Used originally to herd and protect cattle for the Roman legions as they marched toward their various destinations, it is evident that the Rottweiler has a genetic makeup that encourages loyalty, intelligence and courage among its most predominant psychological traits. Examining this, we are of course subject to wonder about the stereotyped Rottweiler temperament which singles this breed out as a vicious killer.

Looking at the guarding instincts of the Rottweiler, we can immediately see that this breed has a strong familial and territorial instinct, which means that family and environment come first in terms of protection. This is of course misinterpreted in many cases and is construed as blatant aggressiveness on the side of the dog and could be a reason for perceived aggression.

The real problem however, could have more to do with the owners rather than the dog. Owing to the fact that the Rottweiler temperament is an especially lively one, these dogs need the correct training from a very young age to ensure that their energies are channelled in the right direction to grow into stable and dependable dogs. Issues such as abuse, neglect and a lack of training have been noted as possible causes for the bad publicity these dogs have received in past years.

Doing research on the Rottweiler temperament is of course the best possible course of action if you intend to own one of these dogs. Also, owning a Rottweiler may require some previous experience with dogs and dog-training as these animals are extremely headstrong and could very well assume the dominant position in a social environment if they get a chance.

If you are considering keeping a Rottweiler as a pet, it is vital to ensure that you glean as much information as you can about this breed so that you can make an informed decision. Underestimating the responsibility of Rottweiler ownership is what adds fuel to fire when it comes to giving this breed a bad name and branding them as vicious killers. The truth is in fact far from it.