WHY ADOPT A RESCUED ROTTWEILER?

My parents always advised me never to buy a used car, because I would just be buying “somebody else’s problems.” Unfortunately, that’s how some people view rescue dogs-as dogs that weren’t wanted because they had problems and didn’t make good pets.

For the vast majority of rottweilers in rescue, that's just not true! While rottweilers are definitely not a breed for everyone, most rottweilers that come into rescue were not given up because they were “bad dogs” or because they had behavioral problems, but as a result of people who buy dogs without thinking about the time, effort, training and expense involved in keeping a rottweiler. Sometimes a rescue ends up in a shelter, gets dumped along the side of the road, or, if they’re lucky, end up in rescue.

The most common reasons a rottweiler ends up in rescue are:

• The owners didn’t have time for the dog.
• The owners didn't do their homework on the breed and ended up with more dog than they bargained for.
• The owners can’t afford basic vet care or the expense involved in treating an illness or injury.
• The owner died.
• Owners have divorced and neither can keep the dog.
• A young couple has a baby and no longer has time for the dog, or the dog no longer fits into their “lifestyle.”
• The owner is moving to an apartment building that doesn’t allow dogs.
• Some rottweilers are rescued from kill shelters, where they may have ended up because they were lost.

Rescued rottweilers often turn out to be the most loving and affectionate dogs we see; it’s as if they know they have left their miserable past behind forever, and have found a new chance at life.

This is not to say that all rescue rottweilers come with good manners, social skills or have been thoroughly housebroken. Most often a rescue dog needs training, consistent and extra patient owners, and a stable, loving home environment to become good canine citizens, but this is also true of any rottweiler you would buy!

Rescued rottweilers always spend time in foster care with an experienced rottweiler owner before they are placed for adoption. During this time, they are evaluated for personality and temperament, how they interact with other dogs and pets, how well they do with children, and if necessary, they receive basic skills in obedience, house breaking and socialization.

Another myth is that rescue dogs are, by definition, inferior to dogs bought from a breeder or pet store. Dogs who come into rescue originally come from pet stores, puppy mills, hobby breeders, backyard breeders, and on occasion, from show breeders. They run the gamut when it comes to origin. They are a cross-section of the dog population, and, as such, are no more or less likely to have genetic problems than any other dog.

REASONS TO CHOOSE A RESCUE DOG

Those who volunteer in rescue usually have at least one rescue dog, and we know what terrific pets they can be! Here are some reasons to consider a rescue dog, rather than buying a puppy, if you are ready to add a rottweiler to your family.

You’re Not Starting From Scratch. When you buy a puppy, you’re essentially bringing an infant into your home…a completely untrained, unsocialized little critter who thinks the crate you bought for him is a jail (and who cries to get out…at 3 AM!), the newspaper you put down for him to squat on is a wonderful toy to be shredded, your new shoes are much tastier than rawhide, and your best carpet is an excellent substitute for grass when nature calls! Because rescue dogs spend time in foster homes before they are adopted, they come to you with at least some needed social skills and some degree of housebreaking!

Training is Easier. Whatever additional training needs to be done with a rescue dog will be much easier than training a puppy. It’s like the difference between training a one-year-old child and an eight-year-old. Dogs who have been around for a while just “get it” faster than puppies - especially housebreaking!

The Bond is Strong. Dogs who have not gotten off to the best possible start in life - who have been neglected or even abused - tend to be very loyal and affectionate. Remember that dogs are pack animals, and they take their treatment by the “pack” - their owners and families - very much to heart. A dog that has been neglected or abandoned once is usually eager to become part of a loving pack, where he/she feels safe and secure, and is likely to act accordingly. We find that rescue dogs are generally eager to please their new owners. Rescues often want to be close to you at all times and will follow you from room to room, just to be near you.

Fewer Vet Fees. Rescue dogs have had physical examinations, have been spayed or neutered, have been tested for heartworm, and are up to date on shots. When you buy a puppy, you pay for the dog AND for puppy shots, spaying or neutering, and any other basic medical expenses.

