I am sitting here on my couch trying to figure out what to write, I look at my couch looking at my dog Zeus, he just turned 10 years old on November 13.
He has his own cushion on our couch and has been the best dog I ever owned. Recently, his health has declined, his hips have become very weak. I watch him struggle to get up on a daily basis, but he isn't in pain at this point. I know at some point in the near future there has to be a decision made about what's best for him. My daughter Jade will have the hardest time when this decision is made, he is her best friend and has been since she was 6 years. They have a special bond, she has taught him tricks, he would sleep in her bed, she has laid on him like he was a big horse and they even share a birthday. It may surprise many that he is a 135-pound Rottweiler and we did not get him until he was 18 months old.
Dog bites and attacks can be a traumatic experience, I know from experience I was bitten when I was 3 years old by a family friends dog, a collie mix. I was bitten down my right side of my face and the dog's teeth punctured my cheek all the way through. Being bitten by a dog can be a life-changing experience and they account for 386,000 emergency room visits each year.The dog attacks are not always the dog's fault, it's the owner's responsibility to maintain control of their animal. Breeds and breeders should be researched and it may be necessary to talk to a veterinary to answer any question the family may have. As a potential owner, it is necessary to visit the breeder's facility and also to meet the parents of the puppy that is being considered for the family. The families' genes of a potential puppy are important to be aware of because this is one of the things that could contribute to the personality of the animal.
Rottweilers are observers by nature, they were originally bred to be guard dogs, this particular trait was important for that job. Rottweilers have a gentle disposition and love people. They become very attached to their family and hate to be left alone. A Rottweiler is not considered fully grown until they are 3-4 years old, so its necessary to understand that it means the "puppy stage" is longer than some other breeds. If bred correctly they make a great companion, the dog's kindness in nature makes it for an all-around caring pet that will protect his family.
Rottweilers are undoubtfully powerful and defending himself he can cause damage. Because this breed is observer by nature, it is very important to pay attention to the dog's body language, they will show discreet, calming signals to let the owner know that the animal is unease. Learning to know these signs are very important because a Rottie may not react immediately. If the dog begins making low growling noise this could be a sign of potential aggressive behavior. It is important as an owner to watch them closely to decide want is triggering them to feel the need to act aggressively.
Perceived as a guard dog, some owners will treat them in a more aggressive way than other types of breeds. An aggressive Rottie is generally a result of irresponsible ownership, lack of training, poor or no socialization, neglect and or abuse. Rottweilers raised with the wrong family these dogs can be almost as a loaded gun. A dog of ANY breed may become a potential danger to his family and or other people, especially if raised in the wrong place. So with any breed, but especially Rottweilers it is very important to develop social skills, expose them to people and other animals at a young age.
My husband and I have always loved Rottweilers they are smart, protective and absolutely a breathtaking animal to watch. I began researching breeders and found an amazing breeder in North Carolina. I contacted her and found out that her liters were very popular and there was a waiting list. I was put on a wait list but stayed in contact with the breeder to let her know that we were very interested in one of her puppies. Well, the breeder contacted me and asked if we would consider taking a dog that was 18 months old, he had been recently returned to her. The contracts that buyers had to sign was the animal could not be rehomed without contacting her first. Of course, a red light went off, was there a possible problem with the animal. The breeder stated that he belonged to a military family and they had been recently stationed in Germany and could not take him. I asked her the cost, she stated that he would be free, as long as we provided documentation that we had him fixed, she. We drove 6 hours down to the breeder's facility, when we arrived she le the dog out and let me tell you he was the biggest most beautiful animal I have ever seen. I asked her if he had been around small children, she asked to come into her home, her young children would crawl on him and he loved it. We were sold and home he came.
Fast forward 10 years, I look at this amazing dog that we were lucky enough to have in our lives. Anytime someone asks if he is mean, I laugh, he doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body. Zeus will leave a big hole in our heart when he passes, and I know that they will never be another dog like him. I am thankful every day that the breeder trusted us with one of her babies.