Last Updated on April 24, 2024 by Dr. Julie
There are different Rottweiler breeds, and if you want to get one, you should look at the comparison of the Roman Rottweiler vs Serbian Rottweiler. Both of these are specific sub-breeds of the Rottweiler, with none of them having a standard. However, there are important differences between these breeds, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into if you’re getting one of these dogs.
In today’s article, we’ll be taking a very close look at both of these sub-breeds and comparing them!
Table of Contents
The Roman Rottweiler
The Roman Rottweiler is a sub-breed that’s actually very difficult to find. Because of this, they can be quite expensive.
What separates them the most from the standard German Rottweiler is their size. They’re much larger than their German cousins, which makes them more similar to ancient Rottweilers. In case you didn’t know, Rottweilers arrived in Germany with the Romans who used them as war dogs. These dogs were much larger than the Rottweiler we know and love today.
The Roman Rottweiler is an attempt at recreating this breed. These dogs are extremely robust, sometimes weighing more than 130 pounds! Similar to the main difference between a Rottweiler and a Doberman, the German Rottweiler is much more agile than the Roman Rottweiler. In return, the Roman Rottweiler is much stronger. Their heads are usually larger and they pack more muscle!
Mentally, there isn’t much of a difference (unlike with Serbian Rottweilers, but more about that later). Roman Rottweilers require a lot of training and they make great guard dogs.
Regarding their health, however, there’s an important note! These dogs are large and heavy, because of this – a lot of pressure is put on their bones. Hip dysplasia, for example, is common with larger dogs – but Roman Rottweilers might be more prone to it because they’re so heavy on top of their size and height!
Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid this – all you can do is take care of your dog’s diet and make sure that you exercise it enough!
The Serbian Rottweiler
Physically, these dogs are very similar to Roman Rottweilers! They’re larger, stockier, and more muscular than German Rottweilers. They can weigh quite a lot and they’re incredibly strong. The most glaring difference is the shape of the head, as the Serbian Rottweiler might remind you of a Bulldog a bit. Their snouts are a bit shorter and their heads seem to be a bit compressed.
They can weigh up to 150 pounds, which makes them slightly larger than the Roman Rottweiler, and a lot larger than the German Rottweiler. Both of these breeds obviously have a lot of dietary requirements, especially regarding the amount of food they eat!
Mentally, however, many owners report that it’s more difficult to train Serbian Rottweilers!
Even though they could make incredible guard dogs because of their sheer size, Serbian Rottweilers are a bit more stubborn than their Roman and German cousins. Because of this, they might not be the best option for a first-time dog owner.
The largest controversy, however, is sparked about the appearance of this dog, not its temperament. Namely, when it comes to dog competitions, Serbian Rottweilers are nowhere near the breed standard defined by the AKC. Because of this, you can’t take your dog to dog competitions in most countries. The rules are different when it comes to the Roman Rottweiler. You likely won’t win because the dog is so out of standard, but you may compete!
Canine experts warn that the Serbian Rottweiler is an example of why not everyone should be allowed to breed dogs. They’re out of standard and they’re difficult to train.
Roman Rottweiler vs Serbian Rottweiler
So, which one should you choose? The answer to this question depends solely on your needs and on your plans with the dog.
If you’re looking for a good guard dog, know that either one of these breeds can do a good job. Not to mention that the German Rottweiler can do a good job too. Even though the Serbian Rottweiler can become a bit larger and bulkier, the Roman Rottweiler is in no way inferior to it.
If you want to take your dog to competitions, though, maybe it’d be best to buy a German Rottweiler. Serbian Rottweilers can’t enter competitions either way, while Roman Rottweilers aren’t likely to win.
Buying a Serbian Rottweiler might prove to be an unwise decision, especially for an inexperienced owner. Keep in mind that these dogs are tall, broad, and incredibly strong! Handling them might become a problem just because of that size. With a Roman Rottweiler, size can be less of an issue. Additionally, Roman Rottweilers are much easier to train.
A 140-pound Rottweiler can be very difficult to take on walks as it’ll probably pull you all over the place, and teaching it to stick next to you while walking will be a difficult task.
When it comes to bloodline quality and pricing, not much is known. Both Roman and Serbian Rottweilers are difficult to find, and they’re often expensive because of that. Even if you do find a breeder, it’s important to find out all you can about the dog’s family history. This can be difficult, as Serbian Rottweilers usually won’t have a pedigree.
Serbian Rottweilers are not that difficult to find in Serbia and other Eastern European countries, but it might be borderline impossible to find a breeder in the USA.
In Conclusion
Serbian Rottweilers are only a bit larger and bulkier than Roman Rottweilers, while their faces are a bit flatter than the face of German Rottweilers. They’re also a bit reminiscent of a Bulldog. This breed is not up to standard and because of that, there aren’t that many breeders of Serbian Rottweilers. Roman Rottweilers are noticeably larger than German Rottweilers, but they’re mentally no different and they usually don’t pose a problem when it comes to training.
The price for either one of these breeds depends on the individual breeder and the quality of the breed, as they’re difficult to find.
Read more about The Russian Rottweiler vs German Rottweiler.
