Are Rottweilers Good With Other Dogs? A Veterinarian‘s Perspective
Rottweilers are powerful, intelligent dogs originally bred for guarding and herding. They are known for being loyal, protective, and confident. But because of their strength and natural guarding instincts, many people wonder – are Rottweilers good with other dogs?
As a veterinarian, I can tell you the answer is: it depends. Rottweilers as a breed have the potential to get along well with other dogs. However, proper socialization, training, and management are essential for them to be safe and friendly companions. Let‘s dive into what you need to know about Rottweiler personality and how to help this majestic breed succeed with other canines.
The Rottweiler Personality
The ideal Rottweiler temperament according to breed standards is calm, courageous, and confident. They should not be overly aggressive or shy. Rotties are very devoted to their families and are natural guardians. At the same time, they can be aloof with strangers, including strange dogs.
A well-bred, well-socialized Rottie will be neutral and non-reactive to strange dogs, neither picking fights nor cowering in fear. They are more likely to calmly observe a new dog rather than immediately try to make friends.
Of course, every dog is an individual, and poor breeding, lack of socialization, or irresponsible ownership can lead to Rotties that are excessively aggressive or fearful. But when raised right, the typical Rottie will be a gentle giant that is tolerant of other dogs, even if they prefer to keep to themselves.
Preventing Same-Sex Aggression
A common issue among Rottweilers is same-sex aggression, particularly between males. Unneutered males are especially prone to aggressive posturing, growling, and even fighting with other male dogs.
The best ways to prevent this are:
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Neuter your male Rottie, ideally before sexual maturity around 6-12 months old. This greatly reduces hormonal aggression.
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If you have a male Rottweiler and want to add another dog to your home, choose a female. Male-female pairings get along better than male-male pairings.
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Always supervise your adult Rottweiler when meeting new dogs. Be ready to intervene if you notice dominant body language like a stiff stance, hard stare, or raised hackles.
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Avoid dog parks if your Rottie is prone to aggression. Instead, set up controlled playdates with dogs you know are a good match.
In general, female Rotties are more tolerant of other dogs than males are. They can still have conflicts with other females, but serious fights are less common. Spaying your female by 6 months old is recommended.
The Importance of Puppy Socialization
The best thing you can do to ensure your Rottweiler grows up to be friendly with other dogs is to socialize them thoroughly as a puppy. From 8 weeks to 4 months old is the critical socialization window when puppies are most open to new experiences.
Safe ways to socialize your Rottie puppy include:
- Enrolling in a positive puppy class or kindergarten
- Setting up playdates with friendly adult dogs and puppies
- Walking your puppy in busy areas to encounter new sights, sounds, and smells
- Visiting dog-friendly stores and patios
Your Rottweiler puppy should meet other dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. Make sure all interactions are positive and fun. Never force your puppy to interact with a dog they seem afraid of. Let them approach at their own pace, and use lots of praise and treats to build a positive association.
Well-socialized Rottweiler puppies are curious and confident when meeting new dogs. Under-socialized Rotties are more likely to be fearful and defensive, which can lead to aggression down the line. Even with an adult Rottweiler, it‘s never too late to work on socialization. Just go slowly and keep all interactions positive.
Choosing the Right Canine Companion
Are you thinking of getting a second dog to keep your Rottweiler company? Good matches for Rotties are confident, energetic dogs close to their own size. Some examples are:
- German Shepherd Dogs
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Standard Poodles
- Cane Corsos
- Boxers
Rottweilers will often bully very submissive or fearful dogs, so it‘s best to avoid these sensitive souls. Very small dogs like Chihuahuas may trigger your Rottie‘s prey drive with their quick, darting movements. With proper training and management prey drive can be controlled, but it‘s easier to pick a larger companion dog.
The safest bet is to get your Rottweiler a companion while they are still a puppy. Two puppies close in age are more likely to quickly accept each other and build a strong bond. Avoid getting two puppies at the exact same time though – it‘s best to wait at least a few months in between so you can focus on training and socialization.
If you have an adult Rottweiler and want to add another dog to the mix, a calm, friendly adult dog is a better choice than a puppy. Look for a dog of the opposite sex that isn‘t overly dominant or submissive. Always introduce the two dogs on neutral territory like a park or quiet street, not in your home. Keep both dogs on leash and let them greet for a few seconds, then call them away and reward them with treats. Build up to longer interactions over multiple sessions.
Training and Management
Even Rottweilers that adore other dogs need training and management to keep the peace. Your Rottie should have a solid foundation of basic obedience commands like sit, down, come, and leave it. Practice these commands around other dogs, rewarding your Rottweiler generously for listening to you despite distractions.
It‘s crucial that your Rottweiler sees you as a strong, dependable leader. Rottweilers are smart and headstrong – without clear guidance from you, they will make their own choices. Be firm and consistent with rules and boundaries. Don‘t let your Rottie get away with impolite behavior like jumping, barking, or playing too rough. At the same time, use positive reinforcement to build a relationship of trust and respect.
When walking your Rottie around other dogs, keep the leash loose but be ready to redirect their attention to you if needed. If they start to fixate on another dog or show early warning signs like a hard stare or stiff body, cheerfully call them back to you and reward them for disengaging. The more your Rottweiler learns to look to you for guidance in exciting situations, the easier it will be to control them around other dogs.
Living with Cats or Small Dogs
Because Rottweilers have a fairly strong prey drive, they aren‘t always trustworthy with cats or small dogs, whom they may mistake for prey to chase. However, with diligent training and socialization, they can learn to view small furry creatures as part of the family rather than as something to hunt.
The key is to start the introductions when your Rottweiler is still a puppy if possible. Let your puppy observe the cat or small dog from a distance at first, rewarding them for being calm and ignoring the smaller animal. Work up to brief, closely supervised interactions. Never leave your Rottweiler unattended with a cat or small dog until you are 100% confident they can be trusted.
For adult Rottweilers with a history of chasing small animals, it‘s best to work with a professional trainer or behaviorist to come up with a plan for safe, gradual introductions. Even if your Rottie learns to accept a cat or small dog in the home, they may still try to chase unfamiliar small animals outside. So as with any dog, keeping your Rottweiler securely leashed or fenced is a must.
In Conclusion
Rottweilers can absolutely be good with other dogs, as long as they are well-socialized and responsibly trained and managed. Every dog is a unique individual, but most Rotties are calm and tolerant with other canines, if not effusively friendly.
The recipe for Rottweiler success is:
- Extensive socialization as a puppy
- Training for good manners and responsiveness
- Plenty of exercise to blow off steam
- Strong, consistent leadership from the owner
- Slow, careful introductions to new dogs
- Close supervision and management around other animals
With these ingredients, your Rottweiler can be a friendly, trustworthy companion to both humans and their fellow dogs. While they may never be a social butterfly, a well-raised Rottie will be able to relax and coexist peacefully with canine colleagues. And that‘s all we can ask of any dog – to be safe and polite with others, while saving their deepest love and loyalty for their special human friends.
