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Author
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Topic: Whats a good large dog?
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Beacious
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posted June 12, 2004 01:14 PM
HI,
I'm 13 and I've always wanted a large dog, and now I can finally get one but I'm not sure what kind of large dog I want though. I want a dog that is tolarant of other dogs (I have a pug) and that likes to play alot and will be a good companion. I've read good things about Rotwiellers so I want a dog along those lines. Can you help me?
Thanks, Beacious.
Posts: 13 | Registered: Jun 2004
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ellierat
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posted June 12, 2004 03:32 PM
A Labrador of course, they are loyal, obedient, easy to train, look adorable, love to swim, play games, especially fetch, actually they are bred for that specifically, very loving, enjoy human companionship, and if brought as a pup will get along quite well with other pets, even cats.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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lou3
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posted June 12, 2004 05:08 PM
if you want a real giant then Rotti's are pretty great, Leonberghers have super temperaments.
Labs are cool if you want something a bit more average size but still big enough to be useful. lol.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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ellierat
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posted June 12, 2004 05:10 PM
Are you joking with me there Lou, lol. Labs are just the greatest ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) . And I am not biased in any way. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif) .
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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posted June 12, 2004 06:24 PM
Rotti's are too cool (biased too). They are incredible loyal, powerful, family dogs. What I like most about them is that you can take a adult rotti for a walk once a day and then they are content to lie down at your feet. As long as you get them from a good breeder - they can have incredible personalities.
PS LOU- rotti females only go from 70-110 lbs. I consider them large but not giant. Mastiffs, Great danes, etc I would consider the giants.
[ June 12, 2004, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: doglover ]
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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lou3
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posted June 12, 2004 07:36 PM
Rottis are bigger over here then. (90lbs min not sure about maximum) They are what i would consider the smallest of the giant breeds. Lol guess we're all different. I actually consider labs to be quite small dogs. I'm going to switch from pointers to leonbergers when i've done some more research into bloodlines and stuff, they top out as wide as St Bernards and TALLER!! than irish wolfhounds. Now THAT is a big dog. Sweetest temperament in the world too.
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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Beacious
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posted June 12, 2004 08:29 PM
Ok, I want a Rottweiler. Now I need to decide on male or female. Like I said I want a good playful dog and I'm not getting one necessarily for it's "Guard Dog" trait. And won't dominate (My Pug) too much.
Thanks, Beacious.
[ June 12, 2004, 08:30 PM: Message edited by: Beacious ]
Posts: 13 | Registered: Jun 2004
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sambucca/whiskey
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posted June 12, 2004 09:06 PM
Pug male or female? Fixed or not?
Posts: 246 | Registered: May 2004
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MadnessBunny
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posted June 13, 2004 01:02 AM
I suggest you take the following into consideration before you choose a rottweiler:
I don't want to ruin your day, but I think you should face the truth, Beacious. Rottweilers are quite destructive AND aggressive if you don't take good care of them, and give them the exercise and affection that they need.
-if you give them alot of love, and a 30-45 minute physical workout each day, you've got yourself an awesome family dog, which is confident, happy, peacful, intellegent, affectionate, and also willing to protect his owner, and guard his family.
-if you lock him in a room all day, pet twice a day, and have a 10 minute walk with him once a day... you've got yourself a ticking time-bomb which is more than capable of killing a human.
Hope you'll think it through,
for you and your dog's sake.
MadnessBunny
[ June 13, 2004, 01:07 AM: Message edited by: MadnessBunny ]
Posts: 50 | From: Somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Jun 2004
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lou3
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posted June 13, 2004 06:38 AM
any dog is like that if not exercised. Rottis are not naturally aggressive, they're big softy's. There are breeds out there that have a tendancy to become aggressive but Rotti's are not one of them.
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LuvCavaliers
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posted June 13, 2004 07:26 AM
I'm rather suprised I haven't read on this topic about a wolfhound. Irish wolfhounds are true giants, and by far the most gentle dog I have been around. Newfies are great, too. Yes, rotts are great, but just remember, you're likely to have weary neighbors, are a few terrified friends. This isn't because of your rott, but the cases of trouble and just the stereotype they have acquired.
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Don't litter....spay or neuter your dog.
Posts: 5 | From: VA | Registered: May 2004
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lou3
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posted June 13, 2004 07:34 AM
love your sig rottimix - my thoughts exactly!
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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lou3
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posted June 13, 2004 07:36 AM
beaucious - i would get the opposite of what your pug is. Thats the combination least likely to have a problem with dominance etc cause in a pack there is an alpha female AND an alpha male.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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MadnessBunny
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posted June 13, 2004 11:34 AM
I agree, Rottweilers are not aggressive in nature. they are just capable of killing people, unlike... most other dogs...
Btw, its true, irish wolfhounds are amazing dogs. If I had a bigger house Id buy one. they are so gentle and exceptionally affectionnate, sensetive, and friendly. though they live for 5-7 years in averege which is a really short lifetime! its really sad to get a dog and know its gonna live for 5-7 years....
[ June 14, 2004, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: MadnessBunny ]
Posts: 50 | From: Somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Jun 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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posted June 13, 2004 12:22 PM
I'm glad to like rotti's but there are a few things to consider before you get your first rotti pup.
1. Within 2 years your rotti will be at his/her full weight which can range anywhere from 70 lbs up. You will be 15 - are you physically able to control an animal this big?
2. A rotti MUST HAVE training. Formal training for the first year is absolutely mandatory. The dog must obey you every single time to be considered trained. Can you afford this on top of what the dog will cost, etc.?
