Pitbull vs Rottweiler: What is the Difference and Which One Makes A Great Pet
Last Updated on: 20th January 2024, 08:06 pm
Are you considering adding a Pitbull or Rottweiler to your family?
Pit bulls and Rottweilers frequently belong in the same category as “misunderstood and intimidating dogs.” Although both breeds, when raised in loving homes, have a trustworthy and amiable disposition, many people are afraid of them.
While there are many similarities between the two dog breeds, there are also some notable differences that you should consider before deciding which one to add to your family.
Let’s dive into this together!
Key Difference Between A Pitbull and A Rottweiler
| Key Difference | Pitbull | Rotweiller |
| Height | 17-21 Inches | 22-27 Inches |
| Weight | 40-70 Pounds | 80-130 Pounds |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Energetic, and Loyal | Loving, Confident, and Loyal |
| Lifespan | 13-15 Years | 8- 10 Years |
| Exercise | 1+ Hour per day | 1.5+ Hours per day |
| Grooming | Moderate | Low |
| Trainability | Difficult and Necessary | Moderate and Highly Intelligent |
History of Pitbull vs Rottweiller
The Rottweiler and the Pitbull are both magnificent dog breeds, but they have quite different backgrounds.
The Rottweiler, which originated in the German town of Rottweiler, rose to prominence during the Roman Empire and is among the earliest breeds known to exist. It is thought that he originated from prehistoric mastiff-like dogs.
Originally, the Rottweiler was bred to herd cattle alongside armies and protect them from robbers and wild animals. Because of their work managing livestock and their prowess in pushing heavy carts filled with butchered meat to the market, their name translates to “Rottweil butchers’ dog.”
This intelligent and amiable dog serves as a search and rescue, police, and security dog. With the discovery of his gentler side and its decline in popularity as a working dog, it is now regarded as an excellent family pet.
The Rottweiler is a big, muscular dog with a stocky build that can look quite intimidating. When trained with positive reinforcement, Rottweilers are intelligent, industrious canines that make kind and loyal family companions.
Pitbull is an American breed of muscular terriers with a short close-lying stiff coat. Because of their affection for people, pit bulls are regarded as wonderful family pets and are a great option for households.
Although Pitbulls have a negative reputation because of their fighting history, they are very affectionate dogs that were employed as nannies to watch over young children.
They were first bred as fighting or baiting dogs, mostly for bulls and bears. They are distinguished by their large heads, strong jaws, and robust, muscular builds.
Appearance of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
Pitbulls and Rottweilers can easily be distinguished from one another based on appearance. Pitbulls differ greatly in color, coat pattern, and build from Rottweilers, who have a uniform appearance.
1. Size: When at their largest, Rotties can reach a shoulder length of 24 to 27 inches, while female Rottweilers are typically between 22 and 25 inches tall and have a weight of more than 130 pounds.
Pitbulls are typically medium-sized dogs with robust, stocky frames and wide, wedge-shaped heads. Male shoulder height ranges from 16 to 21 inches, while female heights range from 17 and 20 inches and they can weigh between 40 and 70 pounds.
2. Coat: Pit bulls have shorter coats. Because they do not have a stratified undercoat, they are single-coated. Like other double-coated dogs, Rottweilers, shed extensively to lose their undercoat. A Rottweiler’s undercoat thickness is influenced by the climate. The most undercoats are visible on the thighs and neck. Rottweilers have a straight, coarse, short, double coat.
3. Color: Rottweilers have short, black fur and lighter markings, which can be mahogany, rust, or tan, which gives them a sturdy, solid appearance. Sometimes, their tails are docked.
Pitbulls’ color spectrum includes blue, brown, black, gray, fawn, merle, red, and white. Pit bulls are known for their happy-looking doggy grins and are known for being highly expressive dogs.
Characteristics of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
Rottweiler is a smart and devoted pet. While PitBull is lovable, gregarious, and charming. While both breeds are intelligent, devoted, and motivated by their owners’ commands, they each possess unique characteristics.
Rottweilers are known for their powerful builds, which define their physical attributes. They are characterized by a large head, a distinct stop, and a strong jaw with a scissor bite.
The distinctive black nose of this breed makes it easy to identify. To add to their robust and powerful gait, Rottweilers also have a compact and muscular body with a deep chest, a broad and straight back, and strong and well-muscled hind legs. Their tail is frequently docked to a stub, though this practice is forbidden in some nations. The Rottweilers in those nations naturally have a drooping tail.
