Rottweilers are amazing dogs, full of love, a great work ethic, and strong urge to protect. However, while Rottweilers have a lot of great traits, there are also some less desirable ones. In this article, you’ll find out the pros and cons of owning a Rottweiler, so you can make an informed decision before purchasing. You’ll also learn what kind of ower is the right fit for rottweilers, so you can figure out if you fit the bill.
So keep reading to find out all the pros and cons of owning a Rottweiler!
Table of Contents
Pros And Cons Of Owning A Rottweiler (A List For Those Short On Time)
If you’re short on time, then this list will give you a quick run down of the pros and cons of owning a rottweiler. However, stuff can be lost in translation from reading a list, so you’re definitely going to want to read the whole article to get a better understanding of this breed!
Pros Of Owning A Rottweiler
They make the perfect guard dog.
They’re also great working dogs.
Rottweilers are highly intelligent.
They can also be disciplined.
They’re smart and intelligent compared to a lot of other breeds.
Rottweilers are also quite easy to groom.
Believe it or not, they actually have a good temperament.
They’re good with children.
Rottweilers are a good size, which makes them versatile.
They love exercising.
Cons Of Owning A Rottweiler
There may be breed discrimination.
They’re hard-headed.
They aren’t the easiest dogs to train.
They can become rebellious if you don’t train them.
Rottweilers shed a lot.
They also drool and fart a lot.
Their lifespan is quite short.
You need to spend time picking the right breeder.
They need a lot of space to be happy.
Mental stimulation is a must.
Rottweilers are prone to certain health complications.
So What Are The Benefits Of Owning A Rottweiler?
You have a rough idea of the pros that come with owning a Rottweiler, but what does it mean exactly? Here’s a more in-depth look into all the great benefits that come with owning a Rottweiler.
They Make The Perfect Guard Dogs
When you think of Rottweilers, the first thing that probably springs to mind is that they’re aggressive or dangerous dog. There is a tiny amount of truth to this. However, this aggression and danger is normally aimed at trespassers, burglars and people who are trying to hurt you or your family.
Because while Rottweilers are aggressive, it’s most likely aimed towards people that wish to harm their pack. This is the reason that they’re such great guard dogs! And not only are they going to protect you and your family, but they’ll also protect your home and property as well.
Some traits that make it such a great guard dog are the fact that they’re wary around new people, their muscular, and they tend to act aggressively when they perceive a threat. Your real job is making sure you teach them what threats are real, and which ones aren’t.
They’re Great Working Dogs
As well as being good guard dogs, they’re also great working dogs in general. This is noticeable from all the professions that use them, customs, the police, and even the military!
If you’re looking for a dog that needs to be a hard worker or a dog that needs a job, then they’re the perfect dog for the job! They love nothing more than having a task that they need to complete.
They’re Smart Dogs
While it may appear that Rottweilers are only aggressive, this really isn’t the case. IN fact, when compared to a lot of other dogs, they’re actually extremely smart. In fact, they’re one of the top 10 smartest dog breeds!
They’re Easy To Groom
Because Rottweilers have shorter coats, it makes them a lot easier to groom than other dogs. While you’ll always have to spend time grooming your Rottweiler (cleaning their face, teeth and brushing their coat), it’s not going to be nearly as extensive as grooming other dogs.
When you’re grooming them make sure you’re using a soft bristled brush, as this is what’s going to be best for their coat type.
(Check out thepros and cons of owning a golden retriever.)
Rottweilers Are Tough
Rottweilers are tough, strong dogs. You’re never going to have to worry about someone stepping on your Rottweiler, or hurting them when they’re rough housing. Rottweilers are durable dogs that can play rough without getting hurt.
They’re Great Family Dogs
If you’re raising a family, then Rottweilers are a great addition! They’re extremely affectionate towards their family, and they’re great with kids as well. The only caveat to this is very small children who don’t know how to act around dogs properly yet.
So don’t let the stigma put you off Rottweilers. If you’re looking for a family dog, they’re a great choice! Just remember, that when smaller children are around you’ll need to keep an eye on the interaction to make sure your Rottweiler isn’t getting provoked.
Rottweilers have a great temperament which only gets better when they’ve been socialized properly. If you socialize them from an early age they’re going to befriend almost any dog or person.
Not only this but, as previously mentioned they’re already incredibly loyal to their family as well. What is often overlooked with Rottweilers, though, is how affectionate and playful they can be. Your Rottweiler isn’t just going to want to protect you, but they’ll also want to spend time with you and a lot of time, they even like to snuggle as well.
(Check out the 15 pros and cons of owning a husky.)
They Enjoy Exercise
If you’re quite active, then a Rottweiler is going to be a great fit for you. They love exercise and the outdoors, so you’ll have the perfect companion to take with you. They’ll enjoy running through forests, and hiking with you. Some Rottweilers even enjoy swimming as well.
They’ll Help You Meet New People
While some people are intimidated by Rottweilers, most dog owners probably aren’t going to be. When you start taking your Rottweiler for walks, you may notice that you end up speaking to a lot of fellow dog walkers as well! So it’s a great way to make friends.
Rottweiler Puppies Are Very Playful
Rottweiler puppies can make great playmates if you currently have kids. The puppies are extremely playful and will love to play with your children. This also helps to socialize your Rottweiler as well, so when they’re around children later on in life, they know how to act properly around them.
While Rottweilers are fantastic dogs, there are also some problems associated with them as well. However, when reading these problems, remember, they pale in comparison to all the great benefits that come with owning this dog!
