Dog Breed of the Week: Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a large, muscular dog with a commanding presence. This dilligent worker is also quite loyal and intelligent. Despite its powerful experience, the Rottie can be an affectionate and playful companion. Unfortunately the breed has gotten labeled by some as a "dangerous breed." The important thing to know is that any kind of dog can be dangerous, but proper training and socialization makes all the difference.
In my career I have met tons of extremely sweet Rotties and very few aggressive ones. Plus, those with "attitude" were usually just afraid or protective. The breed is definitely well-suited for hard work as a guard dog or other job. Personally, I adore Rottweilers and think they make terrific companions. How about the rest of you? Tell us all about your beloved Rott!
Photo © surstubben on flickr
Comments
A Rottie is not a suitable dog for everyone — or should I say, everyone is not suitable for a Rottie — but once you allow this dog into your life, no other breed comes close. They are extremely intelligent and loyal and make great companions. Training is not optional. Every bit of time and energy you devote to your dog will come back to you two-fold. A well-trained, well-mannered and well-behaved Rottweiler is a joy and will enhance your life. My Rottie is an imposing figure and he would give his life for me, but he has a heart as big as all outdoors and is extremely sweet and loving. What more can I say? Rottweilers Rule!
I have been breeding rotties for 25 years, and know firsthand what wonderful animals they are. Their intelligence, dedication and loving demeanor have endeared them to all they come in contact with. Shame on Hollywood for making them out to be dangerous, aggressive beasts.
Our neighbor has 2 Rotties, a male and a female, and they are just the sweetest dogs ever. I had never been around a Rottie before and was kind of afraid of them, but these two are just big teddy bears- and they play nicely with my dogs!
Although I’ve never owned a Rottie, but as a Vet. Tech, I’ve met quite a few, and not at their best moments either…The dog’s I’ve seen are just dogs, whether they’re big or small, the dog’s that are intimidating to people or scary, or the ones that have a bad rap are still dogs. All dogs are good, it’s all about the people who raised them. I’ve never met a Rottie I didn’t like or that I was afraid of. On the other hand, I may have worried about their people….
I owned a Rottie named Jager von Kaiser for 8 years, he ended up getting bone cancer and was by far the nicest, well behaved dog I’ve ever owned. He was a big baby, good with kids and small dogs too. Rotties, unfortunately due to bad owners, have received a bad rap, but my cocker spaniel growing up was more aggresive than Jager ever was! They are wonderful pets and even better protectors of their loved ones. We have a boxer now, but have decided our next will be a Rottie for sure!!
I’ve got a Rottie mix who has graced my life for the last 6 years and he has been a great big teddy bear! He loves his “sister”, and since they’ve moved indoors they’ve been best pals. We’ve got to go see our “people”, otherwise, they get antsy. Rotties may be portrayed as aggressive, but my dog is sweet, loving and very loyal. Great guy!
I have had two rotties, one currently. She is a huge sweetheart. It does anger me when people aquire these dogs and do not educate themselves or take any time to train them. I extensively researched the breed before i got one. It helps to have an understanding of how your dog thinks before you try to cohabitate with it. Greta has been very well trained and our late dog Dawson was the same way, never had a single issue except that they wanted to play ALL the time.
These dogs should not be on the bully breed list, their irresponsible owners should be
Over the years, I have had several types of dogs. Most of them have been AKC pedigreed. One of my current dogs is a Rottie/Dobe mix. He has the best of both breeds in body type, temperment, and lovability. Guinness had a rough start and was placed in four homes before I adopted him on St. Paddy’s Day. I worked out his poor training habits and he has become quite the gentleman. He plays well with my AKC Labs and is on the sensitive side with his emotions. He has adopted the Lab mentality of love everybody and staying mellow. I agree with the other posts, it is not the dog that is the problem, it is some of the owners bringing out the worse in them. Bring out the best in everything and everyone.
