In the battle of powerful hounds, these two breeds are known to be dangerous, strong, and agile pups. Amusingly enough, this battle is between Germany and England, which reminds us of the world wars.
The battle between the descendant of a Roman Molossian and the descendant of the Old English bulldog and the Old black and tan terrier, so what do you think, who is more powerful and dominant? More lovable and sociable, and stronger and versatile in temperament? Let the game begin.
In this article, we’ll be comparing the health conditions, life span, weight, height, behavior, personality, and temperament of both Rottweiler and Pitbull terriers. Moreover, the grooming needs, strength, agility, adaptability, and protective nature will also be compared to see which devoted companion and formidable pooch wins square and fair.
Rottweiler vs. Pitbull: What is the difference?
Did you know pitbull is an umbrella term used not for one but a group of dog breeds that are seen as pitbulls? Or the fact that all pitbulls have descended from one British bull and terrier dog, which were first imported to America in the 1870s? Yes, this shocking revelation is factual and true.
The pit bulls consist mainly of a diverse variety of dogs like American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Staffawler, XL Bully, Chamuco, Pynat, Villaliberty, Colby, Spike, Monster Blue, and many more.
According to the Continental Kennel Club, Pit Bulls were originally bred for the brutal blood sport of bull baiting and vicious dog fighting. Whereas the Rottweiler was originally bred to herd livestock and pull carts from Roman legions who were passing by the town of Rottweil.
Physical Appearance: Rottweiler vs. PitBull
The key difference in physical appearance between Rottweilers and pit bulls is that Rottweilers are large dogs originally hailing from the Roman Empire that enjoy long walks and plenty of exercise. Male Rottweilers are typically 24 to 27 inches tall, are loyal, and larger than females.
These cattle herders, guardians, and drover dogs carried along the food supply of Roman legions through tough terrain and harsh climate conditions.
Hence, the muscular and stubborn rotties are quite sturdy; they have the stamina and endurance to pull heavy weight, commonly even though they weigh up to 135 pounds.
Whereas male Pit Bulls are 18 to 21 inches tall and typically weigh between 30 to 90 pounds, which is smaller compared to their mastiff competitor. These strong and muscular pups have an athletic and sturdy build.
It is believed the rottweiler is more powerful in strength due to its frame size, bones, and muscle mass. While the pit bull breeds also have a muscular build, a square skull, and powerful jaws, along with firm limbs that give these pups a wrestler’s demeanour, but lack the size and strength that the rottweiler has.
Coat Colors and Patterns
The majestic Rottweilers are double-coated pups that shed heavily, require constant grooming, and regular brushing. These rotties are available in the shades of black and mahogany, black and rust, and black and tan. The sleek black base of the rottweiler is always coated with rich markings of mostly tan or rust, giving the rottweiler much similarity to the black and tan terriers.
Purina says that although the grooming needs of many large dogs are quite elaborate and demanding the rottweilers only require baths every 6 weeks, with a good quality dog shampoo, and their shiny double coat requires brushing 2-3 times a week.
But your black and brown pups will need a pampering salon session with a blowout for heavy shedding periods. You can clip their nails monthly or weekly if they are overgrown. But make sure to brush their teeth daily.
Whereas the Pit Bulls have single short coats and shed quite minimally. The most common coat colours of the pit bull are black and red, combined with white, blue, or black mask. If you are lucky, then you’ll also be able to find the bonus coat pattern where brindle is common, but the merle pattern is the rarest.
The pooches are quite low maintenance and need baths every 6-8 weeks or as needed if they get dirty or smelly. Overbathing these pooches is not ideal because it will cause dryness and skin irritation.
Temperament and Personality Traits
Rottweilers are known not only to be strong, brave, and loyal, but are also quite intelligent, perceptive, and confident. These pooches have a natural tendency for protectiveness and will do just about anything to keep their owners away from harm’s way. These pups make excellent guard dogs and loving companions.
Rottweilers tend to be more suspicious of strangers, but more tolerant of small pets like cats. These pets can get stubborn and will only adhere to what their owners say if you deal with them with a persistent yet firm hand and use positive reinforcement training to make them follow your commands and understand your cues effectively.
Whereas Pit Bulls are also stubborn but are more tolerant of children, compared to Rottweilers, and are generally more friendly towards people. Pit Bulls are known to be people-lovers at heart and make good family dogs. These pups are also loyal, affectionate, and intelligent, which form strong bonds with their owners.
Pit bulls are always eager to please and gentle companions that don’t make better guard dogs than rottweilers. These pups have an extremely high prey drive and an even higher energy level, which can make them frustrated if not spent daily in productive or playful activities.
Compatibility with Children and Other Pets
Rottweilers are loving and affectionate family pets, great with kids, and with proper training and daily socialization from an early age, owners can channel their protective instincts positively and raise them as well-mannered pets. However, it is important to supervise interactions between kids and your rotties to ensure the safety of your babies and to prevent any accidents or injuries from happening.
Whereas Pit Bulls prefer avid human interaction want their humans to join them during playtime and exercise activities. These pooches will behave like your toddlers who need constant nods of approval and attention from your side. These pups benefit from daily socialization and proper training from an early age to transform into well-mannered pets who are not only gentle but also friendly family dogs.
However, Rottweilers require consistent training from a firm hand and socialization from puppyhood because these pooches are quite rambunctious and mischievous. Pit Bulls need structured training and socialization from an early age.
