False Myths About The Rottweiler – The True Nature of Rottweiler Dogs!

The Rottweiler

Rottweiler is a dog breed whose origin dates back to Roman times. During the invasion of Germania, the Romans crossed the Alps and were accompanied by highly protective and skilled herding dogs.

These Romans settled down and founded the settlement, the “Red Wil,” from which the name of the breed is derived. But the Rottweiler of the Romans was not the one we know nowadays. It was not the beautiful black and brown guard dog we see on the streets today. Instead, it was a Molossus Dog crossed from the Germanic dogs of the first centuries after Christ.

It is believed that the ancestors of this breed were used by Julius Caesar, who supported his armies with fresh meat instead of the traditional salty meat rations. Thus, they needed a strong and efficient dog to guide the livestock that accompanied the soldiers. Even today, people talk about the innate quality of the Rottweiler in herding.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Rottweil was one of the region’s most important cities for livestock trade. At that time, butchers bought live cattle from livestock dealers, at livestock markets, or from farmers on their farms.

It had to be moved over long distances back to the home slaughterhouse. The butchers then kept the cattle, sheep or goats on their farms, which were often located in the region around Breisgau and the Neckar Valley, until they were slaughtered. Over centuries, dogs had evolved to be an excellent support for the butcher in all his tasks.

The Rottweiler, “the butcher dog,” took over a whole range of tasks at that time. On the one hand, he accompanied the herds and drove the cattle. His strength and intelligence also made him a reliable watchdog, protecting the cattle from attacks by animals or rustlers. This was true both on the road and on the farm at home.

But the Rottweiler was more than just a cattle or guard dog. Its muscular stature and size had a threatening effect. In addition, the dogs were known for their courage and alertness. Due to its intelligence and loyalty, the Rottweiler became an irreplaceable companion, assisting the butcher in all activities. Like the Swiss mountain dogs, he also pulled carts when needed or carried smaller loads strapped to his back.

The Rottweiler is one of the oldest and most original breeds However, at the beginning of the 20th century, this ancient breed was in the process of extinction. Cattle drives were prohibited by law at that time. The railroad took over more and more the transport of cattle. As a result, the Rottweiler was hardly needed in its original function. Fortunately, supporters of the breed banded together at that time.

An adequate breed standard was established. Thus the old German breed has been preserved until today without significant changes!

There are many false Myths About The Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a Fighting Dog

No, the Rottweiler is not a fighting dog. The Rottweiler is just as little a fighting dog as the German Boxer, the Schnauzer or the Miniature Pinscher.

If we consider the origin and the original breeding goal, countless other breeds would be fighting dogs – including the famous shepherd and herding dogs.

With the proper training, the Rottweiler is a popular family dog that is also popular with police, rescue and guard services.

Rottweilers are extremely dangerous for children.

Children often test a dog’s patience. In many YouTube videos, Rottweilers can be seen handling these unruly children.

If you own a Rottweiler, your children should definitely be taught how to behave with these dogs, whether the family dog is a Rottweiler or a Golden Retriever. Most importantly, children should never be left alone with dogs unsupervised – no matter what breed they are.

In most cases of dog attacks on children, these attacks happened when the child was unsupervised and alone with the dog. If a child does not know how to handle a dog, it is not a good idea to leave them alone with the dog, regardless of its breed or size.

When Rottweilers are properly raised and educated, they are protective and loving towards all family members. They also make excellent watchdogs.

Rottweiler mixes are among the most child-friendly breeds available. The prerequisite is that they are well-behaved. With the right training, Rottweilers are loyal, loving dogs that people of all ages can enjoy.

Rottweilers are not more dangerous with children than any other breed of dog. The education of the dog is crucial.

Rottweilers are Dangerous and Aggressive Dogs by Nature.

One thing is for sure, Rottweilers are naturally large and powerful dogs, and if they are not properly trained and socialized or even made aggressive by unscrupulous owners, they pose a danger to other dogs and people.

As with any other dog breed, a Rottweiler can become dangerous and aggressive if abused, neglected or mistreated in any way.

Rottweilers are a protective breed by nature. One Study found that they are much more likely to be a danger to strangers than to their own families. However, since the Rottweiler is often kept as a guard dog, this is primarily due to their upbringing, not the breed.