Hello
I have a GSD/Rottie mix, he is only 3 months ( 4 months on the first) and he is the most adorable loving puppy i have ever had. considering he is my first He is mine and I wouldn’t trade him for anything now mind you rotties are bad but i agree a dog is only bad if treated and trained badly same goes for any breed of dog.
I shared 13 years of my life with a pitbull/bullmastiff whom I sadly lost June of 2007..I was lost and forlorn without him and 3 months after his death, a battered,beaten and seriously abused German bred Rottie found his way to me at an outdoor gathering I was at…He came right up to me and pushed my arm out of the way and layed his head on my lap…This I have now come to learn is so very huge for him due to the abuse he suffered. He was terrified of people…I still think my ole boy brought him to me from beyond…but nonetheless he had a bond with me immediately…I now have the most amazing,loyal,devoted buddy that Iam proud to say shares my life with me…I am of the opinion there are no “Bad Dogs” just “Bad Owners”..I have seen many ill-informed people run like hell when they seen either of my dogs…but I know they have a bad rap that is so NOT deserving…Rotties are not for folks that prefer to sit about…they need lots of exercise. The sheer intelligence of this breed makes them very eager learners capable of handling several commands….As with any breed if handled correctly and with love they will become a wonderful addition to your family.
Being a Rottie cross owner and having supervised many at the daycare I work at, I can attest to the breed being giving a bad rep. They do demand an assertive handler but are very intelligent and easy to manage. They are very affectionate and attentive! What more could you ask for! Rottie’s Rock!
A good friend of my husband’s had a Rottie, Roxanne. She was the influence for him to adopt a rottie girl, named Xena. Our mama dog had 6 puppies. My husband kept the first born male. I cannot to this day imagine my life without my beautiful babies. Their even temperment, their personalities. They aren’t dogs, they are small people. Even thought they can’t “talk” they sure know how to express how they are feeling. I’ve never known dogs to be as affectionate or expressive as our two wonderful rotties. Unfortunaltly we lost Mama to seizures last year and we miss her terribly, but we still have her beautiful boy to enjoy. He makes our days richer because he is who he is.
I am disabled. I own & Trained my rottweiler for Mobility & Stability. He is 2 1/2 yrs. old. He not only guides my steps, but has eye contact with me always, His ability to know if I’m going to fall, faint, be in danger, need different help, is unbelievable. He just knows what to do, No command-He just knows.. Hes always at my side-He, on my bad days, pulls my wheel chair. This he loves because hes a working dog, and he loves to show his strength… Harley is a perfect partner, and a steadfast loyal friend,,,,,
We had a wonderful Rottie “find us” earlier this year. We think he was abandoned by his previous owners. He wandered into our yard and stole our hearts. He is an older guy with hip problems and arthritis. In spite of all he has been through, he is sweet and loving dog. I hope that someday people will no longer misunderstand this breed.
We got our Rottie almost two years ago. She is a wonderful, loving and goofy dog. She loves kid, dogs and cats. Pretty much anything that looks at her is her friend. Not the best guard dog I have owned, she would never even lift her head off the bed if we were robbed. (^_^) But luckily her look would frighten them. I will own rotties for the rest of my life. But be forewarned, these are dogs that NEED to be with their family. They cannot be left outside all the time.
Ive got a rottweiler,and i wouldnt trade him for the word. He is very good with my kids and any other kids that may come over. Scooby is a very smart boy, and loves to play with the kids outside. He will even pull there sled in the winted for them.If you give you rott lots of love and respect they will give it right back.
I am currently owned by 5 dogs, 2 of which are Rottweilers. Baron, male 14 yrs and Maizy, female 4 yrs. Both are rescues(as are the other 3) and are a joy to be around. Maizy loves to go to vet and the entire staff just loves her. I cannot imagine life without at least one Rottie and I doubt if I ever will be without one. Both my Rotties are people lovers but because of the bad rap that rotties have not everyone loves my dogs. The smallest dog here is 14 lbs and he’s the boss. Did I mention I haven’t locked my doors in 14 years?
