Five Things About Rottweilers

Living with a Rottweiler is awesome. They're loving, loyal and so much fun. I wouldn't have Del any other way. However, they can be a lot of hard work too. Del is a big, clumsy bundle of love, but before we got him we thought long and hard about whether the breed is right for us.

Luckily for us, he's perfect for us. Here are some points you should consider before you welcome a Rottie into your home, based on my experiences...

You WILL be used as an armchair.

1. They sit on people. That's right. They sit ON people. Whenever they like. Del is a very touchy-feely dog and he likes to have contact with his favourite humans as much as he possibly can. He doesn't care that he's seven stone. He will still sit on your knee, shoulder or foot, giving you dead legs, pins and needles and stiff joints. It's worth it.

2. Shedding. Rotties have double coats and can shed a lot, especially in the summer. I was suprised about this as I didn't expect it to be a problem, but man can Del shed! Since May I've been having a daily battle with dog hair. It ends up EVERYWHERE! So if you don't like dog hair, a Rottie may not be the breed for you. It's just one of those things that you have to deal with. So invest in a good Hoover and lots of patience if you're thinking of getting one.

3. They're strong! This may seem obvious, but I never imagined Del to have the strength that he does. He will destroy any "non destructable" toy on the planet. If he doesn't want to go somewhere (like a crate), he won't. He will use all of his power to stay put. And it can be pretty hard to hold him back on his lead too. He's a pretty determined pooch, so he will drag you with him.

Biggest. Lapdog. Ever. 

On the other hand, he's a gentle giant. With his humans, he will shower you in gentle kisses, give you plenty of hugs and knows when to stay back.

4. Other people are scared of him. This one is quite upsetting for me, because I know just what a loving, gentle and friendly boy he is. But of course, there is a stigma attached to Rottweilers, much the same as Pits or any type of Bull Terrier. It's not fair-owners of "dangerous breeds" know how lovely their dogs are and that they'd never hurt a fly. But others don't. When choosing a breed like a Rottie you should be mentally prepared for others judging your dog. That's easy to say, and I certainly struggle with it. You can never be prepared for people crossing the street or picking their dog up at the site of your dog. You know that the worst he'd do is lick them and try to steal their socks. It's important to always remember that you know the truth about your dog and try not to let it get to you.

They never grow up. 

5. They'll wrap you around their little paws. Anyone who has met Del and gotten to know him pretty much falls in love with him. There is something about his enthusiastic nature, his big smiling face and his fondness of cuddles that you can't help but love. So be warned and be prepared to become a Rottie lover.