Rottweiler | Is It Right For You?

Today Uncle Stonnie is hanging out with awesome puppies and discussing the issue of whether or not a Rottweiler is right for you and your family.

00:00 Introduction
02:04 Rottweiler Puppy Hiking With Mentor Dogs
08:14 Running Back To The Kennel
08:18 Obedience Training & General Thoughts
13:21 Rottweilers Need Strong Leaders
14:03 Use Caution When Taking Advice From Rottweiler Experts

About the Breed

The Rottweiler is a robust working breed of great strength descended from the mastiffs of the Roman legions. A gentle playmate and protector within the family circle, the Rottie observes the outside world with a self-assured aloofness. A male Rottweiler will stand anywhere from 24 to 27 muscular inches at the shoulder; females run a bit smaller and lighter. The glistening, short black coat with smart rust markings add to the picture of imposing strength. A thickly muscled hindquarters powers the Rottie's effortless trotting gait. A well-bred and properly raised Rottie will be calm and confident, courageous but not unduly aggressive. The aloof demeanor these world-class guardians present to outsiders belies the playfulness, and downright silliness, that endear Rotties to their loved ones. (No one told the Rottie he's not a toy breed, so he is liable plop onto your lap for a cuddle.) Early training and socialization will harness a Rottie's territorial instincts in a positive way.

#rottweiler #dogtrainer #dogtraining

[StonnieDennis]

Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour.

Both of these great services can be found here: www.kentuckycanine.com

Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure

[Frankietimes]

I have a 3 year old 125 pound female rottie. This guys video is 100 percent spot on. She’s an amazing dog and I’m convinced she’d take a bullet for me. You just have to put in the work and be a leader. If you want a good dog you have to put in the work plain and simple!

[dougshugarts]

What you said about being physically able to control a big dog is spot on. A Rottie's bite is no joke.

[tomato]

We had a 110lb female Rottie - no fat. She was huge. Never attacked another person or animal. Retrospectively, we were lucky. She came to us circuitously via a group of friends so we knew her well when she came to us and our two other dogs (about half her size.) She was a lapdog, one of the sweetest, smartest dogs I've ever known. But, if this big bear decided to let loose, there was nothing short of lethal force I could have done about it. We're small folks and in our early sixties when she came to us. When I heard you say, "Never own a dog you can't whip, " I immediately thought of Sadie and thanked God she was the sweetheart she was. Because of her, I LOVE Rotties. Because of her I appreciate their power, intelligence and loyalty more than ever. We lost her 9 years ago. I'd love to have another, but I'm 73 now, so no. I couldn't "whip" a dog this powerful in my prime. My admiration for this breed will remain til I die.

[stephenmuir]

Hey Stonnie a cool thing I've found with big square headed dogs is when they are well socialised from pups by the time they are fully grown they know they are big square headed dogs and with that can come an incredible calm confidence with smaller aggressive dogs.

[RobertW-ByzantineCatholic]

I’m a Rottweiler owner. A 2.5 year old 101 lbs intact male. As Rotties go, he’s on the smaller end of the standard for males (95-135lbs). Dad is an executive protection dog, mom is a therapy dog. He’s the perfect balance between the two. Good with other dogs, great with kids. This is an excellent and very well balanced video on Rottweilers. And the not taking an older Rottweiler he doesn’t know is more than reasonable. He’s exactly right, it’s not an really an issue of the breed being temperamentally dangerous, they really are just very powerful athletic dogs and if one does break bad, it’s a serious problem. I have only one slight disagreement with Stonnie and it very well may be just a product of my particular dog. He’s spot on about the short bursts of energy and recharge rates in terms of high output play sessions. If they’ve got the room to sprint around, you really only need about 15 minutes and he’s gassed and will veg out the rest of the day. However if you’re just taking walks, they have better endurance than most dogs in their size/form factor. I regularly take the pup into the mountains/forest and we can do about ten miles no problem so long as it’s not too hot out and decent tree coverage (black fur gets hot fast). But I sought out a breeder who specifically produces leaner/lighter dogs from working lines and I can certainly see some of the bigger boys having less drive/endurance. Most people who want a Rottweiler, unfortunately want a Rottweiler shaped dog. I will probably never not have a Rottweiler, but I don’t recommend them to most of the people who say they want one. People sometimes act like a dog is a dog, get one that looks the way you want and that can’t be further from the truth. If you decide on a Rottweiler, find multiple breeders. Talk to all of them. Don’t choose a breeder that has puppies on the ground. Go meet the parents, and be early on the list for a litter so you can interact with all of them and pick the puppy that has the personality that matches what you want/need. Yes there are general temperamental traits each breed has, but these are a rough outline. Every dog is an individual. Some will be high drive giants or athletes and some will be perfectly happy being a couch potato lap dog. All in the same litter. Anyway, long story short Rottweilers are the perfect breed for me and my lifestyle, and that means absolutely nothing in regards to your lifestyle. If they’re right for you, lots of early socialization and training and you’ll have best friend. Love the channel and the sage advice Stonnie, keep up the good work.

[dellavest]

This is the best info on Rottweiler I've heard! I've owned mine since she was 3. She is very well socialized, still did the whispery growl toward my youngest grandson when he got closer than she liked toward her bed and toy. Dog automatically has to go out to our dog yard when anyone younger than 16 is going to be at my house. There are no "second chances" because, in her mind, she was training OUR puppy about her boundaries...and that is how dogs think. From our POV, any, ANY "accident" could and probably WOULD be deadly...so, she can't be blamed...she's being a dog....the responsibility is entirely mine, to protect and erect proper boundaries.

