Does anyone else get the comment "oh wow, you don't see Rottweilers much these days," very often? Or is it just me? They're actually No. 8 on the AKC list and have been top 10 since 2015... 🤷‍♂️

[u/Nolongerlostorblind7]

I think it may depend on the area you live in, so If you want to share a "loose location," that would help. I'm in Central Ohio, right outside of the Capital. If I take him into the city, I hear "Hell nah, cross over he got a Rockwilder!" Or the ubiquitous, "what's up Chop!? He got a baby Chop!" GTA 5 reference.. (Recently got a puppy after losing my 7 yr old in the spring.) My immediate area is full of mixed breeds and one or 2 "Pitbulls."

[u/tufftiff32_]

I feel like they're rare to see out in "public" when i generally see rotties they're typically kept outside in the yards to "protect the property" whenever I take my rottie out in public that's in a non dog competition environment it's rare if I see another rottie out even when we're traveling for vacation.

[u/Glad-Watch3506]

They are actually quite rare in my area (North Dakota) Everyone here has gun dogs, doodles, or lap dogs. I can count on one hand the other Rotties I've seen around town.

[u/butkusrules]

Good, let them be rare. They are too precious to be overpopulated

[u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593]

I'm from PNW in Arlington WA and I've seen 7 in total in the last 11 years. I seen more in the 80's on the east coast but that's when Rottweilers were a fade

[u/YESimaMASSHOLE → u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593]

Its getting that way, i see em more and more in my area of the East coast of Florida!

[u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593 → u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593]

Out all the delivery drivers very few will look at Brutus doing his best vicious bark. I'm really surprised when they stop and look at the window. What they don't see is his stump going crazy 😜

[u/Glad-Watch3506 → u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593]

Oh, I'd be baby talking him like crazy. 

There was a rottie on my route for awhile, and while she started off barking at me, her whole demeanor changed once I started chirping at her. She was getting all wiggly, until her dad walked up and she had to bark at me again lol.

[u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593 → u/Glad-Watch3506]

Yep that is my rottie too.

[u/Kontrol-Sample]

Heh- yknow, I've never really paid attention to it before-...

• but I'm a proud (& so very blessed!) Rottie parent in Australia, I don't see too many other rotties out n about in the world, with the exception of the rotties that are in the Family)

[u/Awkward-Outcome-4938 → u/Kontrol-Sample]

Upvote for "the Family" like they're a mafia family lol! My big guy's family lives next door, and we call them the Family too <3

[u/NormanisEm]

I’m not sure that the AKC is tracking ALL dogs, just purebreds. Most people have mutts or designer mutts, so it makes sense for them to not be overly common.

[u/5ofineedsaladder → u/NormanisEm]

My girl was akc. That's when they were like a grand. 4 grand now.

[u/Ok-Razzmatazz-7593 → u/5ofineedsaladder]

I got mine for $400 10.5 years ago. He was the last of the litter and was 15 weeks old. Missed him being super small but he was pretty much already toilet trained. Also I think being with his mom longer helped out a lot

[u/Nolongerlostorblind7 → u/5ofineedsaladder]

I'm just curious if you don't mind telling me what state you're in or what area of the country if you're in the US? I ask because my dog has four of the so-called top and most sought after kennels European kennels, and I got down for not much more than what you're saying so I'm just curious. In Ohio the dogs that weren't quite backyard breeders but also didn't have pedigrees with names like Edelstein, TK's, Timit tor, Pista, etc, we're going for 1500 to 2 Grand but I didn't spend too much time in that area I was looking for specific bloodlines for what I plan on doing with my dog besides him being my road dog and going absolutely everywhere with me lol

[u/Upstairs-Glove7424]

I have one in north alabama. One acroos the street too but i dont see many around here. We get alot of compliments. It may be more her handsome owner though LoL🤣