My Rottie pup hasn’t met a human she doesn’t like. She wiggles and turns to goo when she gets a chance to meet a new person, pet, you name it, she loves it. I totally agree with MissShainaLeigh, please keep your Rottie with you. They are castaways to be left in the back yard. These dogs are SMART! How would you react if a stupid human tried to own you? Now, imagine how all the poor Rotties with bad raps feel. They can’t help it a stupid person decided to own them.
I definitely agree with Karen!!!!
We have been owned by Rotts for many years.
When first we met the love of our life at the local pound, he was laying dejected, trying to sink into the floor, while another dog was tearing at his ear. About 1 yr. of age, we surmised that he had been used as a bait dog for fighting. There were scars all over his face and a large welt across the back of his neck where a collar had been allowed to stay too long on a growing body.
He needed us and we needed him so into the truck he came and for 8 wonderful years we had the most loving, understanding, handsome friend any one could ever be allowed to know. Eventually he weighed in at about 125 lbs.
He became our demo dog for class (husband is a dog trainer), constant companion, guardian for 2 growing granddaughters, patient trainer for untold numbers of rescue puppies and friend to all he met.
A few weeks before Christmas last year we tearfully told him we loved him and held him tightly for the last time.
We had promised him that he would never be allowed to suffer and the time had come to make good on that promise. His heart had grown very tired.
Thank you Rottie-Bear, AKA: Professor Rott E. Bear. We love you.
Judy & Gene
Mine is a mixed breed- rott and pitt bull! But he is so lovable but very playful coz he is only 7 mo.but very big indeed! He has socialized with my other dogs and cats withour any problem at all! I love him!
We have a rottie-mix named Luke who has been a part of our family for ten years now. He was adopted from the pound, caught in a small mountain community in Northern California where he’d been apparently dumped and left to starve. Because he was not well fed at a crucial age in his growth, he never got any bigger than about 85 pounds. But he is the Rottie Ambassador at Large in our neighborhood. He loves all the kids (parents, too!) and goes to visit nearly every day! There are folks in the neighborhood who keep their dogs in the back yard and never bring them inside, but Luke is allowed to come in and visit and bum a hot dog! He has changed many minds about Rotties hereabouts. — The secret, I believe, is to make the Rott a member of the family. Treat them with love and respect, and they respond like no other dog I’ve ever known!
We have a rottie named Holly who is 12 months and she is such a gentle giant. Shes our first rottie and wont be our last. Shes great with my three young children aged 5 3 and 18 months and loves nothing more than curling up with the cats. Shes hard work but so rewarding. Training has to be consistant, but we are rewarded with a beautifully well behaved dog. Rotties are not for everyone and should you consider getting one. Research is a must. they have to be socialised at a very early age to other amimal, kids and different places etc. If you put in the hard work your have the most amazing dog. bad owners let this breed down along with the media who dont get all the facts right before passing it on. Your hear in the news A ROTTWEILER ATTACKS but do they gather the info on WHY?? was it abused, neglected, teased, did someone trespass into a property and it was just doing its job as a guard?
I have an 11 month old Rottie, named Beaux. He was my first dog, and although he came with A LOT of extra responsibilities vs another breed…ALL the other posts are accurate. YOU GET IT BACK in two-fold. I miss him as much as he misses me when I go to work. He knows ALL the basic commands and has amazing self control. He is my WHOLE world, and I could NOT have been more blessed with ANY other breed. (:
I have a rottie she is 4yr’s now she is the sweet’st dog ever,such a gentle soul,I believe with any dog with the right owner,proper training ect… can be a good dog. oh yeh did I mention I use to be afraid of dog’s before I got my dog Chinta…lol
I had a Rott for 12 years. I lost her last year to a heart attack. Hannah was a great dog she gave me two litters of pups and was just a pot licker. She was sweet and loved everyone. I think that you must research any breed of dog that you plan to bring home. Hannah was a rescue and 89 pounds. She would eat anything that wouldn’t eat her. I believe that the Rottweiler breed as well as other breeeds get a bad rap they are not the mean dog that they are said to be.
