Rottweilers have long been a popular dog breed, known for their impressive size and loyal nature. However, their reputation for aggression has led to many debates and concerns about their safety around people.
Are Rottweilers truly aggressive, and if so, at what age do they start exhibiting this behavior? How do they compare to other breeds, like Pitbulls, regarding aggression? Moreover, why are some Rottweilers more aggressive than others?
In this article, we’ll delve into these questions and more, exploring the complexities of Rottweiler behavior and whether or not they pose a danger to humans.
What Age do Rottweilers Get Aggressive?
When Rottweilers enter puberty, at around 6 to 9 months of age, they begin to exert their dominance and impulsive instincts. If not checked, these behaviors can lead to aggression in your Rottweiler, so training and proper socialization are vital.
Are Rottweilers Aggressive?
Rottweilers are not naturally aggressive but can become aggressive if they are not properly trained or socialized. While they may react to specific people or situations with aggression, with proper training from a young age, Rottweilers can learn to be calm and friendly around strangers and other dogs. It’s important to note that aggression in dogs is often the result of poor training, socialization, and ownership rather than breed-specific traits.
Why Are People Afraid of Rottweilers?
People often fear Rottweilers because they have a bad reputation for being dangerous and aggressive dogs. This reputation is largely unfounded, as Rottweilers can be loving and loyal family pets with proper training and socialization. However, the media and popular culture have often portrayed Rottweilers as vicious attack dogs, contributing to their negative image.
Are Rottweilers More Aggressive Than Pitbulls?
Regarding aggression, both Rottweilers and PitBulls have a reputation for being potentially dangerous. However, a study suggests that Rottweilers may be more aggressive than PitBulls.
Rottweilers have sharp canines and a powerful build, which can make them formidable guard dogs. However, they are often kept in isolation and tied with chains, which can contribute to aggressive behavior.
On the other hand, pit bulls have long been used in dogfighting and are generally considered more aggressive than Rottweilers. However, like Rottweilers, pit bulls’ temperaments can be tamed with proper training and socialization.
With an experienced and assertive owner, both breeds can make loyal and loving family pets. Pitbulls are generally more friendly toward strangers than Rottweilers and make worse guard dogs.
Rottweilers and Bite Force
Rottweilers are known for their strong bite force, which measures the pressure applied when they bite. According to experts, a Rottweiler can bite with a force of 328 pounds per square inch (PSI), which is quite impressive.
Rottweilers have a robust and muscular physique that allows them to exert much pressure when biting. This breed was initially bred to protect and herd livestock, making their strong bite force a valuable asset.
Why Are Some Rottweilers More Aggressive Than Others?
Some people want an aggressive dog, and Rottweilers are a real force to be reckoned with, especially if they protect a home or business. They’re such huge, powerful animals that a burglar or attacker would think twice before selecting a property guarded by a Rottweiler.
It’s important to remember that while some dogs are naturally more inclined toward protective, seemingly aggressive instincts, so much depends on their training and socialization.
Aggressive Rottweilers used as guard dogs have often been trained to show possessive, jealous reactions to people entering their space or attempting to touch their property.
Not only that, but Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive because of the damage that they can inflict if they choose to show that aggression. An angry Rottweiler only needs one bite to cause life-changing damage, whereas a furious Yorkshire Terrier would inflict nowhere near as much.
There’s no need to presume that your Rottweiler will grow to be an aggressive dog, but the only way that you can ensure these behaviors are checked and controlled is to put in the time to train and socialize your dog from a very early age.
Signs Your Rottweiler May be Getting Aggressive
If your Rottweiler has been well trained since an early age and is doing well being socialized with other dogs, then it’s unlikely they’ll suddenly become aggressive overnight without warning.
However, hormones can play havoc with any adolescent, and your dog is no different! So, there are sure signs to look out for in your Rottweiler’s behavior that could give you an idea that an aggressive temperament is beginning to develop.
These signs include:
- Low growling
- Teeth baring
- Staring
- Snapping
- Barking at strangers
It’s essential that, as an owner, you don’t allow these behaviors to continue. If a Rottweiler is allowed to develop an aggressive personality, it’s much harder to undo later. What’s vital is to cut out these behaviors before they’re allowed to get any worse. Should you muzzle a rottweiler to keep it safe?
At the same time, balance out the curbing of bad behaviors with the reward of good ones. When your Rottweiler obeys a command and listens to you, reward this with a treat and plenty of praise. Dogs love to make their owners happy, and your Rottweiler will understand that positive reinforcement is a much better outcome.
