“Rottweilers are naturally aggressive” yelled every person ever that has not owned or met a Rottweiler ever. There is a very common myth that Rottweilers do not make good family dogs because of their genetics and that they are just born to be aggressive dogs and do not belong in our homes.
So, is this true? Are Rottweilers aggressive by nature? Rottweilers are naturally moderately aggressive towards people, similar to Huskies, Dachshunds, and Poodles, but are more aggressive towards dogs of the same sex, smaller pets, and unfamiliar people. Rottweilers are actually less aggressive towards people than Beagles, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russel Terriers.
The truth is that most people don’t really understand dog aggression and don’t know the whole story behind the news they hear when they see that a Rottweiler attacked someone. To understand how aggressive Rottweilers are, keep reading.
Are Rottweilers aggressive by nature?
Aggressive behavior in dogs is very serious not only for the individuals, but for the community in general, so it’s no wonder the backlash we see against Rottweilers when there are news of another Rottweiler attack, but is this justified? Are rotties really aggressive by nature?
If we take a look at just the numbers, they certainly look like it:
For example, if we look at the stats of dog bites, we can see that since 1982, Rottweilers have attacked 627 people, 119 of which have been killed. The majority of those attacks also were on children (385).
Stats also tell us that Rottweilers, while being less than 2% of the dog population in the US and Canada, are responsible for more than 10.4% of the attacks, which means that Rottweilers are 10 times more likely to attack than other dog breeds and are only less aggressive than Pitbulls.
But here is something I’ve learned in my years as an engineer; It’s really freaking easy to make the stats say anything you want it to say. I dug into the truth of these numbers and what they really mean in this article on why are Rottweilers killing people here.
On the other hand, if we look at what the researchers have found about Rottweilers behavior, we can find that almost every study done on the subject found that Rottweilers were actually no more aggressive than other dogs whether that aggression is towards other animals or people.
Rottweilers were found to be less aggressive than dogs such as Chihuahuas and King Spaniels, which will come as a surprise to many, I’m sure.
Rottweilers have a history of being working dogs, which means that they have had to learn to be peaceful and quiet with people around them, otherwise they were left out.
Why are rottweilers aggressive today?
The fact is that the high rate of dog bites involving this breed is due to neglectful owners and dogfighting enthusiasts being drawn to it, and that the dog is trained to be aggressive for cultural reasons.
The actual blame for violent Rottweilers should be placed on their bad ownership, neglect, and/or abuse.
Rottweilers are highly energetic, but if they don’t get enough exercise, they may become destructive and frantic. These aren’t dogs that like to sit about. If the owner is unable to give his dog attention or activity, he should not acquire a Rottweiler. Rottweilers should never be left alone for extended periods of
The Rottweiler is a working dog that needs to do something, whether it’s herding livestock or serving as a loving family guardian. If you can’t give your Rottweiler one of these activities, he may become bored and mischievous.
Why do Rottweilers get aggressive?
Rottweilers will get naturally aggressive when protecting their owners, property, or possessions.
Rottweilers are not only very protective of their owners, but they are also highly territorial. This breed of dog is very aware of its surroundings and will attack if it senses that there’s a threat. If your Rottweiler fears no one, then he won’t get aggressive over anything.
Rottweilers will also get aggressive if they have been neglected or mistreated, which is also true for all other dogs no matter the breed.
Are Rottweilers aggressive by nature towards kids?
Rottweilers are naturally protective of younglings, and they will be watchful and alert when around young kids more than usual while staying gentle when in close proximity to the kid.
However, the stats show that Rottweilers do attack kids twice as much as people, so you should not leave your kid unsupervised with your kid.
Are Rottweilers aggressive by nature towards strangers?
Rottweilers are naturally wary of strangers, but not necessarily aggressive. You can train your Rottweiler at a young age to not be territorial and to not be way of strangers and you can weed out the aggression towards strangers completely of their system if done right.
Is a Rottweiler a Good Family Dog?
Rottweilers are loving, loyal family pets. They’re wonderful members of the family and excellent guard dogs for homes. Because they prefer to follow their favorite person from room to room, they are always within sight. They get along well with children and other pets but should still be supervised.
Rottweilers are usually sociable and would like to be around people and other dogs if possible. They can misbehave as a result of boredom or nervousness, although they bark when required by law. Rotties are intelligent dogs with a close family bond that is sensitive because of it.
Many liability insurance firms, however, will not cover Rottweilers since they are deemed a “poor breed.” Learn more about dog liability insurance.
Rottweilers are one of the 10 brightest dog breeds, and they respond well to training. It’s highly encouraged to help them fulfill their potential.
You’ll also want to socialize your Rottweiler as soon as possible, giving him the best odds of having a pleasant disposition and preventing aggressive behavior
Helpful Resources
Breed differences in canine aggression
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