Skip to Content

Are Rottweilers Smart Dogs? – Here’s How They Compare in Dog Intelligence

If you’re planning to bring home a Rottweiler, then there’s a lot of things you’ll need to consider. Puppy vaccinations, diet, training, temperament, among other things are important. However, what about the Rottweiler’s intelligence and ability to learn?

Rottweilers are very smart dogs. And for obedience & working intelligence, they’re the 9th smartest dog breed. However, what actually makes a Rottweiler intelligent is their superb instincts to protect and guard. In fact, a Rottweiler’s ability to read the intentions of strangers requires a special type of dog intelligence.

Rottweilers are undeniably intelligent dogs. But what exactly makes these dogs so smart compared to the rest? To understand the true intelligence of Rottweilers, we first must examine the criteria in which Coren used for his trial tests. Read on to learn more.

RECOMMENDED: Top 100 Smartest Dog Breeds

Measuring a Rottweiler’s Intelligence

We measure how smart a Rottweiler is based on Stanley Coren's two criteria.

Rottweilers are the 9th smartest dogs. But how did we come up with this ranking? Psychologist Stanley Coren is largely credited for this. Although, the renowned pHD and canine psychologist received a fair share of both criticism and praise for his methods.

There was certainly a lot of controversy and debate surrounding his methods. The way he conducted his trials on dog intelligence was not perfect in identifying true canine IQ. Even so, it’s a great starting point. Plus, it’s really all we have at this moment.

Coren’s Dog Intelligence Criteria

Stanley Coren did not do it all himself. Rather, he had the help of 199 obedience trial judges for the research and trials. Using his criteria, the North American trial judges evaluated and ranked individual dog breeds, thus collecting data for Coren.

Coren’s Intelligence Tests Were Based On 2 Factors:

  1. The number of repetitions it took for the dog breed to learn a new command. Dogs capable of learning with fewer repetitions were “more intelligent.”
  2. The percentage that a dog breed successfully obeys a known command on the first attempt. A higher success rate meant that the dog was more obedient and intelligent, according to Coren.

It’s worth noting that only dog breeds recognized by either the AKC or the CKC participated in these obedience trials. In addition, only breeds with at least 100 responses were qualified for his final list of smartest dogs. Unfortunately, this eliminated many breeds from the list.

Given the international recognition of the Rottweiler and the immense popularity of these dogs, they had no problems qualifying. Plenty of Rottweilers partook in Coren’s trials. Plus, many of them performed at an exceptional level.

How the Rottweiler Performed

Based on Coren’s test criteria, the Rottweiler performed extremely well. With such superb results, the Rottweilers scored among some of the “smartest” dog breeds in the canine kingdom. In fact, they’re in the best class for canine intelligence – the top 10!

So what does this mean for the Rottweiler’s intelligence? On average, the Rottweiler is able to learn a new command with just 5 repetitions or less! Depending on the difficulty of the command, Rotties may learn it in just a few minutes.

Equally impressive, Rottweilers are able to obey a known command on the first attempt with a 95% or higher success rate. If you think about it, it’s quite amazing! They’re some of the world’s most obedient animals. Who knew Rottweilers were this obedient?

It’s no coincidence that this popular dog breed is one of the most intelligent. Other breeds such as the German Shepherd, Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and the Doberman Pinscher are also in this class. They’re also some of the most popular.

Given how all those dogs play such a vital role in police work, herding, search & rescue and other various canine jobs – being grouped with this class is nothing to scoff at. 

Rottweilers vs. “Average” Dogs

There’s nothing wrong with being average intelligent. However, there is a significant gap between your average dog and the Rottweiler. Not only do Rottweilers learn much faster, but are also able to recall and obey known commands with a higher rate.

For example, a dog with “average” intelligence is able to learn a new command with just 25 to 40 repetitions. In other words, the average dog needs at least 5 to 8 times more repetitions to learn a command when compared to the Rottie.

In addition, average dogs will obey a known command on the first try with just a 50% or better success rate. Most “average” dogs are much more stubborn and strong-willed than higher performers. As such, they are not nearly as impressive as the Rottweiler, but not bad either. 

Again, being average is okay! Some of the most popular dog breeds in the world are considered to be in the average class. For reference, popular dog breeds in this intelligence class include the Husky, Boxer, Australian Shepherd, Great Dane and Dachshund.

2 Other Reasons Why Rottweilers Are Smart

According to Stanley Coren’s intelligence trials, Rottweilers are fantastic leaners and very obedient dogs. However, I would argue there’s more to Rottweilers than just tricks and bids. Even Coren will be first to admit this.

Though measuring how fast a dog can learn may correlate with high intelligence, it doesn’t tell the full story. And due to the temperaments of some breeds, results aren’t always accurate. With that said, obedience and work intelligence is just one component of a dog’s true IQ.

As a matter of fact, there are three dimensions to dog intelligence. The other two are instinctive and adaptive intelligence. Both of which, are probably more important. Read on to learn how the Rottie compares in these two other IQ dimensions.

