realise was one of those 'aggressive' Alsatians because he had a fluffy coat.

While your pup is still at the cute stage get him out and about meeting children, old people, teenagers and so on. Introduce him to nice, sociable dogs and let them teach him doggie manners.

Take him to a good training class which uses kind, reward-based training. Avoid any class where they use compulsive, confrontational methods. These methods often rely on bullying young dogs into submission whereas what you need to do is motivate your dog into doing what you want it to do.

Look up the web site for the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) to find an approved trainer. They use only kind methods but get good results. You could also try a Kennel Club Approved trainer and enrol in their Good Citizen scheme with your pup.

Have fun!

Answer 5

I have a rescued greyhound. When I told my mum about him I was told I was an idiot for taking on a dog that was so high maintenance, they need loads of walking etc... I've also heard that they can't be housetrained and that they're vicious.

Truth is, greyhounds need only 20min walk twice a day, and spends most of the rest of his time sleeping.

My greyhound was housetrained very quickly, so that myth is blown out of the water.

I've met loads of greyhounds since I got mine and all of them have been exceptionally placid and gentle. He's the first greyhound I've given a home to, but he'll not be the last. He's changed my mum's opinions about the breed, too.

Some myths persist about loads of breeds of dog. People believe certain things and tell others, this in turn influences them. Rotties got a bad press in the 1990s in particular and unfortunately the image of the vicious rottweiler persists to this day.

The more people that see an example of a dog that does not conform to the stereotype they hold, the less people will believe it. My mum's opinion on greyhounds was changed, and responsible rottie owners can help to change the negative image that breed gets.

Good luck.

Answer 6

I have a pit bull that everyone always says things about. He is the nicest dog in the entire world he just big and looks mean. You'll always get that from people about you dog I'm afraid. Just know your facts. I wrote a report on Pits and now when someone says something I can throw facts at 'em. Like here's one for ya. . . 90% of dog bites are to children that are under 10 that are NOT being supervised. A dog needs to be around children to know that children are small people. A child under 10 should not play with any dog unsupervised. Plus the only reason that they have such a bad wrap is because their so big and when a big dog bites it leaves a big mark. You don't hear about the terrible attacks of the jack russel terriers.

Answer 7

I have a rottie too, and he is lovely. But there are some that are not. I was in a feed store a few years ago, and a guy was in there holding a rottie puppy. This critter was already growling at people, chewing on it's owner's had, and snarling. He was obviously born nuts, and it is from this kind of breeding that they get a bad name..... there are breeders out there that just breed for crazy dogs ----usually to use them as fighters. This is what has happened to the pit bull. About the only pit bull you can buy are those who don't show enough aggression as puppies. So they get sold to ordinary people. The surpirse comes when they are adults....they are just calm enough MOST of the time to make a pet, but because of their parentage, flip out, and rip off someone's arm. Rotties arent quite like that, but they are the favorite breed of drug dealers.........So many will be born "half a bubble off".

Answer 8

I have had dogs all my life, but not a Rottweiler. I was semi afraid (due to lack of knowledge) until last year when I moved into a house where the neighbours had a 150 pound Rottweiler. He turned out to be the sweetest dog. He was over all the time playing with my 3 legged Labrador who is half his size. He was so gentle with him. Just a big baby. I have met more now and realize that just like every other dog....the owner has much to do with its character...and my next dog might be a rotti!

Answer 9

I have a female Rottweiler who is 3 now. We bought her as a puppy from a well respected Schutzhund (sp?) breeder, and she has a great pedigree. She is the greatest dog I have ever had. She is very laid back, always wants to please, and is so protective of my 3 children, YET there are people who don't let their kids come to play at my house, neighbors don't come see us, and people look at us like we are evil! We have total trust in her and she is trained.
On a funny note, a neighbor did drop us off some veggies from their garden and she didn't want to come to the fence because Anna (rottie) was just sitting by the gate, so when the lady stepped out of the car and I was going towards her, my 10 pound rat terrier bit her on the ankle, it startled her but didn't cut her!!! I was embarrassed in front of her and apologized, but inside I was laughing because she was so scared of the 100 pound dog and the 10 pound was the one who bit her!!
Our rottweiler has never even snapped at us, even when she doesn't want to do something, she just goes along with us!

Answer 10

You are correct., it's a lack of understanding . I have two full Rotties and five half Rottie, half Olde English Sheep dog's that are my babies. I foster a lot of dog's and my babies accept them with open paws. When the fosters get adopted my dogs ,I'm sure, expect to see a new face to welcome any time. It's all in how you train any dog. You make them what they are. Don't let what people think disturb you a bit. Dog's are all love, wish people had an understanding of that. Be a good ambassador for Rotties, they need it. Good luck.