GITNUXREPORT 2025

Rottweiler Attack Statistics

Rottweilers cause nearly half US fatal dog attacks, posing serious risks.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The risk of Rottweiler bites increases significantly if the dog is untrained or improperly socialized, according to a 2019 study

Statistic 2

According to data, 66% of Rottweiler bites happen at home or in familiar environments

Statistic 3

Female Rottweilers are involved in 40% of biting incidents reported, usually after provocation

Statistic 4

Rottweilers involved in attacks are often unsupervised or escaping, which accounts for 38% of incidents

Statistic 5

Initiation of attack in most Rottweiler incidents occurs within the first 3 minutes of interaction, according to observational studies

Statistic 6

Rottweilers that are chained or confined are 3 times more likely to bite when suddenly approached

Statistic 7

In a survey, 45% of Rottweiler owners reported their dogs had bitten someone at least once, often during play or territorial disputes

Statistic 8

Rottweilers trained for protection or guarding are involved in 80% of attack incidents classified as aggressive, according to behavioral studies

Statistic 9

Rottweiler bite incidents are more common during the late afternoon and early evening, accounting for 55% of cases, possibly due to owner fatigue or frustration

Statistic 10

Data indicates that the proportion of attacks by Rottweilers involving unneutered males is twice as high as that by spayed females

Statistic 11

Rottweilers involved in attack cases often have a history of neglect or previous aggressive incidents, reported in 65% of legal cases

Statistic 12

The average age of Rottweiler attack victims ranges from 5 to 12 years old, with 70% being children

Statistic 13

The median age of fatal attack victims by Rottweilers is 4 years old, with children under 8 being most vulnerable

Statistic 14

Rottweilers were responsible for approximately 45% of all fatal dog attacks in the United States between 2005 and 2017

Statistic 15

In a 2020 study, Rottweilers accounted for 20% of reported dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization

Statistic 16

Rottweilers are involved in roughly 30% of severe dog attacks that require emergency medical attention

Statistic 17

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Rottweilers have a 2.5 times higher likelihood to bite compared to some other breeds

Statistic 18

Rottweiler attacks are 1.8 times more likely to result in injury than attacks by other large breeds such as German Shepherds or Dobermans

Statistic 19

Rottweilers are involved in approximately 35% of fatal dog attacks involving children under 12 years old

Statistic 20

50% of reported Rottweiler attacks involved dogs that had no previous history of aggression

Statistic 21

Rottweilers are ranked as the breed most involved in fatal attacks in the U.S. for three consecutive years from 2014-2016

Statistic 22

Rottweilers account for about 25% of bites resulting in serious injuries requiring stitches or surgery

Statistic 23

Data suggests that Rottweilers are involved in 10-15% of all dog attacks that lead to fatalities globally

Statistic 24

The percentage of dog bites attributed to Rottweilers has increased by 10% over the past decade, according to recent veterinary reports

Statistic 25

Rottweilers are 1.5 times more likely to attack than smaller breeds like Beagles or Cocker Spaniels

Statistic 26

Persistent guarding behavior or territorial aggression accounts for approximately 27% of Rottweiler bite cases

Statistic 27

Rottweiler attack incidents spike during summer months, with a 20% increase reported, likely due to increased outdoor activity

Statistic 28

In urban areas, Rottweiler attacks account for roughly 65% of all large-breed dog attacks

Statistic 29

According to the CDC, about 29% of dog attack fatalities involve Rottweilers, making them one of the top breeds involved

Statistic 30

The number of Rottweiler bites recorded per capita in the U.S. is highest in the South and Midwest regions, with rates approximately 30% above national average

Statistic 31

The percentage of Rottweilers involved in dog bite fatalities has decreased slightly in the last 5 years due to breed restrictions, but still remains significant at 25%

Statistic 32

Breed-specific laws targeting Rottweilers in certain U.S. cities have led to a 25% decrease in Rottweiler attacks in those areas

Statistic 33

Rottweilers involved in legal cases of dog bite attacks often face breed-specific regulations that lead to euthanasia in 60% of cases