1. Instinctive Guard Dogs Have High Intelligence

Instinctive intelligence refers to the ability or special skill that the dog breed was bred for. Nearly all dog breeds were bred for a purpose back in the day. Whether it be herding, companionship, retrieving or protection – they all had a role in society.

For instance, Australian Shepherds were bred to be herding dogs. They’re some of the best at it. The fact that Aussies are able to instinctively push and drive livestock requires instinctive intelligence. They need very little human intervention for this skill.

In the Rottweiler’s case, they’re famously known to be one of the most protective and loyal breeds ever. For this reason, they were bred to be some of the most feared guardians in all of the dogdom. Plus, they could protect both humans and other animals.

Rottweilers are naturally born to guard. Some are more suspicious, some are easy going. But most will only bark when there is something to really bark about. 

– Big Black Dogs (Rottweiler Online)

Because they were originally developed to be drovers, or protectors of livestock (cattle), Rotties have an inner instinct to protect and defend. This is the Rottweiler’s instinctive intelligence – and, they are some of the best at it.

Make no mistake, there are many great guard dogs in the world. Most of them are big and vicious dogs. But what make Rottweilers arguably the best is a great understanding of the environment. After all, they need to assess the situation.

In other words, they’re smart enough to accurately interpret who is a threat and who isn’t. For this reason, Rottweilers make great guardians for children or seniors. Or at the least, another set of eyes to keep them away from trouble.

Just check out this Rottweiler in action:

The Rottweiler’s High Adaptive Intelligence

The last dimension of dog IQ is adaptive intelligence. It refers to the ability of the dog to learn for itself. Dogs with high adaptive intelligence are better at solving problems and learning from past mistakes and experiences.

Keep in mind: individual dogs within the same breed have relatively the same instinctive intelligence. However, adaptive intelligence can vary greatly amongst individual dogs. This is similar to that of the human species.

Currently, there’s no objective way to measure adaptive intelligence. However, we can gauge this type of intelligence from the stories of these dogs. And, we have plenty of “evidence” suggesting that most Rottweilers have high adaptive intelligence.

For example, one Rottweiler owner tells us:

The first time I was throwing a stick, my other dog kept stealing it. My rottie looked at me and I said ‘get me a stick.’ I had never used the word before but he figured it out and got a stick. He got one so huge the other dog couldn’t carry it so he wouldn’t steal it.

– Ciaran668 (Reddit)

This owner’s Rottweiler was able to “figure it out” by observing the other dog grabbing the stick. And although he was never taught the word “stick,” he somehow made the connection. If this isn’t a sign of high adaptive intelligence, I don’t know what is.

Another Rottweiler owner explains:

My rottie is super sharp at figuring out what we’re doing. When we grab our doggie bags, he patiently waits next to the leash because he knows we’re going for a walk.

– Emerson K. (Rottweiler owner)

Through years of experience, Emerson’s Rottweiler was able to figure out the small “hints” that led to the subsequent situations that commonly happen. Again, learning from past experiences is a clear indicator of high adaptive intelligence in Rotties.

We understand that these are just two examples. But if you asked any Rottweiler owner, they would likely have plenty of stories just like these. And if you have one of these amazing stories that shows the true IQ of Rottweilers, let us know in the comments!

Is Your Rottweiler Smart?

Now that we know Rottweilers are exceptionally quick learners and obedient dogs, what do Rottweiler owners think? Like humans, intelligence may differ on an individual level. So, we think this may be the best method of gauging a breed’s true intelligence.

For this section, we decided to survey real Rottweiler owners from the popular Rottie sub Reddit and other popular dog forums. Here’s what they had to say to the question: 

Real Owner Answers:

1. Wrath4771 says Yes:Rotties are great with other breeds…They’re an intelligent breed that likes to keep busy. Having another dog around will definitely keep them entertained.”

2. Laichas says Yes:They’re very smart, my Rottie can open the latch on his crate (simply because he saw us do it). Make sure that you not only physically exercise them but also that you stimulate their minds with puzzles, toys, and regular training. If they get bored they will break stuff!

3. Monoxide211 says Yes:I’ve had them my whole life and have enjoyed everyone of them. Smart, protective, highly trainable and loyal! They just want to be part of the team.”

4. Jnnytoronto says Yes:We’ve had [our Rottweiler] for only 5 days and he sure is smart, a little stubborn, mischievous, but an awesome dog!

5. Theglorybox says Yes:They’re very smart, and very loyal. Mine picked up on things quickly even as a puppy. Just be careful, because they will also try to outsmart you! As long as they know who is the boss (you) they’re amazing dogs.”

6. A_cat_farmer says Yes:They are so smart! My Rottweiler is 12 weeks old and can already sit, stay, come, lay down, go to bed, shake, up/down, as well as dramatically play dead!”

7. Denniepie says Yes:Training a rottie is a two-edged sword at first. They are so smart, they sometimes have the idea that they really don’t need your input. But once they get the plot, working with them is a dream.

