Rottweilers and German Shepherds are two well-known breeds of dogs renowned for their intelligence, devotion, and courage.
One question often asked is whether these breeds are capable of getting along with each other.
Rottweilers and German Shepherds do not get along in general, as their similarities in sheer size and dominating temperaments give rise to ongoing conflict and competition amongst one another.
This post delves into the relationship between Rottweilers and German Shepherds.
We’ll look at seven of their main character traits and behaviors to determine if they can peacefully coexist.
Trait 1: Protectiveness
German Shepherds and Rottweilers are very protective and loyal by nature. These are innate characteristics in both breeds in which the protection of family and their territory are considered high priorities.
If a stranger approaches, they will bark to let you know the person is in the yard.
Rottweilers and German Shepherds are both excellent guard dogs because they each have a high prey drive.
Rotties were initially bred for herding cattle long before the existence of German Shepherds.
How This Affects Compatibility
As both dogs are territorial and possessive of their owners, confrontations can occur if not handled correctly.
In addition, feeding is a problem, especially for German Shepherds, because they are known to be dominant breeds. Therefore your Rottweiler may be seen as a competitor for the food you offer, leading to conflicts.
Trait 2: Size
The size of both breeds also can be an issue. Rottweilers generally grow between 24 and 27 inches tall, with males weighing in at 60-100 pounds.
Their larger size means they can easily hurt a small dog or even an adult human if they desire, especially when acting out of aggression or fear.
German Shepherds are usually between 22 and 26 inches tall, with females weighing 55-90 pounds and males weighing 65-100 pounds. So as you can see, both breeds are comparable in size and weight.
However, their relative equality in size means the dogs may see themselves as “evenly matched” and see each other as a threat.
In contrast, a smaller breed dog would be naturally submissive to the larger breed.
How This Affects Compatibility
If they are raised together from puppyhood, this is usually not an issue. However, size can be a problem if Rottweilers and German Shepherds are raised in different households.
In addition, both breeds have dominant tendencies, especially German Shepherds. As such, they may see your Rottweiler as a threat or an intruder on their turf.
“Both breeds are dominant in different ways, which does not bode well for their compatibility.”
To become compatible, they will need to be raised together under the same roof with consistent training and socialization from puppyhood.
However, even the most socialized and trained adult dogs can act out in pain or when their territory is compromised.
Trait 3: Intelligence
While Rottweilers and German Shepherds are very clever dogs, they have different levels of intelligence.
Rottweilers have moderate to high intelligence levels, ranking as the 9th most intelligent breed.
They can learn just about anything you want them to know, but they won’t enjoy the process as much as a highly intelligent dog would.
German Shepherds are known for being extremely intelligent, ranking as the 3rd most intelligent breed.
They are obedient to a fault, but they can get bored quickly if their training requires too much effort or they have too much time on their hands.
How This Affects Compatibility
If you have two Rottweilers in one household, it’s not usually an issue because both dogs should possess moderately high intelligence.
However, if you have a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler in your household who are of differing levels of intelligence, one or both can become frustrated with the other quickly.
These factors can cause the dogs to act out and engage in unruly behavior.
Trait 4: High Energy Levels
Both Rottweilers and German Shepherds are known for being high-energy dogs, but it’s important to note that high-energy breeds need proper training to remain obedient.
High energy levels in a breed with high intelligence are not always a good thing.
Rottweilers are medium to high-energy dogs, with males being more active than females.
They have a moderate exercise tolerance, getting tired after roughly 30-60 minutes of staying active.
They are most happy when they have lots of space to run around and do their own thing instead of being locked up inside the house for most of the day.
However, you can channel their energy levels into proper training and intelligence exercises, such as agility training.
“German Shepherds are also high-energy dogs, with males being more active than females.”
German Shepherds have a moderate to high exercise tolerance that grows lower with age.
It is important to note that German Shepherds should not be kept permanently inside the house because they need lots of activity and playtime.
They are most happy when they have enough space to roam, explore, and run around.
How This Affects Compatibility
If you have an energetic Rottweiler and German Shepherd, they will have a difficult time coexisting. They will both need lots of discipline and training to channel their energy levels into something more positive and productive, such as agility training or learning a new trick every day.
However, if you have a high-energy German Shepherd and a low-energy Rottweiler (or vice-versa), they can balance each other out very well.
They will have their energy needs balanced without being too high maintenance.
The German Shepherd can teach the Rottweiler to harness their energy into something more productive if adequately disciplined.
Trait 5: Emotional Issues
It’s important to note that Rottweilers are known for being brave but needy dogs. They are fiercely loyal to their family members and can be aggressive towards strangers.
They need lots of attention and affection from their humans, and this need for attention can manifest itself as jealousy if another dog is present in the household.
German Shepherds are known for being confident but aloof dogs.
They do not want to cuddle or snuggle with humans unless they feel like it, nor act out in aggression unless they feel threatened, cornered, or scared.
How This Affects Compatibility
If the Rottweiler in your household is insecure about affection, they might not be able to get along with the German Shepherd.
The Rottweiler will see the attention you give your other dog and possibly lash out in anger.
“If the German Shepherd in your household is aloof, they may not take kindly to the Rottweiler’s attention-seeking behavior.”
This behavior can lead to tension and hostility, even if the German Shepherd doesn’t necessarily act out in aggression towards the Rottweiler when dealing with this issue.
Trait 6: Sociability Issues
For the most part, both of these breeds enjoy being with people. However, these breeds can be dog-aggressive if they do not receive the proper training and socialization.
While Rottweilers have a worse reputation in general regarding sociability issues, German Shepherds are more likely to be dog-aggressive because of their history with the police and military.
How This Affects Compatibility
If you have a Rottweiler or German Shepherd who dislikes dogs in general, the chances of getting along with others are slim to none.
If one of them does like other dogs, it may be possible for them to coexist.
However, if they are both aggressive towards other dogs or don’t socialize well in general, there is almost no chance of them coexisting together without experiencing any problems.
The animosity between the dogs will likely build up to the point where one lashes out at the other. This can be a big problem if they end up fighting each other!
Check out the video below, which shows a Rottweiler becoming aggressive toward a German Shepherd:
Trait 7: Response to Their Living Environments
Because both are large breed dogs, the amount of space available in the house will need to be a factor. This is the case if you want to add a second dog in addition to your Rottweiler or German Shepherd.
Rottweilers and German Shepherds both have a high need for exercise. They will do well in apartments only if given lots of walks throughout the day.
It’s also important to note that Rottweilers are prone to hip dysplasia. This means they may struggle with 2-story homes, especially if they are older.
How This Affects Compatibility
If you live in a small apartment and have a German Shepherd and Rottweiler who both crave more space, they may not be able to get along with each other.
The Rottweiler might not feel secure if the German Shepherd can sneak up on them when they are sleeping.
Whereas the German Shepherd might not be able to cope with the Rottweiler constantly hogging the couch.
The two dogs might also not be able to coexist in one is restricted to a small room throughout most of the day. This may lead to resentment from the dog who is constantly kicked out of its space.
