We have a 7 month old female Rottweiler mix. She has everything
except for enough companionship. We just do not have enough time in
our busy work schedules to spend as much time with her as she would
like. She would love to be with us every minute of every day. And we
are reluctant to adopt another dog at this time. I faintly remember
that a friend used to have a dog and a cat, and they were
inseparable. Is that common or are they usually enemies? Does it
matter if the cat is an adult or kitten? Wouldn't a cat tend to leave
the yard and spend most of its time elsewhere rather than at home with
the dog? Are there other pet alternatives that would work better? A
friend once had a pet pig that she was very fond of. Thanks for any
suggestions.

"tenplay" wrote

We have a 7 month old female Rottweiler mix. She has everything
except for enough companionship. We just do not have enough time in
our busy work schedules to spend as much time with her as she would
like. She would love to be with us every minute of every day. And we
are reluctant to adopt another dog at this time. I faintly remember
that a friend used to have a dog and a cat, and they were
inseparable. Is that common or are they usually enemies? Does it
matter if the cat is an adult or kitten? Wouldn't a cat tend to leave
the yard and spend most of its time elsewhere rather than at home with
the dog? Are there other pet alternatives that would work better? A
friend once had a pet pig that she was very fond of. Thanks for any
suggestions.

Tenplay, I would love to help here.

I am not experienced with dogs but my husband is. You can see a thread here
on Cash the Beagle. Cash is being added with a cat shortly. Same general
need of a playmate but Cash and the Cat were bith apparently raised with
dogs and are very cross compatible in nature.

This is not true of all breeds. What little I know says that Rotts and cats
do not mix well. This doesnt mean there arent exceptions, but it's not
generally a good mix to try. I'd hazard a guess that it works only if the
cat is there when the pup is born and the pup grows up with it. Your 7MO is
too old for this.

Cash is a beagle and will mix well. A known breed for this.

Rotts do need company (most dogs do). Consider a second dog of a larger
size? Lab for example?

tenplay wrote:
I faintly remember
that a friend used to have a dog and a cat, and they were
inseparable. Is that common or are they usually enemies? Does it
matter if the cat is an adult or kitten?

Your best bet for an established dog is to get a kitten. There's no
guarantee that the cat and dog will be best friends, but the kitten
should learn to be tolerant of the dog, and the two will provide
each other company, even if they don't end up being inseparable.

The bigger questions is, is your dog safe with cats?

Wouldn't a cat tend to leave
the yard and spend most of its time elsewhere rather than at home with
the dog?

Not if you keep the cat indoors.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

"Shelly" wrote

Your best bet for an established dog is to get a kitten. There's no
guarantee that the cat and dog will be best friends, but the kitten should
learn to be tolerant of the dog, and the two will provide each other
company, even if they don't end up being inseparable.

Are you sure a Rott wont consider a kitten to be lunch? They arent noted as
a cat tolerant breed.

On 2008-03-03 12:03:35 -0500, "cshenk" said:

Your 7MO is
too old for this.

It depends on the individuals.

Cash is a beagle and will mix well. A known breed for this.

When Beagles are used for hunting, how do they behave with prey?

Rotts do need company (most dogs do). Consider a second dog of a larger
size? Lab for example?

Labs shouldn't be larger than Rottweilers. They should be about the
same height, but the body mass should be different.

It isn't unusual for Rottweilers to be other dog aggressive.

It's probably best if the OP gets some in-person help with ideas about
socializing this particular dog with cats

"tenplay" wrote in message:

We just do not have enough time in
our busy work schedules to spend as much time with her as she would
like.

Perhaps a dog walker or doggie daycare a couple of times a week would be a
good idea?

She would love to be with us every minute of every day. And we
are reluctant to adopt another dog at this time.

Yup, no point in having two dogs you can't care for properly at the same
time.

I faintly remember
that a friend used to have a dog and a cat, and they were
inseparable. Is that common or are they usually enemies?

Depends totally on the dog and the cat in question. I've known dogs and
cats that played with each other, dogs and cats that ignore each other (I've
got one of those), and dogs and cats that did not get along at all. Has
your dog been around cats at all? Do you know if she is likely to try and
play with the cat, ignore it, or try to eat it?

Suja

cshenk wrote:

Are you sure a Rott wont consider a kitten to be lunch? They arent noted as
a cat tolerant breed.

I don't know this dog, so I wouldn't want to guess. I have never
heard that Rotties are particularly bad with cats. In fact, I would
have assumed the opposite. They're big, yes, but they're also a
herding breed (well, droving, but still). That's a different sort
of prey drive than, say, a Siberian (now that's a breed that's
notoriously bad with cats).

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

"montana wildhack" wrote

Your 7MO is
too old for this.

It depends on the individuals.

You accidently overchopped. I said that.

'This is not true of all breeds. What little I know says that Rotts and
cats
do not mix well. This doesnt mean there arent exceptions, but it's not
generally a good mix to try. I'd hazard a guess that it works only if the
cat is there when the pup is born and the pup grows up with it. Your 7MO is
too old for this.'


Cash is a beagle and will mix well. A known breed for this.

When Beagles are used for hunting, how do they behave with prey?

They act as trained. Most dogs have hunting in the background. Beagles
sniff and chase.

They track well and are some of the better sniffers out there. Used widely
for drug dogs too for the same reason.

Rotts do need company (most dogs do). Consider a second dog of a larger
size? Lab for example?

Labs shouldn't be larger than Rottweilers. They should be about the same
height, but the body mass should be different.

Larger as in of a relatively large size. IE: no toy poodles.

It isn't unusual for Rottweilers to be other dog aggressive.

The few i know, are not but that is apt to be training and socialization.
Some breeds are more naturally happy with other dogs around. I would not
add 2 that were not naturally happy so but aim for one to be sociable if the
other isnt. Seems sane then?

Suja wrote:

I've always wondered why it is that one of the local Sibe rescues actually
does both Husky and cat rescue. Struck me as an odd combination:
http://www.petharbor.org/avail.htm

Wow! That's not a combination I would've expected. It's sort of
like having a burrito with french fries.

--
Shelly
http://www.cat-sidh.net (the Mother Ship)
http://esther.cat-sidh.net (Letters to Esther)

"Shelly" wrote in message
...

That's a different sort
of prey drive than, say, a Siberian (now that's a breed that's
notoriously bad with cats).

I've always wondered why it is that one of the local Sibe rescues actually
does both Husky and cat rescue. Struck me as an odd combination:
http://www.petharbor.org/avail.htm

Suja