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Guest
·I'm thinking of adopting a Rottweiler, but I want to make sure that we would be a good fit for each other.
My work schedule is irregular. Some weeks I don't go in to work at all, but there are some days I have to go in for long hours. I can come home to make sure the dog gets fed and to go out to pee on those days, but that's it. I need a dog who can handle those occasional but inevitable days alone.
I need a dog who is not really high energy. I had a field bred lab in the past who was super high energy, and though we loved each other very much, we weren't a good match. I exercised her more than I felt personally comfortable with, and yet she was still frustrated at times, I think. I have a yard for the dog to play in, but I'm not a jogger or hiker or anything. After a long day at work, I'm feeling lazy and want to collapse on the couch and rest. A short walk I can handle, but jogging or extended walks are too much. I live in some pretty steep hills and even walking around here will really take it out of you.
I have heard that rotties might be only medium energy and might be happy lazing around some days. Of course I understand that all dogs need some exercise, but I've heard rotties might not need as much as some.
Whyam I interested in rotties? I do volunteer dog handling for the local SPCA, met a rott they had in the shelter and fell in love with her. At the time I couldn't adopt her (it was only a few months after my lab died of old age and I was still grieving), so she went to another good home. But now that a year has passed, I'm feeling ready to open my home again and my fond memories of this dog are drawing me towards the breed.
I also think they're beautiful. But I'm not going to adopt a dog that isn't a good fit for me. I did that once with my lab - and though this dog was the love of my heart, I want to make sure any future dog is a better fit.
Any advice?
My work schedule is irregular. Some weeks I don't go in to work at all, but there are some days I have to go in for long hours. I can come home to make sure the dog gets fed and to go out to pee on those days, but that's it. I need a dog who can handle those occasional but inevitable days alone.
I need a dog who is not really high energy. I had a field bred lab in the past who was super high energy, and though we loved each other very much, we weren't a good match. I exercised her more than I felt personally comfortable with, and yet she was still frustrated at times, I think. I have a yard for the dog to play in, but I'm not a jogger or hiker or anything. After a long day at work, I'm feeling lazy and want to collapse on the couch and rest. A short walk I can handle, but jogging or extended walks are too much. I live in some pretty steep hills and even walking around here will really take it out of you.
I have heard that rotties might be only medium energy and might be happy lazing around some days. Of course I understand that all dogs need some exercise, but I've heard rotties might not need as much as some.
Whyam I interested in rotties? I do volunteer dog handling for the local SPCA, met a rott they had in the shelter and fell in love with her. At the time I couldn't adopt her (it was only a few months after my lab died of old age and I was still grieving), so she went to another good home. But now that a year has passed, I'm feeling ready to open my home again and my fond memories of this dog are drawing me towards the breed.
I also think they're beautiful. But I'm not going to adopt a dog that isn't a good fit for me. I did that once with my lab - and though this dog was the love of my heart, I want to make sure any future dog is a better fit.
Any advice?
