All dog breeds have stereotypes attached to them. However, there’s no truth to many of them – in fact, they can actually be harmful. Here, we’ll take a look at the top five misconceptions surrounding Rottweilers, and dispel them.
Rottweilers Are Inherently Vicious and Aggressive
Rottweilers might be large dogs, and they might look intimidating – particularly to somebody who doesn’t have experience with big dogs. However, they aren’t inherently vicious or aggressive. In fact, according to one study, Chihuahuas were generally more aggressive.
But like dogs of any breed, Rottweilers can become aggressive if they’re mistreated or abused.
Rottweilers Don’t Get On Well With Other Animals
There’s no reason why a Rottweiler who’s been trained properly shouldn’t get on well with and even live with other animals. Of course, early socialization and carefully-managed introductions are important.
Dogs are carnivores, however. So, it’s worth being extra cautious when it comes to smaller animals that dogs might think of as prey, like rabbits.
They Are Dangerous Around Children
People sometimes consider Rottweilers unsuitable or unsafe pets for families with children. However, they aren’t inherently dangerous around them. A well-trained Rottweiler will be protective and loving of all family members.
Of course, it’s important to ensure that your child knows how to behave around animals and treat them properly. In most cases when a dog attacks a child, adults leave them together unsupervised. For this reason, it’s best to supervise children around dogs, particularly if they don’t know how to treat them.
Rotties Are Difficult to Train
This simply isn’t true. Rottweilers are among the most intelligent dogs, and they have a rich and varied history of carrying out all sorts of jobs – they tend to find learning new commands easy.
When trained correctly, Rottweilers make highly obedient dogs. You might need to shake up your training sessions to keep up their interest. However, these dogs are certainly not difficult to train.
They Should Be Kept Outside
Like many dogs, Rottweilers love being outside, and this might be in part where this myth comes from. Rottweiler owners should feel free to take their dogs on long walks and trips to the park. However, they shouldn’t leave their dogs outside all the time.
When dogs are left outside 24/7, particularly if they’re tied up, they’re more likely to be aggressive and territorial. If a Rottweiler who’s been left outside displays this behavior, the breed as a whole is more likely to get the blame than the owner who’s actually at fault.