Breed Discrimination
One of the biggest problems (especially in the US) is breed discrimination. Unfortunately, certain cities have legislation specifically against Rotties as they’re seen as a dangerous dog. This means that you may not be able to take your Rottweiler to certain parks, or cities.
As well as this, while there are tons of people that are going to love your Rottweiler, some are also going to be afraid of them.
They’re Hard Headed
Rottweilers are also quite hard-headed dogs. If you don’t have the confidence to command them, then they may end up trying to be the top dog in your household. This doesn’t mean that you should try to overpower them or be the dominant dog as this typically doesn’t work with rottweilers.
Instead positive reinforcement and making following orders fun, is the trick to training them.
They’re Not The Easiest Dog To Train
On the subject of training, Rottweilers aren’t the easiest dogs to train. Not only are they hard-headed, but they can also lose interest when they’re not trained consistently. With that being said, with the right training program, and the right owner, Rottweilers can be trained to be loyal, fierce and great workers.
Interested In Training Your Rottweiler The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your Rottweiler properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
Cheaper than hiring a professional.
Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your Rottweiler completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
They Can Become Rebellious
When not trained correctly, Rotties can quickly become rebellious. Typically, this happens a lot more often in male Rottweilers, but it can also happen in female Rottweilers too.
So when training your Rottweiler make sure you’re being consistent, patient and kind. The earlier you start training them, the less likely it is they’ll become rebellious, as they’re much more likely to see you as their leader.
They Can Be Destructive
When a Rottweiler’s needs aren’t being met, they can begin to become destructive. You may come home one day to find a lot of things have been chewed up in your house such as your shoes, table legs and cushions on your sofa.
Fortunately, you can limit this by taking them for walks frequently, training them, and spending lots of quality time with them.
They Need Lots Of Exercise
This is both a pro and a con of Rottweilers, depending on your lifestyle. If you prefer days indoors, chilling out, then they may not be the best dog for you. As their owner you’ll need to be able to make sure they’re getting at least 2 hours of exercise a day. And even then, they can handle more than this. Rottweilers would spend all day outside running around if they could.
They Shed A Lot
While Rottweilers are easy to groom, that doesn’t mean they don’t shed. In fact, Rottweilers shed quite a lot. When you brush your Rottweiler regularly, you can remove a lot of the hair that they shed, but you’re always going to end up with fur on your clothes and furniture, no matter how often you brush them.
(Find out the pros and cons of owning a corgi.)
They Have Short Lifespans
When it comes to dogs, Rottweilers don’t have very long lifespans at all. Sadly, they only live between 8-10 years. However, if you’re lucky yours may live even longer. Proper care, nutrition and good genetics can increase the lifespan of your Rottweiler as well. BUT if you’re looking for a lifelong companion, generally speaking, smaller dogs last longer.
You’ll Need To Pick A Breeder Wisely
A Rottweiler with poor genetics isn’t just going to increase the chances of a shorter lifespan. But also, poor genetics can increase the chance of aggressive tendencies and even health conditions.
You should be aiming to buy a registered pedigree Rottweiler to ensure you’re getting the best dog possible, with the least chance of something going wrong with them.
They Drool And Fart A Lot
Rottweilers are also known to drool and fart a lot as well. While charcoal biscuits can help reduce the smell, you need to be aware that there are times when you’re going to want to leave the room when they’re in it.
Rottweilers Need Plenty Of Mental Stimulation
Because of their high intelligence, you need to make sure that you’re keeping your Rottweiler mentally stimulated. Training is the best way you can do this, but you can’t train them constantly. When you’re not training them, make sure that you have a lot of puzzle toys that they can play with such as KONGs.
They’re Incredibly Expensive
Rottweilers are some of the most expensive dogs you can buy. Depending on the lineage they can cost anywhere between $2000-$8000. And that’s just the initial cost. As well as this you’ll also need to take into account insurance, vaccine costs, food, toys and everything else to keep them comfortable.
The bare minimum you’re looking to spend when owning a Rottie is about $150 a month. And remember, that’s the bare minimum. And lastly, it’s important to remember that while a cheap Rottie will be less money short term, they often end up costing a lot more long term.
They Need Lots Of Space
Rottweilers definitely aren’t apartment dogs. They’ll need lots of space to roam, even in a home. If not they may end up becoming destructive. You should also make sure that you have a garden for them to play in as well.
If you can’t give them the space they need to live in, then you may be better off getting a smaller dog.
Rottweilers Are Prone To Certain Health Conditions
All pedigree dogs are generally prone to certain health conditions, and Rottweilers are no different. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are extremely common conditions that can affect your Rottweiler. As well as dysplasia they are also predisposed to certain types of cancer as well. Lastly, they may also get certain eye problems such as cataracts.
What’s The Best Owner For A Rottweiler
Now you know the pros and cons of a rottweiler, you should also be asking yourself whether you’re going to be a good fit for one as well.
If you’re interested in getting a Rottweiler, then here are some of the traits you should have.
You Should Have Owned Dogs Before
If you’re a first time dog owner, then Rottweilers may be too hard headed for you to handle. You should make sure that you know how to handle dogs before you decide to own a rottweiler, and ideally, you should have previous experience with stubborn dogs.
You Should Be Fairly Active
As well as this, you want to make sure that you’re active as well. Rottweilers are going to want to spend a lot of time exercising and you should make sure that you’re able to get them out regularly.
Young Kids Are Best Avoided
If you have really small kids, then you may not be the best candidate to own a rottie. Young kids can often provoke your Rottie which could lead to them snapping.
Recap
Now you know the pros and cons of owning a Rottweiler. And more importantly, you should also know what kind of owner you need to be to make sure they remain happy!
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