Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
But are they really?
The truth isn't so simple. Breed characteristics are complex—and so are displays of aggression! It's important to be concerned about preventing bite injury, but it isn't helpful to label all dogs of a certain breed as one thing.
Here’s a deep dive into aggression in Rottweilers. What is the average Rottweiler like? What influences their breed traits as they grow up? How can we prevent bad behavior in our pets with proper training and socialization?
Rottweilers are not inherently aggressive. No dog breed is!
For one thing, the term "aggressive" can mean many different things to different people. The ASPCA defines canine aggression as "a wide variety of behaviors that occur for a multitude of reasons in various circumstances".
For another, breed alone is not a reliable predictor of a dog's behavior.
Dogs of all breeds, sizes, and backgrounds have the potential to exhibit aggressive behavior—and reasonable defense mechanisms, like growling when handled roughly—if they aren't properly trained, socialized, and cared for by responsible owners.
Rottweilers are considered one of the oldest surviving dog breeds. Their exact origin might date back to the Roman Empire, where their ancestors accompanied Roman legions!
Early Rottweilers were strong, versatile working dogs:
Over time, industrialization and modernization changed the agricultural landscape. The need for working herding and draft dogs diminished—but the Rottweilers' varied abilities and protective instincts led to their adaptation in other roles.
Before World War I, interest in police dogs grew. Rottweilers have since been used for military work, where they've acted as messenger, ambulance, draught, and guard dogs.
And, of course, today Rottweilers are kept as loyal family companions in many pet dog homes.
Working dogs were bred for specific tasks and jobs. Because so many of these jobs aren't relevant in our modern human society—working breeds like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Border Collies no longer perform the tasks we selected for—they have a higher likelihood of dog reactivity compared to their less driven and energetic counterparts.
Many herding and guardian breeds were selectively bred for their protective instincts. These instincts are an essential part of their job protecting livestock, property, or their humans! This protective nature sometimes translates into reactivity towards other dogs or people today, though.
Working dogs are also often bred for their high energy levels, stamina, and intense drive to perform their specific tasks. While this drive is beneficial for their work, it can manifest as increased arousal or excitement when encountering other day-to-day stimuli. This heightened arousal can contribute to reactive behaviors.
It’s important to note that reactivity does not automatically equal aggression.
We always recommend getting in touch with a reputable trainer if you’re worried about your dog’s behaviors. Experienced canine professionals will be able to help you interpret your individual pet’s behavior.
Dog bite statistics can be influenced by various factors. These variables include the popularity of certain breeds, skewed media coverage, and reporting biases.
Any dog, regardless of breed or size, has the potential to bite if put in a situation where they feel threatened.
While some dogs may be more prone to aggression—they have a higher likelihood of biting based on their genetics, temperament, or past experiences (more on those factors in the next section)—it’s important to understand all dogs have the capacity to use their teeth if they feel the need to defend themselves.
Our pets are beloved members of the family. But they aren't furry little humans! They're canines. We need to respect them as such.
Dog bites can be more or less severe simply due to size and strength—not personality or temperament.
In general, larger dogs have the potential to cause more severe physical damage than smaller dogs. This is one reason many big dogs are automatically considered more aggressive breeds than their littler counterparts. Nips from toy breeds often go unreported—whereas damage from an adult Rottweiler is generally impossible to ignore. It makes perfect sense that fatal dog attacks (while incredibly rare) are almost exclusively from large breeds.
Regardless of a dog's size, all dog bites should be taken seriously and treated promptly with proper medical care. Trainer Ian Dunbar's dog bite scale can be a helpful point of reference.
Aggression can be caused by many different factors. Dogs who growl, lunge, and bite are often motivated by fear and self-preservation rather than outright intent to harm.
As mentioned above, dog breeds have been selectively bred for certain traits like guarding instincts, territoriality, and protectiveness. These breed-specific characteristics may increase the likelihood that an animal displays aggressive behavior in certain situations.
Beyond breed stereotypes, some studies suggest that certain aggressive behaviors can be inherited. The specific genetic mechanisms underlying aggression are not yet fully understood—but looking at a puppy’s direct ancestors (their parents and grandparents, specifically) might be a better way to predict their future temperament than relying on breed estimates alone.
Solid family dogs often give birth to more solid family dogs!
Understanding the potential genetic predisposition for aggression in certain breeds can help inform responsible breeding practices. Early intervention, appropriate obedience training, and thoughtful management strategies can do wonders for our relationships with man's best friend!
It's important to assess each dog on an individual basis. We should consider their unique personality, experiences, and environment when addressing any behavioral concerns.
Epigenetic variables can influence gene expression and behavior in all breeds of dogs.
Environmental factors like early life experiences and ongoing maternal stress can impact the way certain genes show up in our pets. This can potentially contribute to aggressive behavior.
Socialization is the process of exposing dogs to different stimuli, experiences, and interactions in a positive and controlled manner during their critical developmental period. This window typically occurs between three and 16 weeks of age. It's important for each and every breed of dog!
A lack of socialization can lead to aggression in dogs by limiting their exposure to a variety of social situations. This can result in fear, anxiety, and inappropriate responses when faced with unfamiliar people, animals, or environments.
You can read more about socializing your dog in this article.
When a dog is experiencing physical discomfort or pain, it can impact their behavior, especially by increasing their likelihood of displaying aggression.
Dogs—just like humans—may become irritable, defensive, or reactive when suffering from certain medical conditions.
Preventing aggression in dogs involves a proactive and multifaceted approach. Responsible pet parents should focus on proper care, socialization, and training.
Know that sometimes it’s not possible to prevent all instances of aggression—our dogs' temperaments are not all in how we raise them, and some variables in our companions’ lives are out of our control—but we can try to stack the deck in our favor.
Part of taking care of yourself while training your reactive or aggressive dog? Remembering that you don’t have to do it all alone. The right support network can make a world of difference as you navigate your pet’s behavior problems and create a life you both enjoy!
Consider reaching out to:
Identifying the root cause of aggression in dogs can be a complex process. It requires careful observation, evaluation, and in many cases professional guidance.
Management is an important part of helping your reactive or aggressive dog. The more frequently your pet practices their undesirable behaviors in a heightened emotional state, the deeper they ingrain those habits.
It’s important to prevent as many reactions as possible so your training can be successful!
You can read more about management in our beginner's guide to working with a reactive dog.
Each dog, owner, and situation is different—and the animal training world is constantly evolving!
As long as your chosen aggression treatment plan is recommended by a humane trainer you trust and prioritizes your dog’s positive emotions, it can help them (and you) live a better life together. We're cheering for you.
There is so much misinformation out there, and we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Rayanne Craven CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FDM, FFCP
Professional Dog Trainer - Tenacious Dog Training
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