Cain Hill Rottweilers

          

 

            Remember: A Rottweiler is considered to be quite easy to train, often requiring only 10-12 repetitions and praise to succeed at any new skill. However, in absence of any direction a Rottweiler will provide himself with an activity or skill. This could easily turn into destructive, irritating and even dangerous behaviors due to their very size and intelligence. Many an owner has returned home to discover that the family couch has been destroyed, the kitchen turned inside out, and the refrigerator opened and emptied. A Rottweiler must always have an activity, a job, and a duty to fulfill. Seldom active indoors, Rottweiler's enjoy a broad range of outdoor activities. (A real bonus for those of you who prefer the outdoors!) Swimming, running, hiking, long walks, ball retrieving….the list goes on. They truly enjoy as much outdoor activity as possible. Rottweilers do not tend to leave their people or roam; however precautions must always be taken when in the potential presence of other dogs, strangers, and especially children. A securely fenced yard can provide your Rottweiler a wonderful place to run free, and physically interact with you in a game of Frisbee or catch. Remember too, that a Rottweiler will consider his family, his yard and his home as his property. These things will be as fiercely guarded as they are loved. When out and about in public a good leash with proper leash skills instilled at a young age will provide both you and your Rottweiler many proud moments of sincere affection. This breed needs a great deal of socialization and companionship in order to be truly happy. A Rottweiler will thrive if embraced within the family environment. He seeks your approval and affection, and will work with the family as a unit. As early as possible, instructions need to be regularly provided with proper boundaries set. Care must be taken to ensure that the instruction be dispensed with firm, positive interaction, and all aggression or physical punishment avoided. A Rottweiler will respect and imitate that which he/she is shown. Firmness and consistency is a must, often required for the duration of his/her lifetime. Aggressiveness, corporal punishment, and physical threat is never acceptable and is the leading cause of adult Rottweiler's turned into local shelters for euthanasia. This has become sadly the conclusion for many a Rottweiler that began life with so much endearing potential. As the old saying goes "There are no bad dogs, just bad owners".

 

            Many people notice quite early that a Rottweiler is extraordinarily affectionate. He may have been bred for guard dog duties, and indeed still excels in this category. However, the love and interaction of his family is of primary enjoyment to any Rottweiler. Due to their attention to duty, they can easily be taught to sit quietly by in any office or living room, gently observing the family throughout the day. If provided with healthy outdoor time and exercise, a Rottweiler can spend countless hours at the family side. Simple manners taught at a young age help instill healthy respect and gentle compatibility. A Rottweiler will often seek his owner's affection with a gentle nudge to the elbow or hand, and many are quiet "talkers"….mellow murrs and puffs to communicate that it is time for the daily walk or to leave for work. Although a large breed, with strong guard dog skills, a Rottweiler can easily become an indoor pet suited for the family, home office employee, or individual. If he/she is provided with a healthy schedule, work duties, and physical expectations, a Rottweiler will heartily embrace almost any living style. However, this breed is not meant to be tied in the backyard and left there day after day after day. They will not thrive, nor reach their full potential. This is the reason why some Rottweilers turn out to have temperamental problems. So please, if you do not have the time or a place to safely keep the dog without tethering and help it grow up to its fullest potential, then reconsider on getting a dog in the first place.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                   

 

 

           This is specifically for educational purposes. We are asked on a regular basis if our dogs are "American" or "German" Rottweilers. When we explain the difference between the two and finish with "So our dogs of course are American" some take this as being rude when we try and educate people that are less knowledgable on this subject. Not knowing the difference between the two has nothing to do with how good of an owner someone is or how well they treat their dogs. I know of several Rottweiler owners that have owned the breed for 20 years and are the finest of owners, but still does not truely understand the difference and some do not even pronounce the word "Rottweiler" correctly. I have met several owners that believed these are two different breeds.  But it is all basically simple, in order for it to be "German" (or even Australian or whatever the case may be) it must be out of a litter bred on German soil (in Germany or other country of origin). So if just the litter was bred in Germany (this is for "German" Rotts), and the pregnant bitch was imported to the states, the pups after being whelped in the states will be considered  "German" because the parents had to be temperament tested by a German Warden which is called a Ztp test and most will have a SCH I, II, or III before being bred there (there is also mandatory health testing) and the puppies are eligible for ADRK foreign registration (pink papers) after being whelped in the states.