I agree with most of the comments you cant take a rottie lightly or any dog for that matter read up on the breed before you buy wise advice all round
I hav rot dog ,the dog is 9 month old,& I had never ever this type of dog seen before, Thos is the only breed I likes.
Our family considers our Luna a love vampire – she thrives on it! I had never known much about this breed but when we decided to adopt a rescue dog, we found that the Rottweiler is such a wonderful family dog that simply needs a strong owner who doesn’t mind being in charge. Most of the surrendered Rottweilers had come from homes that did not want to take being the Alpha leader. Our girl is devoted to each family member and is friendly to everyone she meets – she is such a marshmallow! Yet there have been several times she has warned us about unsavory people near us and is protective! I can’t imagine what we would do without her wonderful personality around here!
I have a Rottweiler name Bear and he is a year and a half old. He is the sweetest and most lovable dog that I have ever seen. I have never seen a dog as loyal as he is. He is extremely smart. Although he is huge now and getting hard to walk.. He is my big teddy bear. I wouldnt trade him for anything in the world.
I had a wonderful Rottie, named Sophie. She was the sweetest lap dog anyone could ever want and every evening when I came home from work, she would jump in the tub, thinking she was going to get a bath. Her hips went out when she was five and she could not even walk, the vet said that if she was a little dog, her hips could be worked on and she would probably walk again, but since she was so large, he said that most of the time the dog will not get up again. It was the most heartbreaking time, to have to have her put to sleep. I really miss my Sophie, she loved everybody. I am so glad I had to be the chance to be loved by a dog like that. She was absolutely a gentle giant.
A neighbors rottweiler got loose and attacked my nine year old as he was playing catch with his grandfather. He was bit on the neck and face. If his grandfather wasn’t there–i hate think. So take your nice pet–and you know where to shove it. You people are menaces to our society.
I just read Mark’s comment and understand his hostility but don’t judge an entire breed by one dog’s actions. I have a Black Lab/Rotty mix and he is a big lovie! My 8&6 yr. old niece and nephew adore him and he adores them.
We have a new Rotti…her name is Csroline and we’re having trouble coming up with a last name that is German. We don’t want to use any that are on her papers Sould we go with her mom and dad’s last name?
Need some help here.
I have a rottweiler named Bentley. They are really hard to understand at first, but once you manage to train them well they can be one of the most exciting dog breeds!
My rottie is 10 years old and she is the smartest dog I have ever had. She lives with a toy poodle and two cats. She loves her granny and I believe has developed an understanding of everything we say. This is not the dog for everyone. A rottweiller is a dog that must know its place in the family as well as be active with the family.
I think Rotties are great. Ruger my Rottie is a certified therapy dog with TDI. He visits nursing homes every Tuesday morning and has made many friends there over the last 2 yrs. Yes, Rotties need training but then I believe all dogs need training. I also have a 16 yr. Chihuahua and she is the boss of the house. Ruger and Mia get along great. Mia does not realize she is 92 lbs. smaller than Ruger and Ruger sure does not think he is 92 lbs. larger than Mia. This is my second Rottie and I believe I will always have one in my life!
My beloved Rottie Max lived to be 13 years old. He was put down because he could hardly walk or get up. Medication wasn’t working and he was in alot of pain. Its been 8 months and I still cry over him. He was the best dog. Very big heart, very loyal, wouldn’t hurt a fly. Loved children, loved people. He was a family member, what ever we did as a family Max was always included. I don’t understand why this beed is considered to be an aggressive breed. Any breed can be aggressive.