When comparing breeds in terms of aggressive behavior, Rottweilers scored about the same as Poodles, Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

If you train your Rottweiler properly and take conscientious care of this dog, the Rottweiler will be a steadfast, friendly and affectionate dog, and you will have a lot of fun with him.

Rottweilers are very difficult to train

Rottweilers have been kept by humans as a guard, herding, and working dogs for a long time, beginning with their origins over 2000 years ago as descendants of the cattle dogs of the Roman armies.

Rottweilers were also used as hunting dogs. In modern times, Rottweilers are trained for police work, service and therapy dogs, and are used in the armed forces. Rottweilers are considered to be highly adapted to humans.

However, it is true that Rottweilers have very stubborn personalities but are also intelligent and love learning. When Rottweilers are adequately trained, they are very obedient family dogs. However, raising Rottweilers takes a certain amount of experience, time, and energy. Rottweiler training is not for beginners!

Raising a Rottweiler is not for beginners. These imposing animals need clear guidance from an owner they perceive as an authority figure. Considering their instincts and strength, consistent training is essential for Rottweilers from an early age. Excessive harshness, however, is counterproductive. Instead, the four-legged friend should learn to perceive his owner as a reliable partner who, however, is always in charge.

Practical tips for the education of your Rottweiler:

• Beatings are an absolute no-no in Rottweiler training.
• Praise and rewards are more likely to achieve the goal than punishment.
• Consistency is how a Rottweiler learns to behave correctly.
• Especially in the first months, young dogs need a lot of attention.
• Adult animals also need to be kept busy and exercised.
• In a dog school, owners of a Rottweiler receive support with education.

Rottweilers should be Kept Outside

There is some truth to this myth because many Rottweilers love to play outside, especially when it snows. Rottweilers can safely be outside in temperatures above -6 degrees. They have fur that insulates them and keeps them dry. However, Rottweilers should not be left outside for extended periods or in extreme cold.

You can take long walks with your Rottweiler in the winter, but I strongly advise against keeping your Rottweiler outside permanently.

Despite its past as a herding dog, Rottweilers today should not be kept outside day and night. Even the domesticated Rottweiler is a social breed that needs to be kept indoors and with the people who love your dog.

It is a fact that dogs that are outside 24/7 are more prone to aggression and territorial behavior. This is especially the case when dogs are tethered 24/7. If an owner keeps their Rottweiler tethered and neglected in the yard all day as a guard dog and it bites someone, the breed is often blamed and not the owner.

Rottweilers kept outside and separated from their owners become isolated, leading to depression, separation anxiety, and destructive behavior. Rottweilers should get a lot of outdoor exercises – playing, walking, running in the backyard – but because of its need for human companionship, you should bring your Rottweiler indoors to be with its family.

You can’t keep a Rottweiler together with other Dogs

This statement is completely false because any Rottweiler that has been properly trained and socialized will also learn to share a home with other animals. Proper training and also socialization from a young age are, of course, important.

If you plan to place your well-trained Rottweiler with other dogs, there is no need to worry. Rottweilers can live in harmony with other dogs without any problems.

Rottweilers usually get along very well with other dogs, but you must make sure that all dogs involved are neutered to avoid territorial behavior.

Even though Rottweilers can learn to live with other animals, however, you should always be careful with small pets that a dog might consider prey, such as cats or rabbits.

The Keeping of Rottweilers is Illegal

This is certainly not a false myth, and the fact is that owning Rottweilers is not illegal in any U.S. state. However, there are some cities in the U.S. where it is illegal to keep Rottweilers. You should always check your local laws before getting a Rottweiler.

In some countries, Rottweilers are banned altogether because of fears that the breed could be dangerous, but in the United States, Rottweilers are still legal. There is no complete ban on Rottweilers in any U.S. state, but some city laws apply specifically to Rottweilers, and not all apartment communities allow residents to keep these dogs.

Just because Rottweilers are legal, however, does not mean that a Rottweiler is acceptable to everyone. Your homeowner’s insurance may become more expensive.

Housing Laws and Dog Breeds

However, in cities where Rottweilers are allowed, some apartment communities and apartment complexes have site-specific regulations that prohibit residents from owning Rottweilers.

In Queens, New York, residents of a city-owned apartment complex are not allowed to keep Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers or Rottweilers on the property. This ban was imposed after numerous residents complained that these dogs were too vicious.