          Some believe that because a Rottweiler is big and irregular in size, going well beyond standard, that it is classified as a German Rottweiler. Truth is a German bred is not big at all. They are on the small side of the standard. If a Rottweiler is that big it is considered an inferior breeding specimen and should be spayed or neutered (but the dog not being of breeding quality does not mean it is not a good pet, but just being a good pet is NO REASON to breed the dog) Here is what the standard states for a "German" Rottweiler... (FCI Standard/Foreign Standard) The ideal dog is to be in mid range of the standard. Keep in mind that the weight can vary from dog to dog. A 22 inch bitch should not exceed 80lbs for example, and the bitch even at 80 lbs would be a bit on the heavy side.

Height at withers:
For bitches is 56 - 63 cm.(22-24.8 inches)
56 - 57 cm is small / 58 - 59 cm is medium height / 60 - 61 cm is large - correct height / 62 - 63 cm is very large
Weight: approximately 42 kg (92.6 pounds)

Height at withers:
For males is 61 - 68 cm.(24-26.8 inches)
61 - 62 cm is small / 63 - 64 cm is medium height / 65 - 66 cm is large - correct height / 67 - 68 cm is very large
Weight: approximately 50 kg

        These dogs are bred to be lean, small and fast to be able to do what they were bred to do. If they are large boned, clumsy, feet too big for their body, and really tall they would get hurt easily or may even be killed trying to perform their daily tasks like not having enough speed herding and getting trampled on by livestock. And in towns such as Rottweil in the country Germany having these dogs to help them work is a part of every day life and most count on their dogs to help them put meat on the table for their families. That is why they have the strictest canine breeding practices in the world. The Rottweiler breed in Germany is used just like the Australian Sheppard is here in the United States.

        An "American" bred Rottweiler was bred to be bigger, slightly leggier (and I do mean slightly, varying only by an 1/2 inch or so), and with a little bit more heavier bone structure and mostly for show purposes. The American breds tend to also be bred toward the more docile side and are much more layed back. They are not normally bred to work as with the forgein bred dogs. In recent years however more and more enthusiasts have picked up the fancy of herding and carting with their Rottweilers so the chance of seeing one used on a farm is growing here in the states. Seeing one actually work will make you have an all new respect for the breed. Now COE breeders in the states are striving for the mid range in standard as they are much more versatile and can withstand alot more.

      With that said, Rottweilers that are bred to be oversized and outside of standard are more prone to orthopedic, heart, and thyroid health issues. So bigger is not necessarily better in the case of the Rottweiler breed and is a common misconception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       This page is for educational purposes and is a guide for responsible dog owners on how to prevent dog bites. May it be a dog that the family owns or an unfamiliar dog. I am going to list typical scenarios that are done in the presence of a dog that can cause a dog to bite and how to read a dog's body language and the warning signs that a possible bite may occur. As these situations present themselves they can be very dangerous if not handled properly, most aspecially if the dog is unsocialized with a questionable temperament &/or the dog is genetically hardwired with a weak nerve (more of this is explained under "Fight or Flight Drives") In our home our children are taught these things mentioned below from the start and no animal should be forced or expected to tolerate unwanted acts of behavior or affection from adults or children. It is very much a part of human nature to show affection through touching, hugging, and kissing just for a few examples but it is not a part of dog's behavior and they see it as rude and dominating so if they ever feel the need to defend themselves against such things they are going to do it with the only thing they have to do it with... their mouths. It is most likely that you will witness early warning signs toward a member of the household and a dog will tolerate things for a longer period of time as opposed to someone that does not live in the home. The warnings to an outsider of the family will be so subtle the dog will seem to bite without any warning. The best thing to do is never set the dog up to fail and not put him/her in that kind of position to begin with and follow the safety tips below. Now in no way should anyone be nervous around a dog, nor walk on eggshells for them so to speak but just be aware of your body language, what message it is sending to the dog and what the dog's body language is trying to tell you. **The following applies to ALL dogs, not just the Rottweiler breed**

Why do dogs bite and how do they warn us?

