Are Rottweilers Dangerous? What You Must Know

I remember watching the movie “The Omen” in my youth and noticing how ominously the Rottweiler dog breed was portrayed. That wasn’t the only movie that sensationalized a Rottweiler’s massive size or bite-force, either! Media likes sensationalism. Always has, always will. But do Rottweilers really behave as they’ve been stereo-typed to behave?

Are Rottweilers Dangerous?  The truth is this: All dogs have the capacity to be dangerous.  However, it is the responsibility of the dog’s owner to prevent and minimize the potential for danger.  But how?  Let’s find out…

In this article, you’ll learn how that’s done.  Welcome to the Big Dog Den, I’m glad you’re here! Today you’ll discover: 

• How to be a Proactive Rottweiler Owner
• The Signs of Aggression in Dogs
• What Rottweilers Don’t Like
• The Importance of Training Your Rottie
• How Socialization Helps
• What Rottweilers Need

…and so much more! I’ll answer the most Frequently Asked Questions I receiver pertaining to Rottweiler safety (and danger) and throw in a few interesting facts along the way that you may not have known!

I’ll share my experience as the owner of several Rotties through the years, but would never expect you to glean only from my knowledge! The information contained in this article is the most accurate and up-to-date, according to resources from Rottweiler experts like The American Kennel Club, The American Veterinary Medical Association, and The American Rottweiler Club.

We’ve got a lot of information to “dig up” so let’s “dig in”!

FAQ: How can I keep my Rottweiler from becoming mean? 

Answer: Be proactive. Just the act of searching the keywords that landed you here shows you are already on your way! Knowledge is power, and the more knowledge you have about a Rottweiler’s behavior, the smoother your whole experience of owning one will be. The ideal time to be proactive is before getting a Rottweiler. Most people wonder if a Rottweiler is the right dog breed for them, but the question should really be “Am I right for a Rottweiler?“. 

By the end of today’s article, you’ll understand all of the elements that affect a Rottweiler’s overall behavior, and what it will take to ensure your beloved Rottie never ends up on a “Bad Dog List”. You may very well decide a Rottie is not the dog breed for you if you don’t already own one. If you do already own a Rottweiler, then the time to start training him (or her) to have a pleasant personality is today.

Gathering information and knowledge is the first step in being a responsible and proactive Rottweiler owner, and applying that knowledge and information in practical ways is the second step. Raising a friendly Rottweiler will take time, patience, and determination. The payoff, though, will be worth every minute you invest! A well-behaved Rottie is a lovable lump of pleasure that will be your faithful and loyal companion for all of the years of his (or her!) life.

5 Ways to be a Proactive Rottweiler Owner

1. Creating an Ever-Strengthening Bond with Your Rottweiler: The bond you’ll share with your Rottweiler will be enjoyable and rewarding for both of you. They don’t call dog man’s best friend for nothing! Every time you interact with your dog you have an opportunity to strengthen that bond. Spend time with your dog, be affectionate and pet your dog often. All of these things promote a strong bond and a happy dog.
2. Providing Adequate Nourishment: After genetics and proper training, good nutrition is the next thing that will affect your Rottweiler’s overall personality and well-being. Nutrition is not a place to cut corners on your budget. Feed your Rottie a high-quality food with protein as a first ingredient. Stay away from byproducts, and Feed your Rottie according to his (or her) age and weight. To learn all about feeding your Rottie, check out this age by age guide. For your convenience, here are some links that will take you directly to large-breed dog foods at amazon. I do not advocate one brand over another, but judge food based on nutritional content alone.                                                                                           
3. Begin Training Your Rottweiler to Obey Commands: Your Rottweiler is likely going to weigh more than 100 pounds (45kg) by adulthood. For this reason alone, begin teaching your dog the day after he (or she) arrives at your home. Always start with the 5 Basic Commands. These are, Come! Heel! Sit! Down! and Stay! From there, make training more complex and specific.  Rottweilers are a smart breed! Don’t be afraid to challenge yours when it comes to training. He (or she) will surprise you!
4. Proper Socializing Your Rottie: As soon as your Rottweiler has mastered the 5 Basic Commands, begin introducing him (or her) to as many humans, animals, and situations as possible. Start slowly as not to overwhelm your four-legged companion, and gradually increase this exposure. Make introductions a pleasant and relaxed experience for your dog. If he (or she) reacts badly to a person, animal or situation, simply remove the dog and try again at a different time. Punishment is never an effective training tool.
5. Having Safety Measures in Place: Proper safety paraphernalia not only keeps those around your Rottweiler safe, but it also keeps your dog safe, too! At the very least, it will keep your Rottie from lunging into traffic and at best, safety paraphernalia will prevent your dog from landing n a “bad dog list” in your community.

