If you want to have a multi-pet household, it’s important to know how different dog breeds behave around each other. First-time Rottweiler owners often ask us the question “are Rottweilers good with other dogs?“
Rottweilers are friendly dogs that can get along very well with other dogs. As long as the Rottweiler has been properly trained and socialized, it can easily become friends with other dogs (and even cats). However, every dog is different and some Rottweilers may not respond as well around other animals.
It’s important to know what a dog’s temperament is like before introducing it to other animals. On this page, we’re going to explore how Rottweilers behave around other animals. Keep reading to find out if Rottweilers are good with other dogs.
Are Rottweilers Good With Other Dogs?
Many Rottweilers are good with other dogs. If you adopt the Rottweiler from a reputable breeder, they will already have begun the socialization process. Once the puppy is in your hands, it’s important to continue socializing with the dog. This will get it used to the idea of seeing new faces so it doesn’t become frightened or aggressive when it sees another dog.
Now, keep in mind that the Rottweiler‘s behavior around other dogs will depend on a few things. If a Rottweiler hasn’t been socialized, it may become aggressive with other dogs. There are even situations when a Rottweiler is good with dogs it lives with but acts aggressively towards dogs it’s unfamiliar with.
This is why we suggest that you judge how your Rottweiler will behave around other dogs by its own individual behavior and experiences. While Rottweilers are friendly, they can become aggressive if they feel scared or threatened. This is why a Rottweiler that hasn’t been socialized is more likely to act out in front of new dogs.
Socialize Rottweilers Young
Most dog owners have heard negative things about the Rottweiler’s reputation. These dogs are often portrayed as mean, vicious, and aggressive dogs. Yet, dog owners are having the complete opposite experience with their Rottweilers. Most dog owners find that their Rottweiller is obedient, loyal, and affectionate.
The thing with Rottweilers is that the dog’s behavior can go either way. How the Rottweiller will react around people and animals highly depends on what the owner does. If the owner socializes the Rottweiler while it’s a puppy and is thorough with training, they will have a better experience introducing their Rottie to new dogs.
It’s recommended to start socializing a Rottweiler at the age of 5 weeks. Since you won’t take the dog home until it is at least 8 weeks, you need to ensure that you are adopting from a breeder who begins this process. Don’t hesitate to ask the breeder questions about what they provide for the dog when it comes to socialization.
When you bring the Rottweiler home, it will have already begun the socialization process but it’s not complete. You will still need to work on getting the puppy used to seeing new faces when it’s getting used to its new environment. Don’t limit its interactions to just adults. Make sure it sees children and other dogs as well. The first 12-16 weeks of the dog’s life are important for socialization.
Can Rottweilers Live With Other Dogs?
Rottweilers can live in harmony with other dogs and even cats. These friendly dogs are known to form good bonds with other animals. Ideally, if you plan on having a multi-pet household, you should have the Rottweiler living with other animals as a puppy.
It’s much easier to introduce a puppy Rottweiler to other dogs and have them adapt than it is to introduce an adult. If a fully grown Rottweiler is used to being the only pet in the house, it may not respond so kindly to the idea of another pet entering the mix.
Yet, if the Rottie is used to being around other animals from a young age, it will respond better in its adult years if a new pet enters the household.
Which Breeds Do Rottweilers Get Along With Best?
A socialized Rottweiler typically responds well to meeting other breeds. However, they are only one-half of the equation. How well your Rottweiler gets along with other dogs also depends on the dog they are meeting. Wither every breed, the dog should be judged on an individual basis.
However, some dog breeds have proven to be more compatible with Rottweilers. The following breeds are the best choice of companions for Rottweillers.
- German Shepards
- Siberian Husky
- Australian Shepard
- German Short Haired Pointer
- Beagle
- Collie
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
One thing you may notice about all of the dogs listed above is that they are bigger dogs. This doesn’t mean that your Rottie can’t get along fine with small dogs. If the Rottweiler is socialized early on in its life, it’s capable of getting along great with small dogs (or dogs of any size for that matter).
Training Ensures Good Behavior
While we can’t stress socialization enough when it comes to making sure your Rottweiler is well-behaved around other dogs, training also plays a crucial role. Training is very important to make sure your Rottweiler remains calm and well-behaved around the company of others.
When your Rottweiler is well-trained, you can take it out in public without fear of how it will react when it sees another dog. Always keep your dog on a leash when it’s in public so you have full control of the situation. If your Rottweiller starts to growl, jump, or show inappropriate behavior upon sight of another dog, use a command word to get it to behave.
The good thing about Rottweillers is that they are very intelligent dogs, so they respond well to training. Owners can start training these dogs basic commands at an early age and the dog will absorb the information. However, Rottweilers have a very short attention span so keep the train sessions to only a few minutes at a time.
If a Rottweiler is well-trained, you will have a better opportunity to curb any bad behavior the dog displays in public areas. Some dog owners can get to the point where they only need to shoot their dog a stern look to get it to behave.
How Rottweilers Behave Around Other Dogs
Rottweilers may look intimidating, but they have great personalities. This breed can be described as
- Courageous
- Calm
- Aloof
- Confident
A young Rottweiler is likely to take kindly to new animals in its presence, while a mature Rottie may not be as responsive. Older Rottweilers can still get along very well with other dogs, they are just more selective with which animals they choose to bond with. It’s not uncommon to find a mature Rottweiler who prefers bonding with a cat to another dog.
This is because there are certain personality traits that Rottweilers don’t accept as they become older. If your dog enjoyed the company of an energetic dog while it was younger, it may not be as tolerant with that dog once the Rottweiler is mature. Rottweilers deem certain behavior as rude or annoying and may growl or snarl to show their dislike.
A mature Rottweiler likely won’t respond well to another dog touching it, leaning on it, or getting too close to its face. Since cats are known to keep to their own space and don’t display rude behavior, socialized Rottweilers are most accepting of them.
Are Rottweilers Mean To Other Dogs?
A socialized Rottweiler can get along really well with other dogs, but it will have its limits. When the Rottweiler has had too much or is feeling annoyed, it will let out warning signs to the other dog. This gives the dog a chance to stop pestering the Rottweiler and back off.
If a dog is receptive to the Rottweiler’s warning signs, there shouldn’t be a problem. The Rottweiler will get to calm down and they can go back to friendly play. However, if the dog ignores the Rottie’s warning signs, your Rottweiller could snap.
For this reason, we strongly recommend being present when your Rottweiler is playing with other dogs. While the new dog may not be familiar with your Rottweiler’s warning signs, you will be. This will give you an opportunity to remove your dog from the situation before it escalates.
Final Thoughts
Are Rottweilers good with other dogs? In most circumstances, a Rottweiler will be good with other dogs. They are a very calm, obedient, and friendly breed. However, the Rottweiler needs to be trained and socialized so it’s calm around other dogs. If the Rottweiler hasn’t been socialized, it may not respond well to being around other animals.
It’s a very good idea to introduce your Rottweiler to other dogs while it’s still a puppy. This will help your dog become familiar with the presence of different animals so it knows how to behave. Rottweilers are a lot more accepting of other dogs when they are puppies than they are when they’re mature.