Common physical characteristics of pit bulls include their wide head and deep, broad chest, strong jaws with a scissors bite. One of the distinguishing features of pit bulls’ bodies is their easy-to-maintain, glossy, coat. To further enhance their physical attributes, pit bulls have a medium-length tail that is set low and taper to a point.
Pitbull breeds are referred to as “red nose” or “blue nose” breeds. These Pit species have red or blue points, and some even have adorable red or slate-gray noses! These breeds have a menacing appearance that will make any would-be invader look foolish. But beneath their tough exteriors, they have gold hearts.
Exercise: Pitbull vs Rottweiler
The Rottweiler and Pitbull breeds both need a lot of daily exercise. These two breeds will, however, require different kinds of exercise.
Since rottweilers were born to work, doggie chores like bringing in the newspaper or moving small objects around the house should be assigned to them. In addition, they require a lot of playtime and mental stimulation.
Pit bulls are believed to be more energetic than Rottweilers, and thereby require more vigorous exercise. Long hikes, fast runs, or outdoor fetch games all work well. In addition to getting their 60 minutes a day, they enjoy playing ball and participating in dog agility courses.
The Pitbull ranked third among the most popular breeds in the list of 10. The Rottweiler’s bite power is an incredible 328 pounds per square inch, while the Pitbull’s bite power is measured at 235 pounds.
They have the potential to be very destructive if left on their own and get bored. They are very powerful and can do a lot of damage in a short period, so if you cannot exercise them every day, be ready to pay a lot of money for repairs.
Training of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
Both Rottweilers and Pit Bulls are ideal for knowledgeable, committed dog owners who have lots of free time to dedicate to their animals.
Socializing your Rottweiler and Pitbull with people and other dogs from an early age is a wise decision.
Dogs of both breeds are highly intelligent and eager to please. Both breeds, nevertheless, tend to be stubborn. For this reason, both breeds benefit greatly from regular, tough training combined with positive reinforcement—such as verbal or physical praise or a treat.
Rottweilers require socialization and consistent, firm training from the beginning of their lives. Being a people-oriented breed, they require much involvement in everyday family activities.
Under appropriate supervision, Pit Bulls make wonderful companions for kids. Due to their love of children, the breed was formerly known as the “nanny dog.” However, when a dog is around children, it should always be supervised. Their devotion to humans is so great that, if they do not receive the necessary attention, they may exhibit severe behavioral issues. Mistreatment of dogs by their owners or intentional incitement of aggression and antisocial behavior are major contributing factors to the bad reputations of Pit Bulls.
For either breed, clicker training is an excellent training technique. Clicker training is a behavior-based training approach that uses a clicker device to indicate desired behaviors in dogs. It rewards desired behavior. You should give your Rottweiler or Pitbull a treat, a pat on the head, or verbal praise as soon as you press the device.
Through operant conditioning, the dog can eventually learn to associate the desired behavior with a favorable outcome and perform it on their own.
To develop into their best selves, both breeds need a comparable amount of early socialization and training. It is important to remember that both breeds are among the most susceptible to prejudice based solely on their breed. Some cities have enacted laws outlawing entire breeds considered “dangerous,” most notably Pit Bulls, and owners of these dogs frequently find that their landlords forbid them from renting.
Nutrition of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
Given their high energy levels, both breeds will do best on premium, high-protein, grain-free kibble. Your dog’s size and level of activity will determine how much kibble they need to eat.
The Pitbull will eat about two and a half cups of food per day, compared to three cups for the Rottweiler. Age-appropriate food should be consumed by both dogs, and it is important to watch out for Rottweiler’s overindulgence as it may become obese. Given its higher metabolism, the Pitbull should not gain too much weight unless it is eating too many Scooby snacks. Here is a list of recommended dog food for pit bulls.
Grooming of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
One of the easiest breeds of dogs to groom is the pit bull. Given that the hair is quite short, brushing it once a week will take care of any dead hair and keep it looking radiant and well.
Unless, of course, it finds a muddy field to roll in, it will only need a bath every two to three months. Note that this is one of his favorite things to do. If it has skin allergies, you might need to give it medicated baths a little more frequently.
Brushing is necessary once or twice a week to maintain the healthy and glossy appearance of your Rottweiler, which is only slightly more demanding than a pit bull. Like any other dog, this one would benefit from a bath every six weeks.
