Are Rottweilers good with kids? When you think of a good family dog, a Rottweiler might not be the first breed that comes to mind. With their reputation as being more feisty and aggressive than calm and loving, Rottweilers are certainly not the top pick for families, right? You’d be surprised to find that Rotties are actually pretty common in families, and for good reason, too.
So, are Rottweilers good with kids? Yes, Rottweilers can be very good with kids. They are loving, protective, and energetic, all of which are important traits a family-friendly dog should have. However, Rottweilers should be trained properly and due to their larger-than-life size, you’ll want to keep an eye on him around smaller children.
If you’re thinking about whether or not a Rottweiler is a good idea for you and your family, you have come to the right place. We are going to discuss the pros and cons of adding a Rottweiler to your family so you can make a confident decision as to whether or not you want this breed around your children.
Top 4 Reasons Rottweilers are Great with Kids
Even though Rottweilers don’t seem like a great dog to have around your children, that’s really just an unfair stigma about this breed. Rottweilers can be one of the best options for a family with children, and here’s why:
1. They are Gentle and Loving
While you might not consider a Rottie to be a snuggly kind of dog, they are actually very loving and truly love to snuggle up with the ones they love. But that’s the keyword here- the ones they love, which means, their owner and their families.
This, of course, includes your kids.
Don’t be surprised if your Rottweiler enjoys hopping up on your lap and having a seat.
That’s one of the funny things about this breed- while they are larger than life, they don’t know it. They think of themselves as these small, little dogs that can easily find room in your lap, so they’ll hop up without thinking twice.
2. They are Full of Energy
Now, are we talking about your kids here or the Rottweiler breed? It’s hard to say, considering they are both chock-full of energy.
So, think about it this way- your kiddos, whether they are 4 or 14, are pretty rambunctious. They likely enjoy running around the house and playing outside, but all that energy can be exhausting for parents to keep up with.
Que the Rottweiler. Since this breed is so loaded up with energy, they will have no problem keeping up with your kiddos and together they can play games and have fun. This means that your children and dog are both releasing all of that pent up energy while staying active and in good health.
Remember- your Rottweiler is much like a child in how much energy he has.
He must be exercised for at least two hours a day to keep him happy, healthy, and aggressive-free. This is a major responsibility for Rottie parents, so knowing that your children can take the place as activities director for your dog is a major plus.
3. Rottweilers are Very Protective
The Rottweiler’s protective nature is like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, that means that they are loyal to their families and will protect them at all costs.
On the other hand, this also means that they can become aggressive- however, this only happens if your Rottweiler is not properly trained.
This is where the importance of training comes into place.
All Rottweilers should be trained and socialized, preferably at a young age, to ensure they know how to properly guard and protect without being aggressive.
So, that being said, if you simply have your Rottweiler properly trained then you shouldn’t fear any type of aggressiveness from your pet.
4. Rottweilers Love to Have Fun
For being the fierce-looking, muscular dogs that they are, you wouldn’t think that they have a delightfully silly side that will keep you and your kids laughing for ages.
Yup, it’s true- and any Rottie owner will tell you- this dog loves to goof around and be silly. This is a major plus for kiddos who love all-things silly!
3 Downsides to Rottweilers and Kids
The good news is that there aren’t too many downsides when it comes to having a Rottweiler in your family with children.
However, that doesn’t mean there are no downsides. Here are three things to keep in mind when adding a Rottie to the fam:
1. Rottweilers Are Big and Heavy Dogs
It’s no secret that Rottweilers are large and in charge. Their muscular builds make them strong and heavy, with most dogs of this breed- male and female- easily hitting above 100 pounds.
That being said, your Rottweiler is likely to be a lot larger than smaller kids, as most kids don’t reach 100 pounds until they’re well into middle school- and not even then!
The Rottweilers size is something to keep in mind- especially if you have small children in the home. While your Rottweiler is sure to be gentle with little kids if they get excited while playing they can accidentally hurt a small child.
The best thing to do is to keep an eye on your child and your Rottweiler while they are playing. Your furry friend might not mean to hurt them, but if they get to wound up during playtime they might find themselves pushing down a small child or stepping on top of them.
2. Untrained Rottweilers Can be Aggressive
One thing we can’t stress enough is that Rottweilers must be trained.
Whether you are lucky enough to get him trained and socialized at a young age or not, it must be done.
Just like any other type of dog, they have the potential to be aggressive. Proper training will ensure that your dog stays cool and calm around children.
3. Rottweilers can Get Jealous
Just because your Rottweiler looks big and bad doesn’t mean he really is.
Rotties can get jealous when you spend too much time with your child instead of him, so it’s important to make sure you’re still making plenty of time to spend with your furry best friend.
Of course, having your children and the Rottie play often will help ease any jealousy, too.
Related Questions
We all know that training is not a mandatory option for Rottweilers; they must be trained. But we recommend having your Rottweiler professionally trained. Rotties are independent with a dominant nature that can be somewhat challenging to conquer at home.
Professional training will ensure that your Rottweiler is learning everything he needs to know in the right way, too. Also, keep in mind that the earlier you train your Rottweiler, the easier it will be. He will take his skills into adulthood and never know the difference.
It depends, but both should be trained to avoid aggressive behaviors. However, it is said that male Rotties tend to be larger and far more territorial than their female counterparts. They have a tendency to be a bit more aggressive and more difficult to train than females as they have a dominant attitude.
