Are Rottweilers Good with Other Dogs?

The Rottweiler is, traditionally, a working dog. It was used to pull heavily laden carts from hunters to butchers, and over the generations, they have continued to be used as a working breed. Today, they are more likely to be seen working as a police dog or guard dog, although cart pulling as a canine sport does attract Rotties and their owners.

The breed is considered loving and loyal with family but can be withdrawn and even a little shy around strangers. Early socialization helps ensure that the Rottweiler does not accompany this shyness with aggression, while ongoing training will also help.

Rottie 101

Given plenty of exercise, the breed can be a sensible and level-headed addition to the family, but it does tend to suffer separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. Therefore, many owners do consider getting another dog. Having two dogs does not require twice as much work as one dog, and the two could become close companions that keep each other company. Owners may also want to know whether Rottweilers get along with other dogs that they meet in the street, the dog park, or during canine sports events, but that will not necessarily live with the Rottie.

There isn’t a straightforward answer to whether Rottweilers are good with other dogs.

Some Rottweilers will get along with other dogs outside the house and may become very close to those at home. However, others will be aloof with strange dogs, may become aggressive if pushed, and will not accept a second dog in the house.

The problem of aggression tends to be more pronounced in males, who can show signs of aggression towards other males. But, as with any breed, socializing your puppy when young will help avoid aggression while introducing a Rottweiler to a new house dog is best done when they are both young.

Rottweiler Character

The Rottweiler has had to endure a bad reputation. It is sometimes seen as being an aggressive guard dog that barks and will attack strangers. While some Rotties might have this temperament, it is usually down to poor handling or handlers encouraging this characteristic.

In reality, the breed can make a great family dog that loves all of its humans. It will follow you around the house while you go about your business and will always be at your side. It is loyal and any injuries caused to people are most likely to have been caused by the dog’s size.

Early socialization also ensures that the dog is not too shy around strangers while enrolling in puppy classes and taking your dog to the puppy park can also help introduce it to other dogs. The more your Rottie meets other dogs and realizes they aren’t a threat to you, the more likely they will be to get on with other dogs.

Male Rotties

The female Rottweiler is considered the more level-headed. She is most likely to get on with other dogs. Males can be aggressive with dogs of the same sex, so if you have a male Rottweiler and are considering adding another to the pack, you might want to get a female.

The 3 Breeds to Consider as a Companion for Your Rottweiler

If you are considering a companion for your Rottie, the following breeds are considered to be especially compatible:

1. German Shepherd

The Rottweiler and the German Shepherd are often compared to one another because, while they look different, they share several similar traits. Both are intelligent and easy to train, both are diligent and hard-working dogs, and both have had to put up with the same reputation for being aggressive dogs.

The German Shepherd is just as confident as the Rottie, which means that they won’t be easily pushed around, and because both dogs enjoy plenty of exercise, walks will give them a good opportunity to gel and get along while keeping you on your toes.

2. German Shorthaired Pointer

Another German breed that has the potential to get along with a Rottweiler is the German Shorthaired Pointer. These hunting dogs are fast and have bags of energy so are another breed that will enjoy being taken for a run with your Rottie. They benefit from being trained off the leash so that they can run and charge around, and their agility makes them a good playmate for your occasionally rambunctious Rottweiler.

3. Collie

The Rottweiler is considered easy to train, if you can show him that you’re the boss, although this obviously does not mean using aggression or physical reprimands. The Border Collie is widely regarded as the most intelligent dog breed so it will respond as well, or even better, to training.

Another reason that the collie is a good fit to live with a Rottweiler is that it has considerable energy levels. The collie is renowned for being able to work fields all day long and still have enough energy to go an hour or two in the garden with a ball.

Are Rottweilers Good with Other Dogs?

Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive and potentially dangerous, but with early socialization, firm but fair training, and responsible handling, they make excellent family pets that are loving and loyal. They can show prey drive around strange cats, however, and male Rotties can be same-sex aggressive with other dogs.

Always take care when walking any dog around others, but if you are considering getting a companion for your Rottie, several breeds are considered ideal but especially those that are confident, need decent amounts of exercise, and that are at least as intelligent as the Rottie.

Featured Image Credit: TeamK, Pixabay