|
It sounds like you might be a good candidate for a Rottie - you have time to train one, and if you can be a strong owner, so that the dog has NO question who's in charge, you should be all right.
My only concern would be that a baby who is introduced later might not be seen by a Rottweiler as part of the family. They're very loyal and very protective, and anybody you accept as part of your family, the dog should accept.
However, you might want to consider a slightly less um...aggressive breed. Australian Cattle Dogs (blue heelers) are also very loyal, but are more likely to bark than attack. They also require a lot of attention and a strong trainer, but aren't as likely to be a problem with children. They're also very solidly-built, and are quite intimidating-looking.
As far as getting along with a lab, it totally depends on the temperament of the two dogs involved. A good breeder should be able to help you assess the temperament of the existing dog, and help you pick out a puppy with a compatible temperament. I'm not sure if Rottweilers have a strong prey instinct, but that's always something to consider when introducing a puppy to an adult dog. One of my dog trainer friends told me about a greyhound who nearly killed a lab puppy because it triggered the greyhound's prey instinct and it just snapped at it before anyone could do anything. Cats can also be triggers.
You might look at selectsmart.com's dog breed selector or at dogbreedinfo.com for good info on what breed might be good for you. Good luck!
__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."
- Anatole France
|