Is This Breed Right For You?

If you love big dogs, chances are you have a soft spot for Rottweilers. With their strong physique, brave personality, and surprising affection, Rottweilers are a breed that many people adore. It’s no wonder they are among the most popular breeds in America!

While Rottweilers have a reputation for being fearsome and possess the physical strength and tenacity to be excellent protection dogs, they also make wonderful family companions. They are known for their loyalty and can get along well with people of all ages, including young children.

If you’re thinking about bringing a Rottweiler into your home, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. This breed isn’t recommended for first-time owners because they need a lot of attention and training. However, if you’re ready for the challenge, the rewards can be immense.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of owning a Rottweiler.

Pros and Cons of Rottweilers 

Rottweilers, often called “Rotties,” are known for their strength, loyalty, and intelligence. These dogs originally came from Germany, where they were used to herd livestock and pull carts of meat to the market. Today, Rottweilers are valued as police dogs, service animals, and beloved family pets.

However, owning a Rottweiler comes with its own set of pros and cons. Before bringing one of these affectionate dogs into your home, it’s important to consider both the benefits and challenges. Let’s take a closer look at what makes Rottweilers such unique companions.

Pros of a Rottweiler

Strong Physical Build

WebMD notes that Rottweilers are strong and muscular dogs built for endurance and stamina. Their physical strength was crucial in their historical roles and remains a key trait today. They may not be the fastest runners, but they can walk and run for hours without getting tired. If you enjoy long walks and outdoor adventures, a Rottweiler could be the perfect companion.

Effective Deterrent

Rottweilers are a powerful dog breed, often weighing up to 130 pounds, making them excellent deterrents against intruders. Their strong build and natural confidence are impressive, but they still need a reassuring hand as they develop their own personality.

While their confidence and protective instincts make them great guardians, improper training can lead to aggression. This can be avoided by being attentive and raising your Rottie with effective training and socialization.

Extremely Loyal

The next positive aspect of owning a Rottweiler is their unwavering loyalty towards their owners. If you already have a Rottie, you’ve seen this firsthand, as they tend to stick by your side. For those considering adopting this breed, you can expect a reliable companion for any activity you do.

Sometimes, bonding with your Rottie can take time, and occasionally, they might bond more closely with one person in the family. If you aren’t the chosen one, don’t worry! There are many ways to promote bonding and gain your pup’s loyalty.

Once a Rottweiler trusts you, their dedication is unshakable.

Good with Children

Anyone who owns a Rottweiler can attest to their loving nature and unwavering devotion to their family. These gentle giants can be great playmates for kids (always under supervision). Their curiosity matches a child’s, making playtime fun for both. With proper introductions, Rottweilers can get along well with other dogs in the household too.

Rottweilers set aside their strength and toughness to be kind-hearted and affectionate with their trusted family members.

Highly Intelligent

According to PetPlan, Rottweilers are highly intelligent dogs known for their quick learning and excellence in obedience training. Their intelligence makes them versatile, allowing them to perform various tasks, including service and therapy work. With the right training, you can teach your Rottweiler almost anything, making the experience rewarding for both the dog and the owner.

Excellent Guard Dogs

If we had to name one key trait of the Rottweiler breed, we’d likely mention their reputation as top-notch guard dogs. The Rottweiler’s breed standard highlights their “inherent desire to protect home and family,” earning them the title of “world-class guardians” from the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The AKC rates Rottweilers a perfect five out of five for vigilance. So, if you’re in the market for a reliable guard dog, a Rottweiler could be an excellent choice for you.

Trainable

Rottweilers are eager to please and remain steadfast in their obedience to their owners, quickly picking up on commands. Ranked among the top 10% of all breeds for intelligence, Rotties can learn a wide variety of tricks and thrive on brain-stimulating toys.

Rottweilers excel in various roles, such as search and rescue, police work, guarding, hunting, and even therapy work. Their willingness to work and learn allows them to accomplish almost anything, making them truly exceptional dogs.

Cons of a Rottweiler

Prone to Hip Dysplasia

PDSA notes that Rottweilers are prone to certain genetic health conditions, though this doesn’t mean they will definitely develop these problems. Understanding and recognizing these ailments early on is crucial for timely treatment.

