adopting eleven year old rottweiler

hi..i want to adopt eleven year old rottie... is it advisable to adapt at this age..??





Hi
Older dogs can make wonderful adopted companions, and can be much less work and easier to live with than young puppies... however, there are some things you need to take into consideration.

Firstly, find out all you can about the dogs' history and previous home/s. It's good to know if he/she is used to cats, other dogs, other pets, children and so on. Also if there are any issues or fears you should be aware of ie. traffic, thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners and so on.

If possible spend some time with the dog before committing to giving him/her a permanent home. Some adoption organizations will allow you a 'trial period' of a few days to a week, so that you can see how the dog fits in. Obviously the first few weeks will be a challenge for the dog as the older he or she is, the more difficult it is to settle in a new home/environment. Rottweilers tend to bond very closely with 'their' people, so some degree of homesickness or sadness is likely.

The only other thing to consider is health, in an older dog there is obviously a greater chance of health issues developing, and given that Rotties aren't a very long-lived breed, there is also that to take into account.

However, I don't want to sound negative, and the above points are just things that I think it's important to be aware of. Many older dogs, especially breeds such as Rottweilers, are desperately in need of new homes and are homeless or being abandoned, discarded through no fault of their own. If after you've considered everything, you feel that you can take good care of this dog, and that he/she is a good fit for you, then I'd encourage you to go ahead and do it. That would be one lucky dog, and your new best friend.

You may also want to check out my Rottweiler Rescue page for more info. and advice. Best of luck.