Rottweilers – one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They are known for being large, intelligent, and loyal dogs to their families when properly socialized as puppies.
If you are considering adding one of these lovable, furry friends into your life, what should you know, and what are the key differences between a male and a female Rottie?
In this ultimate guide to Rottweilers, we will dive into breed standards, the differences between a male and female Rottie, training, health issues, and much more!
What You Need to Know About the Rottweiler Breed
The first thing dog owners need to know about Rottweilers is that they are very protective and loyal animals, making them excellent guard dogs! They are also known for being very intelligent dogs and easy to train.
But don’t let this fool you into thinking that all Rottweilers will behave the same way or have similar personalities because they don’t; each dog is different and has their quirks and funny antics to contend with!
Breed Standards for the Rottweiler
Rottweilers are considered a large breed of dog. The average height for an adult male Rottweiler is between 24-27 inches, while the average weight is between 95-135 pounds, according to the AKC.
Female Rottweilers are slightly smaller and lighter than their male counterparts, with an average height of 22-25 inches and a weight of 80-100 pounds.
Physical Appearances of the Female Rottweiler
The female Rottweiler is a medium-sized, strong, and muscular dog. She has a broad head with a deep muzzle, a black nose, and round eyes. Their fur can come in different colors, such as black or brown, with tan markings around their face or paws growing up into adulthood.
Physical Appearances of the Male Rottweiler
Male Rotties are larger than females. Male Rottweilers have large heads and broader chests, which makes them appear heavier than females. They are powerful dogs that need physical exercise. They also have wider gaits than their female counterparts, as well as larger paws.
The difference between male and female Rottweilers can be subtle at times but comes down to overall size.
Rottweilers Make Excellent Family Dogs Because of Their Infectious Personality
Rotties make great companions for families with older children because they are very family-oriented and protective of their pack members. Let’s dive a little deeper into their personalities and what differences are noticeable between male and female rotties.
Female Rottweiler Personality Traits
The female Rottweiler is a loving, affectionate dog that has a strong sense of loyalty to her family. She will defend her family and property if she feels threatened or afraid for their safety. The female Rottweiler temperament can be described as being protective but also playful at times, depending on her mood and what she is doing at the time.
When she’s not out playing with her favorite toys or digging holes in your backyard, then chances are good that she’ll be curled up next to someone who needs an extra bit of warmth during those cold winter months!
Male Rottweiler Personality Traits
As an owner of a male Rottweiler, you can expect him to have many personality traits that make him unique. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Protective dog – Males are more likely than females to protect their owners and their homes from intruders or strangers. This makes them good guard dogs because they will bark when someone comes into the yard or house and then try to scare them away with their barking.
- Territorial – Like most canines, males are territorial by nature and will defend their territory against other animals who come near it (like cats). They may also mark inside the house with urine.
Are Rottweilers Aggressive?
Rottweilers are very protective of their family and territory. They will not hesitate to defend themselves or their loved ones if they feel threatened by another animal or person. This can make them appear aggressive, but in reality, Rottweilers are not naturally aggressive dogs. They have been trained to be this way through improper training methods.
If you want your Rottweiler to remain calm when people come over for the first time, you must start training early on in life so that both you and your pup know what’s expected from each other at all times during social situations such as these.
Aggression Levels in Both Male and Female Rottweilers
The aggression levels in both male and female Rottweilers are different.
Male Rotties tend to be more aggressive than female Rottweilers, but that doesn’t mean that they cannot be trained or socialized. Female Rottweilers are still protective of their family and property, but it’s not as strong as males are.
Both males and females can be trained through positive reinforcement methods such as clickers or treats for good behavior like sitting on command or coming when called! As long as your pup has been properly socialized at an early age, then it shouldn’t take much effort at all!
Female Rottweiler Temperament
Female Rottweilers are generally more affectionate and loving than males. They’re also more likely to be better with young children, which makes them a good choice for families with kids.
However, female Rottweilers can be territorial in their family’s space but not aggressive towards strangers. While they may bark at other dogs on walks or in your neighborhood, they won’t generally attack unless provoked or threatened by an unfamiliar animal entering their territory.
Male Rottweiler Temperament
While they can be aggressive, they aren’t aggressive by nature. They’re very good options for families with children! Proper training and discipline should alleviate any concerns you may have over a male Rotties seemingly aggressive attitude.
The Female Rottweiler Heat Cycle and Breeding
Female Rottweilers can breed as early as six months, but it’s recommended that you wait until your dog is at least one year old. Many female Rotties won’t reach sexual maturity until around eighteen months of age.