There are several possible reasons why a dog may bite:

• The dog is protecting a possession, food or water dish or puppies.
• The dog is protecting a resting place.
• The dog is protecting its owner or the owner's property.
• The dog considers itself dominant over a child and the child has done something the dog considers to be insubordinate (e.g., hugging the dog, moving into the dog's space, moving without permission from the dog, leaning or stepping over the dog).
• The dog is frightened and the person has threatened it in some way (e.g., hugging the dog, rapid approach, leaning over or stepping over the dog).
• The dog is old and grumpy and having a bad day and has no patience for what the dog considers to be rude behavior from someone (Dogs can have bad days just like humans can) 
• The dog is injured.
• A child has hurt or startled it by stepping on it, poking it or pulling its fur, tail or ears.
• The dog has not learned bite inhibition and bites hard by accident when the someone offers food or a toy to the dog.
• A child and the dog are engaging in rough play and the dog gets overly excited.
• The dog views a child as a prey item because the child is running and/or screaming near the dog or riding a bicycle or otherwise moving past the dog (the risk is greater when there is more than one dog).

 

 

 

 

    There are usually warning signs before a bite occurs, but these can be very subtle and may be missed by many people. A dog may appear to tolerate being repeatedly mauled by a child and one day bites, surprising everyone. Signs that you should take very seriously that indicate that the dog is saying "I have been very patient with this child, but I am nearing the end of my patience", include:

• The dog gets up and moves away from the child.
• The dog turns his head away from the child.
• The dog looks at you with a pleading expression.
• You can see the "whites" of the dogs eyes, in a half moon shape.
• The dog yawns while the child approaches or is interacting with him.
• The dog licks his chops while the child approaches or is interacting with him.
• The dog suddenly starts scratching or licking himself.

    You may think that your dog loves to have the children climbing all over him and hugging him, but if you see any of these signs, then you are being warned that a bite could occur if the dog feels he has no other way of defending himself. Do your dog and your child a favor and intervene if you notice any of these signs.

 

Parents should teach children the following (these apply to their own dog, other dogs that they know and strange dogs):

• Teach your children to not just approach dogs that are not their own without asking first to make sure that the dog can be safely approached and petted under the supervision of the handler of the the dog (most children are bitten by a dog that they know, or by their own dog).
• If you, as a parent, decide that you think it is safe for your child to approach a particular dog - teach your child how to approach a dog in a non-threatening manner. Upon introduction teach your child to approach the dog from the side, hands down by his/her side, have gaze fixed toward the ground and never stare into the dogs eyes, and remain very calm. Teach the children that dogs prefer to be petted on the chest, under the bottom jaw, rear (along the side of the tail and just above the tail), and the favorite of all dogs... the tummy rub. Petting along the spine, very top of the head, and on top of the neck can at times come across as a dominating gesture to a dog if it is coming from someone outside of the family (you may have seen a dominate dog lay its front leg over the neck of a submissive dog, they can interpret petting on the neck the same way) 
• Ensure that when a child visits a house with a dog, that the dog will not be unsupervised with the children.
• Teach your child to be a tree when confronted with an unknown, overly friendly or hostile dog (overly friendly can be a sign of rabies so its best the child keeps its distance from dogs with that behavior as well that they do not know). Stop. Fold your branches (arms) and watch your roots grow (look at feet) and count in your head until the dog goes away or help comes.
• Teach your child to "be a rock" if the dog actually jumps on them and knocks them down (curl up and protect face and neck with hands and arms).
• Never stare at a dog in the eyes or put their faces up to a dog's face.
• Never try to take something away from a dog.
• Never go near a dog who is eating or drinking or chewing on something.
• Never approach a dog that is on a bed or furniture.
• Never approach a dog that is tied up or in a vehicle.
• Never try to pet a dog through a fence or in a crate.
• Never climb over a fence into a dog's yard, even if the dog is usually friendly.
• Never try to break up a dog fight or interact with dogs that are play fighting.
• Leave dogs alone that are sleeping, resting, injured, very old or with puppies.
• A safe dog is one that is panting, face happy looking and wagging his tail enthusiastically.
• A dangerous dog has his mouth closed, ears forward, intense look.
• A dog about to bite may be growling, showing his teeth, raising fur along his back or holding his tail high in the air (he may even be wagging it).
• Teach children to play safe games such as fetch that do not involve running or rough play and always with an adult present. If the dog does not belong to child it is a must for the owner of the dog to be present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can dog owners do?

