Rottweilers For Dummies

Richard G. Beauchamp, a respected breeder and prominent dog show judge, has been involved in every facet of purebred dogs for most of his life. He is a longtime Rottweiler enthusiast.

• Introduction 1So Who Am I? 2How This Book is Organized 2Part I: Getting to Know Rottweilers 2Part II: Searching for Your Soul Mate 2Part III: Living with a Rottweiler 3Part IV: Keeping Your Rottweiler Healthy 3Part V: The Part of Tens 4Icons Used in This Book 4Part I: Getting to Know Rottweilers 5Chapter 1: So What Exactly is a Rottweiler? 7Understanding What Sets the Rottweiler Apart 7Looking at the Purpose of Breed Standards 9The German standard 10The AKC standard 12Knowing Whether Your Rottweiler Has to Fit the Standard 14Taking a Quick Tour of Rottweiler History 14The Rottweiler’s German roots 15The changing role of the Rottweiler 16The transplanting of Rottweilers to the United States 17The Rottweiler’s role in modern day 18Chapter 2: Is a Rottweiler Right for You? 19Being Honest with Yourself about What You Have to Give 21Knowing the kind of time and energy dog ownership requires 21Understanding that Rottweilers aren’t perfect 22Knowing Whether You Have What It Takes to Own a Rottweiler 23Seeing how ready you are to own a Rottie 23Looking at the specifics of what dog ownership requires 24Weighing Your Decision Carefully 27Part II: Searching for Your Soul Mate 29Chapter 3: Knowing What You Want in a Rottweiler 31Remembering That Each Dog is Unique 31Deciding Between a Male and a Female Rottie 33Considering the Age of Your Dog When You Bring Him Home 34Birth to 7 weeks 35Seven to eight weeks 358 weeks to 6 months 366 to 12 months 36The adult Rottweiler 36Chapter 4: Finding and Choosing Your New Friend 37Knowing the Difference between Responsible Breeders and Backyard Breeders 38Working with a Responsible Breeder 40Understanding which health tests and guarantees the breeder provides 41Asking the breeder which puppy he would choose for you 42Considering the Rescue Option 43American Rottweiler Club rescue 44Independent rescue groups 44Humane societies and animal shelters 44Choosing a Puppy 45Pay attention to the puppy’s health 45Don’t overlook the puppy’s personality 50Observe the puppy’s behavior 51Knowing Which Important Papers You Need When You Walk out the Door 52Health record 53Pedigree 54Registration application 54Sales contract 55Part III: Living with a Rottweiler 57Chapter 5: Preparing for Your Puppy 59Making Your Shopping List 60Finding the Right Leashes and Collars for Your Rottweiler 61Getting the Right Equipment to Confine Your Dog When Necessary 62Crates and cages 62Outdoor runs 64Stocking up on Puppy-Proofing Supplies 64Supplying Your Pup with All the Toys His Heart Desires 65Chew toys 66Play toys 66Toys to avoid 67Finding the Right Grooming Tools 67Chapter 6: Welcome Home!  71Being Prepared for Reality 71Bringing Your Pup Home Safely 73Surviving the Difficult First Week 73Dealing with Inevitable Baby Behavior 75Dealing with a lonely pup 76Addressing house-training problems early 77Redirecting your puppy’s chewing 77Surviving your pup’s bursts of energy 78Managing play biting and growling 79Knowing What to Expect from Your Adolescent or Adult Rottweiler 79Recognizing the Instincts of the Breed 80Guarding 80Dominance 81Dealing with Stress in Your Rottweiler 82Being sure you don’t pressure your dog too much 82Understanding separation anxiety 83Housebreaking Your Rottweiler 84Chapter 7: Understanding How to Communicate with Your Rottweiler  87Understanding Why Your Rottweiler Does What He Does 88Instinctual creatures 88Thinking creatures 89Figuring Out How Behavior Gets Reinforced 90Knowing How to Respond to Your Rottie When He Misbehaves 91Socializing Your Rottweiler for His Own Happiness 92Getting children to help in the socialization process 93Continuing socialization in your pup’s new home 94Listening When Your Rottie Speaks 96Active versus passive behavior 96The hidden meaning behind a dog’s behavior 96What your body language says to your dog 97Chapter 8: Training Your Rottweiler 99Assuming Your Role as Leader of the Pack 99Knowing What to Expect of Your Rottie 100Starting with the Basics 101Name recognition and “no” 101Using a collar and leash 102Teaching Your Rottweiler the Most Important Commands 103“Come” 103“Sit” 104“Stay” 105“Down” 105“Heel” 106Attending Training Classes with Your Rottweiler 109Finding a Good Dog Trainer 109Dealing with Emotional Conflicts 111Chapter 9: Having Fun with Your Rottweiler 113Playing Games with Your Rottie 114Following the bouncing ball 115Playing a rousing game of fetch 116Getting a game of hide-and-seek going 116Taking Advantage of Dog-Friendly Parks 117Enjoying the Water with Your Dog 118Hitting the Trails with Your Rottie 120Helping Your Rottie Do What He Was Bred to Do 120Herding tests and trials 121Schutzhund 