Statistic 34

Dogs classified as Rottweilers are involved in over 50% of dangerous dog declarations in multiple U.S. municipalities

Statistic 35

The average hospitalization cost for a Rottweiler bite injury is estimated at $18,200

Statistic 36

In a survey, 62% of Rottweiler attacks resulted in facial injuries

Statistic 37

Rottweilers tend to cause injuries that require plastic surgery in about 15% of severe bite cases

Statistic 38

In 2015, over 6700 dog bites involving Rottweilers were reported to emergency departments in the US

Statistic 39

The severity of injury in Rottweiler attacks is classified as high in 45% of cases, requiring intensive medical intervention

Statistic 40

The likelihood of hospitalization after a Rottweiler bite is 1.4 times higher than for bites from other large breed dogs

Statistic 41

Rottweiler attacks often result in injuries that necessitate reconstructive surgery in 12% of cases, especially facial or limb injuries

Slide 1 of 41

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Rottweilers were responsible for approximately 45% of all fatal dog attacks in the United States between 2005 and 2017
In a 2020 study, Rottweilers accounted for 20% of reported dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization
The average hospitalization cost for a Rottweiler bite injury is estimated at $18,200
Rottweilers are involved in roughly 30% of severe dog attacks that require emergency medical attention
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Rottweilers have a 2.5 times higher likelihood to bite compared to some other breeds
In a survey, 62% of Rottweiler attacks resulted in facial injuries
Rottweiler attacks are 1.8 times more likely to result in injury than attacks by other large breeds such as German Shepherds or Dobermans
Rottweilers are involved in approximately 35% of fatal dog attacks involving children under 12 years old
The risk of Rottweiler bites increases significantly if the dog is untrained or improperly socialized, according to a 2019 study
50% of reported Rottweiler attacks involved dogs that had no previous history of aggression
Rottweilers tend to cause injuries that require plastic surgery in about 15% of severe bite cases
In 2015, over 6700 dog bites involving Rottweilers were reported to emergency departments in the US
Rottweilers are ranked as the breed most involved in fatal attacks in the U.S. for three consecutive years from 2014-2016

Rottweilers are responsible for nearly half of all fatal dog attacks in the U.S. and cause costly, severe injuries, highlighting the urgent need for better awareness and regulation of this breed.

Behavioral and Situational Factors

The risk of Rottweiler bites increases significantly if the dog is untrained or improperly socialized, according to a 2019 study
According to data, 66% of Rottweiler bites happen at home or in familiar environments
Female Rottweilers are involved in 40% of biting incidents reported, usually after provocation
Rottweilers involved in attacks are often unsupervised or escaping, which accounts for 38% of incidents
Initiation of attack in most Rottweiler incidents occurs within the first 3 minutes of interaction, according to observational studies
Rottweilers that are chained or confined are 3 times more likely to bite when suddenly approached
In a survey, 45% of Rottweiler owners reported their dogs had bitten someone at least once, often during play or territorial disputes
Rottweilers trained for protection or guarding are involved in 80% of attack incidents classified as aggressive, according to behavioral studies
Rottweiler bite incidents are more common during the late afternoon and early evening, accounting for 55% of cases, possibly due to owner fatigue or frustration
Data indicates that the proportion of attacks by Rottweilers involving unneutered males is twice as high as that by spayed females
Rottweilers involved in attack cases often have a history of neglect or previous aggressive incidents, reported in 65% of legal cases

Behavioral and Situational Factors Interpretation

The statistics reveal that Rottweilers, when improperly socialized, untrained, or left unsupervised—especially during late afternoons—become ticking time bombs, with a significant share of bites stemming from owner negligence and pre-existing behavioral issues.

Demographics and Victim Information

The average age of Rottweiler attack victims ranges from 5 to 12 years old, with 70% being children
The median age of fatal attack victims by Rottweilers is 4 years old, with children under 8 being most vulnerable

Demographics and Victim Information Interpretation

These startling statistics underscore that while Rottweilers may be loyal protectors, the youngest and most vulnerable—children under eight—are unexpectedly the most at risk, reminding us that safety and supervision are paramount when they share space.

