The good and bad points of owning a Rottweiler
If you are thinking of having a Rottweiler as a pet or a working dog but you don’t know much about them, here are some facts you should know. This breed of dog originated in Germany and today you will find that a German Rottweiler is more muscular and shorter than your standard American Rottweiler. For whatever reason, as the breed developed and time passed, the American breed became slimmer, less muscular, and taller. For this reason, if you are looking for a pet that can participate in more muscular sports such as cars, German dogs will be the best. If you are looking for more in an area like agility, then an American one is probably the best option.
A Rottie can be your worst enemy or an excellent companion depending on the circumstances. Everyone wants to know if a Rottweiler is a better watchdog than a companion or if it can be used as a family pet. There are many traits of this breed that make it a logical choice for someone with a family, someone looking for a guard dog, and someone who is alone and looking for a companion.
Pros:
The Rottweiler is brave, loyal, protective and devoted to his family and will protect it fiercely. Although powerful, they are very smart, calm, and easy to train. The Rottie has proven its worth in police and military work over the centuries and has even been trained for obedience competition. Although trained quite easily, they need a steady, calm hand and must learn that you are the leader of the pack. Once established, you will have no problem if you train them with kindness rather than using harsh methods.
This breed has a very tough image and is a natural guard dog with a laid back yet dependable temperament which is why it is so good. Usually, if you say Rottweiler, everyone automatically assumes that the dog is aggressive. This is true, but only when they are trained that way or when they are taught to be bullies. It is true that they are powerful and their appearance often deter transgressors.
A new idea that has been used recently for a pet Rottie is the idea of using him as a therapy dog. Most people looking for therapy dogs automatically think of a Labrador or similar breed, but a Rottweiler is also a good choice. Given the chance, they can be just as loving and well behaved as the lab.
One activity that can be done with your pet is monitoring. When participating in this fun activity and hobby, you will need a dog that has a great tracking scent. Rottweilers have a strong sense of smell and can easily follow a scent without much guidance. Regardless, this could be a good task to teach your dog as it pushes his limits and tests his ability.
Cons:
It can be difficult to convince an owner of a pet Rottweiler, as it has been given many negative reviews in the past; however, if you own your home or the landlord doesn’t care, they can be great for households with children.
Due to their size, they are not a good house dog, although they generally relax indoors. A Rottie needs a lot of exercise and will do best with an active family that can provide a great deal of exercise.
Your Rottweiler pet may suffer from hip dysplasia and entropion (narrowing of the cleft between the eyelids). They tend to snore loudly, which may make it necessary to house them outside of the living room. Their eating habits need to be controlled, as they will overeat if given the opportunity.
In general, the Rottweiler is an excellent choice for pets if you are looking for a large dog. Knowing that your pet can be all of these positive things and more, why would you want to find another breed of dog? Don’t let his reputation fool you and trust your instincts about what the dog is about and not what you’ve heard about what he can do. If you or your family are active and do a lot of things outdoors, then a Rottie could be the ideal pet for you. They are large dogs and need space, so don’t try to make them a household pet. A large patio or area where they can run is ideal.
