Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are known for their intimidating size and strength, which is why they’re among the breeds frequently chosen by people looking for extra protection. But when it comes to Rottweiler vs German Shepherd, how do you choose which breed is right for you?
Meet the Breeds: German Shepherd and Rottweiler
Before you make any decisions, get a better understanding of German Shepherds vs Rottweilers overall. Here’s how the two breeds stack up in comparison.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds top the list of excellent working dogs. Bred originally as herding dogs, German Shepherds are tireless workers with high intelligence, and their strong bodies are built for speed and agility. They’re a confident breed and fearless in the face of danger, but they’re also deeply loyal and gentle with their loved ones. Natural protectors, they love having a job and learn new skills quickly, which is why they’re frequently the top choice for police and military canines across the globe.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are big, powerful working dogs with a long history as guard dogs. Their muscled physique and sheer strength make them intimidating, but they’re remarkably gentle and even silly with their loved ones. They’re naturally territorial and self-assured, so with training, they make excellent guard dogs, but they’re often chosen as service dogs and search and rescue dogs, too. Despite their imposing size, Rottweilers love to play and cuddle with their families.
Temperament and Personality Comparison
A big part of choosing a dog is deciding what type of personality will work best for you. While every dog is different, each breed typically has shared personality traits. Think about what you like in a dog, and then take a look at Rottweiler vs German Shepherd breeds to see which temperament might match best to you.
- Rottweiler: This breed is very trainable and eager to please. They are fiercely protective and somewhat aloof, but playful and affectionate with family. They need a job or consistent activity to keep them entertained, but they don’t require constant exercise if they get the stimulation they need. They tend to be stubborn, so they need excellent and consistent training.
- German Shepherd: This breed is incredibly intelligent, so they love learning and working in nearly any capacity. That means keeping them busy to ensure they don’t create their own entertainment. However, with adequate exercise and mental stimulation, German Shepherds are a treat to have around. They’re highly adaptable, trainable, and excellent with family and even young children. They excel when they can spend a lot of time with their people.
When comparing German Shepherds vs Rottweilers, you’ll notice both breeds are smart, protective, affectionate with family, and require entertainment. While both breeds need stimulation, German Shepherds are higher energy and benefit more from physical exercise. At the same time, it’s more important to give Rottweilers the mental stimulation they need to be well-behaved.
Trainability Test: Who Learns Faster?
Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers learn quickly and enjoy working. They’re both eager to please, though Rottweilers can be stubborn, so it may take longer to train a Rottweiler than a German Shepherd. Rottweilers require training that is consistent and firm, but never rough, from a handler or owner who is confident in their leadership. German Shepherds, meanwhile, are high-energy and may need a little more training on impulse control, though they respond very quickly to good training.
If you’re looking for the breed that learns fastest when it comes to German Shepherds vs Rottweilers, German Shepherds will typically win this competition. While both breeds take very well to training and the trainer is the greatest deciding factor in a dog’s training, German Shepherds truly are remarkably fast learners.
Balancing Physical and Mental Demands
Keeping any dog happy requires meeting their mental and physical needs, but for these two highly intelligent working dog breeds, balancing the two may seem daunting. If keeping your dog exercised and entertained can’t be your full-time job, how do you balance their physical and mental demands with your life? A bored dog is a dog that finds trouble, and a dog with too much energy, well… it’s the same story. The best way to meet both mental and physical demands for your dog is to provide exercise that also keeps them entertained.
Since both breeds were originally bred as herding dogs, they’ll enjoy activities that require those types of skills. Not everyone has access to a herd of livestock, though, so other activities will have to suffice. Create an agility course for your dog to run through, and practice different skills throughout. Take your dog hiking on challenging terrain. If you hunt or fish, bring your dog with you and teach them to track and fetch prey. If you have kids, enlist them to help develop games to play with your dog. Additionally, you can try any of the following:
- Playing fetch
- Swimming
- Going for a walk
- Puzzle toys
- Hide and seek (with people or objects)
- Ring/toy stacking
- Teach new tricks or skills
- Go on a doggy playdate
How Protective Are They?
When it comes to Rottweilers vs German Shepherds, is one more protective than the other? German Shepherds and Rottweilers each have strong protective instincts, and that’s a large part of why they were used as herding dogs. However, each breed has unique protective qualities that could make it a better match for your needs.
- German Shepherds: Known for being incredibly courageous, they won’t hesitate to put themselves between their loved ones and danger. They’re consistently chosen for police and military work because of their bravery and fearlessness, combined with their speed, agility, and natural protective instincts, which make German Shepherds a top choice for protection work.
- Rottweilers: As herding dogs, they guarded the cattle, but they were also used to guard money while traveling with the herd. Their large, muscular physique made them intimidating to rivals, so money was tied around their necks to keep it safe. They are excellent guardians, but they can become territorial, so excellent training is essential for these dogs.
Ultimately, both breeds are very protective, and both can be wonderful guard dogs or protection dogs. Understand what you want your dog’s focus to be, so you can choose the breed that will best meet your needs.
Common Concerns and Life Expectancy
Part of researching the right breed for you is looking into common concerns for Rottweilers vs German Shepherds. That way, you’re as prepared as possible for any challenges you might experience, and you’ll have a better idea about how to address or prevent them. You should also know the average life expectancy for each breed because these dogs will become members of your family. Below, you’ll see the concerns commonly associated with each breed, as well as the average life expectancy for a healthy dog.
Rottweiler
- Can gain weight easily
- Can be stubborn
- Can be territorial
- Requires firm, consistent training and handling
- Can be prone to certain cancers (especially bone cancer), heart conditions, and hip or elbow dysplasia
- Can experience separation anxiety if left alone for too long
- Life expectancy of 9-10 years
German Shepherd
- Can be prone to excessive barking
- Requires lots of exercise and activity
- Requires frequent brushing due to regular shedding
- Bond so closely that separation anxiety can be an issue
- Can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and bloat
- Life expectancy of 12-14 years
Who’s the Better Fit for Your Lifestyle?
In the end, only you can decide between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler for you and your lifestyle. Be honest with yourself about what you want from your dog, and consider what you’re able to offer your dog, too. Each of these breeds requires a serious time commitment to ensure that they are happy, healthy, and getting everything they need. From excellent training to ample entertainment and exercise, you’re going to be committing time, money, and energy to your new dog. The great news is that they’re going to return the favor with loyalty, love, and lifelong companionship.
Sources:
https://worldanimalfoundation.org/dogs/german-shepherd-vs-rottweiler-the-ultimate-comparison-guide/
https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/rottweiler-vs-german-shepherd
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rottweiler/
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/german-shepherd-dog-right-for-you/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/rottweiler-right-for-you/
https://www.akc.org/compare-breeds/?selected=%5B24451%2C25491%5D&show=true
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/fun-facts-rottweiler/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/amazing-facts-about-german-shepherd/?rel=sponsored