What is something you look for in a dog other than its appearance and size? Many dog lovers would say a dog’s ability to listen to its owner and not turn a deaf ear to commands is not the cherry on the top; it’s an essential trait.
German Shepherds and Rottweilers are two dog breeds known for their intelligence and their ability to learn obedience and tricks. But how good are both breeds when compared to each other? A dog’s temperament and how good it’s been trained determine a huge part of its personality, yet some things come from instincts.
If you want to find out which of these two dogs can make a better sidekick and is more likely to listen to you, we’ve whipped up this review to give you a breakdown of just that.
German Shepherd vs. Rottweiler: Which Listens Better?
Both the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and ability to form deep bonds with their owners. Each breed brings its own strengths to training: German Shepherds are often praised for their quick responsiveness and eagerness to please, while Rottweilers are valued for their focus and strong sense of duty.
The “better listener” often depends on the individual dog’s personality, early socialization, and the consistency of training. In other words, both breeds can be exceptional students in the right hands. Keep reading to see how they compare in more detail.
Appearance Differences: German Shepherd vs. Rottweiler
German Shepherd
German Shepherd is a mutt you can’t help but feel proud of having by your side, with its gorgeous appearance fit for a guard dog and service dog. It has a large and muscular body that makes it appear all imposing and majestic, but not without beauty. It comes in elegant colors like black, black and sable, liver, and gray etc.
Its masked face, observant, hazel eyes, and perky ears make it appear even more eye-catching. As per PetMD, this breed can grow between 22-26 inches and 50-90 pounds.
Rottweiler
Rottweiler’s muscled-up body also projects its strength and resilience as a determined guardian dog. These dignified dogs are the descendants of Roman mastiffs and stand 22-27 inches, with a weight range of 80-135 pounds.
The first thing you might notice about them is their large head, while their other unique features are their wide-set eyes and pointed ears. Rotties come in a beautiful, black coat that can have rust or mahogany markings.
Temperament and Personality Traits
No matter how cool a dog looks, if it keeps ignoring your command, handling it can become a bit unpleasant. Both the German Shepherd and Rottweiler tend to be cooperative pups, but their varying temperament and personality traits can help determine how good they are at listening to their owners.
German Shepherd
As a herding dog, the most significant parts of its temperament are, of course, its focus, confidence, and a desire to please its humans. While confident dogs can act all strong-willed at times, German Shepherds are also very loyal dogs with high intelligence, which makes them eager to learn and follow commands.
They have strong protective instincts, which have earned them their reputation as amazing protection and search and rescue dogs.
Rottweiler
Rottweiler is a super smart and dedicated dog that can exhibit different kinds of temperaments. As a social dog, its clownish personality will entertain the whole family, while it can also show tendencies to stick to one favorite person and stay reserved with others.
Rotties are generally sweet-natured and calm dogs, though if bored, they can express their frustration by chewing furniture. They love to follow their pet parent around the house and crave their attention; they can also be quite protective towards their human families.
They are all about pleasing their humans, which means if they’ve been properly trained, they’re superb at listening to you and understanding your cues.
Exercise Needs and Energy Levels
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are pups that thrive under experienced trainers and active owners. As a popular breed in police work and military work, physical and mental stimulation are important in polishing their natural talents.
These energetic dogs can become destructive if they’re sedentary or bored; WebMD recommends at least 30 minutes of daily walks (or more), play sessions, and agility and herding training etc.
A German Shepherd who is being given enough exercise and play sessions is more likely to be obedient and cooperative. If it has more energy than it’s being put to work, it might become destructive and annoyed.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are generally easygoing dogs, but as large dogs, they need daily exercise and physical stimulation. Your Rottie can be a splendid partner for both long walks and swimming sessions; what else can active owners ask for?
Give it enough playtime and attention, and your Rottie will be less prone to looking the other way when you’re calling it.
Rotties can pretty much roll with any kind of physical activity, including pulling carts, playing fetch, and obedience training.
Social Interaction and Behavior with Other Animals
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are dogs with an alert mind and herding instincts, which means they can be a little suspicious of strangers. As they’re quite family-oriented pups who don’t enjoy alone time as much as family time, they can be quite sociable. Early training makes them adapt well to a household with other pets, like cats and dogs.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are playful and goofy mutts that might put on their aloof side to strangers. Rotties are all about closeness with their humans, especially their favorite person, and they love cuddle time. With early and proper training, Rotties can live well with other dogs and react well to social situations.
Coat Type, Grooming Needs, and Maintenance
German Shepherd
German Shepherds have a beautiful, thick double coat with a medium length and a rough texture. While there are some other coat types, this is the breed standard. Their grooming needs are not insane, but they still need regular brushing and bathing, especially if they’ve had an active day outdoors.
Rottweiler
Rotties have a medium-length, straight, and flat coat that will feel harsh under your fingers if you touch it. These pups shed moderately throughout the year and will shed more during their seasonal shedding period. Weekly brushing and regular bathing are important in keeping it all shiny, clean, and dander-free.
Health, Lifespan, and Common Medical Concerns
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are dogs with generally amazing health, but all dogs are prone to some health issues. These dogs live for 7-10 years only; as big dogs, a shorter life span is not unexpected. Some health concerns with these mutts are elbow and hip dysplasia, bloating, epilepsy, Hemophilia, and a degenerative disease called Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
With proper care, regular vet visits, regular exercise, and good nutrition, your dog can live out its life in peace, protecting you and keeping you happy.
Rottweiler
Rotties can live for 9-10 years.
Rottweilers might face some health problems that owners need to look out for and get them screened early. Some diseases they’re prone to are: obesity (it’s important to watch their weight), hip or elbow dysplasia, Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture, GDV (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus), and Osteosarcoma (an aggressive bone cancer).
Which Breed Is Right for You?
All dogs have their own pros and cons; which breed is right for you depends on your lifestyle, environment, and how a breed’s traits and the dog’s own personality fit in all that.
German Shepherd
Go for this mutt if you are not afraid of getting off the sofa and living a robust life with your pup. With consistent training, this vibrant and courageous breed can not only become the ideal hiking partner but also protect you and your family.
These dogs are also a great choice for you if you can provide them with enough space to roam about and burn off their energy. German Shepherds are highly trainable, but might not be the go-to breed for you if you’re adopting your first dog.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers can be a stubborn breed, but they can become more adaptable with positive reinforcement training methods. They are territorial in nature and are better suited to owners who can give them enough attention.
As per the AKC, Rotties are better suited for active families who can give them a lot of exercise. They can be quite patient with children, though, especially if trained early for this.
Conclusion
Despite their temperament and certain physical differences, both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are dogs that love their families and watch over them. If you’re ready to bring home your furry friend, it’s a good thing to find a reputable breeder known for ethical practices or your local rescue center.
