The Rottweiler is one of the world’s most ancient breeds and a sturdy working dog. Originally bred to herd cattle and guard livestock, this dog has more recently found its place as a loving family companion.
The Rottie is a gentle guardian and an amazing family pet with many fantastic characteristics. From their confident nature to their trainability, here are five qualities we love about the Rottweiler.
They Are Confident Dogs
The Rottweiler’s original purpose may have changed over time, but this breed is as confident as ever. Confidence for this breed is about self-assurance. A confident Rottie will face new challenges with curiosity, but it will never shy away or show fear.
The Rottweiler’s confidence and courage make it an ideal candidate for police work and a prime family companion. This pup is calm and collected in its everyday life but never afraid to take a stand when necessary.
Just don’t make the mistake of confusing the Rottie’s confidence with aggression because a well-bred, well-socialized, well-trained Rottweiler should never have aggressive tendencies. A professional behavioral trainer should immediately address any signs of rottweiler aggression.
They Are Protective
Often used for guarding and protection, the Rottweiler has a territorial and protective nature. Even when not working professionally, the Rottie puts those traits to good use while protecting her family.
The Rottweiler bonds strongly with her family pack and takes her responsibility of keeping them safe seriously. She won’t hesitate to warn about anything she perceives as a threat, and - if necessary - she will follow through if her warnings go ignored.
In addition to her protective nature, the Rottweiler is gentle and patient with children, making her a great fur sibling and playmate. This big pup has even been used as a “nanny dog” in the past due to her vigilance and loyalty.
They Are People-Oriented Dogs
Given the opportunity to socialize with humans or other dogs, the Rottweiler generally prefers human companionship. That is not to say that this pup will not bond with other animals; some working Rotties have even bonded with the cattle they herd!
The Rottweiler is not as affectionate, loyal, and caring with strangers as he is with family. That said, this breed is by no means a solitary breed. Around those it doesn’t know, the Rottie is cautious but calm and always keeps a watchful eye on nearby family members to ensure their safety.
Their strong bond with family and eagerness to please also means that the Rottweiler excels in obedience training and similar structured activities. Like all dogs, the Rottie can be easily motivated by food, but praise and attention from his people are equally inspiring for this people-oriented pup.
They Are Loving
Despite often getting a bad rap for their appearance or because of breed discrimination, the Rottweiler is a loving and gentle dog. She is generous with her kisses and often leans in for cuddles – although her weight can send you and her toppling if she leans in just a little bit too far!
As well as being true lovebugs, some Rottie owners report their dogs being so sensitive that they are in tune with their owner’s emotions. This connection is hardly surprising and makes this big dog a great candidate for emotional support and therapy dog work.
Having such a strong human-canine bond is amazing, but it also comes with great responsibility. Because they are so attached to their people, the Rottweiler breed needs regular attention and is prone to separation anxiety. The Rottie is not a dog that does well with a human who works long hours.
They Are Easily Trainable
While some dogs (like the Beagle) can be stubborn and hard to train, the Rottweiler is not one of them. This intelligent breed responds well to a firm but fair training method that relies on positive reinforcement such as praise and play.
Due to his size, it is crucial that a Rottie begin training as soon as possible to prevent problem behaviors from taking hold. Early training is also important because the bigger a dog is, the harder they are to control, and a fully grown Rottweiler can weigh over 120 lbs.
Their positive response to training is one more reason why the Rottweiler makes a great candidate for many jobs and sports. Most often, this large-headed breed is found enjoying agility, working as a guard dog, dock diving, swimming, competitive obedience, cart pulling, and barn hunting.
