Help! I am looking for a breeder in the South of England (Dorset ideally) who is breeding Akita / Rottweiler crosses. If you can help please contact Claire on 01268 743515.

Thanks!

Why would you want to encourage such cross breeding? Go to the pound, you'll find plenty of crosses there.

Its probably the latest "designer cross" called a Rikita or an Atweiler :rolleyes:

Why? You could easily end up with a dog with all the bad points of both breeds and none of the virtues of either.

Not a good cross!!! :(

John

Thanks for your reply. It's for someone who is extremely good at training and calming dogs, who has seen this cross and was intrigued. I take it you think it's a terrible idea....!!

I'd really like to hear if you have seen this cross in practice - at the very least I'd like something concrete to explain why the reaction on the board is so negative.

Thanks again.

I don't understand why anyone would willingly cross such breeds - why not just have a rotty or an akita - why a cross of both? I like Danes and Dalmatians, but I wouldn't actively seek a cross of both such breeds - I could end up with a 13 stone lunatic who was deaf (dalmatian issue) and needed 2 hours of exercise each day, even though its structure isn't desgined for it (great dane issue)!

Do you see where I am coming from? :)

Yes I sure do!!

Like I said, he has seen this cross a couple of times and thought it was beautiful. I guess it must work sometimes. But I can see where you are coming from about the risks.

Thanks for the words of caution.

Hello Claire it is not a good thing to cross breed those two dogs .
They are both very large and powerful dogs and if there was a history of bad temperament then I am afraid the end result could be lethal.
I am sorry you are not getting the reaction you hoped for ,but I agree with chloe why encourage people who do this .It is not right and it puts both breeds in danger of bad press.
I hope you reconsider and give it some more thought.
It is not in the interest of the two breeds to do a deliberate mating like this .
Marie

The thing is, a litter of puppies is rarely one puppy. You might well be experienced but what about the people who buy the rest of the puppies? Bad temperament is not just bred in, it can also be the result of poor training and handling and with a cross such as this that could be lethal. Dogs get a bad name so easily.

John

Thanks John - that is a very good point and I absolutely agree that temperament is just as much about how the dog is looked after. I just spoke to the guy who has asked me to do this (to tell him about all of your feedback) and he emphasised that he has seen and spent some time with one and it had a very gentle nature. I know he would be able to bring up any dog to be gentle - he's had crosses before (a doberman / collie and a huskie / alsation), both of which were rescue dogs and both absolute softies under his care. But you are right about other owners - its sad that so many Rottweilers are owned by people who just want to look tough.

I really do take your points on board and like I said I just called him to try and dissuade him. All I can say is that if he does go ahead, he would be one of the good guys who bought from that litter - surely that's not an entirely bad thing.

Claire

The problem is, of course, Claire, that if the puppies all sell easily, the mating is likely to be repeated....and who knows what will turn up in the next litter?
:)

Yes, I do see that - hence trying to dissuade him. Was just trying to look for a positive if I don't succeed...