If you’re considering getting a Rottweiler puppy and can’t decide between a male or female Rottweiler, OR you simply enjoy learning more about the breed you love, you’ve landed on the right page! You’ll hear what real Rottweiler owners have to say about male and female Rottweiler ownership.
In this article we will compare the male and female Rottweiler and which one should you get…or rather, which one fits your lifestyle. If you’re considering a Rottweiler dog this post may help determine if a male or a female is right for you!
Aside from the obvious difference that makes your Rottweiler Male or Female, the two sexes differ in more subtle ways or not so subtle ways, in some instances! We’ll discover whether Male or Female Rotties are…
- Bigger
- Smarter
- More Loyal
- More Dangerous
- More Energetic
If you’re just thinking about getting a Rottweiler, you’ll want to read “Before Getting a Rottweiler “
Are Male or Female Rottweilers Better?
Male and Female Rottweilers are different. Neither sex is “better” in general, although one sex may be better for you and your lifestyle. Keep in mind, you’ll have to deal with heat and possible pregnancy with a female.
Whether You Opt for a Male or Female Rottweiler, becoming a responsible pet owner should be your top priority! Your time and attention will always be your Rottie’s most important need. Additionally, a responsible pet owner will ensure their Rottweiler receives proper nutrition, exercise, medical care, and training.
All of these things are necessary from a pup’s weaning into his (or her!) adulthood. When you follow these guidelines, you will have an obedient, loving and loyal companion for as long as nature allows!
I can’t even imagine life without my Maximus! I know if you also love a Rottie, you feel the same!
What Are Some Differences Between A Male & Female Rottweiler?
Male and Female Rottweiler Size
Male Rottweiler Size
The size difference in Rottie puppies is subtle, but apparent from birth. At eight weeks of age, when puppies are weaned, you can expect a male pup to weigh about 15 pounds. Rottweiler puppies heights will vary greatly as they grow. As their legs lengthen, they will lose any appearance of being a chubby puppy. They will even go through phases of looking “gangly” and awkward.
A male Rottie at six months of age will weigh roughly 70 pounds, and stand at about 24 inches tall. He will reach maturity between the ages of two and three and fill out his large body wonderfully! An adult male Rottweiler will stand between 24-27 inches tall and weigh from 110 pounds to a whopping 132 pounds!
Female Rottweiler Size
A weaned female pup will weigh roughly 12 pounds at eight weeks old. By six months of age, Rottweiler pups will more than quadruple their weaning weight! You can expect your female to stand about 23 inches tall, and weigh about 63 pounds! If she seems awkward at that age, don’t worry! By adulthood, which she will achieve between her second and third year of life, she will have grown into her large body, and have grace and balance in her movement. An adult female Rottie can measure from 22-25 inches tall and will weigh 77-105 pounds.
And so, the male Rottweiler measures up as the larger of the sexes! We’ll have to dig deeper and discover the other differences!
Is A Male or A Female Rottweiler Smarter?
Everyone has an opinion, it seems when it comes to the intelligence levels of male Rottweilers versus female Rottweilers. The fact is, that neither sex is inherently more intelligent! The opinions of people are based on their own experiences, and not based on fact.
The Rottweiler, in general, has a high level of intelligence. The behaviors that suggest intelligence in adult Rotties has manifested through diligent training, proper nutrition, and medical care, and good, old-fashioned, time, and attention.
Neither sex is more apt for training! Each individual Rottweiler dog has his…or her… unique personality that may affect training.
Are Male or Female Rottweilers More Loyal?
Loyalty is another inherent trait that canines display. When it comes to the difference between a male Rottweiler ’s loyalty level and a female’s, though, there isn’t a difference at all!
The truth is, whether you have a male or female Rottie, their loyalty level is high! It is also encouraged and conditioned through attentive care and attention, proper training and good health.
The Rottweiler dog who feels a secure and strong attachment to their human will display loyalty in levels we humans can only hope to achieve!
Because females have the maternal instinct, some believe a female Rottweilers to be the more loyal of the sexes, but this has no scientific evidence to back it up.
Did You Know: Female Rottweilers Live Longer!
Statistics show that female Rotties have about two more birthday parties than the male of the breed. The average lifespan of a Rottweiler is 8-12 years. At 13 years old, a Rottie is said to have achieved “exceptional longevity”. Females have double the odds than males to achieve that status!
Rottweilers who live to 13 are referred to as the “oldest-olds”. Both the Purina Dog Food Company and Perdue University are conducting studies about longevity in dogs to learn more about the canine aging process.
