Keeping Rottweiler dog breed with a family

By Kodichukwu Okonkwo, DVM | July 30th, 2016




The Rottweiler breed has been labeled a deadly dog in most parts of the world that some communities have even banned the dog from being kept in their area. If you check the wounds inflicted on humans from this dog breed, you are likely to see very offensive images that you might start to hate this dog breed. In fact, if you keep rottweilers in your house in Nigeria, you might have few people willing to visit your home, some will call you ahead to restrain the dog before they even arrive or they won’t come at all.

Is Rottweiler really dangerous?

My answer is no and yes. No, because like any other dog, if you care for them well and socialize them with people they become very lovely pets and companions. I kept a rott that was really nice and very good to people but at the same time won’t tolerate strangers at odd hours.

Yes, when you refuse to give the dog the necessary care. You must note that the dog expect someone to lead them in whatever they do as a pack leader and it’s your own responsibility to do just that. If you don’t take the lead and teach the dog what to know and how to associate with your family members and respond to strangers, they will act with their animalistic instinct which must not be blamed on the dog.

It’s important to note that dogs learn by observing events in your home. It might surprise you to know that your dog knows when you are angry at him or somebody else but the way they will react to that feeling of yours depends on what you taught the dog or REFUSED to teach the dog.

Coming to family and Rottweiler, they blend very well with family members but you should note that rottweilers have a period when they just want to rest but sometimes children in their innocence might think they can always steer the dog to play and sometimes the dog will go to a place out of reach of the children or might snap and bite just to be left alone to rest. In the event of a bite some parents misinterpret it to be aggression and might start to maltreat the dog and hence cause a war or imminent danger with the dog.

It’s important not to make the rott feel unwanted or feared cause they will figure out one day and might take advantage of this to cause problems for the family.

Dominating the dog is very important. Someone in the family must be available to play the role of a pack leader to the dog by regulating the activities of this dog. This person will always be the one to settle scores between the dog and other persons, be it a visitor, a family member or even other dogs.

Rottweilers are the kind of dog breed that you show some respect and love. You should be able to show the dog that you are always there for him & he will do likewise for you.

Another important thing to note is that Rotts need a lot of exercise by nature. This is necessary to help his muscles develop well and so should not be locked up in a small space. It’s always best practice to build a small enclosure wide enough for a good exercise with wires as barricade or walls.

DO NOT FEAR your own rott because this might be a dangerous thing to do. Rotts are very muscular and heavy dogs and will utilize this against a rival, so make sure that the rival will not be you by setting the rules on time.

Rottweilers are very nice and accommodating dogs if you treat him with mutual respect so let every member of the family understand that and you will have a lovely family pet that will also defend the family with his life.

4 Comments
  1. Pets Arena July 30th, 2016
  2. Umekwe Uche July 31st, 2016
  3. Luis Chris August 22nd, 2016
    • Kodichukwu February 25th, 2017

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Kodichukwu Okonkwo, DVM

Founder of Fairvet Animal Clinic Ltd since 2011, studied at the University of Nigeria Nsukka. He is well experienced in small animal, large animal & poultry medicine, and also skilled at zoo medicine. He loves animals and builds both professional and personal relationship with pet owners in order to sustain a good interaction with pet and animal owners, coupled with His great skills in programming; he brought about www.fairvet.com which he personally built from scratch.



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