by Alexandra Seagal

As with lots of large, powerful breeds, there are many misconceptions circulating about Rottweilers which need to be put to bed. This article will bust five of those myths and tell you why there’s just no truth to them.

Portrait of happy, smiling Rottweiler dog

So, let’s find out what they are…

1 They’re aggressive

Rottweilers are often thought of as vicious attackers. While it’s true that this breed can become aggressive, any dog can become this way through improper handling and training.

Actually, these dogs are very playful and affectionate dogs when trained right, and if you’re not careful, they’ll smother you with kisses (a.k.a. lots of licks).

Rottweilers are large dogs with powerful bodies, so it’s all the more important they are well-trained and socialized from a young age to make them into the sociable, gentle dogs they are so capable of becoming.

2 They’re untrainable

Another myth is that Rottweilers are not easy to train. In fact, this dog was originally bred to herd cattle, and today they commonly work as service dogs.

This is a highly intelligent breed that is very obedient if you show firm and consistent leadership. To get a Rottie that respects the house rules and follows commands, start obedience training early. Rottweiler pups can start picking things up from as young as eight weeks old.

3 They’re bad with kids

The majority of dog bite fatalities involving children happen when the child is left unsupervised. Children don’t know how to respect a dog’s boundaries, so regardless of breed, leaving a child alone with a dog is not advised.

Providing the dog is properly socialized, and the child is supervised, this breed is no more dangerous to children than any other.

Little girl sleeping on her friend purebred Rottweiler on a beach

Unfortunately, as Rottweilers already have a bad reputation, negative stories about them have a stronger impact, which tends to confirm a false belief about the breed.

4 They don’t get on with other animals

Wrong! Rottweilers are perfectly able to get on well with other pets.

They can exhibit a strong prey drive, though. So, if you have pets like cats and rabbits, you are better off getting a Rottie puppy so as to introduce her at an early age, or a rescue who already has experience of living with cats.

As for living with other dogs, if you plan to have two males living together, it’s best to neuter them to avoid conflict or territorial behavior.

5 They don’t shed

Guess again—these dogs are not low shedding.

While this one doesn’t concern “bad behavior,” it’s an important point to be aware of if you’re thinking of getting a Rottie. Rottweilers, in fact, have a double coat and shed heavily twice a year.

You should groom your dog at least once a week with a brush to remove excess hair. During spring and autumn, when they shed their undercoat, it’s wise to increase this to twice a week.

So, don’t put that vacuum cleaner away just yet…

Conclusion

Whether you were on the fence or you had already declared this breed a bad egg, let’s hope that this myth-busting article has changed your mind about this misunderstood breed. Spread the word!

An article with tips on potty training can be found on Bulldogology.

Check out more animal related stories in our Pet Perspective section. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to a local animal rescue.

Alexandra is dedicated to helping people become more knowledgeable dog owners through the information she provides on her website, Animalso.com. When she isn’t writing, she can be found spending time with her two beautiful little daughters and two devoted dogs