Like humans, cancer is the biggest threat to your Rottie’s longevity. Proper nutrition, medical treatment, and exercise will help your Rottweiler achieve the highest age possible!
Fun Fact! According to the “Guinness Book of World Records”, the greatest reliable age recorded for a dog is 29 years 5 months for an Australian cattle dog named Bluey.
One Thing Female Rottweilers Have that Males Don’t
The scientific term is “Estrus” but you most likely know it by its common term; “In Heat”. Female Rottweilers that have not been spayed will go into “heat” twice a year. This can also occur after spaying, but it is rare.
This is the time when females are prime for reproduction. These cycles begin at about one year of age. Her cycle will last about 21 days, and if your intent is not to breed her at that time, she will need to be inaccessible to male dogs.
Take caution! The male’s instincts will kick in, and he will be creative and clever in trying to get to the female! When in heat, your female Rottweiler will have a bloody discharge. Online or at pet supply stores, you can buy special garments for your Rottie which will assist in keeping this discharge from soiling her living area…. and yours!
These garments won’t prevent copulation with a male, though, so be aware, and keep those males AWAY from her, or her away from them!
Which is More Protective…A Male or Female Rottweiler?
Many people ask which is more protective…A male or female Rottweiler. The answer is that neither is MORE protective. Both male and female Rottweilers have their own unique fierce protective qualities.
Because of his larger size than the female of the species, a male Rottweiler has a slight advantage over the female when it comes to actively protect what he perceives as his own. He may be just a little bit stronger and just a little bit faster.
A male Rottie is also ever-aware of his “Alpha” status and does utilize that. This status, when added to size, is an advantage when it comes to protection!
With either sex, the Rottweiler has a bite force of over 300 pounds per square inch! A female who thinks her pups (or her humans) are in danger will protect with the same ferocity as a male. The male’s bite might just land a few inches higher!
Male Rotties “Spray” and Females Don’t…Right?
Wrong! “Spraying” (sometimes called urine marking) is an instinctive behavior for male and female Rotties, alike. Often Rottweilers, like any dog, will feel the need to “mark their territory” as their ancestors did so long ago.
In some cases, your Rottie, male or female, can spray when they are feeling nervous or when a foreign object (think grocery bag or a new piece of furniture) enters what they consider to be their space.
Foreign objects have unfamiliar scents on them, and your Rottie may spray in objection to the “alien scents”.
Are Male Rottweilers More Aggressive than Female Rottweilers?
Every Rottweiler, like every human being, has a unique and individual demeanor. By nature, male Rottweilers exhibit just a bit more aggression. There is an Alpha Male element to consider, but that doesn’t mean every male Rottie is more aggressive than a female.
Male or female, some Rotties are timid, some are extremely friendly and outgoing. Some are ferociously protective, and some completely passive. It is a myth that a Rottie of one sex or the other has a more complacent demeanor. There is only a SLIGHT inherent difference in demeanor between the two sexes.
ADRK (Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub) is the German governing organization for the Rottweiler breed. This is the organization that has governed the Rottweiler breed since its origin. They describe Rottweiler’s behavior and temperament as…
…good-natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children. Very devoted, obedient, biddable and eager to work… self-assured, steady and fearless….. Notice they mention no differentiation between the sexes.
The American Kennel Club describes a healthy adult Rottweiler demeanor to be “‘Calm, confident and courageous, with a self-assured aloofness… an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability, with a strong willingness to work…’ Again, no mention of either sex.
The demeanor of an adult Rottweiler is the sum of two things: His (or her) individuality as a unique sentient being, and the training they receive. Nothing more, nothing less.
Is A Male or Female Rottweiler a Better Guard Dog?
Because of the difference in size and a male Rottweiler’s higher inherent tendency toward aggression, most people believe a male Rottweiler would make a better guard dog. If you’ve ever witnessed a female protecting her pups, though, it would become evident that she has the same capacity to fiercely guard as any male does!
A properly trained Rottweiler, male OR female, makes for an excellent source of home security!
Male and Female Rottweiler Energy Level
Here again is another place assumptions are made, based on one’s personal experiences with either sexed Rottweiler. The breed, in general, is high energy. Rotties need exercise… and lots of it! If your property doesn’t allow your Rottweiler ample running and exercise space, it’s on you as a responsible pet owner to find an alternative method of providing it.
It’s beneficial to the dog and owner alike to get outdoors and burn that energy off. Walking is the first option, but going to a dog park is a great option. They serve more uses than exercise, too. Your Rottie will form social skills when exposed to other dogs, and you can utilize the dog park in training, as well.
