9781422279397

ble, and this can lead to serious problems if it is not nipped in the bud. A Rottweiler will live happi- ly alongside cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, and just about any other animal, as long as he has been correctly socialized with these from a

young age and taught not to chase them. However, you must re- member that all dogs are predators, and, if left unsupervised, your Rottweiler may chase a small animal and unintentionally harm it. The Rottweiler sees himself as family protector; he will be toler- ant of children, and may bond closely with them if mutual respect is established at an early stage. Bear in mind that a cuddly Rottweiler puppy will grow into a large, powerful adult, so it is essential to supervise interactions with small children—no matter how trust- worthy your Rottweiler appears to be. At the other end of the age spectrum, the Rottweiler may not be the best choice for those getting on in years, or people with physical disabilities. Obviously, good training is the key to having a well-be- haved dog no matter his size—but the sheer power of the Rottwei- ler may be too much of a challenge. The versatile Rottweiler This is a highly intelligent breed who needs to use his brain. During World Wars I and II, Rottweilers were put into service in various roles, working as messenger, draft, and guard dogs. To- day, they are often used as search and rescue dogs, assistance dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, and guard and police dogs. However, the vast majority of Rottweilers are companion dogs,

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