Character

A Rottweiler that has been conscientiously bred should be self-confident with a stable temperament. The guarding instinct for which this dog was bred for many years is still very much present but good breeders have done much to tone down the temper which was sometimes unpredictabley.

The Rottweiler will, however, totally and fearlessly protect his family and their property from any perceived threat. They will rarely bite unless under severe duress and are far more likely to keep any intruder at bay. Their intense loyalty to their family means that they need plenty of reciprocal affection and interaction in order to thrive. If relegated to a small area or quite garden and deprived of company they will become depressed and anxious and may turn to destructive chewing, nuisance barking, digging or escape attempts in order to relieve theur loneliness and boredom. The Rottweilers habit of ‘bumping’ with their body is believed to be from their days as a herding dog. This was the method they used to move stubborn cattle.

Ownership of a Rottweiler dog brings with it the responsibility of ensuring that they are seen as a perfect ambassador for the breed. This takes some skill and dedication but Rottweilers deserve the best possible chance to become known as good dogs. In the right hands the Rottweiler is a superb family companion, but this is not the breed for everyone and is not recommended for first time owners or those who do not have the time to commit to on-going training and socialisation.