Puppy Price of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
In comparison to a Pitbull, a purebred Rottweiler will cost more money. The average cost of a pitbull from a reputable breeder is between $800 and $1,500, while the Rottweiler is more expensive at around $1,500. Then, the more desirable the features, the higher the price you should anticipate. Alternatively, you should budget more than average if you want a Rottweiler from an award-winning bloodline.
It’s important to purchase your puppy from a reputable and reliable breeder. Do your research on the breeder before making a purchase.
Temperament of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
It is important to consider a dog’s temperament and personality when choosing the right one for you. This is particularly valid for “bully breeds,” who frequently receive negative attention.
The Rottweiler is a brave, loving, and loyal breed that is people-oriented. They are fiercely protective of their pack and can form close relationships with their owners. A rottweiler can get along with nearly any other dog if they are socialized from a young age. They are peaceful and collected until their lives or the lives of their kin are in danger.
Apart from their protective role, Rottweilers make loving and loyal companions. Owing to their intelligence and trainability, they are a common breed for working and service dogs. Rottweilers are easy to train if their owners are firm and consistent. They require two walks or play sessions a day on average to meet their activity requirements.
Pitbulls are equally sensitive and sweet. Pit bulls are an example of a playful, loving breed that does best in a family environment. Regardless of breed, there should always be a focus on educating and monitoring children’s interactions with animals. Pit Bulls can exhibit stubbornness due to their energy and perseverance.
However, because of their human-like loyalty, pit bulls are simple to train. For this breed to remain in shape, regular exercise is required. Pitbulls can exhibit unexpected aggression toward other dogs because of their background as fighters. For this reason, you should never leave them alone with your other dog.
According to more recent research, a dog’s size directly affects the force of its bite. If this is the case, the mastiff’s enormous size would give them a stronger bite than a Pitbull or Rottie.
Given that Rottweilers and Pitbulls have a difficult past as fighting dogs, many people are hesitant to adopt one of these breeds. However, several studies have found that male dogs who bite people are usually not neutered. According to more research, there is no such thing as breed-specific aggression; any dog, regardless of breed, will bite if provoked, agitated, or hurt.
Health Considerations of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
Rottweilers are more likely to develop allergies, epilepsy, persistent diarrhea, and cancer. Although many dogs are neutered at an early age, studies have shown that Rottweilers are more likely to develop bone cancer after this procedure.
Also, Rottweilers can suffer from numerous hereditary health issues. To minimize these, pick a reputable breeder who subjects their dogs to all advised genetic screenings.
Although pit bulls are generally healthy dogs, they can inherit various health conditions. It is important to choose a Pit Bull breeder carefully to ensure that they are committed to breeding healthy dogs rather than just profitable ventures.
A Pit Bull may have any of the following medical conditions: allergies, thyroid disorders, luxating patella, degenerative myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and cardiac issues.
Life Expectancy of Pitbull vs Rottweiler
Both the pit bull and the Rottweiler have numerous health issues that shorten their lives. Unfortunately, the Rottweiler’s larger stature works against it, and in comparison, to many other large dogs, their lifespan is rather short. Pit bulls can live up to 13–15 years, while Rottweilers typically live 8–10 years.
Breed-specific Legislation
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) is used in many states and nations, and it almost always applies to dogs like Rottweiler and Pitbull. As a result, many insurance companies will not insure certain breeds or, at the very least, have raised premiums inappropriately. Landlords have also prohibited specific breeds from living on their properties. If you are thinking of getting one of these breeds, you should research your local laws as they differ from state to state.
Rottweiler vs. Pitbull – Which is the Best Dog for you?
So which of these two adorable breeds is the best for you? The answer to this depends on what you need.
Pitbulls and Rottweilers are two amazing breeds of extremely affectionate dogs. These kinds of dogs enjoy playing with children and are fiercely protective of their families. Both breeds make wonderful family pets if socialized and trained at a young age, despite their scary reputations.
Rottweilers are a superior choice if you are searching for an all-around guard dog or working dog because of their work ethic, loyalty, and protective nature.
Compared to Rottweilers, Pit Bulls are typically more laid back and focused on being loyal companions than anything else. They have a strong need for human interaction and are eager to please.
Regardless of the breed you select, be sure you are willing to invest the time and energy necessary to raise them into calm, well-mannered adult dogs.
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