The five things I wish I would’ve known before buying a Rottweiler puppy.
One year ago today, my family brought home a very tiny Rottweiler puppy.
One year later, that tiny puppy has grown into quite a big Rottweiler puppy.
Which immediately brings me to the first thing to know… don’t blink because they grow super fast. Yes all puppies grow fast, but there’s fast and then there is Rottweiler fast.
Next, the eye-boogers are non-stop.
If you don’t want to wipe eye boogers from your dog’s eyes, you should choose a different breed. I had nooooo idea the extent of the eye secretions. Every morning, like clockwork, there will be some nasty discharge secreting from our Rottweiler’s eyes. Some of that is dog and allergy specific, but the breed is just prone to produce eye boogers.
Third, petting my dog is awesome, but has ruined my productivity.
Marcus Aurelius said, “At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?”
For the past couple of decades, this quote, and having young children, has dominated my morning routine and made me highly efficient in the morning hours.
Before the eye-booger monster entered my life, I was a morning efficiency machine. Before the household awoke, I would typically have already completed a small work out, prepped for the opening bell (6:30 PST), and performed at least an hour of writing.
But that was then.
Most dog experts will tell you to not have your dog sleep in the bed with you, which is good advice, that we completely ignored.
We wanted a snuggly dog. We chose a very snuggly breed, then we selected a top-notch breeder with a snuggly lineage, then we selected the snuggliest puppy from the snuggliest litter, and guess what we got?
A dog that loves to snuggle. Shocker!
Anyone who has every pet a snuggly Rottweiler puppy has the same reaction I did after the first week. Even though she doesn’t speak English, I said “I’m going to lose many hours of my life petting you, but it will be time well spent.”
Unfortunately, that time now comes in the morning. As soon as I stir, I’m greeted with a massive Rottweiler head draped across my chest. That move is followed by belly exposure and belly rubs, which brings me to my fourth Rottweiler realization.
The Rottie Rumble
Did you know that many Rottweilers purr? I did not know this. As a first-time Rottie owner, how would I have known about this trait?
Quite frankly, this behavior confused me. For those not familiar, some Rottweilers purr when they are extremely happy and comfortable. But the startling part is that it sounds like an angry growl. This noise is breed specific, but not all Rotties produce the sound. And if your hear a Rottweiler make a growl in a growl-related situation (a stranger angrily approaching a Rottweiler’s humans, for example) you should 100% assume it’s a legit warning and act appropriately.
But I did not know there was another version of this noise. So in her early time with us, she would be laying on me and after some continuous petting, a growl would emerge from a very relaxed and happy dog. This behavior startled me as it seemed 100% out of character for the situation.
Thankfully, the internets had the answers.
Once I learned this was a good sound, my morning mission became to make my Rottweiler purr. Good for her, bad for my efficiency.
Lastly, many Rottweilers are all about those sheets.
During our initial research, Rottweilers were constantly portrayed as a hard working breed, which is partially true. Our dog loves to “help”. This might be carrying large branches when we are clearing brush or this might mean a mid-range to long hike. But once this work or exercise is over, you will find my Rottweiler and most Rotties performing their favorite hobby… sleeping (snoring). Many Rottweilers are “for the sheets, not the streets.”
So, to recap, the five things I wish I knew before buying a Rottweiler puppy are:
- Enjoy the “small” moments. Literally. They grow quickly.
- The eye boogers are non-stop.
- The breed is enjoyable to pet.
- Watch out for the Rottie Rumble
- If you detest snoring, perhaps another breed will suit you better.