The stages of a female Rotties heat cycle include:
- Estrus – This stage lasts about nine days but can range from four-twenty-four days. During this time, your female Rottie is very fertile.
- Detritus – This stage of the heat cycle lasts about two months; your dog is no longer fertile.
- Anestrus – Occurs when the womb is preparing for the potential next pregnancy.
Normal signs of a heat cycle include:
- Changes in behavior
- Lack of appetite
- Decreased energy levels
- Increased bathroom trips
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge (keep those doggy diapers handy!)
Female Rottweilers typically have litters of between 6-12 puppies depending on breed standards; however, there have been cases where some females have given birth to as many as 18 puppies!
How Rottweilers will react to Kids by Their Gender
When it comes to Rottweilers and kids, there are some differences in how the two genders react.
Male Rottweilers tend to be more playful and affectionate with children. Female Rottweilers, on the other hand, are more protective of their families. This is large because female dogs have a maternal instinct that makes them want to keep their children safe at all costs–even if that means biting someone who threatens them!
For this reason (and others), male Rottweilers make better companions for small children than females do: they’re less likely to bite or snap out of fear when they’re playing around with little ones who might accidentally hurt them.
General Rottweiler Health Concerns Regardless of Gender
There are a few health problems that can affect both male and female Rottweilers. These include:
- Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder that causes the ball-and-socket joint of your dog’s hip to become loose and painful.
- Elbow dysplasia occurs when the growth plate of your dog’s elbow doesn’t develop properly. This results in abnormal growth or arthritis at a young age, leading to lameness or stiffness when walking.
- Cataracts are common among older dogs but can occur in young dogs as well.
- Cardiac Issues
- Cancers
Maintaining Rottie Health
A proper diet is the most important thing for maintaining your Rottweiler’s health. This means feeding them food that meets their nutritional needs and providing it in the right proportions. It also means avoiding foods that are bad for them, such as too much sugar or salt. Make sure you NEVER feed your Rottie human food and always have fresh, clean water available.
Exercise is another important part of maintaining Rottie’s health. The best way to keep them healthy is to make sure your dog gets enough exercise each day, whether by going for walks outside or playing fetch indoors. If you don’t give your dog enough exercise, he may become overweight–which can lead to other problems like arthritis or heart disease later on in life!
Grooming is another important aspect of maintaining a Rottie’s health because brushing removes excess hair, dirt, and other substances.
Behavioral Issues Common to Rottweilers
If you’re considering adopting a Rottweiler, you should know what to expect and how to handle your dog’s behavior.
As noted many times in this guide, Rottweilers are known for being very protective of their families and territory.
It’s also important that any potential Rottie adopters understand that training is key when raising any type of pet; however, it becomes even more crucial when dealing with larger breeds like Rottweilers because they require more attention than smaller breeds do when learning new commands or following orders.
Training your Rottweiler is an important part of owning one. You need to train them so they know what is expected of them and how to behave in different situations. It’s also a good idea to have your Rottie trained so that he or she doesn’t become aggressive toward other people and animals around him/her.
There are many different ways you can train your Rottie, but one of the most common ways is clicker training. Clicker training involves using treats as rewards when your dog does something good or obeys commands from you, like “sit” or “lay down.” Check out this link for more information on clicker training.
Check out this YouTube video for a comprehensive look at training a Rottweiler.
They also need adequate exercise time each day, so if you have other pets or kids in your home who could be at risk of injury from your rottie’s protective instincts (such as a smaller dog), then maybe this isn’t the breed for you after all! Remember they are high-energy dogs with a high level of intelligence, and exercise plays an important role in keeping them happy.
How to Decide Between a Male and a Female Rottweiler
If you’re thinking of bringing a Rottweiler into your home, there are some important things to consider. The first is whether you want a male or female dog.
There are pros and cons to each choice that may help you make your decision easier.
Female Rottweilers are more protective than females, but they can also be aggressive toward strangers if they feel threatened by them. This makes them better suited for families with older children who can understand the importance of being careful around other dogs outside of their household (or even inside it).
Male dogs tend to get along well with small children. However, proper training needs to be performed. Remember, never leave any dog, male or female alone with small children.
The Wrap up
So, does bringing a Rottweiler home sound like a good fit for you and your family? The gender of Rottweiler is a personal preference. Also, decide if the physical differences are important. If so, we highly suggest checking with local shelters for Rotties ready for adoption or the American Kennel Club for a registered list of reputable breeder in your area.