If you want specific traits for your new dog, you definitely need to consider a good breeder that breeds for those traits. We have Rott/Catahoula Mixes in our group and people want them for what Catahoula's are know to do and how they enjoy the outside. Ours...nope...they don't have any of those traits because they also have a different breed in them, plus their parents weren't selected specifically to carry on traits of that breed.
Adults do bond and have those same traits if they were born with them. They aren't learned traits, they are hereditary traits. I took in a 7 year old Rottie that had some issues...was kept outside and knew no english. He would growl and lower his head when you would put your face close to his. He never had rules and never had that close connection with people. We had him two months...a friend came over while we were upstairs and we told her to come in. She came up, he saw her and didn't know where she came from or who she was. He pinned her in the corner growling and barking at her. He never tried to bite her though. We worked with him and he kept that protective trait, but learned how to manage it by watching us. Before he passed away he was one of the best dogs ever that even let kids hug him and get in his face. I have to say that I've had dogs in my homes since they were pups and I never felt that safe with any of them like I did that boy. Even now...my female that I've had since a baby, she wouldn't protect me for anything. Yet my girl I got at a year old, she's more apprehensive of strangers...she'd bite them in the butt and run, but she'd do something if I were in danger.
Most rescuers keep dogs in their homes or in foster homes so that they can be socialized around cats (if available), other dogs, learn about noises in the home, etc. Some people won't foster a dog unless it likes cats. I have two Rotts, Riley and Kip, on my site (www.rottilove.com) that live with a cat and Kip was 2yrs old when he went to the foster home, Riley just got there at the age of 3yrs old.
Just because you get a pup and raise it with a cat doesn't mean it will like the cat. I took in a 10mth old last year from an older lady that swore she could handle a puppy and wanted a pup. I wouldn't adopt to her because I knew different, so she found a litter nearby. I found him posted on Craig's List, contacted her, and she said she couldn't get him to stop chasing the cats. I also have seven dogs in my home and not one of them would eat my cat (passed away a few months ago from Addison's Disease). Even that big boy I mentioned above...he'd bark at the cat one minute, then slobber him until I told him to stop. I've got photos of my cat soak and wet from his tongue. LOL.
The Town Lake Animal Center is open on weekdays from 11:30-7p.m. and weekends until 5p.m. I believe. It's hit or miss though. They get new dogs in daily so they may not have what you are looking for right off the bat. My friend and I get called about most of them, but people tend to get applications in on the pups from 3-6mths old quick. Those under 8 weeks, we are called right away. And the adults...we're their only hope and right now neither of us are accepting new dogs.
I'm going to bed, but I wanted to share some photos :o)
Dena
Originally Posted by Joshua
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