Female vs. Male Rottweiler: What’s The Difference (With Pictures)

The Rottweiler is a large, Mastiff-adjacent dog that is well-loved as a working guard dog and a family companion. The breed’s distinctive markings and teddy bear face make it a favorite among owners from all walks of life. Many breeders cross the Rottweiler with other breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, or Siberian Husky.

If you’re planning to add a Rottweiler to your household, several factors must be considered. For example, will you purchase a young puppy or adopt an adult dog? Will you choose a male or a female Rottweiler?

While many breeds are practically identical across the two sexes, comparing a female vs. male Rottweiler unveils a handful of distinct differences. Here’s what you need to know:

A Quick Overview

Physical Appearance

The physical differences between a female and a male Rottweiler don’t stop at the breed’s sex organs. The average height and weight for each sex also vary greatly.

Female Rottweilers can reach between 22 and 25 inches at the shoulder and weigh around 80 to 100 pounds. Male Rottweilers measure about 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh 95 to 135 pounds. This might not seem like a huge difference on paper, but the variance in strength and power is significant in real life.

Of course, it’s important to note that these numbers are just averages. Some females will trend larger, while some males will trend smaller. Also, despite popular beliefs, male Rottweilers who are neutered early may grow taller than their non-neutered counterparts. You can speak to your vet about the most appropriate time to spay or neuter your dog.

Temperament

Both female and male Rottweilers are receptive to training and early socialization, but you should be aware of personality differences. Remember that these differences are just generalizations —not all male or female dogs will align with these descriptions.

Many female Rottweilers display gentler personalities than male dogs, especially during the teenage months. Adult females may also be less territorial and competitive, making them better suited to living with children and other dogs.

As far as male Rottweilers go, they are more active and playful than the females. This might seem like an all-around positive trait to have, but it can lead to frustrating training sessions during adolescence. Once a male reaches adulthood, it performs better in competitive sports than female Rottweilers.

The most common sex-specific issue for males is territorial marking. While this behavior does not harm the dog, it can quickly ruin your furniture or other belongings. Training is the best way to curb this habit.

Health

Rottweilers generally live to be 9 to 10 years old. Females and males are both at risk of developing hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disorders, eye disorders, and cancer. A female Rottweiler will begin her heat cycle at about 1 year of age. During heat, which can last a month at a time, she must be isolated from non-neutered males to prevent pregnancy.

While Rottweilers can be spayed at almost any age, most sources recommend waiting until they are at least 12 months old. On the other hand, male Rottweilers do not go through a reproductive cycle (though they must be carefully monitored around females in heat). Males can be neutered almost any time, but most sources recommend waiting until they’re a year old. Neutering a Rottweiler can help prevent sex-specific diseases, especially testicular and prostate cancers.

The Bottom Line

When introducing a dog to your home, you need to consider how this new family member will fit into your existing lifestyle. While most prospective owners choose a dog based on breed, you should also pay attention to intra-breed variations.

Generally speaking, female and male Rottweilers have noteworthy differences:

Female Rottweilers

Male Rottweilers

We’ve gone through the most common differences between female and male Rottweilers, but it’s also important to note that these differences are never guaranteed. Each dog’s personality is unique, which means that some female Rottweilers are more aggressive and territorial, and some males are gentle and easy to train.

By forming a strong bond from the get-go, you’ll better understand your dog’s needs, wants, and shortcomings. At the end of the day, no amount of data or generalizing can replace the relationship between a dog and their owner.

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• Boxweiler (Rottweiler & Boxer Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
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Featured Image Credit By: (L) Rogue Productions LLC, Shutterstock | (R) Phillip van Zyl, Shutterstock