Are Rottweilers Good Guard Dogs?
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Looking for reliable protection for your home? Asking, are rottweilers good guard dogs? Let’s look at whether a Rottweiler might be the right breed for you.
Rottweilers are known for their ‘protector’ status and passionate loyalty towards their owners.
Here are some pros and cons for you to weigh before getting a Rottweiler as a guard dog. For more general Rottweiler pros and cons head to the link.
Pros
- Alertness: Rottweilers keep a constant vigilance of their surroundings and will alert you of any potential threat.
- Strength: Rottweilers are big and powerful thus intimidating any would-be intruders.
- Loyalty: Rottweilers are fiercely loyal and will do their best to protect their owners.
- Intelligence: Rottweilers are a highly intelligent working breed so they are easy to train for personal and property protection.
- Fearless: Rottweilers do not know fear and will always stand their ground to protect their owners.
Cons
- Aggressiveness: Rottweilers are often aggressive if not properly socialized and trained.
- Dominance: Rottweilers are domineering and need firm training control.
- Exercise: Rottweilers are a high-energy breed needing a lot of daily exercise.
- Grooming: Rottweilers have a short, thick coat that requires constant grooming.
- Legal Restrictions: Some locations don’t allow Rottweilers due to their reputation as aggressive guard dogs.
The Rottweiler is a great choice for anyone wanting a loyal and protective guard dog. However, these dogs must be properly socialized and trained so as not to attack anyone and everyone.
Their aggression needs to be purposeful and controlled, otherwise there will be consequences. As a Rotty owner, you must be prepared for the dog’s high energy and aggressive behavior and be able to control the dog at all times.
Are Rottweilers Good Guard Dogs? Let’s Dive Into the Detail
Training a Rottweiler
Properly training a Rottweiler is a top priority so they are well-behaved, obedient, and socialized.
Here are some things to keep in mind when training your Rottweiler:
Socialization
Socialization is a big part of training your Rottweiler. Rotties need to learn how to behave with other dogs, people, and animals in a good way. Socialization has to begin at a young age and continue throughout your Rotty’s life. They must be taught to “play nice”.
Here are some tips for socializing your Rottweiler:
- Let your Rottweiler meet and greet different people and pets.
- Encourage positive behaviour with other dogs and people.
- Use positive reinforcement to reward your Rotty for good behaviour.
- Don’t scold or hit your Rottweiler for bad behaviour.
Obedience
Obedience training is critical for your Rottweiler. Your dog has to learn the basics like sit, stay, come, heel, and down.
Here are some tips for obedience training your Rottweiler:
- Always use positive reinforcement to reward good behaviour.
- Be consistent with your commands and expectations.
- Start with the basics then go to more advanced commands.
- Use treats, toys, and praise to motivate your Rottweiler.
Rottweilers are very smart and trainable, but they can be stubborn and hard-headed dogs at times. As an owner, you must be patient and consistent with your training, or your Rottweiler won’t be obedient and you will not be satisfied. Remember, these are working dogs that need mental and physical stimulation.
Rottweiler Temperament
Rottweilers are known for their strong and confident temperament. They are intelligent dogs that can be affectionate and loyal to their owners. Let’s take a closer look at the different aspects of their temperament.
Confident
Rottweilers are highly confident dogs that are not easily intimidated particularly when they take a defensive stance. These traits translate into Rotties being perfect guard dogs and ideal protectors. However, this Rotty confidence is often interpreted as aggression and meanness if they are not behaviour trained and socialized.
Intelligent
Rottweilers are very smart dogs. Because they are quick learners they can be easily trained to do several jobs. But, this intelligence means that they become bored easily if not given enough to do or they don’t get enough human interaction. Rottweiler owners have to give these dogs plenty of exercise and training to keep them busy and tired.
Affectionate
Despite their ‘bad dog’ reputation, Rottweilers are very affectionate towards their owners. They bond strongly with their adoptive family and are usually very loyal pets. At the same time, they are defensive and wary of strangers. This trait makes puppy socialization a ‘must-do’!
Adult Rottweilers can be well-behaved and friendly if properly trained and socialized as a pet. But, they can also be menacing ‘junk yard’ dogs if deprived of love and trained as guard dogs.
Anatomy of a Rottweiler
As a potential owner, you need to understand the anatomical makeup of a Rottweiler. This breed is very strong and very big. Rotties are solidly built dogs so it’s a popular breed for those who want a large, powerful dog.
Here are some key physical features of the Rottweiler:
Size
Rottweilers are a large breed, with males typically standing 24-27 inches tall and females standing 22-25 inches tall. They are BIG dogs! These ‘bad boys’ are also slightly longer than they are tall, giving them a ‘Ford Tough’ solidly built appearance.
