{"id":1647,"date":"2021-08-29T15:18:49","date_gmt":"2021-08-29T15:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/?p=1647"},"modified":"2023-12-11T22:55:31","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T22:55:31","slug":"are-rottweilers-good-for-first-time-owners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notabully.org\/are-rottweilers-good-for-first-time-owners\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Rottweilers Good For First Time Owners?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rottweilers are beloved by their fans. They’re goofy and whimsical with their owners as well as being highly intelligent and trainable<\/a>. They’re also one of the few breeds with the physical and<\/em> mental capabilities to protect you and your home. <\/span><\/p>\n

That said, they certainly aren’t for every owner- but what about first time owners?<\/span><\/p>\n

Are Rottweilers good for a first time owner?<\/p>\n

Rottweilers are generally not considered to be good for first-time owners because they are big, powerful dogs with a strong instinct to protect the home and family. That instinct can cause Rotties to get in trouble and makes them a better choice for experienced owners.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a very successful relationship with a Rottweiler even if they are your first dog!<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s what you need to know about why Rottweilers aren’t always recommended for first-time owners along with some tips to succeed in living this breed even if you are new to dog ownership.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Why Rottweilers May Not Be Ideal For First-Time Owners<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most Rottweiler experts do not recommend them to first-time owners. While it can be frustrating to be told that you should not get your breed of choice, it’s very important to consider the reasons why before you decide to go ahead and get a Rottweiler anyways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many breeders and rescue organizations will not adopt a Rottweiler out to a family who is not experienced with dogs. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, with enough research, you’ll likely be able to find a breeder or rescue willing to adopt a Rottweiler out to you, especially if you can prove to them that you have considered the reasons why Rottweilers aren’t recommended to first-time dog owners and how you intend to overcome these potential burdens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Big and Powerful<\/span><\/h3>\n

When you are first learning about having a dog and figuring out how to handle a dog physically, it’s helpful to choose a smaller breed. Rottweilers are some of the biggest dogs available, weighing in at around 100 pounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people may struggle to control a mature Rottweiler, which means they aren’t necessarily a good option if you are choosing this breed without knowing much about how to control a dog in general. <\/span><\/p>\n

Control not only means proper training and communication but in some cases you may just need to be able to get a strong grip on the leash. That can be much more difficult if the dog weighs only a little less than you do! A proper Rottweiler collar as well as a sturdy leash that’s ready for big Rotties<\/a> can make a world of difference here but won’t substitute for proper training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, because Rottweilers are so big and strong, they can be intimidating which is just another factor to manage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The last thing that you want is to feel intimidated by your dog. You also don’t want other people to feel intimidated if they get the impression that you can’t handle your dog well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Reputation for Aggression<\/span><\/h3>\n

Whether your dog is at all aggressive or the biggest cuddle bug you’ve ever met, unfortunately, the people who you encounter out in the world are very likely to assume that your dog is aggressive<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because of their strong protective instincts and their history as personal protection and military dogs<\/a>, Rottweilers tend to have a reputation for being dangerous to people. It’s also just part of the stigma around bully breeds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It can be a lot harder to properly socialize and raise a dog that people are afraid of. Your dog will sense that other people are frightened of them, and may react by being fearful towards people.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This can create a self-fulfilling prophecy in which people’s assumption that your Rottweiler is aggressive can actually cause your dog to become aggressive. This is something better managed by an owner who is accustomed to handling dogs and people’s attitudes towards their dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instincts for Protectiveness<\/span><\/h3>\n

Rottweilers are naturally protective of their people and property. This is one of the characteristics that is most beloved in the breed and it may be the reason you are considering this dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, a protective instinct can also be very dangerous if it’s not properly managed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, you want your Rottweiler to protect you from an intruder, but you probably don’t want them to protect you from friends, family, and significant others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, many Rottweilers have a hard time learning the difference between the people who they need to protect you from and the people that they don’t need to worry about. It takes some significant training and experience with dogs to train your Rottweiler when it is appropriate for them to act on their protective instincts and when they can relax around other people.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But it is entirely possible.<\/p>\n

Here’s a Rottie whose protective instincts have been structured with training:<\/p>\n