Are Rottweilers Good With Kids? 6 Important Things to Know

History of the Rottweiler

The history of the Rottweiler dates back over 2,000 years ago. The breed is a descendant of mastiffs from the Roman Empire. Those dogs accompanied the Roman Legions as they marched through the Alps. The dogs’ job was to move cattle and protect livestock. Eventually, many of these dogs ended up in the region now called Rottweil, Germany, which was a center for livestock trade. Here, the dogs were used by butchers to haul carts full of meat to the market, thus earning them the name “Rottweiler Metzgerhund”, translating to Butcher’s Dog of Rottweil.

When Rottweilers Came to America

Rottweilers all but disappeared for many centuries, until there was a resurgence in the breed in the early 20th century. The dogs began to work as police dogs in Germany and gained a reputation as wonderful dogs for security and defense. Eventually, the breed made its way to the United States, where it gained popularity in the 1990s. Today, Rottweilers are known for their security skills and participate in everything including obedience, herding, search and rescue, and police work, as well as acting as therapy dogs.

Rottweiler Temperament

No doubt about it, Rottweilers can look intimidating, and their built-in guarding instinct certainly plays that up. They may also seem aloof and reserved around strangers. With their families, Rotties, as they’re called, are a different story. With those they love, they can be playful, gentle goofballs. A well-bred and well-trained Rottie can make a wonderful companion to a family with children. They’ll watch out for the household’s young members as if it is a serious job. Their temperament is typically calm yet courageous, and they are extremely intelligent and good at listening to commands.

Reasons Rottweilers Are Good With Kids

Protective of Family: Rotties love their families, and will take the job of guarding them quite seriously. They are confident and alert dogs. While this can be a positive, families who have frequent visitors need to make sure that their Rottweiler is well-socialized and trained. You need to keep an eye on the breed’s territorial instincts.

Loving and Calm Personality: Though the breed is intimidating in appearance, they have a whole other side to them just for the people whom they love. They can be silly, snuggly, and playful. The dogs are known to lean on their owners for pets. Rottweilers enjoy having a good time with young family members.

Active and Energetic: Rottweilers have a lot of energy. They need activity, whether it’s regular hikes, playtime, or sports. This will help them be healthy, happy, and balanced. They are a good breed for active households who like to enjoy outdoor activities where they can bring their dog along.

Safety Tips for Owning Rottweilers Around Kids

Supervise Children and Dogs: Whether the breed you own is large or small, dogs and children should always be properly supervised when they’re together. Even the best-trained Rottweiler and a child who knows how to behave around dogs can have an accident, especially one that’s unintentional. Since Rottweilers are so large and powerful, a young child can accidentally be injured with unattended playtime.

Rottweilers are intelligent and naturally good with their families, but they are known to have a strong bite force. This can be extremely dangerous if the animal is put in a precarious scenario or perceives a threat that isn’t one.

Train Your Rottweiler: The breed is smart and loves to learn. Not only will training help ensure your Rottweiler is well-behaved in different scenarios, but it also is a way to keep their active minds busy. Rottweilers respond well to positive reinforcement training. With this method, the dog receives a reward of a treat or toy for exhibiting the desired behavior. There is never yelling, punishing, or hitting that takes place during the training.

Consider Your Rottweiler’s History: Adopting a dog is always the best choice when possible. It saves an animal’s life and keeps shelters from being overcrowded. However, if you are set on a certain breed like a Rottweiler, it may be worth considering getting your Rottie from an established, responsible breeder. A well-bred Rottweiler will typically have a calm and gentle disposition. A poorly bred Rottweiler runs the risk of exhibiting reactive behavior. To find a reputable breeder, check the American Rottweiler Club for recommendations.

Final Thoughts

Rottweilers can make great family pets. They are typically gentle and protective of the children in their household, and they enjoy playtime. Just be sure that you are willing to invest in taking time to train this breed before you bring this gentle giant home.