Rottweilers are one of the most popular dog breeds for guard and personal protection dogs. In fact, in the United States, Rottweilers are ranked eighth out of 195 registered purebred dog breeds in terms of popularity.
A well-bred, well-trained Rottweiler dog, whether male or female, will be able to differentiate between a friend and a foe and know how to respond appropriately.
But some people believe that gender does matter when it comes to how well a Rottweiler will serve you as a guard dog.
In this article, we look closely at both camps and the pros and cons of choosing a female Rottweiler for your guard dog. Do female Rottweilers make good guard dogs? Let’s find out now!
What Is the Difference Between Female and Male Rottweiler Dogs?
The first and most obvious difference between the female and male Rottweiler dogs that most people notice is in terms of size.
The adult Rottweiler generally weighs anywhere from 80 to 135 pounds, with males weighing about 15 pounds more than females, on average.
Similarly, adult Rottweilers typically stand anywhere from 22 to 27 inches tall (paw pads to shoulders), with males standing about two inches taller than females.
As the American Rottweiler Club explains, for people looking for the most imposing appearance in their protection canine (K9), in most cases, the male adult Rottweiler will be a slam-dunk choice.
But this isn’t the only difference between the female and male adult Rottweiler as we will discuss in the next section here.
Male vs. Female Rottweiler Temperament
Depending on who you ask and what their past experiences with Rottweilers have been like, you may hear that the male vs. female Rottweiler temperament is similar or very different.
As one Rottweiler breeder with 30 years of experience states, males can tend to be more dominant and aggressive in their behaviors.
Males can also be more challenging and stubborn to socialize and train.
Females, on the other hand, tend to be more affectionate and easier to house-train (something to keep in mind if you have never house-trained a puppy before!).
This experienced Rottweiler breeder says that female Rotties are easier for female handlers to train and manage, perhaps because they are slightly smaller and lighter.
The breeder also points out that females generally exhibit a more even temperament, while males will be more prone to inappropriate marking and eliminating.
Another experienced Rottweiler breeder has similar views in regards to females versus males in terms of both size and temperament.
However, this breeder states that both males and females will display aggression towards other dogs of the same gender. This can be important to know if you plan to add a Rottweiler of either gender to your family and already have another dog.
Still another consideration to keep in mind is whether you plan to have your Rottweiler “fixed” (spayed or neutered) or you plan to breed Rottweilers in the future.
An intact Rottweiler adult male may be more challenging to train and may never completely outgrow aggression towards other adult male dogs.
Conversely, an intact Rottweiler adult female may display more temperament variances due to hormonal cycles and may also “blow coat” (shed profusely) during heat cycles.
Do Female Rottweilers Make Good Guard Dogs?
Are Rottweilers Protective Dogs? The simplest answer to this question is “yes.”
Rottweilers are an ancient dog breed that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire when these dogs ran beside their masters in battle and defended the herds of livestock traveling with the soldiers from poachers and predators.
Both male and female Rottweilers are true heavyweights in the canine world in every way. They are fiercely intelligent, emotionally sensitive, extremely bonded to “their” people, and incredibly loyal.
So both genders of Rottweiler make equally good guard dogs and personal protection dogs. However, a female Rottweiler may be a better choice for a guard dog in some cases.
1. Females are easier for first-time Rottweiler owners
First-time Rottweiler owners and trainers, in particular, can benefit from choosing a female Rottweiler puppy. Because the females typically weigh less and are slightly shorter, it can be easier for an inexperienced owner (whether female or male) to train and control.
2. Female Rottweilers may have more trainable temperaments
Females are also said to be more nurturing and affectionate in keeping with their maternal roles, although this may be tempered somewhat if you choose to get your female Rottie fixed.
Conversely, a fixed adult female will have a more even temperament without interference from the hormonal fluctuations of heat cycles.
A smaller, shorter, slightly less powerful Rottweiler adult with an even temperament and affectionate personality is a better fit for a first-time owner.
3. As adults, male Rottweilers may actually be calmer and more trainable
As this Rottweiler owner forum thread highlights, in some cases, male Rottweilers can actually be more trainable and easier to control once they are grown up and fixed.
Females can develop over-protective traits that can cause maternal aggression.
4. Rottweiler puppies get their main traits from the female parent dog
As one notable Rottweiler breeder and kennel owner explains, all the main traits a given Rottweiler puppy receives will come from the female parent dog.
This means that one of the best and most reliable ways to determine what temperament your female Rottweiler will have when a grown-up is to meet and spend time with each parent dog.
You can learn a great deal from interacting with the parent dogs, from the approximate adult size and height to how aggressive or affectionate your puppy has the potential to become.
Which Gender of Rottweiler Should You Choose: Female or Male
Even the most meticulous Rottweiler breeder can only predict to a certain extent what traits a Rottweiler puppy will grow up to display. As well genetics will take you only so far when you are choosing a Rottweiler as a guard dog.
If your Rottweiler is basically healthy overall, whether male or female, then you are essentially given a blank slate on which to build a well-trained, well-socialized, and well-adjusted adult guard dog you can count on to protect you.
As you have learned in the previous sections here, there are pros and cons to choosing a female versus a male Rottweiler puppy.
Some dog owners may find a female is a bit easier to handle and work with. Others may find they prefer males.
Still, others may find there are no real differences in gender once a Rottweiler puppy gets fixed, and the outcome really hinges on what quality and depth of training is provided.
What to Look for When Choosing Your Rottweiler Guard Dog
As this YouTube video made by a Master Trainer and owner of a protection dog service states, ultimately, it is a case-by-case basis on which gender of Rottweiler will make a better protection dog.
1. Look for the temperament and traits of the individual dog
Rather than choosing simply based on gender, make your choice based on the individual dog. As we mentioned earlier, meeting the parent dogs is an excellent way to get a good sense of what your Rottie puppy will be like when all grown up.
Sometimes a female dog will act more dominant or stubborn, and a male dog will act more affectionate and even-tempered. The key is the individual dog and how that dog was bred, raised, and trained.
2. Choose a dog that will match well with your existing dogs
Since male to male and female to female aggression can be particularly common with guard dog breeds like the Rottweiler, if you already have one gender in your family, choosing the opposite gender is definitely a smart move.
3. Talk with the breeder before selecting your puppy
One of the best ways to pick out your guard dog that is often overlooked is to work with an experienced, knowledgeable Rottweiler breeder.
The best breeders actually work one-to-one with each customer to select the puppy that will best meet their needs, goals, and lifestyle.
A knowledgable breeder is an invaluable asset to match you with the right guard dog for your experience level, personality, and preferences.
4. Work with a professional protection dog trainer
One of the main reasons the gender question crops up so frequently when choosing a Rottweiler is because these dogs are not generally considered to be “easy” for first-time owners to handle and train.
Rather than looking to your dog’s gender to meet your needs, consider hiring a professional protection dog trainer to show you the ropes and ensure your new Rottie grows up to be the guard dog you need her to be.
