Rottweiler Behavior Traits
Unfortunately, Rottweilers carry a bad reputation.
These characterizations eventually led to several insurance companies refusing coverage to Rottweiler owners. Many municipalities also outlaw the breed's presence, and they're a common feature on restricted breed lists for rental properties.
But while Rottweilers can be trained to be highly effective guard dogs, their current reputation as a breed doesn’t predict their behavior and is primarily fueled by harmful stereotypes that don’t truly apply to most Rottweilers.
In the sections below, we’ll explore the real information that prospective dog owners should know about the Rottweiler personality, temperament, and overall behavior.
Temperament and Personality
Due to the breed's guard dog history, Rottweilers can sometimes come off as initially cautious and highly reserved. Rottweilers are also incredibly confident, dignified, and powerful, but that doesn't mean they're unfriendly.
In fact, Rottweilers are incredibly loving dogs and can, at times, be quite sensitive and needy.
Even though they’re prone to protective behaviors, Rottweilers are extremely playful and silly. They’re also more than happy to plop into their owner’s lap for an extended cuddle session.
That said, a dog’s personal characteristics aren’t strictly determined by breed.
Whether you’re talking about a Rottweiler or a chihuahua, a dog’s individual temperament and personality primarily depend on its upbringing and environment. When treated well by their families, even dog breeds with the worst reputations can easily become the perfect pets.
When it comes to Rottweilers, proper training, socialization with people and animals, and a happy home life are the keys to a well-rounded and well-behaved pet that’s the perfect mix of loyal and loving.
Intelligence and Trainability
Due to their historical role as working dogs, Rottweilers are exceedingly intelligent and are well known for their high awareness, sharp perception, and extreme sense of loyalty.
According to the renowned professor and canine researcher Stanley Coren, Ph.D., Rottweilers are the ninth most intelligent dog breed. They rank just behind the papillon and right before Australian cattle dogs.
Coren states that there are three types of intelligence in dogs — instinctive intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and working/obedience intelligence. Overall, Rottweilers score very well in all three categories, which plays a major part in why they are so easy to train.
Rottweilers especially excel at obedience training, and because they are so eager to please, they often enjoy having a job to do throughout the day.
Together, the Rottweiler’s high intelligence and trainability both play a key element in why they make such excellent additions to search and rescue teams and police K9 units. It’s also why they are so commonly used as assistance and service dogs.
Due to their high intelligence, Rottweilers also need a lot of regular mental stimulation to stave off boredom. Without this stimulation, Rottweilers can grow destructive and anxious during the day.
