When it comes to choosing a Rottweiler for a pet, the sex of the dog could make a difference — unlike with other breeds. Although both the male and female Rottweiler are capable of becoming excellent companions and are equally trainable, do remember that a male Rottweiler will be larger and heavier than his sister, and he will have all the muscle power to go with that extra weight.
Give serious consideration to your own strength and stature when you decide between a male and a female Rottweiler.
Sexual differences totally apart from size and weight are also a factor. The maternal instincts of the females serve to make them a bit sweeter and gentler, and they are inclined to be less boisterous. In contrast, most male Rottweilers grow bigger and faster than their self-awareness, which can make for some clumsy fellows! When those hormones start raging, the males are inclined to be somewhat challenging, too.
Although the Rottweiler is a clean breed and relatively easy to housebreak, the male dog of any breed has a natural instinct to lift his leg to mark his territory with urine. The amount of effort involved in training the male not to do this varies with the individual dog. Remember that a male considers everything in the household to be a part of his territory and he has an innate urge to establish this fact. Unfortunately, this may include your designer drapery or newly upholstered sofa.
Rottweilers are not beyond getting into arguments with other dogs, and the tendency in males may be considerably stronger. A male Rottweiler has no qualms about making a point of this. Granted, there are smaller, very docile males and larger, considerably dominant females, but generally speaking, the male Rottweiler is larger, stronger, and of a more dominant personality.
You can deal with variations on the personality scale. The secret is knowing what kind of personality a pup has and knowing yourself well enough to know if you are able to provide that particular Rottweiler with the care and training he will require.
Female dogs have their own set of problems. Their semiannual heat cycles begin at about one year of age if the dog is not spayed. These heat cycles last about 21 days, and during this time the female has to be confined to avoid soiling her surroundings with the bloody discharge that accompanies estrus. At pet supply stores, you can buy special britches, which assist in keeping the female in heat from soiling the area in which she lives. If you have a female dog in heat, you must also carefully watch her in order to prevent males from gaining access to her, or she will become pregnant. Do not expect the marauding male to be deterred by the britches either!
