With their families, Rottweilers are playful and affectionate. This large dog likes to cuddle on the couch or the bed, regardless of its size.
Rottweilers love to play and may bring you toys to play with them or ask to play with you more than other breeds of dogs, but that's because they're a working breed that needs something to do to stay happy and healthy.
Rottweilers are strong, athletic, alert dogs, with a desire to please (even with that independent streak). They enjoy dog sports like barn hunt, herding, agility, dock diving, nose work and tracking, and carting.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
Rottweilers require special interaction, lots of caressing, and games to remain active and entertained as they belong to a working group. They are included in the top 10 most jealous dog breeds.
Despite being sturdy and resilient, the Rottweiler is susceptible to various health complaints, ranging from mild to more serious. These include optical disorders, including cataracts, entropion and progressive retinal atrophy, as well as hip dysplasia and association orthopedic complaints.
Inherent Protectiveness. Being one of the most loyal and protective breeds, Rotties will sit on your lap to spread their scent on you as a passionate act of possessiveness. If you have young children at home and having seen the kids sitting on your lap often, the dog can tend to feel jealous.
Rottweilers vary from natural clowns, affectionate to almost everyone, to the very reserved one-person dog. Rottweilers are calm and alert companions. Rottweilers often follow their masters around the house, keeping a constant and sometimes obtrusive watch over their loved ones.
Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Watch his diet, make sure he gets plenty of exercise, regularly brush his teeth, and call us or a pet emergency hospital when something seems unusual (see “What to Watch For” below).
Rottweilers require more attention than many other dog breeds, needing plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. It is recommended they get at least one hour of exercise per day. As they are companion dogs, they also require plenty of affection and like to touch their owners and follow them around.
Most times, when your dog is touching you they are either trying to show you attention and affection, or they are desiring something for you. Your dog loves you and you are their pack leader, so any bit of touch brings them comfort, warmth, and love to some degree.
Sometimes, dogs may go between their owner's legs seeking comfort or safety. Some research has found that medium and large dogs are more likely to demonstrate this behavior than small dogs. A lack of confidence, anxiety, or excitement can cause dogs to seek the closeness or protection of their owner's legs.
Rotties are particularly “vocal” dogs, and very often (and regularly) “talk” to their humans and guests. Some folks may misinterpret this as some form of growling, but it's only vocalization … the breed is known for this (actually, Rottie owners love this trait and think its super cool).
While the leathery bottoms are padded to withstand changing terrain and temperatures, the tops are among the most sensitive parts of a dog's body. The spaces in between the paw pads are even more sensitive than the tops, and trying to get in-between your dog's paw pads might provoke a serious reaction.
Whether in deep slumber or just resting after a meal or exercise, your dog will always sleep in a place where he feels safe and comfortable. By laying his head on you, your pup shows that he trusts you to give him the protection he needs as he sleeps.
THEY'RE SIMPLY BEING AFFECTIONATE.
In most cases, dogs lie on top or sleep snuggled into your side because they want affection and want to show you the same. Smaller dogs might even lie on your lap as they fall asleep.
Rottweilers aren't just afraid because of strangers, but anything that may encroach on their home. These dogs need to have had great puppy socialization in order to be comfortable around strangers, but their barking can be avoided.
A number of breeds, such as Great Danes and Mastiffs, enjoy leaning their big bodies up against their people. The Rottie does, too. This action is thought to originate from the breed's need to move cattle, when they'd use their bodies to head the cows in the right direction.
That's a question people often worry about, especially if they're leaving their dog for a few days or weeks. Well, have no fear. The answer is yes, your dog will remember you, through both your scent and your face, especially your eyes.
A 2008 study found that while Rottweilers were not particularly aggressive toward their owners, other dogs, or those familiar to them, they were particularly aggressive toward strangers. Many Rottweiler owners report that while the dogs are not a threat to family, the pets can be extremely protective of their owners.