If there is no dog park nearby, you are not out of options! They love long leisurely walks with their owners. A Rottie can easily keep pace as you jog, once he’s has grown enough. But you must be cautious because of the Rottie’s hips. I’ve even seen some owners bike-riding with their Rottie “in tow”.
This is also a good option for exercise, but take note! One does not just tie their Rottie’s leash to a bicycle and take off! This exercise method requires training and patience. Your safety and your Rottie’s safety must be paramount!
Whichever option(s) you chose for exercise, your Rottweiler will be healthier, calmer, easier to train and better behaved when they get LOTS of it!
Male and Female Rottweilers and Obesity
Rottweilers can tend toward obesity! This can contribute to many health problems. Along with obesity, there are some other common health issues that tend to come hand in hand when you are dealing with an overweight dog. Some of these common issues include:
- arthritis
- breathing problems
- heart failure
- reproductive problems
- diabetes
- skin disease
- overheating
These conditions can be prevented by feeding your Rottweiler a proper diet and making sure they get plenty of exercise time.
In a study published by The VetCompass Programme published November 22, 2017, concluded:
Three major differences were identified between male and females that may assist owners and vets in selecting a new puppy:
- Males were significantly more likely to show aggression than females (9.36% versus 5.47%).
- Adult males (average 48.5 kg) were substantially heavier (7 kg) than adult females (average 41.5 kg).
- Females lived on average almost 10 months longer than males (9.5 years versus 8.7 years).
You can read the study here.
Male vs Female Rottweiler: What Real Owners Say
I asked a group of Rottweiler owners why they chose a male or female Rottweiler and the pros and cons of each.
Here are what they had to say…
⇒My male is bigger” dum dum” my female was easier to train!!! Both of them are aggressive and no one will ever hurt us with them around!!!!
⇒I am owned by both..in my experience, the boys are more loving than the girls…and the girls are much more alert to their environment and don’t miss a thing.
⇒I found males are bigger of course but females are more protective. My girl is very protective and sees everything.
⇒Our girl is very protective and alert with everything going on around her. She is a big love bug
⇒Females are more aggressive and smarter
⇒I have one of each. My boys is a big baby and loving. My girl is the boss and still loving but more protective and mothering to the kids and smart.
⇒I’ve had both and they’re both great! The males are larger and they’re like little kids kind of, they like to play a lot, and for some reason it was more difficult for me to establish being the alpha with the male. Now the females are great too, because they tend to be more protective and more serious, i think its because the females have the mothering instinct engraved in their DNA.
⇒My male is super playful and boisterous. My female is serious and cautious
⇒Girls are very sweet mindful males headstrong
⇒I won’t own another male again. My girl is very easy to train, very alert to her surroundings, and is all about her people. Very loving..very cuddly…
⇒My boys and girls are love bugs, mushes in the house with the family. They are both protective as all hell of my family. My wife didn’t like boys because they lift their leg to pee. We rescued a boy, and now my wife loves the hell out of him. I have had girls that were 90 pounds and 135 pounds. As guardians the size doesn’t matter, the bond you have does.
⇒I have had both on my 2nd male, males are more stubborn at times compared to a female in my opinion. But both very loving and protective
⇒Males pee on the fence outside walls. Females squat and pee. I prefer females for that reason.
⇒Had both It depends on what you are looking for my male would make friends with you right away my females not so easy if they felt a threat they would stand their ground and let you know
⇒My male is everyone’s best friend. My female is much more cautious and aloof
⇒I own both. My female is much more clingy & very protective of me. She’s quiet, observant and aloof. She is extremely loyal. She rarely barks. She wants all my attention, obedient & wants to please.
⇒My male is much more boisterous & excitable. He’s always on guard, barks at everyone he sees walking by. He acts very “macho”. He’s extremely affectionate with company and friends (so long as they come through the front door with approval by us). Not attached to just one person. Protective & loving with the whole family. Stubborn as heck.
⇒I personally prefer the temperament of my female but I do love the size and structure of males.
⇒I had a male & on my 4th female, always felt a tighter bond with females plus no hiking the leg on everything
⇒I’ve always chosen males simply because I don’t understand females
⇒I have had a female and I have a male. My female liked to cuddle more so and more submissive, my male likes to cuddle on his terms and he protects. I think both of mine protected the same.
⇒We have a female she is great, she is very stubborn but great to train. She is very loyal and intelligent.
⇒I have had male and female. I noticed my female had an extreme kill drive more than my male. But she defended property and would hear a pin drop, whereas my male won’t let a single person near his people and is a massive cuddle bug.
