Comments on: why are pitbulls and rottweilers not recommended for first time dog owners?

By: RAB in Venus TX

RAB in Venus TX — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 10:29:45 +0000

If you’ve never had a dog before, you don’t want your first experience to be with a breed that is as naturally dominant as rotts and pits. You need to carefully research the breeds that interest you, paying extra attention to how much exercise, grooming and attention they need. Even a small dog can be very high-maintenance; while some of the larger ones can be very quiet and calm. Also, every individual dog within a breed will have its own personality. Good luck and enjoy!

By: raven blackwing

raven blackwing — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 12:30:16 +0000

Both breeds can be aggressive and you need to know how to handle that. Most first time dog owners do not. If you do want one of those breeds you can get professional help in training. As a proud owner of a pit bull it is well worth the trouble

By: TrishPresleysMom

TrishPresleysMom — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:45:54 +0000

Pit bulls and Rottweilers have reputations. Everyone knows that. It takes someone who is a strong leader to raise a dog with this kind of power. If the everyone who got a large powerful dog were responsible and hired trainers I think alot of the reputations these dogs suffer would be diminished. I know people who are very good owners, and they have wonderful pets that just happen to be Pitts and Rotties. They are the biggest sweetest babies ever. But, the owners are the kind of people who researched the dogs first. Made sure the dogs were trained well and socialized from the time they were puppies. Not everyone is willing to do that. So not everyone should own these kinds of dogs. Alot of times people who have never owned a dog are just so impressed with the look of an animal. They don’t get passed that before they purchase the dog. If they don’t know to ask about the dogs parents and grand parents….or to do some research and find out if the breeder is reputable, they have no idea what they are buying. They just have this adorable little puppy. Then all of a sudden this puppy is HUGE and very very strong. They don’t know how to train the dog, or control it. That is why it is not recommended for first time dog owners to have those dogs. More for the protection of the dogs and the reputation they already have.

As far as getting an adult dog from the shelter: When you get a puppy, what it grows up to be like has alot to do with what has happened in it’s life already. Plus how it is raised and trained when you get it home. The personality of the dog will change as it grows to adulthood depending on all those factors. So if you know what you are looking for in a dog, the easiest way to be for sure you are getting exactly what you want it so get an adult dog. Dogs that are in shelters have to go through lots of tests before it is determined that they are adoptable. So when you meet the dog, that is what the dog is going to be like.

By: devi

devi — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 22:20:39 +0000

I plan on getting a Rottie as my first dog. Although I’m the type of person who’s not wishy washy with training either. Getting an older dog is actually a good idea. Their temprament is already known and if you get them from a shelter with foster homes it will already be housebroken, crate trained, and have basic obedience. Puppies are a lot of work and require a lot more attention than adults do, especially when it comes to potty training. At the Rottie shelter I’ve kept my eye on, they always point out which dogs are perfect for a ‘first time Rottie owner.’ They’re usually older and laid back.

By: carly385057

carly385057 — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 04:08:58 +0000

because both breeds are very tough and if an owner does not know how to control them they can easily turn aggressive and take over your home.

By: chelifan24

chelifan24 — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 07:15:09 +0000

Check these sites out for the right dog for you

Also check out

Good luck- personally- Rotts are a pretty tough breed to own- they are very unpredictable and also are very proned to cancer. I have not seen one live past the age of 12- they usually get bone cancer. But, if they fit the bill for you and it is the breed you are looking for, go for it.

As for the smaller dogs that bite- i.e. the cockers the person above me speaks about- you dont see those reported because they dont do great bodily harm- i.e. chewing the feet off a baby- killing children or ripping the forehead off a child- that happened in a town by me about 3 weeks ago- a Rott bit a kid riding his bike down the road minding his own business. That Rott jumped over a fence and attacked that little boy for no reason. I have never heard of a cocker spaniel or a chihuahua doing that kind of damage to a human.

I think if you are a first time dog owner- stay away from the dangerous breeds- get a dog from the sporting group- they are all very friendly and are bred to be great companions. They come in a variety of sizes and you cant go wrong really with any of them.

Let me tell you another thing- being in the veterinary field for the last 14 years, I have NEVER met a Chow or a Shar Pei that liked anyone besides its owners. Stay away from those breeds. I wouldnt even go for a pit bull with all the controversy surrounding them- its to much hassle. Get yourself a nice Golden Retriever that loves to lick people and these dogs have never met strangers.