123Guard work 125Carting 126Search and rescue work 126Keeping in Mind Some Other Fun Things to Do with Your Rottweiler 127There’s no business like show business 127Competitive sports for Rottweilers 133Canine Good Citizen 135Helping Your Dog Help Others 135Part IV: Keeping Your Rottweiler Healthy 137Chapter 10: Getting to Know Your Rottweiler Inside and Out  139Exploring the Anatomy of the Rottweiler 140Identifying Inherited Health Problems and Diseases 142Hip dysplasia 142Osteochondritis dissecans 143Eye problems 144Demodectic mange 145Checking Your Dog’s Health Regularly 145Deciding Whether to Breed Your Rottweiler 146Spaying or Neutering Your Dog 148Looking for the Best Veterinarian on Your Dog’s Behalf 149Chapter 11: Feeding and Exercising Your Rottweiler 151Answering Your Questions about Your Rottie’s Nutrition 151Which food should I feed? 151How much is enough? 152How much protein and fat does my dog need? 153Will that inexpensive grocery-store brand be good enough? 153Adapting Your Dog’s Diet as His Needs Change 154Feeding puppies 155Maintaining your dog’s current weight 156Feeding an aging Rottweiler 156Meeting Your Rottweiler’s Special Nutritional Needs 157Chicken soup for the ailing pooch 157What to do for the tubby Rottweiler 157Getting Your Rottweiler the Exercise He Needs 158Puppy exercise 159Adolescents and healthy adults 15965 and counting: Exercise for seniors 160Chapter 12: Preventing Health Problems 161Vaccinating Your Dog Against Deadly Diseases 161Canine parvovirus 162Canine virus distemper 162Hardpad 163Infectious canine hepatitis 163Leptospirosis 163Rabies 163Bordatella 164The Great Vaccination Debate 164Paying Attention to Parasites 165Fleas 166Lice 167Ticks 167Mange 168Tapeworms 169Heartworms 169Whipworms and hookworms 169Roundworms 170Grooming Your Rottweiler for Health and Beauty 170Brushing 170Ears 171Teeth 171Eyes 172Feet and nails 172Anal glands 174Chapter 13: Being Prepared for Emergencies 177Setting Up Your Own First Aid Kit 177Figuring Out When to Call the Vet 178Knowing What to Do When You Need to Do It 180Muzzling an injured dog 180Moving an injured dog 181Treating burns 181Responding to shock 182Attending to bites and bleeding wounds 182Responding to poisoning 183Handling broken bones 184Removing foreign objects and responding to the choking dog 184Responding quickly to bloat 185Dealing with heatstroke 185Responding to hypothermia 185Attending to stings and bites 185Removing porcupine quills 186Responding to the dog who has come across a skunk 186Giving Your Rottie the Medicine He Needs 187Medications and ointments 187Pills 187Liquid medicines 188Chapter 14: Knowing What to Do When Your Dog Gets Sick 189Living with Chronic Conditions 189Hip dysplasia 190Bone disorders 190Eye problems 190Skin disorders 191Bloat 193Considering Alternative Therapies for Your Ailing Rottie 194Herbal therapy 194Homeopathy 195Bodywork therapies 196Part V: The Part of Tens 199Chapter 15: Ten Reasons to Own a Rottweiler 201You Know What You’re Getting 201You Can Find Out Anything You Want to Know about the Breed 202Rottweilers Have Good Temperaments 202Rottweilers Are Highly Trainable 202Rottweilers Are Easy to Care For 203Rottweilers Are Protective 203Rottweilers Do Good Work 203Rottweilers Know How to Have Fun 204Responsible Breeders Are Everywhere 204Rottweilers Give a Lifetime of Friendship 204Chapter 16: Ten Reasons Not to Own a Rottweiler 205The Neighbor Down the Street is Selling Rottweilers for Next to Nothing 205You Think Having a Dog to Pet Every Once in a While Would Be Fun 206You Want to Feel Needed 206You’re Not Prepared to Be the Leader of the Pack 207You Lack Physical Strength 207You Tend to Procrastinate 207Your Living Space is Restricted 208You’re Not Sure How You’re Going to Pay Your Next Credit Card Bill 208Patience is Not Your Virtue 209You’re a Loner 209Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Training Your Rottweiler 211Remember That Training is Something Your Rottie Needs 211Teach Your Rottie Your Rules 211Give Positive Reinforcement 212Be Consistent 212Start Training Right Away 212“No!” Means “No!” 213Keep Your Lessons Short and Sweet 213Curb Certain Instinctive Behaviors 213Be in the Right Frame of Mind for Training 214Do the Minimum in Basic Training 214Chapter 18: Ten Tips for Traveling with (Or without) Your Dog 215Get the Right Car for Your Rottweiler 216Think about the Weather Before You Leave 217Buckle Up for Safety 217Remember Your Rottweiler’s ID and Medication 218Bring Along Your Travel Necessities 219Plan a Vacation for the Whole Family to Enjoy 220Find Dog-Friendly Lodgings 220Fly Well with Your Rottweiler 221Find a Good Kennel If Your Pal Can’t Go 223Consider Getting a Pet Sitter 225Appendix A: Glossary  227Appendix B: Resources  231Books 231Magazines 232Videos 232CD-ROMs 232Web Sites 232Organizations 233Index 235