Safety Equipment for Your Rottweiler

• Collar: Although the look is popular, I do not advocate the use of a prong collar. Rather, I’d recommend you find a sturdy leather collar or soft-touch brand collar with secure clasps that aren’t plastic.
• Harness: Many Rottweiler owners recommend using a harness along with a collar for added control of your dog. Being led by a harness is more comfortable for your Rottie, but a second leash attached to his (or her) collar gives you double “leverage” should you need it. You may also choose to use a harness alone. By all means, you use the tethering method that works best in your circumstances.
• Leash: As with a collar, your Rottweiler’s leash should be made of a durable material and have secure clasps that are not plastic. If you’re walking in unlit or rural areas you may want to consider a leash with reflective colorings for vehicle headlights. Your dog’s leash should be long enough for him (or her) to meander where appropriate. When you want the dog right beside you, simply loop the excess leash in your hand.
• Muzzle (Yes, a Muzzle): Gone are the days when a muzzle was a contraption that didn’t allow a dog to eat or drink (or even pant) when they wore them. Today’s muzzles are designed for safety and for the comfort of the dog. We don’t muzzle a Rottweiler in public because he (or she) is a “bad dog” we muzzle because he (or she) is a big dog! I hope that when you’re done with this article, you’ll pop over to read “Rottweilers and Muzzles: What You MUST Know“ right here in the Big Dog Den.

DID YOU KNOW? Your Rottweiler will have a bite force of more than 300 pounds per square inch in his (or her) adulthood! This fact alone demands us to be responsible for raising our Rotties right.

FAQ: What are the signs of aggression in dangerous Rottweilers?

Answer: You may recall that at the beginning of this article, I mentioned that all dogs carry the capacity for aggression. Rottweilers are not exempt. A dog may become aggressive when they feel as though their safety is threatened, their humans are threatened, or their “territory” is threatened. Additionally, females protecting their young will protect them aggressively if necessary, and a dog that is hurt, confused or frightened is at risk for manifesting dangerous and aggressive behaviors.

Contrary to popular opinion, though, a Rottweiler does not attack unprovoked and will show signs of impending aggression. The proactive dog owner will see the signs because he (or she) has learned to observe the dog’s primary form of communication; body language.

5 Most Common Signs of Aggression in Dogs that may Lead to Dangerous Behavior:

1. Hackles are Raised: These are the hairs around the neck and down the back.
2. Stiff Stance: Your Rottie may or may not lower his (or her) head, but the neck, back, and legs will are be stiffened.
3. Low, Glutteral Growl: Rottweilers are known to be quiet hunters. Just because the growl might sound low in volume, it is a clear indication of impending dangerous behavior.
4. “Whale Eyes” (Only the whites are showing)
5. Head Lowered, Ears Back (Or Straight Up) 

Should your Rottweiler display one (or more) of the above “body languages” remove him (or her) immediately after issuing an authoritative “NO!” Please remember that punishment is never an effective method in training. After safety is ensured, think about what triggered a bad reaction in your dog, and formulate a plan for your next encounter.

Your Rottie wants to please you above anything else in this world! It won’t take him (or her) long to learn which behaviors please you and which do not. Be lavish in your rewards of praise every time you see your dog exhibiting good behaviors. Doing so will encourage your Rottie to repeat pleasing behavior.

