Differences between GSD & Rottie

[adoptadog]

of course, it comes down to the personality/temperment of the individual, but i must say, even though i grew up with a german shepherd, and had no intention of getting a rottweiler (she ended up being the best dog at the shelter where i was volunteering), i have fallen in love with rottweilers and prefer them to german shepherds. my sister currently owns a GSD so i still have the opportunity to compare them a lot, and i realize i've come to prefer the square head and short muzzle of the rott, especially when it has a face as sweet as my girl's! somehow that long pointy muzzle looks so unfriendly to me anymore! my rottweiler also seems a lot more interested in cuddling than i remember my german shepherd ever being--he was much more aloof, just like my sister's dog seems. but that's just experience, and i am a first-time rott owner. anyway, good luck, and give whoever you choose lots of your company, good training and love.

[Carina43]

Ok...I have owned three Rotties and a GSDx. Each Rottie has been a completely different personality...though each has been amazingly intelligent, loyal dogs with tons of character.

My sole (mostly) GSD is neurotic and dumb as a rock...though she was a found dog at about two years old & came with problems, most of which have been worked out ten years later. More hyper than two of my Rotts, and a horrible shedder.

I know two other GSDs quite well. My neighbors have a female that is fairly hyper and barks quite a bit. Once she gets to know you, she's sweet as all get out, though I don't think she is a really smart dog. :) I know she came from a good breeder.


The other is a BYB GSD who is wonderful with everyone, children, cats & other dogs. She is stable & sweet, though has a territorial streak & is a good alarm dog for my friend. She is very intelligent and well mannered.

This is just personal experience that you cannot really extrapolate from...I like both breeds, though I adore Rottweilers! I think it is difficult to find really good breeders of either dog. Since they are both popular breeds, there are many crappy people breeding their dogs without regard to temperament, health, proper conformation, etc, so one has to seperate the wheat from the chaff when buying a puppy.

My {mostly) GSD is a wonderful dog despite her neurotic character. She's getting pretty old & creaky now, and I love her to bits, & all my friends do too. :)

[DianaC]

I'd certainly check both breeds out before deciding. My first dog was a Toy Poodle (Cindy) she was a fantastic little dog and she lived to the age of 17. Then I got my Rotti (Manny) he died of Osteosarcoma in June 1999 aged 8 years, and now I have a West Highland White Terrier(Westie) named Kelsi she is nearly 2 years of age. We also have a Border Collie (a very active girl). I didn't have a preference to breed until I got my Westie and I would definitely get another Westie, but of course they aren't for everyone. Good luck! :D

[lblax]

we always grew up with shepards and one malamute and know our rott. the malamute was dumber than a box of rocks but a nice dog. first shepard from a byb beutifal smart loyal easily trained would jump off a cliff for you if comanded had to put down at 9 becauase of hips. 2nd shepard belonged to fther inlaw he found it as a pup on our farm just womdering aslong good dog had to put down at 14 for hips. 3rd a german import the most fantastic dog ive ever seen high drives loved to work and easily trained died of kidney failure at age 7. THEN COMES STORM THE ROTT!!!!! well bred high drives, pain in the ass !!!!!! you bet lmao. is he worth all the training we continually have to do to fill his need to work YES!!!!! heres the bottom line both dogs well bred and reared will make excellant pets both were good with kids rotts have more character and ours has showed us more luv in 16 months than all of our dogs together. i think a rott takes a bigger committment to train and continually train. one thing is be ready for the remarks you will get like when our gsd would bark at a passer by the would say thats ok he is just doing his job but when our rott does the same thing ive gotten all sorts of rude comments so be ready for that

[Tenaj]

You may want to check out this web board on GSDs, read current and past posts. Also do the same here. Get a feel for both breeds by people with experience and then you can make an educated decision. Good Luck on your choice. http://dbirtwis.hispeed.com/cgi-bin/...ction=getdaily

[johnson1999]

tenaj -

Thanks for the link - I'm gonna go check the other board out too!

[Mattweiser]

A trainer I know told me a joke... I don't know if he authored it or not, so I am not going to take credit for someone else's words but the joke goes like this:

A handler has a GSD on a leash and walks it to the edge of a cliff. The handler orders the GSD to jump off the cliff. Without hesitation the GSD jumps off..

Now another handler walks its Rottweiler to the same cliff, and gives the same command. The Rottweiler looks at the cliff, then at the handler, bites the handler who inadvertently jumps off the cliff.....

just a joke, but I thought it was appropriate.

Seriously, the two biggest diferences to me between the two breeds is rate of maturity and drives....

A GSD will mature (mentaly) nearly one year quicker than a Rottweiler. (this is what I have observed and been taught, not experienced first-hand)...

As for the drives, GSDs tend to lean more towards Prey Drive, especially early on in life.... which leads to very different training regimines, than what should be used on a Rottweiler pup... This probably is what is causing people to say that GSDs are more hyper.... it is all drive related to me

just my thoughts, feel free to correct me guys :D
-Matt

[ June 05, 2001: Message edited by: Mattweiser ]

[ June 05, 2001: Message edited by: Mattweiser ]

[WorkinDogz]

Matt,

That really does sum it up pretty well! It's also the reason the Shepherd will always be the "choice" of many, many Police Departments when putting dogs on the streets.

With the correct training; and the correct genetically sound breeding...put a Shepherd next to me in a "life or death'er". He ain't second guessing the command..LOL

"On command response" is taken quite literally with a good German Shepherd Dog.

It's not a matter of intelligence. (I don't believe the Rottie is any 'smarter' than the GSD; nor do I think it's the other way around either.) Maybe more of self serving instead of serving?

Don't get me wrong...there are some incredible Rottweilers working the streets.

It's funny when I talk to other handlers who are in the same position as I am. (Started in GSD's, worked them and now have a Rottie at the end of the lead.) I've heard more than a few say "My boy is very 'GSD-like' in his work ethic" or "Her tracking is really nice...very Shepherd-like".

I suppose history plays a roll. The standard of the working ability of dogs will be compared to that of a German Shepherd Dog.

[johnson1999]

Is it true that GSD live, on average, approximately 4-5 years longer than a rott?

[Echowe]

I remember this question being asked before and couple comments stick to my mind.
1, Rottie's favorite game is come chase me and GSD's is fetch.
2, While Rottie can be stubborn and might test you from time to time, GSD can be sneaky and wait for it's chance to out smart you.
I think both are intellegent breeds. With proper training and socialization, they are both good choices. I have always had Rotties because I just like their looks better.

[Tenaj]

johnson1999, I believe it depends on the genetics behind either breed that will determine their health and their lifespan. My first GSD had to be put down at 2 and1/2 years of age with HD and ED. Of course he'd have lived longer if I hadn't made that painful decision to end his suffering.

[Mattweiser]

Originally posted by WorkinDogz:
<STRONG>
I suppose history plays a roll. The standard of the working ability of dogs will be compared to that of a German Shepherd Dog.</STRONG>

indeed, I believe Capt Stephanitz had something to do with that... GSDs do seem to be the standard by which all others are judged.. That is fine by me. There are some good standards, plus I like trying to break the mold with Rottweilers

-Matt