8. Rugger81 says Yes:They are great dogs and very smart, eager to please their owners, and are very well balanced dogs if trained properly.”

9. Dreamsofglasswolves says Yes:Rottweilers are indeed very intelligent and there’s no reason you couldn’t train him to the same standard…” 

10. 9grendel9 says YesYou couldn’t choose a better dog to spend your life with. Smart, playful and loves there peeps more than any pup I have ever been around.

11. Jacktomothy says Yes:I have had 3. Mine were all smart, loyal, fearless, and doofus’s. I love how they always keep an eye on you. They make you feel secure. They really are more human than dog.

Does Owning a Smart Rottie Matter?

Does it really matter if you have a smart dog? The truth is, there really is no need to have a smart dog breed. Nearly all dogs are capable of providing you with what you need. Don’t let the “experts” tell you how intelligent your dog is.

Unless you’re looking for a breed with a specific skill set for a complicated task or job, you’ll be okay with just about any dog breed. Perhaps the only benefit of owning a breed like the Rottie is the ability to learn quickly. If you’re big on obedience, Rotties aren’t a bad choice.

Is the Rottweiler Right for You?

Despite their tough appearances, Rottweilers are actually very affectionate dogs. Additionally, they can be sensitive and highly intelligent. It’s why they develop such close attachments with owners. So much so, that Rottweilers tend to develop separation anxiety

A huge part in forming a wonderful bond is having good communication. Rottweilers are smart and will be able to understand what their owners want. In a short amount of time, they can figure out a way to communicate their needs and wants.

Not all dog breeds are capable of this, but the Rottweiler certainly is. 

So instead of asking whether Rottweilers are smart, it’s better to ask if the Rottweiler’s personality or temperament is right for you. At the end of the day, you’ll want a dog that can fit your needs. If this is what you’re looking for, then I would definitely recommend the Rottweiler.

There are few large dog breeds as great as the Rottweiler. 


Do you own a Rottweiler? Is your Rottweiler smart? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

Posts you may like: 

Jacqueline

Sunday 2nd of January 2022

I am on my 4th Rottweiller and I wouldn't have any other breed although my first had been mistreated and we had to muzzle her to start with but after 5months she was a lively dog. She died of cancer at 8. But my second lived to be 14 she got a womb infectishe was a loveable girl. My next girl was same she lived to be 13 and I now have a boy who's 10 this year. But I have been lucky with mine as all four haven't cost me a 1000 pounds altogether. They are the best dogs.

A Web Revolution

Thursday 27th of May 2021

Most dogs are just more stubborn and strong-willed than higher performers.

Chrissy P

Monday 4th of January 2021

I have had 2 rotties so far and I honestly couldn’t see myself without one. They are the most beautiful, balanced, smartest and funniest dogs - really both have been like my children except they are not! Both girls have been extremely fast learners, super affectionate and just so tolerant of other animals. I don’t think I could get another breed as I just can not fault them in terms of training, agility and the humour they provide!

The only thing I would stress to someone who is researching to see if this breed is right for them - is really that you need to give them loads of socialising as a puppy to everything and everyone so they understand what is acceptable and what is not. They are far too big to be allowed to do what they like.

Clear but firm boundaries is a must. If the dog is outsmarting you, you need to seek a dog trainer immediately to train YOU in how to re out smart the dog. That’s how clever they are.

My second girl is a therapy dog for school / work and she is honestly far too smart I have needed to be really consistent and fair with her training to ensure she understands work and play. But in saying that she thrives off working and pleasing me. She loves the kids and enjoys listening to them read to her and playing fetch. If you have the time and love to put into these dogs then they are for you.

The best breed hands down with their skill sets in terms of obedience / training being outstanding and their hilarious side that comes out is also just too adorable not to love. As owners we must create a socialised well mannered canine to undo their bad image.

CarrieS

Sunday 29th of November 2020

I have owned 3 Rottweilers within the last 15 years. I couldn’t ask for a more loyal and loving friend. I have observed all my Rottweilers pick up commands easily. All were very quick to pick up the potty training process. As many others have stated this is a dog so smart you have to let them know you are in charge or they will take over. My current Rottie is always watching out for me and never too far away. She will bark when someone or something new is around but I feel like she can sense if I am accepting of that person and if she needs to step in. If anyone in my family plays rough with me she steps in to protect me yet she is smart enough to know she needs to be gentle with other family members. It’s important to feed this breed and healthy diet and get them good exercise. I couldn’t imagine my life without one.

Amanda

Friday 9th of October 2020

I have a 75% Rottweiler 25% Doberman mix and he is very smart but also very goofy. He weighs 130lbs but he thinks he is the same size as my Shih-Tzu and Chihuahua. He likes to hug so its been very difficult to break him from jumping up to greet people. He has broken a few leashes and went walking up the street so the police have been called. Once the officer came and saw him he asked if I’d consider selling him. As a first time Rottweiler owner I was surprised at how affectionate he is. He is a bit more needy than my small dogs but he is eager to please. He literally smiles when he hears “good boy”!

Comments are closed.
assetto corsa mods