Rottweilers are an extremely popular breed of dog. They are strong, calm, and confident. They are protective and yet gentle. They are great with people of all ages, from the youngest baby to that baby's great-grandparents. Buying or adopting a Rottweiler is a big responsibility. These large dogs have life spans of ten to fourteen years; bringing one into your home is a long-term commitment. Therefore, they should be selected with great care. There are many things to keep in mind when you are choosing a Rottweiler.

Rottweilers are not for everyone. They are large, tend to drool, and like to lean on their loved ones. They will literally sit on your feet. However, they are also fiercely loyal, intelligent and very loving animals that will forever leave a mark on your heart. They require regular exercise, and also benefit from additional training, including agility.

You must decide where you will get your Rottweiler from. You can go to the mall and shop at the pet store there, or the local animal shelters. Breeders are another common option. Finally, you can go through a Rottweiler Rescue organization, where you will still be saving a dog, while also getting a pure bred.

Once you decide where you will get your dog from, there are other concerns that should be kept in mind. People who decide to get their Rottweiler from a breeder will have to take care to choose a reputable breeder. Once the breeder is selected, there are certain things to look for in a puppy, and in the puppies parents.

Taking the time to do research, and look for the dog that is the right match for you and your family, is very important. Be selective in the Rottweiler that you choose. After all, this animal is going to be a part of your family for many years to come.

When you are thinking about purchasing any dog, you have several options for getting one. Most people think of breeders and the pet store, but don’t forget about the local animal shelter or dog rescue agencies. There are benefits to all of them.

The Breeder – the number one benefit to buying through a breeder is the opportunity to see the parents on site. Anyone seeking a Rottweiler puppy for showing or breeding should strongly consider this option. Seeing the parents will give you the best insight into what your dog will look like as an adult. There are many dogs being actively bred who do not actually meet AKC standards. People purchasing these puppies may be sorely disappointed with the dog’s appearance as they grow. Purchasing through a breeder can help you avoid this.

The Pet Store – The main benefit to the pet store is that there is no waiting to get your dog. When you decide you want a puppy, you can go to the pet store and take one home that day. However, you should be aware that pet stores often procure their puppies from breeders using dogs that may not meet AKC standards. The conditions for these breeders are not always conducive to social, well-adjusted and healthy dogs. While the puppies in the pet store are just as adorable, the fact is that they are more prone to being in poor health, or of poor temperament.

The Animal Shelter – People seeking purebred puppies often rule out animal shelters early on. However, you may want to consider adopting an older dog or a Rottweiler mix. While the animal shelter has just as many unknown factors as the pet store, when you choose to go through a shelter you are actually saving more than one life. Adopting that puppy not only saves that dog’s life, but it opens up space in the shelter for other dogs to be placed for adoption and saved. Adoption from the shelter will also let you choose an older dog, which can have its own benefits.

Rottweiler Rescue – Many people are not aware of this as an option. Rottweiler rescue programs can be found by doing an internet search, and they provide the best mix of the two worlds. With Rottweiler Rescue, you will be saving a life and yet you will also have a great deal of information about the dog. Rottweiler Rescues work closely with shelters and will take in purebred Rottweilers that are turned in to the shelter.

Volunteers will take the dogs into their homes and care for them as if they were part of the family. Indeed, a volunteer taking in a rescue dog is typically willing to keep the dog for the rest of its life, if necessary. The great thing about this program is that, due to the nature of their housing, the Rescue will know the dog’s overall temperament, funny or odd habits, and if the dog is good with other dogs, children, or cats.

Pining for a puppy? Contact your local Rottweiler Rescue because it is not uncommon for these organizations to get pregnant Rottweilers, or litters of puppies. You may have to wait a little longer than with a breeder or pet store. However, as with the animal shelter, when you adopt that animal you are opening up space within the organization for another dog to be fostered and saved.

Here are some basic tips to help you choose a reputable breeder.