Some good ways and places to find socialization opportunities for your Rottweiler are:

• Dog Parks
• Doggie Daycare
• Obedience Classes
• Pet-Friendly Parks or Walking/Hiking Trails
• Friends or Family With Pets

When encountering new humans, animals, or situations, your Rottweiler will be paying close attention to your body language to make sure you’re not anxious or afraid. Keep your body language relaxed and speak in reassuring tones. When your Rottie witnesses you enjoying a person, animal, or situation, he (is she) will be more likely to enjoy it, too!

You Should Know: Rottweilers can be taught to get along splendidly with cats and other small animals! You’ll just want to introduce the animals in a gradual manner and not leave the animals alone unsupervised until you are confident in their relationship.

Rotties are also wonderful with small children! Again though, I caution you against leaving any dog with a small child unsupervised. It’s important that if children will be around your Rottie frequently that the children know how to use the 5 Basic Commands and that your dog will obey those commands whether issued by an adult or a child.

 FAQ: How Does Socliaization Keep my Dog From Being Dangerous?

     Answer: We Saw in the “5 Ways to be Proactive” section (above) that socialization is crucial in promoting good behavior in your Rottweiler. Exposing your dog to as many humans, animals, and situations as possible will help him (or her) become more comfortable and outgoing. Dogs who aren’t socialized tend to be leery of new people, animals, or situations and that anxiety can lead to a dangerous scenario.

Preventing Dangerous Behavior in Rottweilers

The best cure for a situation is its prevention. Preventing dangerous behavior in your Rottweiler is best achieved through a whole-life approach. We’ve covered a lot of information so far, and more is to come! I thought this would be an excellent spot to reiterate what we’ve been over and to put the whole subject of preventing dangerous behavior in Rottweilers in a nutshell.

5 Ways to Prevent Dangerous Behavior in Rottweilers:

1. Form an Affectionate Bond with Your Rottie
2. Ensure Adequate Nutrition
3. Schedule (and keep) all Necessary Medical Examinations
4. Train Your Rottweiler Well (Enlist the help of professionals, if necessary)
5. Socialize Your Rottie

DID YOU KNOW? Rottweilers were bred to be herding animals. They are not dangerous by nature. It was mankind who exploited the breed through blood-sports. Thankfully, as more and more laws are enacted on behalf of the safety of animals, dog-fighting is slowly being eradicated. 

What Rottweilers Need to NOT BE Dangerous

So, we know we must be proactive when it comes to ensuring our Rottweilers won’t become dangerous dogs and we know the proper steps to take to avoid it. It really does boil down to knowing our dog and being responsible when it comes to guiding him (or her) in exhibiting the behaviors we desire.

The more we know, the better the behaviors we can expect from our dog(s)! Here are some more things all Rottweiler owners should know:

5 Things Rottweilers LOVE

1. Affection: Your Rottweiler is an affectionate breed. Lavish your dog with affection every chance you get!
2. Exercise: Your adolescent Rottie will need about 90 minutes of exercise daily. Adults thrive with about an hour of daily exercise, and senior Rotties (over the age of 6) would benefit from 30 minutes of daily exercise. These times should be broken down into at least three segments each day, and if you can, some of this time should be offered “off-leash”.
3. Play Time: Rottweilers are smart! This makes them social by nature. Encourage your dog’s playful nature, you’ll both benefit! Playing Tug of War, Frisbee or “Tag” will stimulate your Rottweiler’s body and mind! The world is a serious place, heed your Rottie’s reminders that playtime together is one way of making the world a more enjoyable place.
4. Training: Throughout history, Rottweilers have been a working breed of dog! After your dog has mastered the 5 Basic Commands, go ahead and train him (or her) to do a job and watch how he blossoms with pride upon mastering the task! One task you can train your dog to do that is fun is picking up all his (or her) dog toys and dropping them in a box at the end of the day. Your dog will come to learn from 150-250 words and gestures from you. Utilize both to challenge your dog mentally!
5. Praise/Recognition: If your dog only hears the word “NO!”  from you, he (or she) will not know when his (or her) behavior is pleasing to you. For this reason, “catch” your dog being good! Then, lavish him (or her) with the rewards of praise and affection. I acknowledge every time my dog obeys a command, self-soothes, or otherwise conducts himself in a pleasing manner. He glows with pride and satisfaction, and repeats rewarded behavior often!

