Hi all I'm not rushing into getting a Rottie just yet (still a few years to go!) but I would like some more info about them and whether they'd be suitable for my lifestyle I currently have a Miniature Pinscher and we like to do a lot of walking together (although she is currently on bed rest after an op.) through the countryside. Is two hours or so walking a day too much for an adult Rottie? I only ask because my cousin's Rottweiler gets tired out after half an hour of running about! We also like doing obedience and ideally I would be looking for a dog to do PAT with. Would a Rottie be suitable for this? What health issues should I look out for? Obviously hip tests should be done but what else? Am I right in thinking there's a test to do with the Thyroid that should also be done?
Shona's the person to ask about Rottis - if she doesn't come on you could always pm her In the meantime, from what I know of hers - they are generally good at obedience - eager to learn and to please(though some pick things up quicker than others). But unfortunately I think you may have problems using them as a PAT dog..there is a lot of prejudice about the breed and although I don't think that passing the assessment would be an issue, you may struggle to find people who want you to visit . Having said that, there is a USA member on here (who's name escapes me just now) who I'm sure has been doing PAT type work with her young rotti...perhaps you'll just need to move to the States! once they're mature, I don't see any reason why they can't do lots of walking - in fact look at Anne-Marie's Marius - judging by her photos, she goes on some pretty long walks with him.
Dogs tend to adjust to their regular walking routine. You may need to build up to 2 hours gradually but I'm sure a Rottie would be fine with it. Kiki's a Rottie cross and I've taken her on walks up to 4 hours with streams, hills, lots of dogs to run back and forth to, etc. and although she's slept well afterwards, she's never shown signs of struggling physically. Plus an ambling walk for 2 hours can be quite an easy pace for a dog to keep up, whereas half an hour of constant running (Kiki can build up an impressive sprint when she wants!) would tire a dog out faster. You will need to be careful of the hips but Rottweilers are also apparently prone to arthritis in the elbows (and I imagine elsewhere) so if you approach a breeder then do ensure they know a lot about Rottie health issues and do all the appropriate tests, as well as knowing about the health of all the relatives of the dogs they're breeding. I've seen some Staffies used as PAT dogs and a Mastiff and Boxer too so although some places may immediately turn a Rottie down, you may get lucky. Maybe approach any organisations/groups locally and see whether they have any breeds they rule out, and decide whether PAT work is that important to you. Don't forget about rescue Rotties though - there are several Rottie specific rescues in the UK, and they crop up in all-breed rescues all the time so might be worth looking at too. Quite a lot of Rottie crosses around too. If you adopt an adult then at least you'd have a good idea of its activity level and temperament which could help ensure the dog suits your lifestyle. Rescue Remedies has a really lovely Rottie girl at the moment who I would snap up in a heartbeat if I could - I walked her last week and she was the absolute perfect dog on-lead and just wanted cuddles http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=134606
I know 2 Akitas used as PAT dogs and they have a terrible reputation for being dog aggressive and also for nearly killing people as reported in many national newspapers regularly haha. Be prepared for the "ooo but your min pin is so small compared to him, eeek!" comments, my friend has 3 Akitas and 3 cavs and got a lot of agro at first which quite upset her. ZeptheDep on here might be one to pm re: rescues, he has a rottie rescue and own a few beauties, he is lovely
2 hours a day for a full grown Rott will be no problems whatsoever they'll love it. Health issues the main 2 to make sure the parents have been tested for are Hip and Elbows if neither have been tested then stay well clear. I believe there is also a heart test but not all breeders do it apparently although i don't know much about it. Rottweilers are great PAT dogs i've known a few in my years of owning a Rott and they get on fine with no prejudice that i know of.
That's lovely to hear I'm really trying to remember where I'd heard of there being problems (not problems with the ability to pass the assessments but with people willing to accept them as PAT dogs).
Here's a link to a few Hali but i know of more http://www.rottweilerownerstrust.com/pat-dogs.php A rottweiler also won Pat dog of the year in 2006
Thanks for the replies everyone, very very helpful! It's sad about the PAT thing, I'd totally forgotten about the prejudice against Rotties! It seems so weird as the ones I've met have been daft as brushes and all dribble and kisses I suppose doing PAT wouldn't be too important to me if people weren't keen on having a Rottweiler come in but I would certainly like to get him/her qualified anyway, even just for the experience and training that goes with it Once I'm a bit closer to hopefully getting a Rottie I'll probably get in contact with some of the people suggested in this thread! Oh she's absolutely gorgeous And sounds perfect too! I'd ruled out rescue rotties because of their strength compared to my size and the possible training issues I was worried about with a rescue but she does seem to be perfect in that respect. I wonder if my mum would agree to meeting her... I'm not sure if the PAT is really important to me or not yet but I would like the option.
Well I for one love rotties. I will have a rottie one day, hopefully a rescue. I'd looked at Ruby and she seems gorgeous. I've seen pics of PAT dog rotties. If I was to get one, I would hope it would be suitable for both obedience and PAT work. But if not, I will just enjoy owning my dream dog!
I have had a rescue rotti for 2 weeks and he has never been walked, so he is exhausted after 20 mins, but we are building up gradually. Having said that though, he plays catch with my 2yo son for literally hours during the day! We usually would spend an hour a day walking plus a 40 min run, so that's what he is building up to. And we are in Perth where its usually about 30 degrees celcius, if not hotter, so I think 2 hrs would be ideal. At 43kg he doesnt weigh much less than me, but has learnt very quickly not to pull and is super well behaved, can't wait to do more obedience with him. He is probably the smartest dog I have ever met, and it would be hard for me to look past rottis in the future, cannot recommend them highly enough, especiallly a rescue.
My 9mth old Min Pin's best 'mate' is a mature Rottie who lives over the road. It is the calmest and most patient dog. As soon as he sees Bella approaching, he sits down and his expression says it all ... Here we go again - come on then - let's get it over with - I am waiting to go on my walk... while Bella leaps all over him, pirouhettes round him, alternately grovels and rolls on her belly in front of him, barks and generally makes a complete nuisance of herself expressing her DELIGHT at seeing him! It's so funny to watch. He rolls his eyes and I am sure he is thinking how nice it was here before this pipsqueak moved in!
