don't worry about offending me! i ask the question as i want an honest answer

I have never owned one of thses breeds before but would love to in the future.
Dogs i have owned have been golden retrievers and cocker spaniels, current dog is a cocker who moved out of the family home with me. Not chosen by me but he was in need of rescuing and i could offer him a good home.
I understand that the personality traits will be completely different and probably a lot more difficult than what i'm used to.
Also a few years ago i lived with a friend who had 2 great dane litter sisters and i helped with the raising and training of those, again completely different to the breeds i am drawn to lol.

All the ads for rottis and dobes i have seen say breed experience a must, so how would one go about getting this experience?

Where are you based - is it possible to volunteer for a rescue centre where you could meet/walk/play with some of these breeds?

Maxine 

Breed experience would be helpful. I would say if you can take the role of a confident leader then you'd be fine.

Get the dog socialised properly at a young age by taking it to puppy classes, and ideally further training after the puppy classes.

Try and get specific breed advice from people who have the dog type already.

IF everyone who wanted one of these dogs didnt get one because they didnt have breed experience, then eventually no-one would own one.

I would definately suggest you get experience in the breed before getting one if you have never had a Rotty before. I bought my first one over a year ago and before i got her i regularly babysat two adult Rotties when thier owners went on holiday, the experience was really valuable and went a long way to preparing me for my own one.

Having said that nothing completely prepares you for keeping up with a lively puppy. lol

I have breed experience with dobes but have never owned own myself.  I would contact the breed clubs for details of an experienced owner near you that would be prepared to let you spend time with their dogs and give you an honest opinion of how you might fare owning the breed yourself.

I don't know Rotts as closely as the dobes but those I have known have had super, but very strong characters. 

Personally I prefer to live with breeds that do not inspire so much mistrust or attract so many silly owners, as I can't imagine trying to home a litter of such a breed to suitable people, especially as so many unsuitable ones are drawn to them.

I truly admire the best breeders and owners, their dogs get a lot of flack.

Do what my friend did - go to dog shows. They're like shopping malls for dogs (don't flinch everyone :)) What I mean is you can see what lines you like. Not just looks but what personalities suit you. Whose dogs are calm, friendly and confident, whose are trying to eat everything they pass. Strike up conversations around the ring (wait until they're done showing!) I did this myself when looking at leos. You may find a breeder that you connect with; you will probably find lots of breed enthusiasts who would be happy to tell you about their breed. Like I said, wait until they're not busy and are done showing first. :) If you find the right breeder they'll help pick the best puppy from the litter for you and be there to support you with any questions you have and help you over those adolescent hurdles.

The Kennel Club has a full show diary so you can find some near you. It's a good way to start researching the breeds you like.

To take on a Rottie at this point in time with all the press is Like taking on a SBT, you must be extremeley responsible and train the dog from the moment you get her as you are representating a breed which is under threat from media attention, all negative attention for that matter.

Like the rest say, expierance can be found in shelters, rescues or dog shows (Meeting breeders, asking questions, finding out about litters) but please realise they are very strong, powerful dogs and need alot of training and a strong leader who will not take any rubbish from them and tell them where theyre place is! But they also need someone who will return there love full force, but also have a firm hand in reward based training.

If it is your first Rottie I reccommend getting a BITCH puppy from a litter (A rescue Rottie may have problems that a first time owner shouldnt have to deal with) so then you can train her from a very young age, imprint your lifestyle,training and rules upon her nice and early and also get the lifetime help and advice from a KC registered, respected breeder who has good temperemented stock to breed from. I highlighted Bitch puppy as so many people get a boy for theyre first and dive in at the deep end! We got a bitch SBT first and only now feel ready for a male when she is 2!

They are a loving, gentle and couragous bigger breed who will protect your family to the bitter end, and thats where the reponsibility lies ;)

Thanks everyone, lots to think about there. As i say it is quite a distant plan but i'm going to look into helping out with rescues and trying at a few dog shows to get a bit of a knowledge base going before i make any definate plans.
interesting about getting a bitch though, i always thought a dog would be more biddable but i stand corrected
And of course if anyone near me has a rottie i can meet and play with..... lol 

A bitch is the way to go, some breeders wont sell you a puppy of such a strong breed unless its a bitch if its your first one...Good luck, youre heart is in the right place!! :) :)

I'll second that.  I have a dog and a bitch dobe, the dog was my first dog of any breed (I also have two crossbreeds) and he was not for the fainthearted!  Very stubborn, very independant.  Certainly the more cuddly of the two tho :p

My girl is by no means an easy dog - she's a rescue with a few major issues we've had to work through - but as far as training goes day-to-day I mean, if I clicker train in a session they work pretty much the same) she is much, MUCH more biddable than my boy.  If he'd had the issues she's had (resource guarding, fear aggression to dogs) I know I'd have had a hell of a harder time working through them with him.

whereabouts in the country are you?

I'm in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

Aww that's a shame,my friend in Hampshire would certainly let her lot ( Rotts) jump all over you. :D Up close and personal with them is what you need.

The kennel we are getting our new puppy off has 12 Rotties!! Should be fun going round there for the first time! :D :D

I wouldn't advise getting a rescue. Find a passionate breeder who puts temperment first and buy a bitch. Good luck.

I have 2 rottie bitches and have just had a male puppy rottie too. For first time owner I would recommend a Bitch.  I agree with everyone elses comments though regarding socialisation, you must put the time in daily to introduce a puppy to every scenario possible i.e traffic, children, etc.  You will need broad shoulders at times, as a lot of people will still rather cross the road than walk by you if you have a black and tan dog!
However on a lighter note, I love my Rotties and they have alot of love to give back!!!

Good luck in your descision!

I have experience of Rotties and can only say positive things, but you would have to do your homework as to where you purchase a dog from and make sure training is undertaken.

As for Dobes, I currently have one - never again!

The most demanding and frustrating dog ever. Tempermant, second to none - my 19 moth old son bullies him rotten and he is fantastic with him, but that is really where the positives end.

Barkbusters didn't reall have any success.

However, he is very loving and loyal and sometimes obediant.

I have a rottie bitch, she is lovely, laid back and has a great temperment, before I got her I had a dobie Abby who was the complete opposite, from day 1 sh was a complete nut job, high prey drive and definitely had a mind of her own when she felt like it. But she was great with the children and other dogs and I would give anything just to have her back for even one hour.
Mary

Good luck in your choice, i like rotties myself. Like said earlier be prepared to get grief from ignorant Joe Public, you will get comments but keep your chin up. Like many others that owner rotties, try to prove them wrong. Dont listen to the media, any bull breed is a child killer in thier eyes.