Did I just give up my best friend or give it to a better person?

[T Anderson]

I am new to the Rottweiler breed. Did a lot of research and decided to get two male puppies (same litter). An active jogger and no newcomer to dog training, I loved the thought of hiking and park runs with my two new best friends. My idea was met with plenty of opposition. I'm in a very large apartment and work from home, but have no back yard (AND TWO PUPPIES!! Oh NO). Still I went to the shelter to pick them up. (I was first in line). There were many others wanting the Rott/Lab mix - including a man who had just lost his Rottie after 17 years and had a big back yard. After hearing the stories of those with backyards, I acquiesced thinking: I may be a better owner willing to spend more time than to leave them alone in a yard, but maybe they'll be better off with the okay master and the big yard. Did I just give up my best friends or give them to better people? I guess I'm stuck with little toy dogs. I can help but think, I many never again get to meet these great puppies, but I can always get a back yard.

[Julie]

Once you have owned a Rottie it is very hard to own other breeds. They are one of the most intelligent dogs that I have owned. I have an English Pointer and a Rottie at the moment and the Pointer is the dominant dog, she keeps the rottie in line, but they have a lot of fun playing together. The pointer is 10 and the rottie is just over a year and weighs 20kgs more than the pointer.

[Stacy Paalanen]

If (your) puppy went to someone who had one for 17 years, I have to think he was doing something good with it, and will probably with this fellow, I wouldn't feel too bad if I were you. If you are REALLY committed to not letting your dogs get bored, you might try starting out with one instead of two. Puppies are a lot of work, both of mine kept me awake more at night than my newborn baby. Training is also essential, your dog is going to want to be with you all the time since you are at home, and if they are not properly trained, you could have big issues with destruction if she gets bored. Exercise is a MUST, and you have to be committed to getting some every day. Another thing you could try is to hook up with some folks from your local rottie rescue, help them take any dogs that need extra training/socializing to class so you can learn how to train, you can take them to the park for excercise to see how it fits into your schedule, and after you are good at working with them, you could try being a foster parent while they are looking for new homes to see how your apartment would work with one. Once you meet a few, you will start to feel like they are your kids, they all have unique personalities, and you will never even want to think about a little toy dog again. Yes, backyards are nice, but your dog is still going to want to be with YOU in the backyard, not out there alone, again the chance for boredom in a backyard can lead to other types of destructive behaviour like digging, jumping, or barking (not to mention that if it's not fenced in, you wouldn't want to leave them out there alone anyway - people are way too scared of them to take a chance)

[Julie]

Yes I agree with everything that Stacy has said. Rotties are a very old breed and their original task was to guard the cattle for the romans and that instinct has never left the breed. All my rotties have followed me everywhere, at home or while we are out walking, unlike the pointer who is off bird hunting. The rottie likes to be beside you all the time. It is more of an instinct thing. They are a very nosy breed.

[Emily L.]

I am sorry to hear you gave up your rottie mixes. They are not the best choice for apartments but if you were willing to jog, walk, hike, etc, they would have been perfectly happy with you. I have had three rotties in my life and am about to adopt a nine-year-old from an animal sanctuary. My first two rotties lived in an apartment, condo, and very small home with me. We moved all around and they never complained. They were content and happy and I loved them more than most humans in my life. Two puppies (and siblings) at the same time is not the best of ideas but it can be done. I recommend that you start with one rott because they are a lot of dog and financially expensive to care for if you do it right. If you can prove to one that you will be as devoted and available as you think, then a second one would be just as happy. As for small dogs, I have them too and they are trouble all over the board. Don't get me wrong, I love my littles but they come with troubles and need exercise, training, and space also. They are different all together. Do your research. My rotties haven't ever given me the trouble that my little dogs give me. I am a groomer and have been for 15 years now. I know what I am talking about. Best of luck to you. Rotties rock!