We have decided to get another dog. We have 2 GSD's who are great with other dogs, we have many k9 visitors at home and they are very welcoming to all.   Due to the health probs we have had with them both, we thought it may be time to have our next favourite breed - The Rotty.  I would like to rescue one but it would need to be great with children and other dogs and am a little apprehensive to take on an adult with a ? history.  She will join in with all the family stuff we do as well as marathon walks (age dependent) obedience and possibly working trials if suitable, more importantly tho, a loved family member.  Should I get a pup from a reputable breeder or rescue a young bitch from a home?

if it were me i'd rather rescue a young dog but only if they could provide me with enough info that i felt happy this dog would be healthy and fit in with the family. there's so many pedigree dogs in rescue at the moment it would be a shame not to check first.  

i'd contact a breeder , sometimes they've run one on or know someone who has and are thinking of letting it go. Or rescue if you have all the info about the dog.theres lots on dogsblog

Split decision for me.

For the sake of the dog I would take a rescue but in your circumstances I would opt for the puppy.

I would give rottweiler welfare a call - 01782 395 558 or rotties in need - 01691 610 470. A friend of mine has rotties and she said that welfare have had whole litters in because of the reccession, so you may be able to rescue and have a puppy. Good luck with your search.

Great news! We have just adopted a 8 weeks old rotty girl who was born in rescue where her parents were siezed by the rspca.  Lovely natured parents so she should be sound - how lucky are we!

Have a rottie question tho, she is a little itchy and her coat is quite wooly and not that shiney.  She has been reared on raw and I am continuing on this diet.  Most rotty puppies I have seen have had shinier coats, her litter sisters all had the same coats.  Just wondered??

I'm so pleased to hear that you got both wishes!   Rescue and puppy - how lucky is that?  

Thats great news, i will speak to my friend who has rotties about the coat, she also feeds raw. What are you feeding?

Hi, I have a rottie cross who had similar problems when young.  I found that I had to add oily fish a couple of times a week to her diet.  Soon cured her. 

Unless your really up on BARF and canine nutrition I would go for a good quality complete at this vital development stage.

A pup I sold to a lady into all things natural was not fed enough protein and bone, and ended up with very light bone, not what would have been expected from what she was as a baby pup or from her breeding.  Her diet was improved after she was 6 months and the under nutrition pointed out, but she will never develop to her full potential re bone.

Hi I agree, BARF is quite complicated and you have to get the amounts right.  All mine have a good complete, but I do add meat and fish to their diets, and I have never had problems with coats and growth.  My old cross breed is 11 years old now and she was my first dog along with my rescue greyhound, learnt a lot since then.  Rotties do have a particular coat that sheds at an amazing amount and it is very dense so oils are very important.  Try the Rottie club of UK they may have some ideas.

I have been feeding BARF for over 2 years now and for my own reasons would never ever feed a commercial dog food. Thanks for advise but complete is not an option.  I researched the diet extensively before making the switch and consider myself to be experienced enough to feed it - I know many people who also feed it and along with barf forums get support and advise. Thank you anyway.

Thanks for that but to mix raw meat with complete is not advisable as they are digested at different rates.

Never done mine any harm and we have been feeding this way for over 15 years.  But this was not advice on feeding for me here it was to help you with your rottie coat.  As I said the best thing is to contact the Rottie club uk.

Hi, my friend has suggested a little hemp seed oil added to the diet brings the coat up a treat.

when rotties are born they have a lovely shiney coat which changes to a soft wooly coat at about 2/3 weeks, it stays soft and wooly until they start to get their adult coat at about 3/4 months when they will get a ring of coarser shiney hair around the tail about 2 inches from the top then a band down the middle of the back, by 6 months they should have a full adult coat which shines all over.

i dont think i would be giving an  8 week old puppy hemp seed oil if you are feeding a good raw diet this should be enough ( meat, bones, veg, eggs ect. )   i add linseed oil to my adults food