Funny you get a thumbs down because you state a fact that a rot ripped a childs face off- I dont understand that

By: Crazy Dave

Crazy Dave — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 11:38:07 +0000

Mainly because first time dog owners lack the experience to handle dogs that are that powerful. I have raised dogs my entire life. I have raised Pitts, Rotts, G-Shepards, Chows, And Dobies (all of the “BAD DOGS”.). They are the best dogs if you know what you are doing! Most people don’t! You have to raise a certain breed of dog a certain way. You have to be in control and be the pack leader. If it is your first dog the chances are that you do not yet know how to do this. I hear all of the crap about how certain breeds of dogs are bad, that is bull$hit and makes me sick. I have never in all of my life of raising “BAD BREEDS” had a bad dog. The very day that I was brought home from the hospital after my birth I was brought into a house with a well trained and well raised 120 lb Doberman! From that time on I was raised and trained how to raise and train those type of dogs. They have a bad rep because of people getting them for the wrong reasons and training them to be the poster pups for “BAD BREEDS”. Also they have a bad rep from people who dont know what they are doing getting them and thus letting them become “BAD DOGS”. More bites that require medical attention happen from smaller dogs than the larger “BAD BREEDS” every year than is reported because of the news. Cocker Spaniels record more scarring bites than almost every dog on record, but do you hear about that on the news? No because its more scary that a someone was attacked by a “BAD BREED” of dog! Alot of people get “BAD BREEDS” as their first dogs and they usually dont work out and end up being sent to the pound and destroyed because they dont figure it out in enough time! If you dont know what you are doing then dont get one. Own a few other dogs first, or go to some kind of class that trains you to train your dog. Even then it takes experience in 99% of cases. I have never been bitten by any dog that I have owned nor had my dog bite anyone for no good reason! I now have a Rotty and a Pitt and they are babies. I could take them to the mall around kids and never have an issue! Now if someone were to try to break in or do me or mine harm that would be their @$$! Thats how a dog should be no matter what the breed is. It all comes down to raising them and training them. RAISING THEM & TRAINING THEM!!!!!!!!

By: ratlover1

ratlover1 — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 00:42:15 +0000

Both of those breeds (as well as many others) are very intelligent and independent. I don’t necessarily think they are wrong for someone who has never owned a dog, but I do believe that anyone who wants a large, strong breed should do some serious research and be prepared. Many breeds need a firm hand, meaning an owner who will socialize them well, obedience train them, and always maintain the upper hand. In other words, you must be the pack leader. This does not mean you need to be tough or cruel, just that you do not allow them to think that they are the boss.

There are many other breeds who are more easy-going and are able to ‘forgive’ their owners’ mistakes. Although every dog should be properly trained and well-socialized, there certainly are breeds who are much more dependent on their owners and more willing to let their owners be the pack leader without challenging them.

As for getting an adult dog from a shelter, I think any potential dog owner should check local shelters and/or rescue organizations first, whether or not they’ve ever owned a dog. There are advantages to a first-time dog owner IF the adult dog they adopt is friendly, house-trained, and socialized to other animals and people. This will prevent the frustration of dealing with a puppy and all the whining, house-soiling, chewing, need for intensive training, etc. that a new owner might not be prepared for. I think that depends on the person: their age, their living situation, and what they want out of dog ownership.

Regardless, owning a dog or other animal is a huge deal. You are responsible for that life and I think many people don’t realize what that means when they think about warm fuzzy puppies.

By: Linda D

Linda D — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 23:45:15 +0000

Both of those breeds require someone experienced in handling strong-willed dominant dogs.

An adult dog from a shelter or rescue may be easier for first time owners to handle because they may already be housebroken and past the mischievous, chewing puppy stage.

By: Su-Nami

Su-Nami — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 03:15:54 +0000

While I have never had either breed myself, I would suspect that both of these breeds can be very headstrong and stubborn.
I have a friend with a HUGE Rottweiler that has NEVER, EVER, EVER BEEN SOCIALIZED AND HE IS STILL INTACT (un neutered) at this time. Because of this lack of socialization, the dog is a menace and to me he is very, very dangerous and I feel like she is asking for a lawsuit if god forbid this dog ever escapes from her backyard.
It is good to do research on dog breeds as well as ask owners of a particular breed about the dog. You need to be very informed about the good as well as the bad points of any breed that you might choose. You might talk to a kennel owner as they will know a lot of information on their particular breed.
The reason that I would think that first time dog owners should get an adult dog from a shelter is that 1) you are saving a dog, 2) the dog might possibly already know a few manners and commands. The dog may or may not be house broken and plus their personality is already set. By set, I mean that the dogs personality will not change by very much.
I hope that this answers your question to your satisfaction.