Are you curious about the Rottweiler Breed?

Are you interested in owning a Rottweiler? People often select dogs based on different criteria. Some think it is cool to own a dog with a bad reputation (not a good idea), some people go for looks alone, and some want a dog, no matter what! Many other reasons could be added to why we pick one breed over another.

As mentioned on my about me page, close friends introduced me to the Rottweiler breed, who had Rottweiler puppies for sale. Of course, I was not a stranger to dogs in general and had some experience with this type of breed. To make my life a little easier, I picked up a book on Rottweilers to educate myself on the breed.

What were my reasons for selecting a Rottweiler? (1) As an adult, I wanted a dog that I picked myself, (2) My kids would experience the best of both worlds, having a dog and a cat (my cat Sparky hated it), (3) Opportunity presented me with the chance of owning a new puppy, (4) I thought a Rottweiler would be a cool dog to own.

A Rottweiler’s temperament consists of intelligence, courage, confidence, loyalty to family, a fierce nature to protect family, a strong desire to work, and durability. If you’re looking for a dog who loves attention and affection, look no further—you’ve found your dog.

Are Rottweilers Good Family Dogs?

Rottweilers are exceptional family dogs. However, any dog of this size and strength should always be supervised by a competent owner who has established himself/herself as the pack leader. Training should begin as soon as possible. If you are new to the breed, seek out professional instruction from a local dog trainer, preferably one who has experience with it.

If you are looking for a dog that will always want to be by your side, the Rottweiler will not disappoint. My “Rotti” and I are pretty much inseparable. It is rare for him not to follow my every step, wherever I am, he wants to be. A Rottweiler, in my Opinion, is not the type of dog you can leave locked up and alone for long periods of time. This breed is definitely not a dog to be left to itself, and not mentally engaged. With all that being said, I would consider Rottweilers to be good family dogs to own with proper socialization.

Are Rottweilers Good with Children?

Rottweilers are good with children, but they are no different from any other breed of dog that requires socialization. Rottweilers should be introduced to children in general if children do not reside with the owner.

Since Rottweilers are a working-class dog, they possess a Prey Drive (some with a higher level of drive than others). Prey drive is simply a dog’s need to chase prey.

A Rottweiler puppy with a high prey drive chasing small children around the yard is quite entertaining, but when the same puppy is about six months old, it becomes something more fearful for young children.

I can remember when my first Rottweiler, Samson, turned about six months old. He would sometimes chase my supervised kids from one end of the backyard to the other, knocking my kids to the ground on several occasions and playfully wrestling with them.

Seeing my dog and kids having a good time was somewhat entertaining, but I immediately realized that this type of play could get out of hand if not closely monitored by my wife or me.

As a result, my children were instructed not to let Samson out for playtime without me or my wife being present to supervise. So, in my opinion, to anyone planning on owning a Rottweiler puppy, it is never wise to leave children alone with a Rottweiler or any other dog breed. Even the most docile dog can be aggravated by a child.

Working breed dogs are driven by their prey drive, which is influenced by the energy, sounds, and quick movements of children at play. A puppy at this age lacks the capacity to understand that this type of play may not be appropriate.

When my Rotti was overexcited while playing with my children, I would usually give him commands like sit or down until he was submissive. Once submissive, he would be praised verbally, given a treat, or petted on his head.

In addition, children should also be taught to respect dogs from day one. Unfortunately, children who are not taught to respect dogs become dog bite victims. To prevent your child from becoming a victim of an agitated dog, some basic rules should be followed:

• Never leave your Rottweiler alone with your children.
• Never let your children disturb your Rottweiler while eating.
• Never let your children play around your dog’s bowl when it is empty (put the bowl away if practical).
• No running or screaming or teasing.
• No hitting or kicking the dog.
• No disturbing the dog when resting or sleeping.

This is, of course, not an exhaustive list by any means, but a few very important rules to keep in mind. Rottweilers are good with children when socialized and properly trained as puppies until adulthood.

A critical facet of training during this period of socialization with children is the hierarchy of the family structure. All family members are to be ” Alphas”, including the children. Rottweilers will happily take the position of dominance if given the chance. Never let your Rotti become the Alpha Dog of your family.

Do Rottweilers make Good Guard Dogs?

I am sure many people unfamiliar with Rottweilers often ask if Rottweilers are guard dogs. I think a Rottweiler is a guard dog and much more. The breed is one that makes it a priority to protect its family and turf from anyone who is seen as a threat. In A New Owner’s Guide to Rottweilers, Author Urs Ochsenbein States:

” We need not train our Rottweiler to be a guardian; he is one by nature.“

Most Rottweilers stand back and assess a threat before making a decision whether to engage or not. Rottweilers are usually more suspicious of outsiders who walk by. If you don’t need a territorial dog, look elsewhere. Anyone not inside a Rottweiler’s territory is usually not invited, unless they are a family member or close friend.

I must admit, it can be quite frustrating dealing with a dog that constantly runs to the gate when unfamiliar people walk by the house, but this is a Rottweiler quality that usually subsides with the breed’s maturity or consistent training. In most cases, I will put my dog on a sit or down until he is in a calm state, as the person/persons have passed.

This exercise teaches him not to engage every person walking by with aggression, especially elderly people or mothers with children. Aggression seems to increase when other dogs are added to the equation, which is normal for the Rottweiler breed.

If you are looking for a guard dog, you have found one. The Rottweiler will not disappoint as a guard dog if treated fairly and feels like part of your family. The responsibility of protecting your family members and property becomes second nature.

The obvious conclusion to the question of whether the Rottweiler is a dog whose temperament meets the requirements of anyone looking for a family-friendly dog breed is “yes.”

 

Rottweiler Personality

I will not speak for all Rottweiler owners, but the Rottweilers that I own and have owned have had similar personality traits. I have witnessed Several Rottweiler personality traits from the Rottweilers I have owned, including affection. They love a lot of attention. You can’t pet a Rottweiler on the head once or twice without being bumped and pushed for more. If you want a dog that will love you to death, this is the breed for you.

If you lack the time to interact with them, you will usually indirectly create a dog that is destructive, anxious, and lacking in self-control. Rottweilers are busy bodies, often pacing back and forth to release pent-up energy if left alone for a long period of time.

Many of the personality traits of a Rottweiler are due to their parents’ personalities, and ultimately, how you raise your Rotti. Conversely, Rottweilers are suspicious of others who are not part of the family. Unless your Rottweiler has been acquainted with your friends or others outside your household, take caution!! The only remedy for this Rottweiler personality trait is for friends and family to come around more often.

Rottweilers are great dogs to own and make outstanding companions for any family that has the patience to nurture, train, and lead them. They are great with children and make awesome guard dogs.