Rottweilers, along with other breeds including the Pitbull Terrier rank among the most misunderstood dogs of our times. Tremendous physical strength combined with a tendency towards mental dominance can make both breeds powerful adversaries in the absence of proper training and care. However, with age- appropriate training and socialization tempered with a lot of love and affection, you will have a pet that is sure to be your staunchest ally and protector when you need one.

A Bit of Training Can Go a Long Way

Rottweilers are actually very sensitive and their temperaments range from extremely open and active to subdued and shy. They are also extremely intelligent dogs and can be easily trained with enough patience and affection.

Training should be done between the ages of six weeks to six months and should include a fair amount of exposure to a variety of different people and surroundings, which will help them become more sociable.

The Pros & Cons of Rottweiler Ownership

As with all breeds of dogs, the Rottweiler has its own range of pros and cons. These can be summed up in the following:

Pros

• A loyal friend
• An excellent guard dog
• Intelligent and bright
• Caring and affectionate

Cons

• Can be extremely aggressive if not properly trained and socialized beginning at a young age
• Can be destructive if not exercised enough or if left alone for long periods of time
• Needs a lot of open space to run around in. Does not too well in confined and small spaces
• Their sheer size and physical strength can make them more difficult to handle as compared to other medium sized dogs

If you intend keeping a Rottweiler as a pet, it is imperative that you understand and appreciate the pros and cons and accept the responsibility associated with Rottweiler ownership.