[helok]

Early in my police career I worked K9 and my boy was a Rottweiler. He was fantastic. He knew when it was work time, family time, or play time. Obviously, he was well trained and socialized which is what I tell everyone who has a dog. You and your family are the alphas. Dogs have a hierarchy and need to know their place.

[redelephantsdotnl]

Man, you are spot on. Almost everytime I come across a Rottie or Dobermann or somesuch, you see someone getting dragged behind their dog - holding on for dear life. Oftentimes they'll yell out from a distance to keep my dog away. These people are scared and anxious to begin with, get a scary looking guard dog to boost their confidence... But then they're anxious and nervous around their dog, until he just takes over. In response, the anxious owner keeps a tight leesh on their dog they can't control, the dog gets no excersise, no release, no calm, no socialisation - and it only makes matters worse.

[darrylg]

Extremely accurate and well put together video. As a Rottweiler owner, Trainer/Breeder, I hope/wish more people who are interested in the breed find this video and follow your points to ensure successful and loving ownership. This breed is special to say the least and they are not for everyone. Do your homework folks! We'll done Stoney!

[Unsensitive]

My wife had a massive Rottweiler, but wasn't socialized properly.

He was an amazing guard dog, very protective of her property in the country. Nearly 150lbs, massive and playful.

If you weren't her family?... Stay away.

She had to keep him in a 6ft kennel outside for safety reasons, with a sign that said "No. He doesn't want you to pet him"

She'd excercise him on her 4wheeler, run him 3-4 miles every few days. He could pick up the wheeler by the tires, which he thought was a fun game, and punctured a couple of em till they slicked em up.

The dog saved her life at least twice.

Once she was working in her garden.

75-100lbs wild pitbull came streaking across the yard straight to her, on her hands and knees, didn't see it till it was about 20 yards away.

Next thing she knew her Rottweiler slammed into the dog like a freight train, rag dolled it and tossed it about 10 yards, then came back and positioned itself in front of her to protect her. Other dog took off just as fast as it came in, probably a bit worse for wear.

Her rottie identified the threat, cleared the 6ft kennel when needed, dealt with it and kept his family safe.

Good dog.

[asrotties]

A Rottweiler is the only dog for me. 44 years of Rottweilers in this house and counting. Getting the breed that is right for you is key to a happy life for both the people AND the dog. Like you, My training is off leash and free as well. The only thing I would caution is which lines a person gets their Rottweilers from. Working line Rottweilers are going to have a LOT more energy, faster recharge time than suggested in this video The average pet Rottweiler from a good breeder, yes, they are pretty chill if they are given a couple nice Runs a day. As far as fencing... I have Rottweilers that can easily jump 6 foot privacy fences but after training, they would stay in a 3 foot fence. There simply is no better dog than a well bred, well socialized, well trained Rottweiler, FOR ME

[JoJo-zlqh]

I love the breed! Always wanted one but being in a wheelchair made me decide they might not be right for me but I still love the way they look. I’ve got a golden retriever lol I know very different! But she’s amazing such a great dog and she’s good fit for my lifestyle ❤

[packatak]

Owned them for 23 yrs. Best breed ever IF you put in the time and effort to teach them how life works.
Had one that was even a registered Therapy Dog.
I miss them so much.

[leoghigu]

That's one of the most honest evaluations of both the breed, a trainer's stance on it and a potential owner's mentality that I have ever heard.
Congratulations!

[zowahh]

Yes Stonnie ❤ very much low endurance and long recharge time they’ll sleep all day after some exercise. Love rotties my favourite breed long as you’ve got consistent rules and boundaries from day one they make great dogs.

[Jack]

With the right consistent training rotts are the best breed out there ( for me ) love my boy jack so much❤❤❤

[eileenshaw]

A woman I know had her elderly female Alaskan Malamute who was being walked on a leash attacked by a Rottweiler at a nearby dog park. A woman had a 4 y.o. dog off leash and it charged the Malamute. It bit the dog repeatedly and when the owner was finally able to get it under control, it broke the collar and went back for the second attack on the Malamute. It took two women to get the dog off and the fight broken up. The Malamute needed treatment at the Vet for puncture wounds on her neck. The owner of the Rottweiler said she didn't know what happened, that he had never done anything like that before....The woman who owned the Malamute was emotionally traumatized and never took the elderly dog back to the dog park again. She was fortunate her dog wasn't killed in the attack. There are a lot of lessons to be learned here. Be smart and be safe with large dog breeds. Be honest with yourself if you are strong enough to break up a fight before serious injury or death occur. Have proper insurance just in case....

[chrisharmon]

I've owned Rotts and Rott mixes for over 30 years. I got my first one because some people were moving and couldn't take her with them so I took her. She was the best behaved dog I've ever had. I feel in love with the breed the day my German Short Haired Pointer grabbed her and started a fight. Bad move on the GSHP part and but as soon as I told the Rott to let her go she did. I'd never worked with her on that kind of thing but it was almost instinctual the way she acted. I found out later that's one of the traits they look for in breeding stock in Germany. I've had a full blooded one around the house ever since. I don't keep them for guard dogs. I keep them because of the clown like personalities. Just bark when someone shows up is all I ask for.

[Gracie]

This video is such perfect timing. I have followed your training videos for a long time when we had our first Labrottie (50% Rottweiler, 37.5% Labrador abd 12.5% Golden Retriever mix), he looked and ate like a black lab with a blockier head and ate like one, with a goofy happy go lucky attitude, who loved to work and was loved by so many, so I just trained him as if he were a Labrador. Unfortunately lost him 10 months ago at the age of almost 12, and it was after we lost him that I realized that he actually had quite a bit of Rottweiler traits, more so than Labrador traits. Now my husband wants to Rottweiler, and at first I did not want one, but after learning more about them and realizing that our first dog had many rottie traits, I think we will be ok with having a Rottweiler.