⇒We’ve had three males and two females, love them all. The males do seem to bond with my wife and the females with me.
⇒I’ve had both, first two males. Then I wanted another, and they only had a female. So, I went with it. I found her willingness to try anything and train to please me more. My males were more independent thinkers and were more protective, but they trained hard and pleased me also. Just more independent. I think also different temperaments in the prospective pups make a huge difference.
⇒I have always preferred females over males with kids around. I’ve had 4 females and 2 males. In my opinion the females guard family and the males guarded territory.
⇒I think it’s all about the Dog. I’ve had two female Rottweilers and they were night and day different.
⇒OK as an import breeder I can tell you it matters what the dog is bred for. Some dogs are bred for prey drive some dogs are bred for ball drives. Dogs that are bred for prey drive are completely different. They tend to be higher drive whether they are male or female. Females don’t always get along with other females and males tend to be extremely dominant. Dogs that are bred for ball drive tend to have less temperament. Females tend to get along well with other females. Males don’t generally next well with either but it’s less of a bloodbath. Females generally tend to be family dogs. Much more interested then children and usually the husband’s dog. Males are almost always the wife’s dog. When you’re purchasing you should always take time to research your breeder and your dogs heritage. Breeders breed for different things. Make sure the dog that you purchase fits your home.
⇒Females are easier to train .. they protect the family .. males are more stubborn and protect their territory/property!
⇒I think females are easier to train and aren’t as stubborn as males.
⇒Have both, brother & sister. Other than female killing my grass, no other big concerns one over the other
⇒Female if you want Great personal protection. Males are yard duty.
⇒I feel the male Rotties are very protective and bond greatly with the female owners.
⇒Females are my preference because males tend to mark.
⇒Male dogs in my experience bond better with women and children and I, being a woman with a child wanted a dog that wanted nothing but us and love from us.
⇒I’ve always had both…But I much prefer males to females…my males have always been very protective of me.
⇒Females ruin my grass but I love her to bits but my male is a pure watchdog and wouldn’t let anyone on my property.
⇒Males more solid temperament yet less alerted especially when they are assure . Females are a little bit more gentle, softer temperament, and more alert.
⇒Have had both – males way easier going. Females take everything so seriously lol. They are sweet though and females are easier to train I find. I still prefer the male overall though.
⇒Had both, the females are much mellower than the males, even when the males have been fixed
⇒We have one of each male very laid back and the female is full of energy and very protective
⇒Male is better looking with big block head, female is very protective especially with children.
⇒Female because they protect their family.
⇒Gender has nothing to do with temperament! Size and “heat cycles” vs “marking” would be the only difference.
⇒Female dogs, in general, have that maternal instinct… Rottweilers are particularly strong in the guardian breeds as well…. Males are generally loveable oafs and wanting to please….Either way both require training and will enrich your life like no other breed can.
⇒Had 4 Bitches 3 Males, the bitches are easier to train and aren’t as headstrong as the males.
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Who Loves Rotties Whether They’re Male or Female?
You know I do! And I’m thinking you do, too! We’re not the only ones to give our heart to a Rottweilers, though! you may recognize some of these celebrities who also think the Rottweiler as an amazing, smart, strong, loving and loyal companion.
Will Smith owns a Rottweiler, and so do Hayden Panettiere, Bruno Mars, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robbie Williams, Tulisa Contostavlos and Miley Cyrus! We’re in good company, friends!
Rescuing a Male or Female Rottweiler Dog
Without question, there are Rottweilers in need of rescue! The difference between a rescue Rottie and one you acquire from a pet shop or breeder is that the rescues might require specialized conditioning or training. Many have been neglected or abused. Or both.
The rescue organization determines the dog’s capabilities and unique characteristics. Working closely with an organization will ensure the Rottweiler you get will fit both your lifestyle and the dog’s unique needs. I do not advocate for any particular ROTTWEILER RESCUE organization, this is an area you’ll have to do some research in for your local area. I sure am glad these organizations exist, though!
Well, I hope this may have helped you in some way in your decision of Male vs. Female Rottweiler: Which One Should I Get? Delima. Whichever you decide on, give it love, attention, and training!
Learn More!
Now that you are armed with information and have chosen your sex preference for owning a Rottie, you’ll want to know how to pick the perfect male or female puppy. We’ve got you covered! Check out the “Complete Guide to Buying a Rottweiler Puppy”.
Whether you opt for a male or a female Rottie, there are some things you should probably keep on hand! HERE are items you’ll need for your Rottweiler
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
Study Published November 22, 2017…Rottweilers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders
