Is it Safe to Have a Schnauzer Around a Rottweiler?

If a schnauzer or rottweiler are well trained, there should be no problem having them around each other. This should be true of two dogs of any breed. Difficulties come when one dog tries to express dominance over the other. The solution for the handler is if he or she sees any sign of aggression from either dog, it should be ended, immediately and firmly.

  1. Schnauzer

    • A schnauzer should also be calm and confident.

      There are three types of schnauzer, giant, standard and miniature. All are famous for their bushy eyebrows and mustaches. All schnauzers have a harsh wiry coat that's salt and pepper or black that has to be stripped at least twice a year to keep it from matting. A standard schnauzer stands between 17 1/2 to 19 1/2 inches tall at the shoulder and was bred as a rat catcher and a guard dog. The giant schnauzer stands 23 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches at the shoulder -- its height should match its body length -- and weighs between 70 and 77 lbs. It was bred to drive cattle. The miniature schnauzer was also bred as a rat catcher and stands 13 to 14 inches high at the shoulder and weighs between 13 and 15 lbs.

    Rottweiler

    • A rottweiler is a powerful working dog of ancient lineage. A rottweiler stands 23 to 27 inches high at the shoulder and weighs from 90 to 110 lbs. They were bred to drive cattle, and the ancient Romans brought rottweilers with them while they were invading Europe. The breed was developed further in the German town of Rottweil. A rottweiler is self-confident, protective and has a calm temperament despite its reputation for viciousness. Any viciousness in the dog is the result of abuse. Rottweilers do tend to be wary of strangers and must have firm obedience training and socialization. The dog is black with rust markings.

    Dominance and Submission

    • Dogs are pack animals and they must have a leader. A dog that believes it's the leader has a proud, alert stance, with the tail and head held up. This stance is attractive to humans and is sometimes rewarded. An alpha dog might try to dominate another dog by growling, snapping and jumping on the other dog -- for dogs, personal space means respect. A submissive dog makes itself smaller, lowers its tail and skulks about. In other words, a submissive dog looks unhappy, but actually isn't. Being a pack leader can be stressful, especially for a dog that's been led to think it's the leader of a group of humans who don't obey it all the time.

    The Human Role

    • In the case of a dog that lives with humans, the pack leader must be the human. The human, like the alpha dog, controls how the dog behaves, including how it behaves with other dogs. This must be true whether the other dog lives in the same house or is met on the street during a walk. The human's calm and strong demeanor will convey to the dog that aggression won't be tolerated. A tug on the collar of a dog who's acting aggressively, and a calm but firm "No!," or even a squeeze to the back of the neck should be all it takes to get the dog to behave.