If you can hire a professional trainer for these pups, all the better. Moreover, Regular exercise and mental stimulation are extremely important for both Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, who are always high on energy and should expend it in positive ways.
Health and Wellness Overview
The majestic Roman war dog Rottweiler requires about two hours of exercise daily, which accounts for exercising for about 60 to 90 minutes per day. Rottweilers need plenty of exercise and enjoy structured activities in the company of humans rather than just playing outside on their own. These pooches are velcro dogs that demand constant attention, cuddles, and care from their owners.
Whereas Pit Bulls typically need around one hour of physical activity to keep them healthy. Because these sensitive pooches are smaller than rottweilers and will stay in good shape even if they flex their muscles for a shorter period of time.
Pawlicy Advisor states Rottweilers are actively used by law enforcement agencies due to their enduring strength, loyalty, and keen sense of smell, which make them invaluable assets in modern policing. These pups are a popular dog breed that is quite versatile.
You find them excelling in canine sports, making friends in the dog park, as dedicated and laser-focused working dogs, and also great family dogs and guardians. These pups are ideal for more experienced dog owners rather than newbies.
P.S. It is worth noting that a vast majority of pit bull-type dogs in American societies are a result of random breeding, and constitute mostly mutts and mixed-breed dogs. They were mated without any regard or consideration of behavioral traits and genetic anomalies being passed to offspring.
Hence, the result of random breeding in a vast population of dogs with a diverse range of behavioral predispositions also causes severe fluctuations in their temperament and personalities, raising concerns for more occurrences of dog attacks in public spaces and homes. Hence, it is important to evaluate and treat each dog, no matter its breed, as an individual.
Average Lifespan: Rottweiler vs. PitBull
The rottweilers are medium to large-sized canines that have an average life span of 8 to 12 years, or in most cases, 8 to 10 years. While medium-sized pit bulls have typically longer lifespans than rotties, which is about 11 to 15 years. Hence, if you are looking for a longer living champion, then Pit bulls are the better option for you.
Otherwise, you can stick with the majestic Rottweilers who are confident in who they are and what they are capable of, and don’t require external validation or reassurance. But on the contrary, pit bulls are clingy pups who always want to be attached to their favorite person.
These pups are attention-seeking and focus all their energy on one person who becomes the center of their universe. Pit bull terrier pups build individual bonds rather than loving or forming attachments with all family members alike.
Common Health Issues and Concerns
Unregulated breeding practices and the increase in demand for rare and expensive breeds like Rottweilers can lead to illegal breeding by unethical breeders, which compromises animal welfare. Millions of dogs suffer and die every year due to no suitable places to live or improper access to food supplies. Hence, breeding a dog even once is irresponsible and unethical.
The dog breeding industry in America includes puppy mills and hellish mass-breeding facilities in which these fur babies are treated like puppy-producing machines and never given any love, attention, care, or even a fair and equal opportunity to live a fulfilled and happy life.
Moreover, both of these dog breeds are considered dangerous to the human population, and many countries have imposed bans and breed-specific legislation to stop breeders from breeding both of these pups due to their propensity for fatal attacks on humans.
According to Britannica, the debate of pit bull and rottweiler bans is described elaborately to judge the implications of these bans and the role and responsibility of owners in the bad behavior and aggressive displays of these pups.
Even ASPCA has given a position statement on pit bulls considering dog bite and attack statistics describing the potential harm these dogs can cause stating its negation towards breed specific legislations and stressing on the fact that every dog should be treated as an individual and its aggressiveness is more likely present due to environmental factors and the way puppies are raised and treated by their owners rather than due to its DNA.
Both breeds have been affected by inherited health conditions due to unethical breeding practices applied by unethical breeders all around America. Where the Rottweilers are prone to Hip and Elbow dysplasia, Von Willebrand disease, Epilepsy, Allergies, Eye disorders, Hypothyroidism, Panosteitis, Aortic stenosis, Chronic diarrhea, and also have a High cancer risk, which makes regular veterinary check-ups essential for their well-being.
While pit bull breeds have suffered severely not only due to the selective breeding, inbreeding, and cross-breeding of unhealthy pups but also due to the random breeding of these dogs with other breeds, which has made pit bull breeds more susceptible and prone to illnesses and physical and behavioural deformation.
Pit Bulls are prone to several skin diseases due to their short coat, including demodectic mange and skin allergies. The pitties also frequently suffer from Hip dysplasia, Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, Degenerative Myelopathy, Heartworm Disease, and dislocation of the kneecap, which is called patellar luxation, and even Arthritis as they age.
Conclusion: Rottweiler vs. PitBull
Both Rottweilers and Pit Bulls require experienced owners who can allot and devote time and attention to them. These pups won’t end up being aggressive if handled with patience and trained with consistency. Both breeds stand among the most dangerous breeds and are most likely to suffer from breed discrimination and may face bans in certain housing areas, cities, and even several countries worldwide.
But if you are deliberating to decide which you should adopt or buy, then you can evaluate your lifestyle and needs, along with environmental factors and essential provisions that need to be provided to these pups before taking them in. If you live on a ranch or a big house with a sufficient backyard, then these vigilant and protective pups can easily thrive in your household.
Both these pups make good cuddle buddies and affectionate companions if they are dealt with a firm hand and trained with determination and persistence. However, make sure to constantly supervise and watch over your adult pitbull terrier and rottweiler consistently to make sure swift action can be taken in case of aggression with other dogs and animals.
