Many people want a Rottweiler because they are highly protective guard dogs, but is this really true? We explore how protective a Rottweiler will be and the different ways in which it will protect its owner.
A Rottweiler will protect its owner by first growling and barking at any strangers coming onto their property. Then, if a stranger or unknown animal approaches, they will often get aggressive, using their sharp bite to chase and take down anyone who tries to get into the house or yard.
So, if you are thinking of getting a Rottweiler, one of the main things to understand is their protective instinct. You can talk to a breeder about properly selecting, caring for, and training this breed.
They can be a highly loving and obedient breed but do need a careful balance in their temperament.
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Will my Rottweiler Protect Me?
This depends on their protective instincts and training. If a Rottweiler hasn’t been trained, it is hard to know how Rottweiler will react the first time its owner is genuinely threatened.
Rottweilers have a good sense of real vs. fake danger, so they won’t react as strongly as they could if the situation doesn’t present itself.
The main factor in this is their inherent protective instinct. Most Rottweilers have a strong protective instinct from birth, but their traits differ from dog to dog, just like humans.
Unfortunately, one of the best signs of being less protective than other Rottweilers is their friendliness. Usually, the friendlier the Rottweiler is upfront, the weaker its protective instinct is.
Thus, there’s a dilemma right away for anyone looking to purchase a Rottweiler in choosing it for its protective instinct and aggression, which will make for a good guard dog.
Or, do you select a Rottweiler that’s friendlier and easier to get along with but won’t be as good of a guard dog?
In this regard, one thing to note is that whichever temperament they have often sticks throughout their lifespan. It’s possible to train a protective dog to be quite obedient to commands, but underneath, it will still have a highly protective personality.
On the other hand, a friendly dog will tend to stay friendly and less alert throughout its entire life, and no amount of training will increase its protective factor substantially.
A Rottweiler is a Large Intimidating Breed
Even if your Rottweiler doesn’t have the most substantial training or protective instinct, you’ll still have the intimidation factor.
Since it’s well-known that Rottweilers are an aggressive and threatening breed, their presence alone is sure to persuade some would-be burglars and trespassers to stay away.
Some Rottweilers don’t have the same guard dog instincts as others.
“However, the simple fact of a Rottweiler living in the house will be deterrent enough.”
Putting up a ‘beware of dog’ sign and making the Rottweiler’s doghouse highly visible should also help the situation. Overall, their reputation as excellent guard dogs is well-earned; however, there are always variations.
Rottweilers have been Trained for Police Work or Military Service
Rottweilers are an obedient breed of dog, especially when they are young. However, it can be harder to train them as an adult.
When young, the police and military can determine how much of a protective instinct the dogs have by putting them through a rigorous training routine. Only those that pass their training regime are kept on the force.
They not only have to be aggressive and protective, but most also are very obedient. Both too friendly and too aggressive of a dog don’t make the cut.
Rottweilers are one of the Most Intelligent Breeds of Dogs
Rottweilers are a highly intelligent dog breed and can be trained to react to very specific commands. When they are young, they also tend to be very obedient and easy to train, as they quickly understand what you are trying to get them to do.
Their intelligence extends to getting a read on strangers as well.
“They have a good instinct for whether a stranger is a threat or a friend but will still err on the side of protection most of the time.”
How will my Rottweiler Protect Me?
First, Rottweilers will tend to bark and growl at anyone they perceive as a threat. Second, they are excellent watchdogs, and their keen sense of hearing alerts them to strangers.
They also love to chase people and will hunt down a thief or other threats to the household. When they catch the person, they try to bring them down to the ground by biting them.
Add to this the fact that they are highly cautious around strangers. It can be hard to introduce a Rottweiler to new people, but that’s just part of its protective instinct. Once you’ve confirmed they are good people, they should warm up to them quickly.
Rottweilers have a Natural Instinct to Protect their Family
As we’ve mentioned, a Rottweiler’s first instinct is to bark and growl at any strangers it comes across. They have both a solid territorial and protective instinct that inclines them to be overly cautious when it comes to any disturbances around the house.
More than anything, Rottweilers are highly protective of their owners when another animal is involved. That’s because they have a much better instinct for whether that animal is acting threateningly or not and will react accordingly.
Rottweilers can use their Teeth as a Weapon against Attackers
Rottweilers are known to get aggressive with threats. If a stranger or other animal crosses into their territory, they will bark in a warning and use their teeth to take down any trespassers.
They are exceptionally protective when they see that their owner is in danger, as this is when their protective instincts are most likely to come out.
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Rottweilers are Territorial with other dogs
More than just being protective, Rottweilers are also territorial. They will often fight other animals that enter the yard and act aggressively towards anyone coming up to the door.
There is a difference between a territorial dog and a protective one. A territorial dog is interested in marking and preserving its territory and will cause trouble when another dog or person enters their sphere.
On the other hand, a protective dog is more interested in the well-being of its owner and will protect them in any situation, including while out on a walk.
Breeding, socialization, and training are Important
Now, let’s say you’ve got a Rottweiler with a protective instinct. What’s the best way to balance it with being friendly at home?
You’ll want to train your Rottweiler to be friendly in the home and protective from those outside it. This usually means socialization and training.
Socialization includes meeting plenty of other dogs when they are young to get used to seeing other dogs around. In addition, they need to learn when another dog is a threat vs. when they are a friend.
Training is also best done when they are young and doesn’t just mean tricks. The most crucial training has to do with curbing the dog’s most aggressive instincts and controlling them. Often there are special commands for heel, come, and return to stop the worst from happening.
Training is critical for guard dogs and becomes much harder to do as they grow up. That’s why going to a breeder is often a good move when thinking of getting one.
Use a Breeder if seeking a guard dog with a good temperament.
A proper guard dog will almost certainly be best selected and trained using professionals. That means a guard dog breeder, who can help you choose the best dog for your situation, and a professional trainer, who can help you learn to control your dog in any situation.
A balanced temperament is key, which often requires both good breeding and good training. For example, you want your Rottweiler to be friendly to people around the house while still being protective and alert for those looking to cause a problem.
Final thoughts
Rottweilers are most often bought for their aggressive guarding instincts. This breed will protect its owner from any threats and warnings of danger. However, they can also be very loving and loyal dogs.
Therefore, it’s essential to balance their temperament between training their protective instinct and helping them learn to socialize and be friendly to friends and family.
Unfortunately, most dogs tend to lean on one side or the other. Those who are friendly tend to have less of a protective instinct, while those who are outwardly aggressive tend to be the best guard dogs. It’s up to you to decide which side you’d like to lean on.