What You See is What You Get. When you buy a puppy, you can never really be sure what type of dog you’re going to get. All puppies are cute and playful, but their adult personalities aren’t visible until they’re about two to three years old. So you don’t know whether you’re getting a dog who wants to play all the time or a couch potato. When you rescue a dog, you know what the dog’s personality is like and whether it fits with what you want in a dog companion. You also know, in advance, about any problem areas that you as the new owner will have to address.

It Teaches Your Children Good Values. Face it - we live in an extremely materialistic and disposable society, in which TV teaches kids that everything can be bought and discarded, that they should get their parents to buy them everything, and that anything worth having costs a lot of money. Adopting a rescue dog for your family presents a wonderful opportunity to teach your children basic values of compassion and caring, and also about the value of second chances.

WHY AREN'T RESCUE DOGS FREE?

Some people think that, since they are willing to take a homeless dog off our hands, we should give them the dog without an adoption fee.

Well, that would be nice, and in a perfect world, it would be possible. But vet care for rescue dogs costs money, which rescue groups must recover, at least in part, in order to continue rescuing other deserving dogs. Each dog that comes into rescue must have a physical examination, receive any required vaccinations (for rabies, parvo virus, etc.), be tested for heartworms, and be spayed or neutered. Some require additional medical treatment if they are sick or have been injured. In many cases, the rescuer helps pay for these procedures out of his or her own pocket.

For the most part, adoption fees reflect the medical expenses incurred for a particular dog. Rescue groups usually add a small amount for a reserve fund, which helps pay the medical bills for dogs that require unusually expensive care -- bills that an adoption fee could not cover.

Please keep this fact in mind: The adoption fee for a rescue dog is minimal compared to the going rate for a puppy at a pet store - a puppy that in all likelihood came from a puppy mill - is $1,000 and up. And you still have to pay for vaccinations and spaying or neutering on top of that. Rescue dogs are a bargain!

WHY DO RESCUES ASK SO MANY PERSONAL QUESTIONS?

Rottweilers are definitely not a breed for everyone. They are typically a strong willed, independent, protective and powerful dog that is not well suited for the average dog owner. Most rottweilers that are in rescue ended up there because their owners did not do their homework, or because their owners were irresponsible in some way.

The screening process for adoptive homes might seem intrusive and personal; however, the goal of rottweiler rescue organizations is to ensure that rescued dogs are matched up with their perfect home. Many rescued rottweilers have had very little stability in their life, and it is important to find these dogs permanent, loving homes, where both dog and owner are well matched to each other.

Sometimes this means answering questions that may be uncomfortable, and opening up your home for inspection to a volunteer, however, these steps are necessary in the qualification process.

MORE INFORMATION ON RESCUE

Here are some links to websites that provide additional information on rescue dogs.

www.wonderpuppy.net/rescue.htm. A wealth of general information about rescue dogs, and many listings of rescue groups nationwide

www.srdogs.com/Pages/adopt.html. Good reasons for adopting an older dog, along with answers to frequently asked questions (Please remember that dachshunds are a long-lived breed. Barring unforeseen accidents or fatal illnesses-which also arise in puppies-a dachshund that is well cared for usually lives to be at least 15 years old.)

www.arescuemom.org/Seniors.html. More reasons for adopting those “golden oldies”-and some older dogs who need new homes

www.canismajor.com/dog/whyneed.html. An excellent site, with information about why dogs need to be rescued, as well as discussions of what you can expect when you adopt a rescue dog

R.O.T.T.S. Rottweiler Owners Together Taking Steps - a rescue group comprised of Dogwood Rottweiler Club members, based in Atlanta, covering the state of Georgia.

Southern States Rottweiler Rescue - Southern States Rottweiler Rescue is an organization devoted to saving Rottweilers in the Southern States. The group covers 11 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Northern Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the Virginia Peninsula.

This article has been adapted from the website of Almost Home Dachshund Rescue Society, www.almosthomerescue.org. It is used with the permission of AHDRS. All rights reserved. © 2001-2005 AHDRS.