WWYD?

DH's first baby - Weiland - passed away 3.5 years ago. he was a rottie and had lymphoma, which is mostly common in rotties and boxers, unfortunately. we battled it with chemo for 7 months, but it was just too strong. he was only 4.5 years old when he died

DH and i both adore rotties, but we love boxers too. we are 100% sure we want a dog from a rescue group or a shelter. however, we are both scared of going through the same thing with another rottie.

of course anything can happen with any dog... but i am sure you can understand my concern.

in this situation, WWYD? get another rottie or a boxer, or look for a different breed altogether?

Re: WWYD?

That's a tough one.

What if you got one of those mixed with another breed?

Re: WWYD?

i have been searching for a dog in a shelter for a long time. (no particular breed)I cannot seem to find a good fit. I am being extremely picky b/c I have the baby and plan on having more soon. I MUST be 100% sure that an adult dog is going to be good with kids. As in, I want to know that an owner surrendered the dog and the dog lived with children. Not a stray that was picked up off the street b/c you can't be sure of their past.

A puppy is one thing b/c they almost have a fresh start at life but an adult dog, you just dont know.

I am still searching. I was thinking about going through a reputable breeder for a lab but they are $$$ and we just cant do that right now.

As far as the health issues go - like you said, anything can happen with any dog. So I dont think you should base your decision on that.

Message edited 8/6/2009 7:47:45 AM.

Re: WWYD?

also, here is a link to rottie rescue on petfinder

Rottie Rescue

Re: WWYD?

I would get a Rottie or Boxer mix this way you get the breed but another breed to offset some typical diseases.

Re: WWYD?

If your concern is not wanting to go through chemo treatments again, then maybe look for a mix like others have already suggested, or another breed entirely, so the odds of lymphoma are less. Even if ithe dog is not the breed you're already in love with, you'll fall in love with your new pup just as easily once he/she is yours.

But if your hesitation stems solely from the heartbreak of losing the first dog, I think I would go ahead and adopt another rottie or boxer if you love the breed that much.

It's a little morbid, but my reasoning is this: as you pointed out, anything can happen with any dog. And no matter what kind of dog you get, eventually, it will die. And you will be heartbroken again when that happens no matter what the cause of death was, no matter how old the dog was, no matter how long you had that dog, simply because it was so loved.

HTH

Re: WWYD?

Posted by JessInCA

If your concern is not wanting to go through chemo treatments again, then maybe look for a mix like others have already suggested, or another breed entirely, so the odds of lymphoma are less. Even if ithe dog is not the breed you're already in love with, you'll fall in love with your new pup just as easily once he/she is yours.

But if your hesitation stems solely from the heartbreak of losing the first dog, I think I would go ahead and adopt another rottie or boxer if you love the breed that much.

It's a little morbid, but my reasoning is this: as you pointed out, anything can happen with any dog. And no matter what kind of dog you get, eventually, it will die. And you will be heartbroken again when that happens no matter what the cause of death was, no matter how old the dog was, no matter how long you had that dog, simply because it was so loved.

HTH