3. A rotti pup, from about 4 months to 2 years will require about 2 hours be day active time. Otherwise they will be destructive chewers, etc. Does you school work, homelife allow this?
4. Your rotti will live 12-14 years (hopefully more). They have a hard time adapting to changing situations. You will be 27 before you can expect your rotti to pass away. How will this fit into your life's plans for school, work & spouse. Even a move to your own place can affect the dog negatively. Males are more affected than females, and might not take to toddlers at all.
5. Rottis aren't the kind of breed to play frisbee or other jumping games. For all their size they are quite delicate.
Not to discourage you because I love rotti's and think they are a fanastic dog - but this might be a dog that you will want to get once you're older and your life situation is stable. I am in my forties and would never have been able to properly care and train a rotti even in my twenties as these dogs need more patience and control than many breeds to make them good citizens.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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lou3
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posted June 13, 2004 12:27 PM
madnessbunny - any dog over about 25lbs is capable of killing a human. Even smaller dogs are capable of killing children, especially toddlers.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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MadnessBunny
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posted June 13, 2004 12:40 PM
Well yeah, every dog thats more than 25 lbs can kill a human if that particular human just lies down and lets the dog chew on his inner organs.
Most dogs can just be faught off, but rottweilers... Let's just say he wont let go of you until he decides to.
Posts: 50 | From: Somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Jun 2004
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sambucca/whiskey
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posted June 13, 2004 01:09 PM
You may want to consider an easy to read temprament breed at your age, lab, retriever an everyday family dog.
Posts: 246 | Registered: May 2004
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weimlover0816
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posted June 13, 2004 01:44 PM
Beacious,
you say you are 13... which means that you live with your parents i am assuming. what do they think about a rotti? i don't know where you live, but if you live in the united states, there are a few things your PARENTS need to consider.
- if they own their/your home.... it may cause their home-owners insurance to rise drastically briniging a rotti into the house. When I got my dog and called to report this to the insurance company, they said "is it a Rottweiler?" i said "no" (we have a weimaraner), the woman told me the increase in the premium if we had a rotti, or pitbull, and it was bank-breaking to say the least
- if they rent (apartment or house) many landlords refuse to have rottis, etc at their properties. maybe a bit drastic, but that is how it is in many places.
just a few thoughts that haven;t yet been mentioned. i think that if this is your first big dog you may well want to seriously consider a lab or golden retirever, etc. they looovoe to play and will be a very faithful companion.
are you planning on getting a puppy? have you considered looking at your local shelter? you may well find a perfect companion who is already hosue broken!!!
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"My Weimaraner is smarter than your honors student!"
Posts: 221 | From: USA-Maine | Registered: Apr 2004
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LuvCavaliers
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posted June 13, 2004 03:03 PM
Thanks lou3....I will make it clear that I'm not against RESPONSIBLE breeding, just against the idiots out there, such as those who think that breeding dogs equals $$$. By what I see, at least around my area, this couldn't be furthur from the truth. Most reputable breeders are lucky to break even.
Good luck to you Beacious on your search. Many breeds in the working goup do best if they have a job, and stay active. Whether that job is obedience, agility, or just lying down next to you in the family room, make sure that you make it clear to him that you're BOSS, and you make the rules. I have heard from quite a few rott owners who say that they had to remind their puppies whos the boss during training time. But again, they are a great breedm as long as you do your homework, and buy one from a breeder who cares about temperament. ![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif) )
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Don't litter....spay or neuter your dog.
Posts: 5 | From: VA | Registered: May 2004
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lou3
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posted June 13, 2004 04:17 PM
madnessbunny - a dog that goes mad enough to attack to kill is not easily fought off. I know of at least one attack (on a friend of mine) by a GOLDEN RETRIEVER that would have been fatal had he not been rushed to hospital in time. Pit bulls have killed more people in the UK than any other breed of dog (before they were banned) and Rhodesian ridgebacks were bred to kill lions! Rottis are no stronger or more powerful than any other dog of their weight. If you think you could fight off even a bordercollie that decided it wanted to kill you - you are WAY wrong. ALL dogs can be dangerous, Rottis no more so than any other.
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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DaxAriel's toy
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posted June 13, 2004 05:14 PM
Most of the cases we hear in Canada about Rotti's killing is a) a small child b) in a pack.
We used to live on a farm and the domestic dogs formed a pack and hunted deer. Some of these dogs were about 15 lbs if that.
Usually it can be blamed on the owner vs the dog. After all, we decide to bring this carnivor into our lives.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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Beacious
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posted June 13, 2004 05:41 PM
My Pug is a male (fixed). I'll be able to exercise the Rottie 30 min.-1 hr. each day. Also I can't get the Rottie till we move (soon), so I'll prolly have to think about it some more. All of my freinds have had Rotties (their going get some more) and they say good things (their gonna help me).
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weimlover0816
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posted June 13, 2004 06:09 PM
i, personally do not think that 30 minutes to 1 hr a day is enough exercise for a dog like a rottie.... anyone else????
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"My Weimaraner is smarter than your honors student!"
Posts: 221 | From: USA-Maine | Registered: Apr 2004
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lou3
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posted June 13, 2004 06:31 PM
rottis are working dogs, however they are essentially laid back, they need lots and lots of training but the actual exercise is not quite so important. 1hr walking would be plenty - as long as there was a min' half hours training a day too. My tip if you dont have more than 30 mins to an hour per day - get a greyhound. They only need two 20 min walks a day or one good run off leash.
Lou
[ June 13, 2004, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: lou3 ]
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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