Weight
Male Rottweilers can range in weight from 95-135 pounds — females typically weigh between 80-100 pounds. This breed is known for being strong and intelligent, so be sure you can handle their size, weight, and strength before bringing one home.
Shedding
Rottweilers have a short, thick coat that sheds throughout the year. They are not heavy shedders and they typically shed worse in the hot summer months. So, groom regularly as needed but don’t overdo it. Brushing once or twice a week should be enough to keep shedding under control.
They are relatively easy to groom because of their short coats. However, their massive size and intimidating strength may not be for everyone. Be sure to carefully consider whether a Rottweiler is your right breed choice before bringing one home. Remember, puppies grow up!
Cost of Owning a Rottweiler
Owning a Rottweiler can be a significant money drain. Before bringing a Rottweiler home, it’s really important to know the costs you may incur:
Initial Cost
Purchasing a Rottweiler can cost big bucks, but the cost will vary depending on the pedigree and the breeder. You can expect to pay a range from $1,000 to $5,000 for a Rottweiler puppy. It’s essential to do your research and find a reputable breeder who can provide you with a healthy, papered puppy.
If registration and pedigree are not important to you, and you just want a big pet, then check locally for your new best friend. Just keep in mind that Rotties and some family members may not be a good match.
Monthly Expenses
Once you bring your Rottweiler home, there will be monthly expenses. Some of these expenses include:
- Food: Rottweilers are a large breed and require a significant amount of food. Expect a dog food cost of $50 to $100 per month.
- Veterinary Care: Rottweilers are susceptible to injuries, parasites, hip dysplasia, and obesity. Routine checkups, vaccinations, and preventative care can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per year.
- Training and Socialization: Rottweilers need proper training and socialization to be well-mannered, disciplined pets. Professional training can cost dearly each month.
- Grooming: Rottweilers have a short, easy-to-maintain coat, but they still require regular bathing, brushing, and nail trimming. Professional Groomers are expensive and many won’t even groom big dogs, like Rottweilers. Even home-use DIY grooming supplies can cost over $100 a year.
Other Costs
In addition, there are other costs attached to owning a Rottweiler:
- Pet Insurance: Pet insurance can help cover the cost of unexpected veterinary bills. But, Pet insurance premiums can be expensive depending on the coverage.
- Boarding and Pet Sitting: Planning a trip? Travel without your Rottweiler will cost you in terms of boarding or pet-sitting services. These services typically cost anywhere from $25 to $75 per day.
- Treats, Toys and Accessories: Rottweilers are active dogs that need plenty of training, exercise, and mental stimulation. Healthy treats are expensive. And, toys and accessories can cost well over $100 per year.
Owning a Rottweiler can be a huge money drain. But, with a bit of planning and monthly budgeting, you can give a pet Rotty a fun and healthy life.
Rottweiler Stigmas
Maybe you’ve experienced the big dog stigma common to Rottweilers. Because this breed is frequently portrayed as a hyper-aggressive and vicious man-eater, discrimination and prejudice against them prevail. However, it needs to be said that this stigma is not entirely accurate. In fact, more often than not, Rottweilers are great pets.
All it takes is the right training and effective socialization.
The stigma surrounding Rottweilers is partially due to their infamy as a working breed. Rottweilers were originally bred to guard livestock. Their strength and instincts were necessary for their job. Unfortunately, bad owners have taken advantage of these wholesome traits by training these big dogs for illegal activities like drug smuggling and dogfights. This has given the ‘mad dog’ image of Rottweilers to the movies and popular culture.
Not all Rottweilers are aggressive or dangerous! Like any other dog breed, Rottweilers can be friendly and affectionate pets that are good with children and other animals. All it takes is proper socialization and effective training.
Rottweilers are big and powerful dogs that need a lot of productive exercise and owner attention. Rottweilers can also be stubborn and difficult to train, particularly if they are not socialized from a young age. But, with a lot of patience and training consistency, your Rottweiler should become a well-mannered and obedient companion.
Certainly, there is a stigma about Rottweilers, but not all Rottweilers are aggressive or dangerous. Given proper training and socialization, Rottweilers can make great pets that are loyal, affectionate, and protective.
So, Are Rottweilers Good Guard Dogs?
We’ve examined the pros and cons of having a Rottweiler. A breed that is highly intelligent, loyal, and protective. Rotties make great guard dogs. But, they are also easy to groom, easy to care for, and they can be good, protective pets.
There are some potential downsides to owning a Rottweiler that should be considered:
- They can develop certain health problems, and
- They can be difficult to handle for inexperienced owners.
- They may not be the best choice for families with small children or other pets.
Ultimately, owning a Rottweiler ought to be based on your lifestyle and needs. If you have experience with large, strong dogs and are looking for a loyal and protective companion, a Rottweiler may be your ideal choice.
