How many owners of Rottweilers have had bad experiences with their dogs?

[Gixxer]

A lot of people that I know are very afraid of the Rottweiler, mostly through what they've heard from somebody's experience or simply because the dogs do exhibit aggressive behaviour to strangers around their territory or their family. Does anybody have personal bad experience with their rottweilers or somebody else's rottweilers and if so, would you mind filling me in please.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

I've had two. They are very loyal dogs that don't do well to family changes.

[Gixxer]

I've had two. They are very loyal dogs that don't do well to family changes.

how did they act towards strangers and kids?

[MikeyG]

I was bit by one for no reason out of the blue when I was a kid. Not a fan.

[kyle1974]

I have a good friend who is a vet. He was telling me several years ago that Rottweilers will sometimes have a condition when their skull stops growing and their brain keeps growing, which can cause severe issues, sometimes making dogs violent, sometimes it kills them.

[Blue Tick]

I've been around several and had 2 of mine own. They are very loyal and protective of their people. Both of mine were awesome dogs.

[Mudslinger]

I have had a Rottie in the family since 1989, 3 total. My first was very protective but a well mannered dog. Thunder, my male rottie I lost on June 13th after 9 1/2 years was a very well mannered dog and was great with other dogs, but did not trust people. never had a problem with him as long as someone let him make the first move and get to know the person a little. After that he would not leave you alone for wanting to get attention. My remaining female rottie Daizsha, now 9 1/2 is absloutley wonderful around anyone. All she is looking for is attention and petting. Rotties are not for everyone and not for people that are not going to spend time training them and spending time with them. You have to make yourself the alpha dog with any rottie and if you are not able to do that, then this breed is not for you. All my Rotties have been our kids, we have no kids of our own, and they have been wonderful companions. I am not sure how my wife and I are going to handle life when we loose our beloved Daizsha. Pick the right breeder and not a puppy mill and you should have a good or companion.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

how did they act towards strangers and kids?

They didn't trust strangers and at 180# German rottie I wouldn't let them around new kids.

[pickles]

I had one for 13 years before he passed away. He was a 180 pound lap dog. He never even growled at a human. He loved other dogs as well but didn't like aggresive dogs. He would just usually stay away from them.

My rott lived on the same farm his whole life and was never in a fence or on a chain. I have heard from other people that if they are suddenly taken out of the enviroment for a long period of time it's usually very hard for them to become comfortable ever again. Having a 180 pound uncomfortable dog is not a good thing at all.

[red]

Shortly after HS, a buddy and I went to his brothers house. I hadn't seen his brother in near 2 years and since then he had a well trained rott. I get in and the rott squares off with me, growling and showin teeth!! I'm freakin out and tellin him to get his dog! He said, don't worry, just pet her. I said &$/": you! We went back n forth 3-4 times and I finally took his word. Soon as I touched the rott she flipped over and wanted her belly rubbed!! She was a great dog

[Bowwiz]

What Doug posted ^
No -no bad experiences with the 4 Rott's I have owned in the last 20 yrs.My current 2 yr Female-Lita-looks very intimidating at 100#,barks at people walking down the street with her hair standing up,but if they call her,her nub goes to waggin 100mph.At 1 time -I had 2 Rottweilers in my Archery shop when I was in the business .My customers loved them and let their kids play with them.Even brought them a huge rawhide bone for them to chew on.My Rott is my kid ,I work with her everyday displaying me as being alpha boss .Best breed of dog I've ever own.

[Loreva13]

My wife had a female rottie when I meet her. She was a well mannered dog. She would become very protective and aggressive of my wife and by my surprise me when someone made us feel uneasy. But she was controllable with our commands. Only trouble we had was if other dogs showed up. In one case when we were out my mother-in-law allowed my wife's brothers to put a puppy in back with her. Big mistake. She ripped that little thing to pieces. In my experience overall a very loyal and obedient breed with the right owner.

[Dirtymike]

I have a good friend who is a vet. He was telling me several years ago that Rottweilers will sometimes have a condition when their skull stops growing and their brain keeps growing, which can cause severe issues, sometimes making dogs violent, sometimes it kills them.

Oldest myth, not true, said to be the same with dobermanns.

I had a friend that had a huge rot. He biggest problem was he was overly friendly, very powerfull, and was scared to death of fireworks. Oh and loved to lick you.

There are good dogs and bad dogs in every breed, and in every race. Temperment, training, and the life style the dog has and lives is more important than the breed any day.

[texaspyro21]

My friend forgot to mention that he had a rottweiler the first time I came over to his house. Walked into the door and next thing I know is there is a big ole dog charging at me barking. I was out the door as fast as I could open it. My friend is laughing and tells me she won't hurt me so I go back in. The rottweiler took a flying leap and knocked me over as soon as I closed the door. Even labs don't like to lick people as much as this rottweiler did.

[gatorgar]

Got bit by one many years ago for no apparent reason. It was at a junkyard and I guess I got too close to him without his noticing me. I went to take a step and suddenly found my boot in his mouth. Owner freaked and I just looked down at him and asked, what was that for? After that, he gave me a weird look and followed me around while I looked for parts. Not a problem the rest of the afternoon.
Have owned two myself and they were great with everyone and everything. Great breed, just don't surprise them.