• Supervise all interactions between children and your dog.
• Attend obedience school and use a training method that stresses a reward-based approach/positive reinforcement (correction-based training methods can increase aggression if not done properly).
• Involve children in training and teach them to give the dog commands and reward the dog for obeying.  
• Prevent food bowl aggression and guarding behavior using positive methods.
• Teach your puppy bite inibition but do not prohibit your puppy from biting altogether  - a puppy must learn bite inhibition by learning to bite more and more gently (This is why it is so important for puppies to stay with their Dam and littermates until 8 weeks of age as they begin to learn bite inibition from each other).
• Give your dog lots of positive social interactions with people and other dogs.
• Give your dog lots of exercise.
• Don't encourage any kind of aggressive behaviour or barking in your dog.
• Don't chain your dog or leave him alone in a yard for extended periods.
• Give your dog his own special place and don't allow him on furniture or on the bed.
• Encourage children and other guests to leave the dog alone if he is resting in his special place, eating or chewing on something.
• Teach your dog to walk on a leash without pulling.
• Teach your dog not to jump on people.
• Do not permit your dog to bark or paw at you or others for attention.
• If your dog shows signs of aggression toward you or others, seek the help of a canine behaviourist experience with the breed.
• Avoid using methods such as the "alpha rollover", shaking or pinning the dog to the ground - these may reduce aggression toward you, but may increase aggression toward children or other weaker family members.
• Do not allow children to play wrestling games with the puppy or dog.
• Use a crate, kennel, gates or closed doors to prevent your dog from interacting with visiting children when you cannot supervise.

 

       Responsible dog owners should supervise all interactions between children and dogs. A child should not be left alone with a dog unless that child has demonstrated competent dog handling skills and the dog respects the child. Parents can educate their children about how to behave around dogs and how to recognize a bite risk situation. While most dogs of this particular breed actually welcome affection from members of their household including children there are some that do not like it at all. Not all dogs are created equal.  

 

What to do when confronted by an aggressive dog:

• DO NOT RUN! Although it may seem counter-intuitive when you suddenly see an angry, barking and snarling dog running towards you, the most important thing to do is not to turn and run. The dogs natural instincts will kick in and it will chase after you (prey drive).

• Stay calm, don't make any sudden movements, and don't look the dog directly in the eye - dogs see this as a challenge and may react by becoming more aggressive.

• Try to turn sideways on - this isn't necessarily a submissive gesture, but will minimise the chance that the dog will see you as a threat.

 

What to do if you're attacked:

If you're unlucky enough and get attacked, there are a number of things you can do to minimize the damage.

• If you have an object (bag, coat, umbrella, etc.) you can hold out in front of you, offer this to the dog as it attacks. Alternatively, wrap some padding around your arm and use this. If the dogs bites on this, keep hold of it - if you let go, the dog will realize that it's not part of you and go for something else.

• If you get bitten, don't yank yourself away from the dog, it's teeth are designed to stop things being ripped out of it's mouth, in addition to which, the animal's instinct will be to bite harder.

 

 

 

                                                                                     F.A.Q

Q: What do you feed your dogs?

A: We have a few different foods that we feed. Full grown breeding dogs (ones without food allergies) we will feed Black Gold. It has 373 calories per cup and has a wide range of vitamins that helps support and maintain their body. It helps in keeping  males at a healthy weight during the breeding process as well as the females and helps in the milk production when bitches are lactating. Dogs that we are presently showing, puppies (less than 16 months), and dogs with food allergies are fed Canidae All Life Stages (some without grain) and from time to time we will raise pups on Eagle Pack Holistic. At 10 weeks of age we will introduce raw food into their diet as well.

Q: What does your raw diet contain?

A: This can range from raw eggs (with shells in moderation as they are a source of pure calcium), chicken legs/breast/legquarters/back/liver etc, fish, tripe and boston butts.

Q: Do you remove bones?

A: We do not remove bones from their raw diet. Dogs can digest bones from raw meats and the marrow is quite nutritious for them but cooked bones will splinter and cause intestinal damage.

Q: Is there a chance that a dog will get food poisoning due to raw foods?

A: No. The only way a dog can get food poisoning is he would have to eat a large amount of food containing mold and you would usually see that in dog food that has gotten wet. A dog has a special acid in the stomach designed to kill any harmful bacteria in food and it served a purpose to his ancestor the wolf. In a wolf pack they typically would come up on a carcass several days old and make a meal out of it. It was a trait that served them well and gave them what it took to survive.