3 Things Rottweilers HATE

1. Neglect: The high intelligence level your Rottweiler has that I mentioned earlier, unfortunately, leaves him (or her) susceptible to loneliness. Combat this by making sure you are taking time out of your day to interact with your best four-legged friend! A Rottie shouldn’t be left alone for more than six hours daily, and a Rottie should never be tethered outside with no interaction all day. In fact, in some areas, tethering your dog outside is illegal!
2. Boredom: In addition to loneliness, a high intelligence rating also makes your Rottie susceptible to boredom. Pacing, sighing, over-sleeping and obsessive grooming, licking or destructive chewing are all signs of boredom. Again, the solution is your time. To prevent boredom, make sure your dog has adequate opportunities for exercise, and that his (or her) mind receives stimulation, too. Interactive dog toys and big “knuckle-like” bones can go a long way in preventing boredom in Rottweilers, too!
3. Being Touched “There”: I was intentionally non-specific for this category. Every Rottweiler is a unique individual and will have personal preferences regarding where he (or she) likes (or doesn’t like) to be touched. Respect your dog’s preferences, and inform other humans who will be interacting with him (or her) of those preferences, as well.

Fun Rottweiler Fact: If your Rottie loves to swim, he (or she) is in the minority! Rotties aren’t designed for water sports and weren’t historically used for water rescue situations or hunting along the water like some breeds were. Their muscular bodies and heavy heads can make swimming and/or endurance in swimming a challenge.

Now, this isn’t to say that your Rottie won’t enjoy spending some time with you in or around the water. Only that the natural “water instinct” isn’t present, it’s something you’ll have to present. If you’re wondering what ways Rottweilers like to have fun, I’ve got you covered! This link will take you to an article here in the Big Dog Den that will inspire you with great ideas.

Insurance Company List of the Most “Dangerous” Dog Breeds

If you haven’t already acquired a Rottie, you’re going to have to check the laws and bylaws in your community regarding bully breed dogs. It’s an unfortunate stigma to attach to this majestic dog breed, but that is the reality of the situation. Above any laws your city or township may have, some HOAs won’t allow Rottweiler ownership and some insurance companies won’t write a policy for homeowners or renters if they also own a Rottie.

Most insurance companies will not write a policy for people who own the 10 following dog breeds:

1. Pit Bulls & Staffordshire Terriers
2. Doberman Pinschers
3. Chows
4. Rottweilers
5. German Shepherds
6. Great Danes
7. Siberian Huskies
8. Akitas
9. Presa Canarios
10. Wolf-Hybrids

The time to discuss Rottweiler ownership with your insurance agent is before getting one!

Fortunately, there are insurance companies battling the unfair stigma some “bully breeds” have and are offering liability alternatives to traditional insurances. xinsurance.com is one of those companies.

You Should Know: More than 670,000 dogs are euthanized annually in the United States alone simply for being unwanted. Please practice safe and planned breeding(s) for your Rottweiler, and please consider saving a life by adopting a Rottweiler through a local Rescue Organization or Animal Shelter.

The main point to carry away today is that all dog breeds possess a capacity to be dangerous in certain circumstances. Quite simply, Rottweilers carry the potential to do more damage should a circumstance turn quickly dangerous based on their size and bite force alone.   The safety of your Rottweiler and all who are around him (or her) MUST be our primary concern! The more training, socialization, and affection your dog receives, the less apt he (or she) will be to become a danger.

I hope all your questions have been answered today, and that your experience as Rottweiler owner will bring you years of pleasure and companionship! Our library of big dog knowledge is ever-expanding, drop by the Big Dog Den again soon!

 

*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policies.