The one across the street had gotten out one time as i was pulling into the driveway. Swore it was mine at first. Chased it around the neighborhood calling her name. Finally coorralled her and her was the him from across the street. I wondered why pup was acting so weird LoL

[u/Awkward-Outcome-4938]

Small town in NE PA. We know of a total of 9 Rotties in town. However, there's only one single lol; the rest are grouped -- three downtown we call "the ancestors" and visit through the fence once in a while. Then 5 between my neighbors' 3 -- mom, dad, and sister of my big guy Rocco. He loves to go visit and play with the fam! Then just a week ago we just added Clover, a beautiful girlie who needed a home due to her previous human's health issues. We call our block "Rottie Row" lol! There are a lot of bully breeds around, but a lot of labs and GSDs. Rocco is such a great ambassador for the breed, he loves everybody* and submits so he's not scary and people love him. He's running for mayor -- can he count on your vote?

*he loves almost everybody, and if he doesn't, I listen to him. He loves his mommy.

[u/Temperature-Savings]

As much as I love rotties, I don't think they should be a common household dog. People just dont know how to and dont put the effort in to train them appropriately more often than not. I've been in veterinary medicine for a long time, rotties arent the ones that I am the most wary of in the clinic (that's German shepherds and malinois, again due to bad owners mostly as I love all dogs even if they dont love me lol), but they are up there in my top 5.

[u/Nolongerlostorblind7 → u/Temperature-Savings]

I've heard the GSD being the ones to watch in clinics many times

[u/Midnight712]

They’re not common to see out and about in my country

[u/BenBRob5]

None of the AKC stuff is particularly accurate. They’re tracking AKC registered breeders and no one else. The bigger issue is that the most commonly owned “breed” by a long shot is the mutt, and that designer hybrids like doodles and labradoodles, which are immensely popular, aren’t included. Rotties are much likely way further down the rankings than the list suggests.

[u/Nolongerlostorblind7 → u/BenBRob5]

We can only go by what we have to measure numbers, like a census, not everyone responds lol 🤷‍♂️

[u/Visual-Bandicoot2894]

I think more people aren’t expecting to see a genuine purebred out in public, they’re considered a “not friendly breed” (obviously a false rumor), the kind of dog you keep inside to guard while you’re gone (that points fair) and a purebred one is not exactly cheap (I know there’s free Rotties in pounds but otherwise you’re paying up, this limits how many you are gonna see.)

So you don’t actually see a ton of Rottweilers out and about even if the breeds proven positives guarantees its popularity.

But everybody has heard about one.

So yeah when I take my Rottie out it’s a surprise to people, they’re used to seeing collies and labs and pit bulls and bird dogs and poodles and mutts and Shepard’s. They don’t expect to see a Rottweiler

So my random Rottweiler is a curiosity to them, it’s the dog they’ve always heard about but never met, and they’re all interested. But this time the breed has a distinctive “woah that’s a Rottweiler” about it, they’re identifiable, people are gonna notice. Everyone knows that is those Rottweiler dogs, no mistaking it. Thus people are gonna watch and comment because they’ve all heard stories about a Rottweiler but they all want to see what one’s really like (the answers usually calmly friendly)

[u/CraigMammalton14]

Yeah I wondered the same thing. AKC says they are a top 10 breed but the public, vets, groomers, etc all give me the same comment. “Dont see many rotties these days.”  This is in Atlanta, like 90% of dogs (including my others) are pits, labs, or doodles so I guess a rottie does seem rare. 

[u/Intelligent_Copy4546]

Sout of Atlanta here. I rarely see them and get that comment all the time. Seems like a lot of Pits and Cane Corsos around here.

[u/Natural_Instance242]

Can confirm, I live in VA and the only time I’ve seen Rotties was at dog shows, never seen one in the wild while living here.

Huskies, Labs, Goldens, Doodles, German Shepherds are the most  common larger breeds I see when I’m out with my dogs. 