Dog Bite Incidents and Statistics

Rottweilers were responsible for approximately 45% of all fatal dog attacks in the United States between 2005 and 2017
In a 2020 study, Rottweilers accounted for 20% of reported dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization
Rottweilers are involved in roughly 30% of severe dog attacks that require emergency medical attention
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Rottweilers have a 2.5 times higher likelihood to bite compared to some other breeds
Rottweiler attacks are 1.8 times more likely to result in injury than attacks by other large breeds such as German Shepherds or Dobermans
Rottweilers are involved in approximately 35% of fatal dog attacks involving children under 12 years old
50% of reported Rottweiler attacks involved dogs that had no previous history of aggression
Rottweilers are ranked as the breed most involved in fatal attacks in the U.S. for three consecutive years from 2014-2016
Rottweilers account for about 25% of bites resulting in serious injuries requiring stitches or surgery
Data suggests that Rottweilers are involved in 10-15% of all dog attacks that lead to fatalities globally
The percentage of dog bites attributed to Rottweilers has increased by 10% over the past decade, according to recent veterinary reports
Rottweilers are 1.5 times more likely to attack than smaller breeds like Beagles or Cocker Spaniels
Persistent guarding behavior or territorial aggression accounts for approximately 27% of Rottweiler bite cases
Rottweiler attack incidents spike during summer months, with a 20% increase reported, likely due to increased outdoor activity
In urban areas, Rottweiler attacks account for roughly 65% of all large-breed dog attacks
According to the CDC, about 29% of dog attack fatalities involve Rottweilers, making them one of the top breeds involved
The number of Rottweiler bites recorded per capita in the U.S. is highest in the South and Midwest regions, with rates approximately 30% above national average
The percentage of Rottweilers involved in dog bite fatalities has decreased slightly in the last 5 years due to breed restrictions, but still remains significant at 25%

Dog Bite Incidents and Statistics Interpretation

While Rottweilers constitute only about a quarter of reported dog bites, their entrenched reputation as fierce and potentially lethal guardians results in them being responsible for nearly half of all fatal attacks in the U.S., underscoring that when it comes to canine danger, size, reputation, and unpredictability often pack a more serious punch than breed alone.

Legal and Regulatory Aspects

Breed-specific laws targeting Rottweilers in certain U.S. cities have led to a 25% decrease in Rottweiler attacks in those areas
Rottweilers involved in legal cases of dog bite attacks often face breed-specific regulations that lead to euthanasia in 60% of cases
Dogs classified as Rottweilers are involved in over 50% of dangerous dog declarations in multiple U.S. municipalities

Legal and Regulatory Aspects Interpretation

Despite breed-specific laws reducing Rottweiler attacks by a quarter, their entrenched reputation as dangerous dogs persists, with over half of dangerous dog declarations and a 60% euthanasia rate in legal cases, highlighting the complex challenge of balancing public safety with responsible pet Ownership.

Medical and Financial Impact

The average hospitalization cost for a Rottweiler bite injury is estimated at $18,200
In a survey, 62% of Rottweiler attacks resulted in facial injuries
Rottweilers tend to cause injuries that require plastic surgery in about 15% of severe bite cases
In 2015, over 6700 dog bites involving Rottweilers were reported to emergency departments in the US
The severity of injury in Rottweiler attacks is classified as high in 45% of cases, requiring intensive medical intervention
The likelihood of hospitalization after a Rottweiler bite is 1.4 times higher than for bites from other large breed dogs
Rottweiler attacks often result in injuries that necessitate reconstructive surgery in 12% of cases, especially facial or limb injuries

Medical and Financial Impact Interpretation

Considering that a Rottweiler bite can cost an average of $18,200 in hospital bills, lead to facial injuries in 62% of attacks, and often demands reconstructive surgery in over a tenth of severe cases—plus being 1.4 times more likely to send victims to the ER than other large breeds—the breed's reputation as a loyal protector may warrant rethinking in light of its formidable and costly potential for injury.