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A lot of people think Rottweilers are ‘big’, ‘aggressive’, sometimes downright ‘scary’. Thanks to the media’s constant portrayal of Rottweilers as a vicious breed, Rottweilers are one of the most misunderstood dog breeds of them all. However, Rottweiler lovers know that a Rottweiler’s temperament is actually the opposite.
Rottweilers are a good natured, devoted, and fearless breed. This is according to the Allegmeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (which is the German governing organization for the Rottweiler breed). In the US, The AKC (or the American Kernel Club) portrays a Rottweiler as calm, confident, intelligent, and self-assured albeit aloof.
Misconception Vs. Reality
The reality is that a well-bred and raised Rottweiler shouldn’t exhibit signs of aggression or nervousness. If a rottweiler is indiscriminately vicious and fearful, it could probably be due to irresponsible breeders, negligent ownership, lack of training (and socialization) and in some cases, abuse.
Rottweilers are a dignified breed that make for excellent companions. Vicious rottweilers didn’t become vicious on their own. So if you are a dog owner who’s willing to commit enough time to exercise and understand a large dog breed such as a rottweiler, you’ll be rewarded with a loyal companion that’s also smart and affectionate.
The Rottweiler’s Personality
You probably knew this already: a rottweiler is definitely a territorial breed. This shouldn’t come as a surprise! Rottweil Metzgerhund aka The Butcher’s Dog are descendants of the ancient Roman drover dogs. Their great guarding instincts made them beloved by those in the business of transporting goods from town to town. Today’s modern breed are well-suited to different jobs (and families). It is willing to please, devoted, and even-tempered.
How Do I Properly Raise A Rottie?
First of all, when you ask yourself this question, you’re one step closer to properly raising a rottweiler. Along with good intentions, knowing the do’s and don’ts of training a dog is key to a well-mannered Rottweiler. Same as other breeds, Rottweilers need exercise and enough space for running around. If you’re a novice dog owner, here are important things to keep in mind:
- Be especially calm and confident with your dog.
- Furthermore, never be harsh on your dog.
- Most of all, do your best to nip bad habits in the bud. Rottweiler temperament can be hard to understand. They can be headstrong but simply shower them with ample love and attention. Yes, you can definitely train your rottie to be a mild-mannered and welcoming companion.
If you notice that your rottweiler endlessly chews on furniture or other household items, here’s what you’ll do. Make sure that your dog has a variety of interesting bones to chew on. Rottweilers have very strong jaws that you most especially shouldn’t take for granted. If you think your pet is exhibiting negative guarding behavior, do something! Train your rottie to understand that not everyone is a threat.
Remember that at the end of the day, a rottweiler is a loyal and affectionate dog by nature. You’ll run into many temperament issues but arm yourself with knowledge in order to overcome those things. Furthermore, don’t forget to get a rottweiler from a reputable breeder. This way, you won’t run into nasty issues. Lastly, don’t forget to shower your rottie with lots of positive attention and time!