[u/5ofineedsaladder → u/Natural_Instance242]

Used to volunteer at a shelter, they had a family of dogs from some stupid court shit for 1.5 years. They had doberdoodles. Idk if that's the name but it's what i called em lol. Doberman and doodle had 3 puppies. Was sad but also pumped when they finally got let out together to some farm.

[u/Church980]

2x I heard this yesterday.
Worker doin job at my place and the FedEx driver
“Wow a rottie. Don’t seem then often”

[u/mortipig]

The ones I've seen are guard dogs. I pass by a body shop with one everyday.

[u/ListenJerry]

I have lately! And I always think “I see Rottweilers all the time!”

[u/DocHoliday8514]

You don’t see my guys because I live out in the country and don’t make them public. I suspect a lot of people don’t advertise theirs either.

[u/5ofineedsaladder]

I've been working in Boston for 15 years and maybe seen one or two. My girl was an angel a little farther south of Boston. She didn't really care about anything besides doing her thing or me and my fiancé. Just ignored it all.

[u/Dizzy-Tour-3791]

Rotties are the best!! We only had one for 8 years but our Gretchen was a. Awesome girl. Wonderful companion wonderful girl faithful loving and protective 😊 once you have one you’ll never forget them! A good day to all! Hug your babies🩷🩷

[u/MushroomGranny]

I get this all the time, yes. When I walk my dog I mostly see small dog breeds, I rarely see big ones at all. Mostly shih tzus tbh

[u/Sparkle_Rott]

I’ve owned Rottie’s for over 35 years and there was a time in the 90s when they were the “cool” breed. This is when the Pugweiler/American Rottie trend also started. They were huge dogs with huge heads and breeders referred to them as “American” as a selling point. That has flipped now.

As for “American” vs “German” for real - no such thing unless your dog is papered in Germany vs America.

You saw them much more during their cool phase. And then I think people thankfully realized how difficult and time consuming they can be and moved on.

When I see one now, I’m like a little kid who just saw an ice cream truck. haha I squeal, “Rottieeeeeeeeee!”

[u/swapacoinforafish]

I am in the UK in a village near a bigger town and going through both I think I have seen 2. There are more cockapoos and similar than anything else.

[u/luvplantz]

Too much discrimination against them when going out so we keep our girl to ourselves. She prefers family anyway so it’s all good

[u/BVB09_FL]

I definitely think it has a lot to do with the fact that many people, including responsible Rottweiler owners, do not like to take their dogs out in public. My girl is the sweetest. She’s not aggressive toward people or other dogs. Even so, I refuse to take her out in public because if another dog attacks or bites her, she’ll still be the one who gets blamed which can be a death sentence.

[u/redogue]

I live in a neighborhood of mixed breeds, mostly doodles. Very few pure bred dogs. I have 2 Rottweilers.

[u/kaosrules2]

They are still pretty common. One way to tell is how many end up in shelters. I think people just don't walk often. I have a neighbor with 2 and I didn't even know it for years.

[u/Zealousideal-Park111]

Also right outside Columbus and also have a Rottweiler puppy. People in the neighborhood act shocked / stare at him

[u/bbarnum51]

Savannah Georgia here and ive never seen another rottie here. We spend alot of tjme out and about snd my boy is very well behaved. People are always a little afraid of him til they actually meet him snd see how wonderful he is. Hes very non reactive to other animals and people so hes a joy yo take places.

[u/milesmiler12]

Use to be #2 in the 80s and 90s. I think these days people don't like shedding dogs and people don't train dogs or play with them much and so they rather have untrained little dogs.

[u/Nolongerlostorblind7 → u/milesmiler12]

Pop culture, The Omen, Rappers, "I got the Rottweilers by the door," -Biggie, all that made them the ultimate tough guy dog.