Hip dysplasia is common in many large breeds, and Rottweilers are also prone to elbow dysplasia. These inherited conditions cause the hip or elbow joints to grow improperly, leading to arthritis.

Various medications and supplements can help ease your dog’s pain. Maintaining a healthy weight and ensuring regular exercise can also help delay the onset of these issues.

Other health problems in Rottweilers can include cataracts, cancers, digestive disorders, ligament damage, hypothyroidism, and heart disease. It’s important to be aware of these potential issues and take preventive measures.

Strong Prey Drive

Rottweilers have a strong prey drive, which can be challenging around smaller animals. However, with early socialization and positive training techniques, Rottweilers can learn to coexist with other dogs.

It’s important to exercise caution with Rottweilers around cats and small animals due to their instinct to chase. While early socialization can help, potential owners should be aware of this natural prey drive and take appropriate precautions.

Often Misunderstood

If you’re considering a Rottweiler for your family, be prepared for some stereotyping of your dog. Sadly, due to their protective nature and powerful build, Rottweilers are often misunderstood and can face breed-specific legislation and prejudice. This stigma can make it challenging to rent homes, find dog parks, or deal with people who are fearful of your dog, even if they have a well-mannered temperament.

While poorly trained Rottweilers might have issues, this can happen with any dog, regardless of breed or mix. It’s important to remember that with proper training and socialization, Rottweilers can be wonderful companions.

Can be Stubborn

While Rottweilers are very smart, their intelligence can sometimes lead to stubbornness. They may get bored with repetitive tasks and decide they’re done with training before you are. Fortunately, their loyalty can help balance out this stubborn side.

According to Be Chewy, consistent and firm training from an early age is crucial, as without it, they might try to assert dominance. Proper training and socialization are essential to ensure your Rottweiler grows up to be well-adjusted and obedient.

High Feeding Costs

Large breed dogs like Rottweilers need more food than smaller dogs due to their size and high activity levels. Rottweilers typically eat between 5-10 pounds of dry kibble each week to maintain their energetic lifestyle.

As any dog owner knows, dog food can be expensive, especially high-quality brands. Additionally, Rottweilers often have sensitive stomachs, which can limit the types of food they can eat. Hypoallergenic formulas, which might be necessary, are usually more expensive and harder to find.

It’s also important to note that food allergies can lead to frequent vet visits to keep your Rottie feeling their best. This is an important consideration before deciding to adopt a Rottweiler.

Common Shedding

While Rottweilers don’t shed as much as some other large dog breeds, they still shed a lot, especially during spring and fall when they lose their undercoats to adapt to seasonal changes.

To manage this, you should brush your Rottie’s coat at least once a week and bathe them every 4-6 weeks. Depending on how much they enjoy getting dirty, you might need to bathe them more often.

Regular grooming can help reduce the amount of hair in your home, but it can be a bit tedious. If you’re not up for dealing with frequent shedding, you might want to consider a breed that sheds less.

Unsuitable for Apartments

Depending on your lifestyle, a Rottweiler’s high energy can be either a pro or a con. These dogs need 45 minutes to an hour of exercise every day to stay happy and healthy.

Due to their large size and boundless energy, Rottweilers are not always suitable for urban or apartment living. They need plenty of space to run, play, and explore.

In addition to physical exercise, Rottweilers need mental stimulation. They are very smart dogs and thrive on having tasks to do. Without enough mental challenges, they can quickly become bored.

To keep your Rottie happy, provide a variety of durable and engaging toys. Having multiple options will ensure your dog always has something interesting to focus on.

Conclusion

Rottweilers are powerful dogs known for their loyalty, intelligence, and protective nature, making them great family pets. As a Rottweiler owner, it’s important to start training and socialization from a young age to ensure they grow into well-adjusted and obedient companions. With their muscular build and courageous disposition, they excel as both protectors and affectionate family members.

However, potential Rottweiler owners should be aware of their strong prey drive and the need for consistent training, often requiring the guidance of a dog trainer. While they can get along with other pets with proper introductions, their size and strength necessitate careful management. Overall, Rottweilers are a loving and devoted breed, capable of forming deep bonds with their families.