Are Rottweilers Dangerous?
Rottweilers are known to be dangerous dogs, but this is largely a myth. While Rottweilers are physically powerful and can be protective of their owners, they are not inherently aggressive or dangerous. Like any dog breed, Rottweilers can become aggressive if they are poorly trained, socialized, mistreated, or abused. However, with proper training, socialization, and responsible ownership, Rottweilers can be loving and loyal family pets.
It’s important to note that Rottweilers can be very aggressive when they need to protect their owners or territory, and a bite from a Rottweiler can be fatal. However, having a Rottweiler in the house is generally not a significant danger if proper care is taken.
Rottweiler owners must be conscious of their dog’s temperament and provide adequate training, socialization, and care to ensure they are well-behaved and safe around other people and pets.
Are Rottweilers Truly More Dangerous Than Other Dog Breeds?
Once you understand how a larger, wider mouth can equate to a stronger, more potentially dangerous bite force, some of the myth and mystery surrounding “dangerous” dog breeds begins to fade.
But bite force and mouth strength are not the only components determining whether a species is more or less dangerous.
Take the Asian tiger snake, which has a very small mouth that can deliver enough poison to rank it as the 10th most poisonous animal in the world. This snake is proof that size and danger don’t always correlate.
When Should You Begin to Train Your Rottweiler?
Training of any puppy begins the moment you get it home. All puppies should immediately be started on a training program, as you show them the correct way to go to the toilet before moving on to easy commands like sit and stay.
A Rottweiler needs more guidance than other dogs because it will quickly grow into a powerful animal whose strength needs to be checked by an owner who takes charge and knows what they’re doing.
Rottweilers can quickly become unruly and difficult to control because they’re so powerful and confident. They have a naturally dominant nature which, when left unchecked, means they can begin to feel like they are in charge.
Training a dog should be something the whole family gets involved in, but it should not be left to younger members to set the rules. Instead, an older family member should take the lead, as the dog will naturally seek a pack leader to follow.
If there is no pack leader, the Rottweiler will quickly aim to become dominant, and this is where problems will arise. No dog should be the boss of the family; instead, it should quickly understand its place in the hierarchy.
Training Includes Socialization
If a Rottweiler is confined to the house, then on the rare occasion it meets another dog or person, it’ll be confusing and immediately step into an aggressive, protective mode.
That’s why allowing your puppy to meet with other dogs from an early age is essential. They will learn social behaviors, take cues from other animals, and learn that new friends of any kind are exciting but not frightening.
Often, a dog we think is aggressive is simply frightened, and barking, growling, and biting are done out of fear. These behaviors may not even get the chance to develop if your dog is properly socialized with others.
Be Consistent, and Know When to Seek Help
Committing to a dog is always a big decision, but committing to a Rottweiler takes even more consideration. They require plenty of attention and firm and consistent training because, very quickly, this large and powerful dog could begin to take over.
If you cannot handle the training alone, contact people who can help. There’s no embarrassment in letting someone know you need extra support from someone with more experience, and they will help you with your Rottweiler training.
Rottweilers, like children, need a firm, consistent and loving hand in their training. Combining all three will mean a healthy, well-trained, protective, but not aggressive dog.
Consider Spaying or Neutering Your Rottweiler
If you’re not planning to breed from your Rottweiler, you should ensure they are spayed or neutered once they reach puberty. This means that males should be neutered around six months old, and females, once they have had one season.
You shouldn’t worry that neutering your pet will change its personality. Rather than altering their temperament, neutering will help curb the natural dominating traits in your pet, such as marking, guarding, and other territorial behavior.
Spaying females are known to reduce the risk of uterine and mammary cancers, too, so not only are you ensuring that you have a less aggressive Rottweiler, but you’ll also have a healthier one.
Rottweilers as Family Dogs
Rottweilers can make excellent family dogs, as they are loyal, protective, and affectionate towards their owners. However, it is essential to remember that Rottweilers are a large and powerful breed, and they require proper training and socialization to be well-behaved around children and other pets.
Rottweilers as First-Time Dogs
While Rottweilers can make excellent pets for experienced dog owners, they may not be the best choice for first-time dog owners. Rottweilers require a lot of attention and training, and they can become destructive or aggressive if they are not correctly cared for. Additionally, Rottweilers are a large and powerful breed that can be intimidating for first-time dog owners.
It’s Worth the Time and Effort!
These large, confident dogs love to please their owners, so by putting in the time and effort to train and socialize your Rottweiler, you can be sure that your pet remains calm but a protective family member.