I would like to say how nice it is to see such well written, well informed posts.
I myself have had rotties for 20 years and I would echo what has been said before me.

Would just like to comment on HLK's post and to everyone regarding rescue centres. I work with a rottie rescue and we are very very careful to match the right dog with the right people and visa versa after as thorough as possible assessment.
Do distinguish from that type of rescue to the type where someone is selling a rottie in the local paper and can be economical with the truth in order to sell. It is that type of rescue that we would never attempt, home to home and hear of too many that are sold to anyone.
With thorough home checks, follow-up visits endless phone calls and permanent contact a rescue dog can be a joy to own.

We do not, however, home only with unsuitable people, and strict criteria must be met in order to obtain a dog through us.

Chicco, Camberley, UK

I am scared of Rotweillers, Why? Because so many of them are owned by the wrong people. Politically incorrect, but unfortunately Rotweillers are fasionable with CHAVs, simpletons and criminals. Occsionally they are owned by miguided nice people who do not understand what they have taken on, rescue centres are usually responsible for this! The properly trained and scoialised Rotties that I have met are quite simply a joy, lovely big teddies, that play beautifully with my dogs and I take my hat off to the owners of these magnificent animals. I must admit that I am always especially careful whenever I meet a rottie though! . It is so true that all breeds are potentially dangerous, I have been bitten more frequently by terriers and spaniels than large breed in my job as a welfare officer. Is a pre-ownership certificate too 'nanny-state'? Not in my book..If it helps stop ANY breed gaining such a poor reputation then that is surely a good thing? Genuine owners would be happy to take it!

HLK, Chippenham, Wiltshire

What a change to read such a well balanced informative article written by someone who knows what they are writing about.
All too often we read unresearched biased comment when tradgedy such as this happens. All so unavoidable if only all potential puppy buyers were vetted as to their suitability to own such a strong working breed.
Indesciminate breeding by people who are not experienced in the breed is also to blame.
Any fool can breed a litter, but it takes experience and expertise to do it with responsibility and knowledge to support puppy buyers as their puppy grows into an adult.
In a doggy household it is essential for children to be `trained` in how to treat dogs.
Children benefit enormously from pet ownership as long as it is done with care.
God Bless Baby Archie.

Carole, Wigan, UK

A ten stone rottweiller doesn't only attack - it kills.
That is why there are so many news stories about large dangerous dogs.
The smaller dogs can be just as nasty but if they attack someone you reach for the Elastoplast not a coffin.

GJB, Slough, Berkshire

About time someone speaks and knows what there talking about. So many people rush in to point the finger before knowing all the true facts. I own a rottweiler which was socialised from a pup and still to this day goes to obedience classes.

You dont hear of other dogs attacking on the news because it doesn't make "headlines" would people rather hear of a springer attack or a rottweiler attack on the news?

There is alot of work needed to bring any dog into a family, those owners who are not prepared to put time and effort into raising a dog should not have one.

I have 4 children the youngest being 7 year old daughter who get along fantastic with my rottweiler. I would NEVER leave them in the same room without an adult being there, this not only applies to my rottweiler but also any other breed they come into contact with.

Paul Adam, Birmingham, UK

I've a 5 yr male Rottie, I'm disabled, wheelcahir bound lady, my dogs have both been trained to adapt to my diasblity. I also have 5 grandchildren, 11yrs to 3yrs. My Rottweiler was trained from 8 weeks old, my husband and I were vetted and the breeders visited or home twice to ensure we were going to be suitable owners with proper surroundings. We were taught how to control this large breed and leant the "pack instinct". We read books, joined clubs, did everything we needed to give be competent owners, in doing so we are protecteing the welfare of our dog as well as our famaily , neighbours and anyone else who comes into contact with him.
Or dog is loyal, affectionate and a trained animal. Rottie's are pound for pound the strongest breed of all dogs so with this in mind I always take precautions. When I read of these terrible attacks the dogs owners and surrondings are completely unsuitable, I believe owners should be vetted, hold licences and have regular health checks BY LAW.

Mrs S Sexton, Dorking, Surrey

Interesting - that every Rottweiler attack makes headline news yet the majority of dog attacks are from breeds other than the Rottweiler & yet they never get reported in the news! I guess those attacks don't sell as many papers!
When will people wake & realise that no puppy, what ever the breed, is born aggressive .... it is humans that bring them up to be that way by lack of training, lack of socialization & in some cases teaching them to be aggressive!

Ali, Wigan, UK

I have a female rottweiller and I had her off a breeder that regularly shows at Crufts.
She has displayed nothing but love and loyalty towards my family.
When my wife and I were looking for another breed of dog we opted for the rottweiller because of its laid back attitude and gentle nature around children. Since then we now have a young child of our own and where I trust our dog implicitly I would not leave ANY breed of dog alone with a child.
Any dog can be aggressive, it just hits the news more when it happens to be a large dog such as a rottweiller than a yorkshire terrier.
My heart does go out to that poor family that has lost such an innocent life.

Adrian Griffin, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire

Interesting - how many attacks have there been from rottweillers compared to other breeds of dog.

Natalie, New York, USA