In Laurel, Maryland, an apartment complex made headlines in 2012 after it told a disabled resident who kept a Rottweiler as a service dog that she would have to move out or give away her Rottweiler dog because the breed was banned from the apartment complex.

This is very sad and the result of misinformation like the myths on this list.

Rottweilers often Attack their Owners

If you own a Rottweiler, you’ve probably heard many comments from people who say that your dog will eventually turn on you and attack you when you least suspect it. It doesn’t matter that your Rottweiler has kept you loving, loyal company for years – sooner or later, your dog will attack you, they say.

Rottweilers are loving, loyal dogs and also one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. These facts directly contradict the misconception that Rottweilers turn on their owners. If this were the case, these dogs would certainly not be so popular!

Yes, there have been cases of Rottweilers attacking and biting their owners, but these cases exist in virtually every breed of dog. The common denominator is how the dog was treated.

A Rottweiler that has been beaten or mistreated by its owner will be fearful and stressed. It is understandable that the dog might try to bite this hand that is hitting him the next time he is hit.

You should never use physical punishment as a disciplinary measure against a Rottweiler or any other Dog breed. If treated with love and kindness, a Rottweiler will never turn on its owner.

Why Rottweilers can still be a Risk

Despite their supposedly peaceful nature, this breed seems to pose a danger, at least to a certain extent. At least, that is what various studies suggest, concluding that Rottweilers are responsible for an above-average number of biting attacks.

In addition, there is a considerable strength that Rottweilers possess. Male dogs weigh about 50 kilos and reach a shoulder height of up to 68 centimeters. Therefore, if an attack by a Rottweiler occurs, it often has dire consequences for the victim.

Nevertheless, the cause of problems is likely to lie primarily in the wrong education of the Rottweiler, as well as a lack of socialization of the animal. This is because the Rottweiler is one of the breeds with a strong protective instinct and a pronounced territorial behavior, which is why inadequate education can very quickly lead to undesirable behavior in him.

Fatal dog attacks in USA & Canada 1982 – 2019

[visualizer id=”4697″ lazy=”no” class=””]

Concerning the above statistics, it should be noted that they are not related to the number of registered dog breeds. Until the year 1978, there were no registered bites and attacks by Rottweilers.

Only when the Rottweiler was trained more and more as a hunting dog from 1980 on did people slowly become aware of this dog breed in the USA. The dog breed also became more and more popular, and unfortunately, also trained as a fighting dog and aggressive behavior by irresponsible breeders.

Unfortunately, certain segments of the public are under the illusion that only lethal and dangerous dogs are good guard dogs.

Although the guard dogs preferred by night watchmen in history were dogs that warn and bark, not those that charge and bite strangers without warning.

Conclusion

Rottweiler dogs have a reputation for being aggressive and dangerous, but this is simply a myth. While it is true that Rottweilers can be strong and protective, they are also intelligent, loyal, and affectionate pets that can make great companions.

One of the biggest myths about Rottweilers is that they are naturally aggressive. In reality, aggression in dogs is often the result of poor training and socialization, not genetics. Rottweilers, like all breeds, need proper training and socialization to become well-behaved and well-adjusted pets.

Another myth about Rottweilers is that they are only suitable for protection work, such as guarding or police work. While Rottweilers can excel in these roles, they are also versatile and can excel in a variety of activities, including obedience, tracking, and therapy work. Rottweilers are intelligent and adaptable, and they thrive with a purpose and a job to do.

It’s also important to note that Rottweilers, like all breeds, have their own unique personalities. Some Rottweilers may be more reserved and protective, while others may be more outgoing and friendly. It’s important to remember that every dog is an individual and should be treated as such. However, owning and training a Rottweiler requires a certain amount of experience, which is why we advise beginners to choose another breed.

In conclusion, the myth that Rottweilers are aggressive and dangerous is simply not true. With proper training and socialization, Rottweilers can be loving and loyal pets that bring joy and companionship to their families. If you’re considering adding a Rottweiler to your family, be sure to do your research and choose a responsible breeder who can provide you with a well-raised, healthy puppy.Regenerate response

The Rottweiler is a large and strong breed of dog that, due to its original purpose as a breed, sometimes exhibits problematic instincts. Nevertheless, it is easily possible to find a loyal companion in this breed who also acts lovingly towards children.