Skip to content
Home
About
Contact

Rottweiler Temperament & Personality Traits

Dr. Cristina Vulpe
Reviewed by:
Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe
Veterinarian

Despite their reputation as one of the most dangerous dog breeds, Rottweilers are actually one of the most loyal and devoted dogs a pet owner can have. But, despite their lovable nature, strangers can still be intimidated by these dogs’ strong, powerful appearance.

Rottweiler puppies need early socialisation to develop into obedient, calm animals. Read on to learn more about Rottweilers’ personality and temperament!

Rottweiler breed photo 8
Rottweiler breed photo 7
Rottweiler breed photo 6
Rottweiler breed photo 4
Rottweiler breed photo 3
Rottweiler breed photo 2
Rottweiler breed photo 1

Rottweiler Main Personality Traits

A carefully raised, well-socialised Rottweiler, on the other hand, is self-assured, even-tempered, and courageous but not aggressive. Once you get to know him, the Rottweiler is remarkably playful and has a charming character, despite being somewhat reserved. Here are the main personality traits found in most Rottweilers.

Intensely loyal

They’re loyal because of their innate personality characteristics and how they’ve been raised by the people who own them. You can count on your Rottweiler as a dedicated, loving, thoughtful, and excellent guard dog.

They enjoy attention

A Rottweiler’s powerful features can make them seem distant to outsiders, but their pet parents would disagree. Despite their stern appearance, the Rottweiler dog breed requires affection and a lot of training to prevent them from acting out, which may cause them to engage in destructive behaviour, such as digging holes and excessive barking.

Intelligent dogs

When claiming that their Rottweiler is the smartest dog breed, most owners aren’t exaggerating since Rottweilers are known for their intelligence. Their intelligence makes them easy to train at any age, puppy, adult or senior.

Active dog breeds

Having an intelligent dog requires a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Rottweilers love to work and do well with virtually all dog sports, from herding to obedience training.

Rottweilers and Your Family

A Rottweiler can be the perfect new addition to your family. Due to their size and protective nature, they make incredible guard dogs, and they are the biggest teddy bears. But what are they like when it comes to the rest of the family?

Can Rottweilers Live With Other Dogs?

There are many Rottweiler owners who have successfully raised their dogs alongside other dog breeds without any concerns. The key is to ensure your pups are well-socialised from a young age.

Just as with humans, each Rottweiler has their own distinct personality, regardless of the rottweiler breed standard. When it comes to personality qualities, even among Rotweiller pups from the same litter, each will have its own personality and quirks. In general, they get along with other dogs just fine, but you’ll need to be aware of each pup’s temperament and adapt accordingly.

Whether you’re looking to expand your family with another pet or if you’re unsure if your Rottweiler puppy will be sociable at dog parks, be sure to socialise with them from early puppyhood to get them used to being around other dogs.

Can Rottweilers Live With Other Pets?

Rottweilers can make friends easily and be around other pets, but like most dogs, their owners have to work with them on this too. Rottweilers may get along with more dog breeds and even cats if they’ve been reared in a home with them and have been through early socialisation.

Can Rottweilers Live With Kids?

Rottweilers are among the most popular dog breeds for families with children, as listed by the American Kennel Club (AKC). This is because they tend to be incredibly gentle and kind towards children and are also relatively calm and collected.

Although they might be devoted and affectionate to their family members, this is not always the case. Your dog will be suspicious of guests it doesn’t know, especially if they have young children. So, always introduce them to new people in a calm manner, and keep an eye on them will small kids as their herding instincts may kick-in.

Do Rottweilers Have Any Behavioural Issues?

The Rottweiler’s tendencies for herding, protection, and guarding may be challenging for new owners. Inherent in the Rottweiler’s nature is the ability to herd. Because of their heritage as working dogs and police dogs, many Rottweilers have an innate desire to herd humans and animals.

They may attempt to herd kids and steer them due to this inclination in the family home. As a result, they may put their weight on your kids or push them in a harmful way. In extreme cases, they may even bite or nip at the children.

FAQs

Can Rottweilers Be Left Alone?

If you have a well-balanced Rottweiler, you can leave him at home, but separation anxiety might develop since they are so devoted to their owners.

Do Rottweilers Bark a Lot?

Rottweilers aren’t known for their excessive barking. These large dog breeds are not predisposed to respond quickly; instead, they take their time and carefully assess the situation before acting.

Are Rottweilers Active Dogs?

Rottweilers are clever and energetic and need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. Rottweilers have a medium to high level of energy; therefore, it’s recommended that their owners walk them at least twice a day.

Final Thoughts on Rottweiler Temperament & Personality

Many feel that the Rottweiler breed is dangerous, even if this is not the case. With enough Rottweiler dog breed information, you will soon realise that they are an excellent choice for families with children if they are properly socialized early on. The more you know about their health problems and disposition, the more prepared you will be to make a long-term commitment.

Learn more about: Rottweiler Dog Breed Information

Other helpful information

  • Dog Breed Guides
  • Cat Breed Guides

Other related Rottweiler guides

Rottweiler breed photo 2

Do Rottweilers Shed?

Rottweiler breed photo 2

Rottweiler Prices In Australia

Rottweiler breed photo 2

Rottweiler Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

Rottweiler breed photo 2

Rottweiler Size & Weight Chart

Rottweiler breed photo 2

Common Rottweiler Health Issues

Rottweiler breed photo 2

Rottweiler Grooming Tips & Styles

Rottweiler breed photo 2

What to Feed a Rottweiler? Diet & Feeding Chart

Rottweiler breed photo 2

Rottweiler Colours

Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.

Facebook Instagram Linkedin
Dog Breed Guides
  • Foundation Stock Service
  • Gundogs
  • Herding
  • Hounds
  • Miscellaneous Class
  • Non-sporting
  • Sporting
  • Terriers
  • Toy
  • Unrecognized
  • Utility
  • Working
Cat Breed Guides
  • Exotic
  • Hairless
  • Hybrid
  • Long Haired
  • Natural
  • Oriental
  • Rex
  • Semi-long Haired
  • Short Haired
Adopt A Pet
Dog Adoption
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • QLD
  • SA
  • TAS
  • VIC
  • WA
Cat Adoption
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • QLD
  • SA
  • TAS
  • VIC
  • WA

© PetsOnline. All Rights Reserved 2025.

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions