German Shepherds or Rotties? - Page 1

I'm curious as to the thoughts on this.  I know most on here use Shepherds or Mals in Schutzhund.  But how often do Rottweilers do this sport?  I have a friend who is wanting to get into Schutzhund, but isn't sure if she wants a Rottie or a Shepherd.  They will be going to SchH clubs to learn before they ever even get a dog,  but I'm curious as to how common you see them in clubs, and how do they do? I did see one video of  Rottweiler who looked nice, good drives, great obedience, good protection.  How are they in tracking? I know that's a very vague question because we can't judge a whole breed based on a few dogs, but I'd like to hear from those who either have, have had, or see them work at their clubs. 

I have seen a few Rotties lately that, to me, were bred for schutzhund. Much quicker, higher drive and less defense than one used to see. I am not sure that this is a good thing.
IMO- if you are getting a dog to do Schutzhund, get a Malinois or GSD from lines known to excel in the sport.

I have worked some awesome Rotties in schutzhund.....nothing like seeing one of those monsters on a courage test...and you better be ready....driving one is like pulling a truck:-) Love the breed...I have seen numerous imported Rotties....I like that Europe doesn't crop tails.

I have the exact opposite experience as Judron.  The Rotties I have seen on the feild ...well lets just say it is not uncommon for the Helper to outrun them. Ya they hit hard but so what having to slow down so the dog can hit the sleeve.  Doesnt look all that impressive.  Now a good working Doberman is something to see!  Unfortunately good ones are hard to find and most helpers do not have the experience to work one.  For the most part they are higher defence dogs.  They do have prey drive but not like the sheps or mals.  But man are they flashy and hit with the force of a freight train.  Ad to that the natural instinct they have to "wrap" around a helper.... Slick to watch.  Having a 100 pound male flying down the feild at a helper is a joy to watch! 

From what I've seen, Rotties tend to be more affected by heat and living here in TX they can overheat quickly this could limit there ability to train and compete in warmer climates.

Disclaimer - - this is just from my experiences, i'm sure there are plenty of Rotties that do well with heat, and are top level competitors.

In the past year or so I've trained and done three different trials with two heavily Rottweiler clubs.  I've seen one maybe two Rotts that impressed me, just as far as Schutzhund goes.  My main criticism of the majority is that they just had no stamina.  They'd plow into the blind light a freight train but then look like they were about to pass out after the 5th bark.  Obedience was like watching paint dry.  One could only ever work for about 2 minutes at a time before he was heaving and about to heat stroke.  None of them seemed overly large or fat.

Having worked both breeds, the biggest difference to me is the gsd wants to really work for that reward much more than the rottie. The rottie wants to work to please its handler but likes the reward as a bonus where as I think the gsd had reward on its brain the whole time it is working. Sittasmom is so correct about rotties over heating easy. I used German bred smaller body mass rotties and they tended to be more quick and agile. The American breds have so much mass and longer limbs that they had issues climbing rubble and over heat even worse when used them in southern climates for SAR. I love working rotties and feel they are different from working a gsd. If they would like to exchange some ideas about this subject privately you may get them in contact with me.

I've had the same experience as VKGSDs in a manner of speaking.

The Rotties I've seen, the good ones can make the hits in protection look impressive but the over all picture through all three phases is ... flat.  

The 'apperance' is one of no joy in the work.

Maybe it is something about the breed's expression vs a GSD or a Mali but the Rotts can be technically flawless but there is a spark missing.

I wish you had the chance to see a bonded working rottie and I should go watch some in action that you have been seeing. Mine were always intense workers who did it just to make me happy more than anything. I have to pump up my gsds to get the willingness I had in my rotties for that fully alert animation look mine had. I always said a rottie would do anything for you, they just need to understand what you want. I have not attended schutzhund with them other than one club I trained with and I had offers to buy my male within 10 mins of being there which he was not for sale. I used mine in SAR and bite work for sch was prohibited to teach in that club. Mine would not have won shows here as they were compact muscular but not as tall or as bulked as they seem to love them here. In that breed the mentality seems to be mine is bigger than yours and weighs more than yours.... My position on that was mine can work and mine isnt clumbsy while it can also get enough oxygen to support its mass. I am on my new laptop or I would post you some photos. If I get enough time maybe I will add some later.

I'm not saying they don't have the intensity for the work or the desire to please their handler.

That is why I put 'apperance' in quotes.  

The majority of Rotties I've seen have been technically spot on but for me, personally, once they walk off the field nothing about the performance sticks out to me.  If you asked me a week later about how they did, I could give you their score but would have a hard time remembering anything specific about the routine.

Maybe I'm not looking for the same attributes other people look for and in the end as long as the judge is liking what he/she sees, who cares what I think!