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| Children and Rottweilers The following covers serious issues for those that have children and want to own a Rottweiler or large breed dog. You have a very serious decision, that isn’t easily answered, regarding children and Rottweilers. I have mixed issues with this because I’m honest and well aware of the circumstances that can happen with dogs. However, I also know that bad things don’t always happen if people are extremely careful, responsible, and have the proper knowledge needed to raise a dog in a family environment. I love this breed with all my heart, but I’m telling you straight up, they are not for everyone or for every type of family home setting! Unfortunately, it’s usually the dog that gets the short end of the stick for this very reason. Generally, any dog is good with children if they are raised accordingly. My siblings and I are living proof that a child raised with large breed dogs, can survive, without ever being seriously harmed. Very good friends and family members of mine have also had similar results. However, I can honestly say, it wouldn't be wise to allow other people's children or any adult to interact with a dog without having some type of special insurance coverage protecting you from accidents, bites, or even worse, death. I’m telling you right now that many of us pet owners who have Rottweilers are having difficulty finding home-owner’s insurance. Also, most parents if not familiar with the breed do hate them from panic stricken fear and bad P.R. I know this from doing therapy dog work, just walking with my dogs in public, and the huge negative reaction when a dog does bite someone. By sure size alone, a dog can bump, knock a child down, and hurt kids from just being large breed dogs. They hurt me sometimes accidentally and I’m a grown adult that has lived with dogs my whole life! Just one paw stepped on my bare foot, can make me scream at times, and can leave large bruises due to sheer weight of the dog. My dogs don’t ever do this intentionally, and I know that. However, what if a child was stepped on in the same manner, then hit the dog as a normal reaction to the pain? What do you think would happen then? Let me ask you this: Do you closely supervise your children around all dog(s), including your own, if you have one? Most children don't know how to behave around a dog, let alone a large breed one. A child will do anything to a dog they believe to be in their own minds, at the time, as fun. They usually cannot rationalize cause and effect at this age. Until the dog no longer wants to deal with that specific behavior from that child, feeling threatened in some manner, it then tries to protect it’s self, when it does feel provoked. Most children don’t know warning signs from a dog to stop agitating it, unless they’ve been properly instructed and are supervised at all times not to do so! For instance, children love to, shall we say, ride large breed dogs like it’s a pony. I’ve seen it done many a times, even if the dog is lying down. Ironically, the parents don’t see anything wrong with it, until it’s too late. I have a neighbor who also happens to own a Rottweiler. The dog has been through proper temperament tests proven to be very well natured and sound. However, being that she is now getting in her older years and feeling of sorts, she isn’t the same as when she was younger. Anyways, I just happened to be at their house and their very young child can do just about anything to that dog without any signs of aggression or problems. But on this day, this same child, first rode the dog like a toy horse, than she stood on the dog, jumping up and down on her back for a brief moment. Needless to say, that didn't go over well with the dog or me! As I was starting to make a comment about the whole situation, I heard the dog start to growl. I wouldn’t blame the dog either, in this incident. I immediately grabbed the kid off of the dog and we placed her in another secure room. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the child and the mother didn’t realize what was happening. I’d hate too have seen what would have happened, had I not been there to intervene on that day. Of course, I then took the time to explain in detail, to the mother, why a child shouldn’t play with their dog in this fashion. Our neighbor has multiple children and even a young newborn. The dog has always been with them, and no other problems have risen. I understand the mother does have her hands full with so many children and she cannot physically watch everything at every single moment. However, it makes a person wonder why they don’t already know to place the dog in another part of the home when the children cannot be fully watched. Things can happen in a split second in a home with dogs and children, and it doesn't matter what breed of dog it is! Anyways, I can say that there are many who own our breed and have children with no problems. For instance, those people that I’m aware of have been in the breed for a long time. They have taken at least basic obedience training for several years with all their dogs. Usually, their dogs are also trained for conformation, agility, herding, etc. and are well socialized in different circumstances. These people took the time to research and properly understand this breed. They breed and/or purchase dogs only for the correct temperament according to our breed’s standard. They take every precaution necessary to raise their dogs correctly. However, I will say it again because it’s important to understand, that Rottweilers are not for everyone. Understandably, the most concerned parents, wanting to own a dog, should be those with newborns and small children. Most working breeds are known as natural guardians of property, family, home, livestock, etc. They also have been used to herd cattle, sheep, fowl, and other livestock. They are known to pull carts, do agility, flyball, and other performance events, also work as police K-9’s, military, search and rescue, assistant’s dogs, and participate in the sport of schutzhund. With dogs that are versatile, doing anything you ask, they are great for those who love to do activities with their dogs! They usually do have high prey drives and sometimes can have high activity levels if there not given a task. They can also be used for hunting if given the chance. Needless to say, most dogs have an instinctive prey drive, but most other breeds known only for companionship reasons, can be controlled easier to not do what instinct tells them to do. I ask you, which is easier to control for the average dog owner, when the dog is chasing/going after something, a 100lb working breed dog or a 30lb companion breed dog? Could you actually control your dog, in any situation, at all times? These are issues you must think about before purchasing a specific breed. Furthermore, I’ve known kids who’ve been bitten in their own neighborhood from stray dogs because the children start to run away from the dog, or have been on bikes, roller blades, etc., and then the dog kicks into instinct chasing after a moving target. Just think about the dog that runs the inside fence line after a child that is running on the outside fence line because they think it’s fun. Why does the dog chase, bark, growl, etc.? Canines are usually instinctively bred to chase moving targets they believe to be prey and also have territory aggression to protect their area. Once a dog starts to do this, it is hardier for them to back down, unless properly controlled and trained. This serious question is for you, would you want too risk having any child hurt, in your home? No matter how much you separate a dog from a child, they always some how want to be with each other! That is a known fact. Could you and/or would you take the time to raise a pet and child together properly, with everything else that is happening in your every day lifestyle? If you only want companionship from a dog, and not to work it, I strongly suggest going to the local humane societies or rescue organizations for a pet adoption. Instead, try a medium to smaller dog first, bred specifically for that reason, companionship! Get one that is easily cared for, well mannered, obedient, and already reliable with kids and/or other pets. Also, make sure it is easily managed and controlled by all family members, especially anyone that is at home watching the children, including babysitters. Just make sure to find out all the details about the dog before you purchase! Even little dogs can leave nasty scares. Otherwise, if you do decide on a Rottweiler as your families’ choice of breed, please do as much research as you possible can about this wonderful breed, before you purchase or adopt one. There’s more too it then you think! I've been in the breed for some time now, and have owned all types of dogs ranging from all sizes and breeds. I've seen many different behaviors and temperaments from those dogs. The bottom line is, it is a risk to have a dog no matter what breed it is! All dogs have teeth and can bite. That is how they respond to certain triggers. It is a form of language and communication. Does every dog bite a human? Not always, but it has a great deal with the way the dog is raised and how responsible the dog owner is. With proper guidance, training, obedience, socialization, breeding, etc. you can have a sound dog. This does take a great deal of work, patience, time, dedication, and more work. Do you have time to properly care for a large guardian working dog and supervise it at all times around other people, including children? This is something very serious for you to decide... and well worth repeating! Written by, Jo Ann Lewis - "Von Stallog Rottweilers" |
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