1. The breeder should be very knowledgeable about Rottweilers and should strive to improve the breed.
2. The breeder should be willing to accept back any dog that is not working out for you, for any reason.
3. You should be able to see where the dogs are kept. The site they are kept at should provide them with plenty of interaction and attention for well adjusted dogs and puppies.
4. Always choose a breeder that will allow you to meet the sire and the dam. This gives you a chance to see the parents, to observe how healthy and social they are.
5. Rottweilers are prone to elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia and cardiac problems. Look for parents that are certified by the OFA, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. This organization exists to certify healthy adult dogs, so that potential buyers can have some level of confidence that the puppies produced will be free from these life-threatening conditions. While the pups can not be certified by the OFA until they are 2 years old, preliminary certifications can be done at 4 months. When both parents are certified, the chances are very good that the puppies will be healthy and will also ultimately be certified. http://www.articlealley.com/article_496691_54.html
6. Expect that a reputable breeder will want to know as much about you as you want to know about them. A reputable breeder will want to interview you and is willing to turn away potential buyers that they don’t consider suitable owners of a Rottweiler.
7. All the animals in their care should be well cared for. They should be clean, groomed, with trimmed nails and they should be good examples of the Rottweiler breed.
8. The breeder should be able to show that the dogs have received proper medical treatments, including parasite prevention.
9. Early socialization is key to make sure that the dog’s territorial instincts will be controlled. This can be determined by meeting the parents and talking with the breeder.

Once you have chosen the breeder, here are some tips to help you choose the puppy.

1. Watch how well the puppies socialize with each other. Some will be more social, and some may be more reserved. It’s important to know which personality trait you would prefer.
2. Regardless of how playful or reserved your puppy is, you should acquire one that gets along well with its siblings.
3. You should also look for a puppy who likes to interact with you. Households with children should bring their children along to see how well the puppies interact with the children, also. Ideally, the puppy should be interested in you and your family, rather than trying to just ignore you.

While many people love getting puppies at younger ages, consider an older puppy, also. While it’s commonly accepted practice to adopt pups that are only eight weeks old, it’s actually better to wait until the puppy is closer to sixteen weeks. Eight week old puppies may be able to eat solid foods, but the mother’s work is not done yet. She will continue socializing the pups, and teaching them toilet habits. Older puppies will be better able to sleep through the night, easier to house-break and better socialized. Most importantly, an older dog will bond with you just as tightly as a younger dog will.

Finally, consider adopting an older dog, either through the animal shelter or Rottweiler Rescue group. Older dogs can develop strong bonds with new owners, just as puppies can. Deciding to go through a Rescue group may allow you to be matched with an adult that is a perfect match for your family and lifestyle. You can also get an older dog from the Animal Shelter. The great thing about adopting an older dog is that you can get a dog who is already house-broken, has outgrown destructive teething stages, and you will be able to see the dog’s temperament.

Male dogs will be between 24 and 27 inches tall. Female dogs are slightly shorter, standing between 22 and 25 inches tall. Rottweilers are well proportioned. The length of the dog’s body is slightly longer than the height. The depth of the dog’s chest is roughly half of the animal’s overall frame. Rottweilers have a compact and strong appearance.http://www.bigskyrottrescue.org/info/display?PageID=1021

The Rottweiler’s temperament is what makes many people so fond of them, even while other people are fearful of them. Rottweilers are assured, calm, and confident. They are not quick to bond with just anyone that walks through the front door, but are fiercely loyal of their family and owners. Rottweilers make excellent companions and watchdogs. Rottweilers are known leaners, they like to lean on the legs of their people, or sit on their feet.

Rottweilers need space to run and exercise. They also need strong, assertive owners who know how to lead the dogs. Rottweilers love to be challenged and benefit from training. These dogs are well suited to advanced obedience training, agility courses and even Schutzhund training. They are excellent with children, and love being part of the family. They are not well suited to being left alone for long periods of time; rather, they much prefer to be with their families.