Rottweilers are muscular dogs known for their strength. But so are wolves. Can a rottweiler kill a wolf?
No, a rottweiler cannot beat a wolf. Wolves are much faster and stronger than rottweilers. They have better fight skills and higher bite force. A rottweiler does not stand a chance of killing a wolf.
Further, we will look into why your Rottweiler won’t win against wolves and go through some necessary steps to follow if you and your Rottie encounter wolves.
Overview of Rottweilers and Wolves
Before answering the question of who will win in a fight between a Rottweiler and a Wolf, you must first understand each species’ origin.
Rottweilers
Rottweilers are among the oldest dog breeds in history. Their existence can be traced back to Roman times, and they were primarily kept as driving dogs or herders.
The genetics of this dog breed is a combination of the native dog breeds within the Rottweiler region. As a result, they have distinctive colors and markings, and their size is considered a medium to be large.
Rottweilers have an excellent temperament. They are very obedient, devoted, and eager to work, which is perfect for their role as driving dogs and herders.
However, throughout the years, Rottweilers have had a bad reputation for being aggressive dogs due to them being featured on dogfighting scenes. But, just like any other dog breeds, the temperament of a particular dog can still be highly affected by its environment despite the disposition of its genetics.
Wolves
Wolves are close ancestors of modern-day domesticated dog breeds. They used to be primarily found in North America, but their numbers have dwindled over the years due to excessive hunting and destruction of their natural habitats.
Today, there are six distinct categories of wolves in North America. These are Arctic Wolves, Northwestern Wolves, Great Plains Wolves, Mexican Wolves, and Red Wolves.
Also Read: Can a Rottweiler Kill you?
Who Will Win in a Fight?
Unfortunately, there’s a big chance that the Rottweiler will lose in a fight between a Rottweiler and a Wolf. If they fight each other, your Rottweiler might sustain injuries or even die.
Here are some reasons why:
Size
Wolves are considerably bigger than rottweilers. Their average size is between 30 to 80 kilos for an adult male and 23 to 55 kilos for an adult female. Meanwhile, the average size of a rottweiler is between 40 to 60 kilos for an adult male and 35 to 45 kilos for an adult female.
Rottweilers are genetically muscular but so are wolves. This is why they will be significantly disadvantaged when they face each other head to head just because of their size difference.
Wolves Have Superior Bite Force
Although the bite force Rottweilers are among the strongest in dogs, it falls short compared to wolves’ bite force. The strongest recorded bite force of a Rottweiler is 328 psi, while the bite force of Wolve on average is between 400 to 1,200 psi.
Wild Instincts
Another reason why Rottweilers are more likely to lose against Wolves is that they are domesticated animals. They tend to lack the primal instinct that Wolves have, especially when they are protecting their territories.
What to Do if Your Rottweiler Encounters a Wolf?
Wolves do not actively hunt Rottweilers. However, there might be instances that their encounter is unstoppable. In this case, make sure to follow these tips to keep your dogs safe:
Stay Calm
If you and your Rottweiler encounter a wolf in the wilderness, make sure to remain as calm as possible. If you don’t, there is a high chance that you will jumpstart your dog’s protective instinct, and this can cause the situation to become tenser.
Make Loud Noises
Another tip if you spot a wolf near you and your Rottweiler is to make loud noises. You can use your safety whistle or throw rocks that make noises.
Wolves tend to avoid going to places where there is loud noise because it signals that the territory is already occupied. It also tells them that there is imminent danger so that they might back off.
Keep Eye Contact
Suppose you and your rottweiler encounter a wolf, try to keep direct eye contact while slowly backing away from the wolf.
When doing this, make sure to avoid doing unnecessary movements such as flailing your hands around. This might agitate the wolf and initiate an attack on you.
When is Your Rottweiler at Risk From a Wolf Attack?
Suppose you want to prevent your Rottweilers from encountering wolves. In that case, you must know when are the instances that they have high chances of meeting. Here are some examples:
Herding
There are still Rottweilers who work as herders nowadays. If this is your case, you should know that herds are very attractive to wolves. This is because these animals can be considered easy targets for them, increasing the chances of your Rottweiler meeting a wolf.
To prevent this or mitigate its chances of happening, it is a good idea to put a durable perimeter fence on your farm. This will prevent them from entering the vicinity so that your Rottweilers and your livestock can roam around peacefully.
Hiking
Another instance of a high likelihood of encountering a wolf is when you go hiking with your Rottweiler. This can also be the case if you go backcountry living.
To lessen your chances of an encounter, it is best to avoid areas that are more likely to be wolf territories. These are usually places that are near the clearing or edge of a forest. You can easily recognize these places because there can be traces of Wolf feces, matted vegetation, and even wolf tracks.
Also, avoid leaving food out in the open when camping in the wilderness. This will attract wolves that are looking for food.
Hunting
As mentioned above, wolves are territorial, which is why it’s understandable if they become aggressive with you when you are hunting with your Rottweiler and competing for food sources.
Final Thoughts
Rottweilers are known to be a robust and agile dog breed. However, when they are faced with wolves, it is more likely that they will lose. This is why it is best to take precautions against allowing your Rottweilers to encounter wolves.
