Rottweiler Rescue: Serving The Dogs That Live For Service

People give up their Rottweiler dogs for a number of reasons. The Rottweiler is a large breed of dog, and some owners who move to smaller living spaces think it would be unfair to move their Rottweiler to such a confined area. Other Rottweiler owners, through circumstances perhaps beyond their control, may move from owning their own home to renting an apartment in a building with restrictions on the size of dog permitted. Other owners become ill or die, and there may be no one among their friends or family members willing to take on the care of a Rottweiler.

Whatever the reason, every year hundreds of Rottweilers find new homes through the assistance of Rottweiler rescue organizations. Rottweiler rescue groups get to know every single dog they place and match each new home carefully with a dog. The groups match abandoned dogs with new homes where they are loved and thrive.
Anyone who wants to adopt a Rottweiler rescue dog should carefully consider the decision and be absolutely sure before they make a move to adopt a dog. A commitment to a dog should last the dog's entire lifetime.

Rottweilers are big dogs, weighing eighty to one hundred thirty-five pounds, and they have great strength. It is essential that such a strong, confident dog be properly trained, for the safety of the dog and the people around it. Obedience training for Rottweiler puppies should begin at an early age, preferably eight to ten weeks. With a rescue Rottweiler, though, you can't be sure what kind of training the dog has already had. Owners of rescue dogs should be prepared to go through obedience training with their dogs, to correct any problems with the dog's behavior and to introduce the dog to the structure and authority Rottweilers crave.

Confidence is a trait of most Rottweilers' personalities, but the Rottweiler longs for a pack leader. A rescue dog owner should provide the Rottweiler with enough exercise to fulfill the dog's need for vigorous recreation and with enough discipline to establish the owner as the leader of the pack.
Rottweiler rescue groups will only accept Rottweiler dogs that are in good health, with current vaccinations. Each dog that is accepted as a rescue dog undergoes a health and temperament evaluation by a veterinarian, and the owner who turns the dog over is required to pay a nominal fee to cover intake expenses. The fee is also meant to discourage owners from dumping dogs on the rescue groups, and encourages owners to think long and hard before surrendering their dog.

If you are interested in adopting a rescue dog, contact a Rottweiler rescue organization near you. Most organizations will require that you be at least 21 years old and that you have the permission and consent of all adults in your household. If you don't own your own home, you will be required to provide written permission from the owner for you to adopt a Rottweiler. If you are discouraged by these requirements, please remember that they are designed to reduce the possibility of an irresponsible owner having to return a rescue dog and to make sure prospective owners understand the commitment required to adopt a Rottweiler.

If your application is approved, you will be paired up with a rescue dog and asked to foster the dog for a temporary trial period. The result is worth the wait because your Rottweiler rescue dog will be a faithful companion for the rest of its life.

Sharon Davies is a Rottweiler breeder who fosters rescue dogs and processes adoption applications for Rottweiler rescue groups. Rottweiler rescue groups take in Rottweiler rescue dogs when their owners can't keep them any longer. The groups match surrendered dogs with prospective owners, giving the dogs a second chance at a loving family life. If you can't adopt a Rottweiler rescue dog, you may be able to volunteer at your local Rottweiler rescue organization. For more Rottweiler information, contact a rescue group in your area.