Last Updated on January 27, 2022 by
Rottweiler is some of the most popular large dogs in the world, so it’s no wonder that many potential owners wonder what are the pros and cons of owning a Rottweiler. These dogs, despite being incredibly well-disciplined and protective, can be a lot to handle for some owners. In today’s article, we’ll be delving deep into Rottweiler’s behavior to define clearly what are the best and the worst things about it and see whether these dogs are the right choice for you!
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Do Rottweilers Make Good Family Pets?
Rottweilers can definitely make great pets for families! There's a myth going around that we should bust open right now. Some people believe that Rottweilers aren't good family dogs because of their size.
Children are small after all, and a large dog could accidentally hurt them while they're playing. Children could also provoke the dog and the dog might bite them. Fortunately, this isn't common with Rottweilers.
They're very protective over their adoptive families and they're much more likely going to protect a child than harm one. These dogs are bred to be home-protectors and guard their territory.
Additionally, they can be easily trained, something we'll discuss later. This means that you can easily teach them to be careful around your child, minimizing the chance of anyone getting hurt.
Lastly, Rottweilers are very sociable dogs! They love spending time and playing with their family, so which is why they easily make great family pets!
Are Rottweilers Active Dogs?
Yes, Rottweiler are very active dogs! This is why most vets and training experts recommend that you don't get a Rottie if you live in an apartment! They prefer big, open spaces. On the bright side, if you buy a Rottie for your house, you can count on them keeping it safe!
Rottweilers require daily exercise. You should exercise them for at least 30 minutes a day. This can be something simple as just going for a walk or a jog. You can also combine exercise with obedience training! For example, throwing a ball and playing catch is a great way to run your dog, as well as do some obedience exercises.
Rottweilers are prone to arthritis, and keeping them fit is probably the first line of defense when it comes to preventing this illness. This, however, isn't the only reason you should exercise your dog. If you don't work out your Rottweiler enough, they'll get agitated and start acting up! So, unless you want a 130-pound dog raging around your back yard - it's best you exercise them often!
Are Rottweilers Good for First Time Owners?
Rottweilers can be a lot to handle, which is why a smaller dog might be a better option for a first time owner. A great thing about a Rottweiler is that they're extremely trainable! These dogs love training exercises and you can teach them basically anything.
Moreover, they require training! If you don't train them enough, they'll start acting out - similarly to exercises!
However, this can make them a lot to handle. Some owners simply don't have the discipline to train dogs and don't have any authority over dogs. If you treat a Rottweiler like this, you'll end up with a giant, disobedient and a potentially dangerous dog.
Additionally, Rottweilers are very large dogs. Males can weigh up to 130 pounds, some even more than that. That means two things! Firstly, feeding them can be costly. Secondly, they're physically a lot to handle when it comes to exercising.
Are Rottweilers Aggressive?
Despite their reputation, no, Rottweilers aren't aggressive dogs. People tend to label them as aggressive dogs because of their size and their reputation as guard dogs, but this doesn't make them aggressive.
They're definitely protective and vigilant! They won't let anyone get into your backyard and they will never back down from a fight if another dog starts one.
However, they certainly won't cause any trouble with other dogs either. A well-trained and disciplined Rottweiler isn't going to challenge another dog when you take it for a walk.
Rottweilers get a bad reputation because of their size, but also because they were used in dog-fighting rings. Don't be mistaken, they were used for fighting with good reason. They were bred to be strong and tenacious. However, their temperament it very cool and collected - they're not vicious by nature.
When Shouldn’t You Get a Rottweiler?
You definitely shouldn't get a Rottweiler if you don't like or if you can't handle large dogs. These dogs can get absolutely massive and handling them can be difficult. This also means that they need a lot of space, which is why you shouldn't get a Rottweiler if you don't have a large yard where they can run.
You also shouldn't be getting a Rottweiler if you don't have free time on your hands. They require at least 30 minutes of exercise daily, and they need constant training if you want an obedient, disciplined dog. This also means that you shouldn't get a Rottweiler if you, personally, don't like to exercise.
That's completely fine as a personal lifestyle choice, but Rottweilers need constant exercise to stay healthy and denying them that exercise isn't an option.
Lastly, Rottweilers need an attentive owner who's going to actively socialize with them. They have no problem with being away from you for a portion of the day, while you're at work for example. However, not giving them any attention during the day is very bad for your relationship.
Rottweilers, while being an exceptional breed, have a set of requirements that you have to fulfill if you want to keep these dogs. They can be a great fit for an experienced owner with a house and a yard. They’re also a very good fit for families and active people. Rottweilers, however, usually don’t enjoy spending time with lazy owners who won’t exercise them and train them. This isn’t an option with these dogs, as they need constant exercise and training to remain healthy.
They also need a lot of space and attention, as they’re sociable dogs that love to spend time with their owners.