How Strong Is A Rottweiler? (Bite And Pull Strength + 11 Other Facts)

Rottweilers sometimes get a bad rap as an aggressive breed. A well-bred, well-trained Rottweiler is usually a gentle, protective family dog. In this post, I'll go over how strong Rottweilers are, along with other facts about the breed.

How Strong Is A Rottweiler Bite?

Rottweilers have a strong bite, but there is no peer-reviewed measurement of Rottweiler bite force. The same goes for the "strongest bite" claims made about Kangals and other breeds.

The often-quoted figure of 328 pounds for a Rottweiler does not come from a published, peer-reviewed study. Treat it as a rough illustration rather than a scientific fact.

Veterinary research shows that bite force depends mainly on body weight and skull size and shape. In one study of 22 dogs weighing 7 to 55 kg, bite force ranged from 13 to 1,394 newtons (about 3 to 313 pounds of force), and it varied widely between individual dogs.

Comparisons that rank Rottweilers above or below pit bulls by a set number of pounds are not reliable. Size, head shape, motivation, and training all affect how hard a dog bites.

Now let's look at how much weight they can pull.

How Much Can A Rottweiler Pull?

Rottweilers have muscular bodies built for work. The AKC describes them as a "robust working breed of great strength" descended from the mastiffs of the Roman legions.

Historically, Rottweilers drove cattle and pulled carts, and many still take part in carting and weight pull events today.

How much a Rottweiler can pull depends on its size, conditioning, and the setup. In weight pull events, dogs pull a wheeled cart or a sled on rails, so the loads can be many times the dog's own weight.

The video below shows a Rottweiler in a weight pull with a very heavy cart.

Results like this depend heavily on wheels, rails, and surface, so they are not a measure of how much a dog could drag on its own. Many breeds compete in weight pull, and Rottweilers are one of several strong contenders.

Any dog doing weight pull needs proper conditioning, a well-fitted pulling harness, and a vet check first.

How Big Does A Rottweiler Get?

Rottweilers are large dogs. Cute puppies grow into big, powerful adults within about two years.

According to the AKC, male Rottweilers stand 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh 95 to 135 pounds, while females stand 22 to 25 inches and weigh 80 to 100 pounds.

Rottweilers grow steadily, and they often gain height faster than weight. That is why young Rottweilers can look lanky.

You can't predict your puppy's adult size exactly. Genetics play the biggest role, and diet and exercise matter too.

Large-breed puppies should eat a food made for large-breed growth, and your vet can help you track healthy growth. Ask your vet if your puppy seems to be growing too fast or too slowly.

Keep your Rottweiler lean. Excess weight puts extra strain on the joints and is linked to other health problems.

Are Rottweilers Dangerous?

Any large, strong dog can be dangerous if it is poorly bred, poorly socialized, or mistreated.

Rottweilers are natural guardians. Without training and socialization, they can be wary or aggressive toward strangers coming onto their property.

When Rottweilers are trained and raised around people and other dogs, they are typically loving family members and calm with visitors. The AKC calls the breed "a gentle playmate and protector within the family circle."

Like any protective breed, a Rottweiler may still be wary of strangers who enter its home. That protective instinct is what makes them good guard dogs.

Dog bite statistics by breed are unreliable, because the breed of a dog in a bite report is often guessed. Training, socialization, supervision, and responsible ownership matter more than breed.

NEVER approach a dog you don't know without the owner's permission, and teach children to do the same.

Where Are Rottweilers Banned?

Rottweilers are more often restricted than banned outright. Rules vary by country and city and change over time, so check your local laws.

Rottweilers Are Banned In These Countries:

In Ireland, for example, Rottweilers are on the restricted breeds list. In public they must be muzzled and kept on a strong lead no longer than 2 meters, held by someone over 16.

Several other countries have breed rules that cover Rottweilers, such as muzzle, leash, licensing, or insurance requirements. Check the current rules before traveling or moving with your dog.

These Are The States In The U.S Where Rottweilers Are Banned:

Rottweilers are not banned nationwide in the US. Some cities and counties have their own breed rules, and some landlords, condos, and insurers restrict large or "guardian" breeds.

Before getting a Rottweiler, ask your landlord, homeowners' association, and insurer about their policies to avoid fines or coverage problems.

Are Rottweilers More Dangerous Than Pitbulls?

There is no reliable way to rank breeds by danger.

Bite and attack statistics by breed are unreliable, since breed is often misidentified in reports. The idea that pit bulls have "locking jaws" is a myth; no dog breed has a special jaw-locking mechanism.

Any large, strong dog can cause serious injury. What matters most is how the individual dog was bred, raised, trained, and supervised.

Which Dog Breed Can Kill A Rottweiler?

This question has no reliable answer, and it shouldn't be tested. Dog fights cause severe injuries and deaths, and organized dogfighting is a crime throughout the US.

Large breeds such as English mastiffs and Tibetan mastiffs are heavier than Rottweilers, but size alone doesn't decide anything, and published bite force rankings for these breeds don't exist.

Rottweilers were bred as working dogs for driving cattle and pulling carts. They are not fighting dogs, and no dog should be put in a situation where it has to fight.

Can A Rottweiler Kill A Coyote?

A Rottweiler is much larger than a coyote, but any fight with a wild animal risks serious injury and diseases such as rabies. Keep your dog supervised and up to date on its rabies vaccine. Compare the risks in our post on the animal with a killer gene.

Can A Rottweiler Protect You Against Pit Bull?

Rottweilers are protective dogs and will usually try to defend their family. That doesn't mean you should rely on your dog in a dog attack, since both dogs could be badly hurt.

If a loose dog threatens you, stay calm, avoid eye contact, put an object between you and the dog, and back away slowly.

Is A Rottweiler A Good Guard Dog?

Yes. Rottweilers are naturally protective of their families and territory, which makes them effective guard dogs.

A trained, well-socialized Rottweiler can tell the difference between a normal visitor and a real threat.

Is A Rottweiler A Good Family Dog?

Yes, for owners ready to train and socialize them. Rottweilers are loving and loyal, and their priority is protecting their family.

A Rottweiler that has been trained and socialized properly can be a good family pet.

Well-raised Rottweilers can do well with children. Because of their size, always supervise them with young kids and teach children how to behave around dogs.

Final Thoughts

Rottweilers are strong, protective working dogs. Their bite force has never been reliably measured, so be skeptical of exact numbers online.

With good training and socialization, a Rottweiler is usually calm around strangers and devoted to its family.

Source: animalhow.com, mentalfloss.com

Sources

• Rottweiler Dog Breed Information, American Kennel Club
• Bite Forces and Their Measurement in Dogs and Cats, Frontiers in Veterinary Science (via PubMed Central)
• Dog Control, Government of Ireland