Look Mean Bad Reputation .

Well, one of the reasons that Rotties have their bad - and very undeserved reputation - is because they're a favorite of dog fighters. They're large, they're tough, they can be trained to be mean, and they have wide jaws that lock when they bite down. For a period of years, they were the favorite of illegal dog fighters, and because of that the US at least ended up with a rash of violent, aggressive rottweilers who had been trained for fighting. They're also considered a 'junk yard dog', dogs that have been trained to be violent towards people as guard dogs for property. Usually businesses where people aren't around, so the animals are left alone for long periods of time and not well socialized. It's terribly ironic, since the breed was first developed to watch over children and pull carts.

Dogs aren't born mean. Its people that make them so. I've seen rottweilers that run and play gently with toddlers. I've also witnessed a doberman playing with my son when he was 5. And remember the movie Cujo? Horrible movie. I owned a St. Bernard some years back and he was such a gentle giant. My german shepherd I just lost was also a very loving dog, although protective of me. People need to realize that dogs will behave based upon how they are treated. Just look at the Michael Vick case - most of those dogs ended up being adopted into loving homes, even though they had been mistreated.

i don't really know many dog breeds and i don't raised many dogs in the past... in fact, the only dog breed that i had ever raised is only the pomenarian... that's it... and i think that is the only breed that i love... anyway, i know that pitt bulls had gotten the bad reputation because they attack people often and very dangerous... but i don't know about rottweiler... may be the other users here can help you to give more info than me... take care and have a nice day...

When you breed a dog you breed into it characteristics. The original dog apparently is based on the wolf so that is what you are building on. The wolf characteristics show up in the many hunting dogs because wolves hunt, herding dogs because wolves chase and corral animals when they hunt, social and friendly with their pack which is you and your family, territorial which is why they protect your house and there others characteristics that made dogs useful throughout human history. Most dogs used to be working dogs bred to a specific or multi-use task. It is only in recent history that dogs are now just ornamental dogs, not working dogs. You never entirely breed out the basic characteristics of that wolf. If you put a number of dogs together and run a deer or rabbit past them they will all chase it. When the dog wants to sleep with you on your bed it is mirroring its pack instinct to be top dog, or close to the top dog (which incidentally should be you). People today think that dog is just a little white Christian person trapped in a furry coat. It is just an animal people, loveable as they can be, admittedly displaying characteristics humans find adorable. The problem with pit bulls is they have been selectively bread to be fighters. If a Shitzu bites your ankle you get a nasty nip. If a pit bull bites your ankle you can lose a chunk of flesh. What part of people getting killed by dogs do people not understand.

I owned 2 Rotties a male and a female. They where reallly good dogs. The only thing I can say about a bad dog is it usually has a bad owner behind it. If you train your dog you generally do not have problems. My 2 where security trained and could stop them from getting into trouble..

You do mean breed, don't you? I was trying to figure out how dogs could be bread and I was thinking hotdog sandwich!

I do think that Rottweiler is getting the bad end of the stick in general but on the other hand, if people were more careful in breeding quality lines, we all may not have the problem that most face regarding this breed of dog. I find the problem lies in irresponsible breeding as well as improper dog handling. I met a Rottweiler the other day and he was one of the most well tempered dogs I have ever met. Docile and gentle. Kind to my Yorkie also. There was not an aggressive bone in that dogs body. (see below) He was bred in Germany and had exceptional lineage. Not to mention he was very well trained. His pal was a tiny Chihuahua. So Cute. Over all I do not find that Rottweilers look mean at all but they certainly do get a bad rapp. Sometimes for good reason but not by fault of the breed itself.

I like all sorts of dogs but i do think some have a bad reputation. I think little dogs actually tend to bite alittle more than big dogs because they have to prove they are tough. I like dogs but am still alittle bit scared of them. My dog is a dauschund beagle or terrier combination.

I can always tell the if a dog is friendly, regardless of the breed. I've met quite a few rottweilers who were very friendly and liked to be stroked a lot. It is as others suggest, down to bad owners choosing the more "hardcore" dogs and then treating them badly. All dogs will stick up for their owners, especially those with the greatest ability to do so. Different breeds definately have a temperament

it is true, sometimes the apparence may scare the people. it is just like human beeings, if you have a scary face, people tind to look at you in a different way. but i think dogs are how we train us. maybe if a rottweiler can be a gentle dog, if he is trained to be good.