Q: is it true that the rottweiler came from the dobermann?
Someone said to my mom that the rottweiler is a mix between a dobermann and another dog and that because of this the brain of the rottweiler tends to grow which causes the dog to become crazy and dangerous. this sounds like a big load of bull.
Is it true that rottweilers have a tendency to betray their owners?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by Shane
Rotty is not a descendent of the doberman, but neither is the Doberman a descendent of the rotty, they soul purpose of cross breeding dobermans with rotty, was for the wonderful markings, the original Doberman was not the most handsome breed in the world when Herr Doberman first created the breed in Prussia in the 1890's.
I have had the fortune to be owned by a Doberman, and she was a hell of a dog.
The original Dobermann was very closely related to the Manchester Terrier. and almost had a dreadlock type of coat.
Answer by SabrinaD
Dobermann is a relatively new breed (about 150 years old). It was created from a number of breeds probably including rottweiler and minature pincher among other breeds by a German tax collector/dog warden to accompany him on his rounds. It is said that Dobermanns go crazy because the brain is too large but at this point I consider that simply an urban myth.
In the 1970's there were a lot of stories of Dobermanns turning on their owners but it was a case of dogs that had been trained by someone else and sold as a "guard" dog. Dobes bond to one or a few people. After this time Dobermann breeders went out of their way to only breed stable dogs to stable dogs to stop this kind of behavior. The Dobermann of today tends to be a big gentle dog.
Answer by Lisa
Many people believe the Rottweiler to be descended from a Mastiff type dog which the Romans used when they conquered Europe. The Romans used these dogs primarily for herding the cattle and sheep needed as food for their armies. The modern breed of Rottweiler is believed to have been developed in Germany in a district known as Rottweil, hence the name Rottweiler. The Germans used these dogs as herd dogs for their farming animals. The early Rottweilers also were worked as beasts of burden, carrying wood and other products to market. In addition, they were used as draft animals to pull carts filled with various products for their owners. During the first and second World Wars, Rottweilers were put into service as war time guard animals.
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Currently they are frequently used as guard and police animals. Some people have trained these fine animals to be hostile and many sad stories have resulted from these situations. However, a Rottweiler which has been properly trained, will be as gentle as any other breed of dog.
The Rottweiler is a very intelligent dog with a strong desire to please it's master. Rottweilers crave attention, they are very loyal, and devoted. If they sense that their family is in eminent danger, they will defend their family just as any other dog would do. As with any other large dog, the Rottweiler requires a dominant master who is familiar with handling large dogs. Any dog, which is not properly trained, can and may challenge the authority of their handler.
A Rottweiler is a powerful animal and cannot be allowed to dominate. They must be taught who the master is. Once they understand who is master, they willingly submit to the authority of their handler.
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Jim says
I have a 10-month-old female Rottweiler or showing tendencies of being the alpha she likes to be in control. I have been through obedience school and canine good citizen. At times she tends to try to dominate and show me she’s in charge. How can I stop this.
RussianDog says
You should show her that you are the leader.
Karen says
Make it “Wait” for food, make it wait 2 go out the door until after you are out and after you say it’s okay. you sit stay or down stay or whatever your dog knows and if it doesn’t know that, you need to teach it. need to reinforce it. don’t let that dog move an inch before you tell it what to do. no, yes, move or whatever else you can distract her into doing, watch her intently & if she is about to sit or lay, you tell her to do something else- begin to teach her to stand or teach her some new command or tell her to fetch …. You tell her what to do before she makes ANY decision on her own, prove that you are “the Boss of her”, don’t even let her think for herself, boss her around. She tells you she needs to go potty you tell her weight and then you let her out in your good time 10 or 15 minutes later. Esp. walking on a leash, never ever let that dog get her nose ahead of your back foot. you can use a line on a sidewalk as a stopping place while training so that she always knows where she needs to be, it uses clicker training (saw it/YouTube), she’ll start realizing she is the subordinate to your Alpha. Totally be the Boss 30 days. Give some freedom. She gets too big for her britches – do it again. Or just keep bossing her around. You could even take up food and water bowls and do Sit Stay wait until you say drink water/eat food on your terms. You definitely need to have play and exercise because this may frustrate her. A tired Rottweiler is a good Rottweiler. Especially when there is a battle of wills and she thinks she is boss and you are proving she is not.
Melissa M says
It's the other way around. The Rottweiler is a descendant of ancient Roman drover dogs, not of the Doberman. However, the Doberman is combination of several dog breeds, most notably the Rottweiler and various types of terriers ("Pinscher" means "terrier" in German). If you look at photographs of early Dobermans, they look essentially like coarse versions of the Rottweiler. Rottweilers were and are true working dogs. People's lives depended on these dogs. Rottweilers are highly intelligent and are extremely loyal and affectionate dogs. Whoever said otherwise betrays only ignorance on their part.
Grace says
I have heard the whole Rottweilers will turn on their owners because their brains get too big for their heads thing from many people and I do not believe it. I have 2 Rotties, an 8.5 year old male and a 4 year old female and they are both just the sweetest dogs ever. In fact they are both big babies. Now the male would probably give his life to protect me but he would never hurt me.
liz c says
No–Rottys are a pure breed and are not related to a Doberman. Rottys are NOT crazy and not dangerous. I have had 6 Rottys now, and they are the sweetest dogs in the world, depending on how well they are treated–just like any other dog of any other breed. A rotty is very loyal to their owners–it is all crap that you heard, but that is how untrue things get started,and can ruin a dogs name.