My girlfriend's brother has a four year old female Rottweiler that he
doesn't have enough time for anymore and he wants to know if we would
like to adopt her. I'm apprehensive about bringing such a large dog
into the house though. We have two middle-aged cats. The dog has a good
disposition in general, but not a lot of experience with other animals.
If we were getting the dog as a puppy, I wouldn't be worried, but I'm
afraid she'll corner one of the cats while we're out of the house and
something bad will happen.

I'm also a little afraid of the dog's temperament changing when it gets
moved into a totally different environment with people it doesn't know.
I know these dogs are supposed to be pretty even tempered, but they are
still animals, and large ones at at that.

Is bringing this dog into my house asking for trouble?

Thanks,
Dave

my cat has always ruled the house no matter what
size the dogs were in the house (from 10 lbs thru
to 80 lbs)

i would be more worried about a puppy that wants
to 'play' with the cats than an adult dog who
KNOWS cats can hurt them

kennel during the day and for sleeping in at night
is a good idea too.......... and isn't punishment
for the dog as long as the dog gets outside of
kennel time and good walks every night at a
minimum

good luck with your new dog :-)

kate

"headware" wrote in
message
oups.com...
My girlfriend's brother has a four year old
female Rottweiler that he
doesn't have enough time for anymore and he
wants to know if we would
like to adopt her. I'm apprehensive about
bringing such a large dog
into the house though. We have two middle-aged
cats. The dog has a good
disposition in general, but not a lot of
experience with other animals.
If we were getting the dog as a puppy, I
wouldn't be worried, but I'm
afraid she'll corner one of the cats while we're
out of the house and
something bad will happen.

I'm also a little afraid of the dog's
temperament changing when it gets
moved into a totally different environment with
people it doesn't know.
I know these dogs are supposed to be pretty even
tempered, but they are
still animals, and large ones at at that.

Is bringing this dog into my house asking for
trouble?

Thanks,
Dave

"headware" wrote in message
oups.com...
My girlfriend's brother has a four year old female Rottweiler that he
doesn't have enough time for anymore and he wants to know if we would
like to adopt her. I'm apprehensive about bringing such a large dog
into the house though. We have two middle-aged cats. The dog has a good
disposition in general, but not a lot of experience with other animals.
If we were getting the dog as a puppy, I wouldn't be worried, but I'm
afraid she'll corner one of the cats while we're out of the house and
something bad will happen.

I'm also a little afraid of the dog's temperament changing when it gets
moved into a totally different environment with people it doesn't know.
I know these dogs are supposed to be pretty even tempered, but they are
still animals, and large ones at at that.

Is bringing this dog into my house asking for trouble?

I hate to put a damper on this, as you are being kind enough to consider
giving a home to this big dog. But IME, there is a good possibility that
the dog will never be safe with your cats.

If that is the case, would it be possible for you to keep them separate?
Could the cats be confined to an area separate from the dog?

flick 100785


Thanks,
Dave

"headware" wrote in message
roups.com...
My girlfriend's brother has a four year old female Rottweiler that he
doesn't have enough time for anymore and he wants to know if we would
like to adopt her. I'm apprehensive about bringing such a large dog
into the house though. We have two middle-aged cats. The dog has a good
disposition in general, but not a lot of experience with other animals.
If we were getting the dog as a puppy, I wouldn't be worried, but I'm
afraid she'll corner one of the cats while we're out of the house and
something bad will happen.

That's why you separate them when you aren't there to supervise.
Crating/gating/shutting the dog in a room iks one option, putting the
cats in a safe room another.

Have you tried her out near the cats? Many dogs and cats get along
just fine and can be left together without problem (I leave 2 dogs and
2 cats together, all free roam of house, and have for the last 20+
years). Until you know a little more about this dog, and feel
comfortable handling any situation that may present itself, I wouldn't
jump at dog ownership of a large dog you have concerns about.
Rottweiler rescue may be a very good option.

--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album

I'd like to thank everyone for the responses. Sorry it took me so long
to reply. I think we're going to pass on the dog. I'd like to help her
out, but I'm apprehensive about too many aspects of taking her in. I'll
look into the rescue that Janet mentioned. Hopefully they'll be able to
find a good place for her.