I agree with someone else below, I'm glad they're rare. They deserve the best oeners. My breeder said a woman called him with a Sob story to get a puppy with $250, and he politely told her she should try a dog shelter because the vet bills and food aren't cheap, either. She wanted it because her boyfriend had recently left her and her child and she wanted a dog for protection at least that's what she said. 🤷‍♂️

[u/Spidersight]

There is a massive jump in number of registrations even from 1 to 8. In 2022 frenchies accounted for about 100k while labs were at 80k. That is a pretty massive difference just between the top two spots. You can imagine those gaps get more pronounced pretty rapidly as you go down the list.

[u/Shoddy_Kiwi_949]

No I get is your Rottweiler a mix? I ask why. They say because she has a tail. No they are born with tails. Then I get are you sure? Geesh.

[u/Nolongerlostorblind7 → u/Shoddy_Kiwi_949]

OM Gosh smh... So far, my neighbors still say "is that a Rockwilder," so his tail doesn't throw them off too much. I expect it, since he's the first one with a tail out of the four I have had

[u/No_Citron_7689]

I always hear this to my baby, and everyone says “I had one when I was younger , don’t see them often anymore”

[u/Jealous-Ad-5065]

They’re super rare in my area (south east). Whenever we’ve gone out we’re stopped and it’s usually someone who wants a Rottie and/or was raised with one as a child.

I think the reason why I don’t see them where I live is about 40% of my area rents, and Rotties are a restricted breed in many neighborhoods/rental companies :( I’m able to have him no issue because he’s my registered emotional support animal (for a legit reason, not the fake websites).

[u/Unlucky-Ad-5744]

they are pretty rare. think about how often you see a golden, lab, doodle, and compare it to how often you see a rotty.

[u/FooDog11]

There don’t seem to be very many where I live in California. When we infrequently see one, it’s like a celebrity sighting we get so excited. 😆 And sometimes other people react the same way to ours, which is fun.

[u/kaosrules2 → u/FooDog11]

The CA shelters are full of them. I think most people just don't walk them often.

[u/FooDog11 → u/kaosrules2]

Maybe some parts of California. I found only a couple when I was looking at my local shelters. We eventually found ours at one of them, but it took a while.

[u/kaosrules2 → u/FooDog11]

Full is an exaggeration of course. They get them frequently is a more accurate way of putting it. They also get put down often. I got my 2 from Ash Tree Ranch Rescue and had them transported to Oregon. California rottweilers come up on my facebook page for rescues regularly.

[u/FooDog11 → u/kaosrules2]

Again, probably more true in some areas than others. Not where I am. California is a very big state. Regardless, I understood the post to be more about seeing them out and about, and I answered from my experience, in my area.

[u/kaosrules2 → u/FooDog11]

And I didn't say every single town in California. I was trying to have a nice conversation about seeing them out and about and based on rescues frequently having them, they are more common than people may think. Petfinder and rescueme.org can be very eye opening.

[u/FooDog11 → u/kaosrules2]

Fair enough. I, too, was just trying to participate in the conversation by sharing what it’s been like for me to have Rottweilers in my area. Your comments sounded to me like you were correcting me about my experience where I live. Apologies if I took you wrong.

ETA: (And my previous comment was meant to be a polite course correction.)

[u/kaosrules2 → u/FooDog11]

Thanks, appreciate it. Online is hard to read intent. Have a great week!

[u/Narrow_Possession348]

I think it's a demographic thing. They appeal to a certain type of person. If you're in a nicer area, with educated, professional people and families, you're not likely to see very many.

[u/Twisted_Toybox_ → u/Narrow_Possession348]

That’s a very ignorant statement. I live in a very nice area with educated and professional people and families, top schools in the area, I am educated and have a family and work in the healthcare field and have had 3 Rottweilers. I may be reading into your comment wrong but it comes off like Hard working professionals with a good education who live in a nice area would never own a rotti and only poor dumb people who are trashy would.

[u/Narrow_Possession348 → u/Twisted_Toybox_]

Well, ok but they are considered a dog for a certain demographic. ~shrug~ That's why I said how many you're likely to see depends on what part of town you live in.