Should I be worried? Rottweiler

[opalescent]

Can anyone reassure me about a dog issue? I should start by saying that I am a total dog person, and generally adore them. I have my own very common and typical family breed at home.
A family member is now in a relationship with someone who has a Rottweiler, and we are likely to be around this dog regularly, both with our own dog and our children.
I am sure that this dog is an absolute sweetie, but unfortunately I am a child of the 80s, and can’t help but feel nervous of big powerful dogs like Rottweilers.

Should I be worried, or are my concerns totally unfounded? Happy to hear any views. Please don’t tell me about small dogs being more likely to be nippy etc etc. - I know that any dog can bite. I’m specifically nervous of large dogs who can kill, and especially around my children.

Thanks all

What are the owners like?

Have volunteered at a rescue with my DD throwing balls in an enclosed field for Rottweilers and GSD’s.

Depends how socialised the dog is, has dog been around other dogs and children?

My Lab used to play with a Rottweiler. Every dog is different.

Every Rottweiler I've ever met has been as soft as butter and excellent with children.

It's all down to how they're raised and socialised. I wouldn't say they were an inherently aggressive breed but they are big and strong so they need to be well-trained.

Fair enough having concerns regarding your children being around (large) dogs. Always better to err on the side of caution. I would be interested in how the owners treat the dog, if they're ever aggressive towards it for instance. How well-trained and obedient the dog is. Has it been socialised with a variety of dogs and different people of all ages. These sorts of things. And even still, I'd always explain to my children never to put their faces close to a dog (no matter how cute it seems) and to listen to the dog's signals for when it's "had enough" and wants to be left alone. And never leave children unsupervised with dogs.

So yeah, completely fair enough having concerns, but I'd say that goes for every dog you aren't familiar with.

I have no concerns with Rottweilers as a breed - I have general concern for all dogs around kids though and would want to see the dog myself in person ( trained in canine body language ) - however even the most mild mannered dog can often snap .

I'd have much more concern if it was a bully these days

No issues with breed - all I've met have been wonderful but they have been in very sensible hands.

I'd have more of a concern over big dog and whether they have been socialised and are comfortable around children. That applies to the vast majority of dogs.

As the others have said, it's generally down to the owner. Mine was confident but soppy. He was fabulous with children.