Q: What does "overdone" mean?

A: Overdone when referring to the whole dog means that the dog is out of standard because the dog is too big and out of proportion. When referring to a certain part like the head of a female, it means that the head carries the characteristics of a male or in other words a "doggy-bitch".

Q: How much does your adult Rottweilers weigh?

A: Our bitches range from 90lbs to 110lbs. Our males are between 115lbs to 135lbs. They are at their lean weight during the summer months and the heaviest weight during the late fall through mid spring. Dogs that weight well outside of these ranges are considered inferior breeding specimens and are prone to orthopedic problems and will pass this down to offspring. They are also not very likely to pass OFA clearances for hips and elbows so they should be spayed/neutered.

Q: How much does your puppies weigh?

A: Puppy weight and size depends on the bloodline. They go from 8lbs to 16lbs at 8 weeks of age. Our puppies in an individual litter only vary by a few ounces from pup to pup.

Q: Are there any special ways to help in making a Rottweiler a well mannered and well rounded dog?

A: Absolutely. We practice the NILIF method with our dogs every single day and it really helps to make it a force of habbit. NILIF stands for "Nothing In Life Is Free". This means that the dog has got to work for everything he gets basically. If he gets a toy, food, treat, playtime, and even affection its good going through a simple routine of having the dog do a few basic commands. This instills respect without forcing. In a dog or a wolf pack, a leader will make subordinates do things and it is a reminder of who is in charge. They catch on very quickly and realize that you control everything and also that you are there to provide for him and protect him and not the other way around.

Q: At what age should a Rottweiler be spayed/neutered?

A: Females should go through atleast one heat cycle before being spayed. They need endogenous hormones to be able to mature properly. It is highly suggested to wait until just after turning a year old. They have a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma (bone cancer) if they are spayed before 12 months. The same goes for the males. There has been alot of scientific research done to back up this claim. You can read more information about it here http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/11/11/1434.full

Q: How long will a Rottweiler live?

A: Rottweilers will live an average of 9-12 years, but some have been reported to live almost 17 years. Of course making sure that your Rottweiler stays healthy through routine vet care and proper nutrition has the most influence over a dogs longevity (life expectancy).

Q: What training methods best suit a Rottweiler?

A: Positive reinforcement with verbal negative feedback when they do not obey a command that they already know. This doesnt mean raising your voice to the dog. Dog's are by no means deaf. They understand that a lowered voice tone means that you are displeased with them and when you are displeased thus no "positive reinforcement" in the form of a treat and praise. I find it even more effective to make sure the dog sees me put its reward back in my pocket. When you form a rock solid working relationship with the dog and you have earned the dogs total trust, then food rewards can be phased out.

Q: Can a Rottweiler, or any dog, actually smell fear?

A: A dog has very kean senses. In a sense, yes they can but it's not actually fear itself. When another animal or a human produces certain hormones in the body during an adrenaline rush from the "flight or fight" drive the dog can actually smell secretions from this on the outside of the body. When you exhale it can easily be pick up on by the dog (I use lozenges or peppermints when I show to cut down on the chance of the dog sensing nervousness in the ring. Otherwise the dog will be aggitated.) The dogs temperament has alot to do with how a dog will react when exposed to someone that has a fear of large dogs. If they were socialized properly a dog is better able to use its own judgement of how to react to someone or something that has a fear response toward them. In other words, know better who is friend and who is not. So when someone has a true fear response of a well socialized dog, the dog will most often approach the person and do anything and everything they can to make that person more comfortable and show more affection with clown like gestures than they would normally exhibit. Rule of thumb, never approach a dog to pet it if you are scared of it. Some dogs are not well socialized and most often with these types of dogs they will see a scared person as a predator thus a dog snapping at someone just for trying to pet them. Seizure dogs use their sense of smell to detect a seizure hours before it happens because they can smell the chemical changes in a persons body that begin before it happens. It's not that they have ESP or anything like that. They just have been taught to alert the seizure patient and/or caregiver when they smell the chemical changes in a persons body that happens when they have a seizure.

Q: How good is a dog's hearing?

A: A dogs hearing can be so kean that they can hear a heartbeat from so much as 5 feet away.

Q: Are dogs colorblind?

A: No they are not truely colorblind. They do see some colors like really bright ones, but to them the color is washed out. So those bright colors that humans see appear pastel to them.