Deep down the bulky and massive physique of a Rottweiler is a sweet and adorable pooch that’s just eager to love their owner. So, if you’re looking to welcome one into your home, which one should you get – a male or a female?
When it comes to price point, female Rotties are more expensive than males. A female pup should set you back a couple thousand dollars. If a smaller and more affectionate pooch is what you want, a female Rottie is a good choice. Otherwise, there’s the playful and more muscular male Rottweiler that should better fit your requirements.
Still unsure which one to have as your pet? Our comparison guide between male and female Rottweilers should help you come up with a solid choice. Let’s get started!
11. Price
Male Rottweiler puppies are generally cheaper. The typical starting cost for a male pup is between $850 and $1,500. The price depends on the dog’s background and history.
On the other hand, you should expect to shell out a bit more when buying a female Rottweiler. These pups usually cost between $1,000 and $2,500.
10. Appearance: Weight
There is not a whole lot of difference between a female and a male Rottweiler’s weight. Once they are weaned at 8 weeks of age, males will weigh about 15 lbs while females are 2 lbs lighter. Both become less chubby and a bit more on the lanky side.
Upon reaching maturity, males can weigh between over 100 lbs. As for females, they are often lighter and around 70 to 100 lbs with a more graceful and rounder build.
9. Temperament: Good With Kids
If you have young kids in the house, a female Rottweiler is a better option for a pet. Females are more cautious and gentle with children, which is why accidental injuries happen less often than when around male Rotties.
As young puppies, males are goofier, more clumsy, and have higher energy levels. They tone down as they get older but can still be slightly a bit on the rough side.
8. Temperament: Playfulness
As we have previously mentioned, male Rotties are goofy fellows. They love to play and mess around because of their easy-going attitude. This is why they can be a lot of fun in the household.
Females, however, are more wary of strangers. They are usually more laid-back and would rather sit quietly than roll in the mud. When it comes to a higher activity level, males rule this category.
7. Temperament: Obedience
Female Rottweilers are more focused and a bit more serious than males. They mature faster, as well, usually at two years of age. So when it comes to obedience, you can expect more from a female Rottie.
Because of their playful temperament, male Rottweilers tend to be a bit on the naughy side. But they do love to please their owners, so they are also capable of following instructions. First-time owners might find female Rotties easier to handle than males, though.
6. Appearance: Height
At first glance, males and female Rottweilers may seem slightly similar in terms of their physique. But if you look closely, you will see subtle differences, especially with their height.
Male Rottweilers are more bulky and more muscular. They also stand between 24 to 37 inches tall. On the other hand, female Rotties are smaller at 22 to 25 inches in height. They also have rounder and more lenient body frames.
5. Health: Heat Cycle
Female Rotties start their heat cycle as early as 12 months of age. Others go in heat at 6 months, although not very common. Then, it repeats every 4 months or so, and it varies from one dog to another. Overall a female goes through 4 stages in the heat cycle.
With males, they don’t have such a heat cycle. They also become sexually mature at the same age as female Rottweilers. When a female is in heat, males are receptive to breed at any point.
4. Diet
The amount of food you feed your dog depends on the desired body weight, activity level, and rate of metabolism. But generally, the recommended amount of food is 2% to 3% of your pup’s ideal body weight. Thus, if you have a 100-pound Rottie, you need to give him 2 to 3 lbs of food daily.
For male Rottweiler puppies weighing from 3 to 12 lbs, they would need ½ to 1 cup of food per day. But once they are 100 lbs and over, males would need 2⅔ cups and an additional ⅓ cup for every 10 lbs of body weight. As for females, 1½ to 2 cups of food should be sufficient for their daily serving.
3. Temperament: Affectionate
Female Rotties have strong maternal instincts, which makes them gentler and sweeter. So it is not surprising that they are calmer and less boisterous than their male counterparts.
But males act differently. They are clumsy as puppies and playful as adults. However, they can also be affectionate, yet not to the same degree as females.
2. Temperament: Territorial
Aggression in Rotties is more of an individual issue and depends on how they’re trained. But overall, males are more aggressive and territorial compared with females.
Female Rotties have maternal instincts that make them protective. Yet, they are not quite as territorial as males. They have a strong tendency to protect their owner while male Rottweilers tend to protect the whole family and their territory or home.
1. Guard Dog Trainability
If you prefer to train your Rottie as a guard dog, then a male one should be a good option. While both genders are loyal and protective of their owners, males are bigger and more muscular. That makes them more intimidating to intruders!
On the other hand, females are easier to train since males are more playful (more on the playful temperament in a bit). But with a male’s alpha trait, they should complete the tasks as a guard dog much better than a female does.
Related Questions
Can Two Female Rottweilers Live Together? Although two female Rottweilers may be able to live together, it is often not without challenges. In fact, upon reaching the same age, they are highly likely to compete and often get into fights. Injuries between two dogs because of these heated fights are common.
Are Rottweilers Better In Pairs? Not necessarily. It is better to have only one Rottweiler instead of two because it will spare you from sibling rivalry. Having two Rotties prevents both of them from bonding with you, there are also some behavioral problems associated with having two dogs in one household.
What States Are Rottweilers Banned In? While there is no complete ban on Rotties in any state, there are some restrictions in place such as leash requirements, hanging warning signs, muzzling in public, purchasing liability insurance, and so on. These apply to states in the US such as:
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
