The coyote and the Rottweiler – two powerful canine species that roam different worlds. While coyotes inhabit the wild plains and forests of North America, Rottweilers are domestic companions renowned for their loyalty. But how do they compare when pitted head to head?
Read on as we explore the key differences between coyotes and Rottweilers to determine which is the superior wild canine.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: While Rottweilers are larger and stronger overall, coyotes are better adapted to thriving independently in the wild thanks to superior senses, speed, endurance and survival instincts.
Physical Attributes and Abilities
Size and Weight
Coyotes are much smaller and lighter than Rottweilers. An average adult male coyote weighs around 20-50 pounds, while females average 15-40 pounds. In comparison, Rottweilers are much bulkier, with males weighing 95-135 pounds and females 80-100 pounds.
Strength and Bite Force
The muscular build and large head of the Rottweiler gives it a very powerful bite force of 328 PSI, over twice that of a coyote’s bite force of around 149 PSI. This allows Rottweilers to easily crush bones and exert over 2,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
Coyotes have a weaker bite more adapted for shearing meat and bone.
Speed and Agility
Coyotes are faster and more agile compared to the stocky Rottweiler. A coyote can run up to 40 mph for short bursts during a chase, while Rottweilers top out at around 25 mph. Coyotes are also very nimble and can jump fences and change direction quickly, aided by their light frame.
Senses
Both coyotes and Rottweilers have excellent senses, but coyotes have the edge in most categories. Coyotes have superior vision and scenting abilities compared to domestic dogs, with keen eyesight up to 8x stronger than humans.
Their large movable ears can detect tiny sounds, and they have an extremely sensitive nose. Rottweilers do have very good eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell, but not quite on par with wild coyotes.
Endurance and Stamina
As hardy wild canines, coyotes have greater stamina and endurance compared to domestic Rottweilers. Coyotes are built for trotting long distances and can cover large territories of 10-15 square miles when hunting.
Rottweilers have decent stamina if exercised regularly, but cannot match the adaptability and tirelessness of coyotes.
Behavior and Temperament
Social Structure
Coyotes live in nuclear families consisting of a monogamous breeding pair and their young pups. They are territorial and mark their ranges with urine and feces. Rottweilers are extremely loyal to their human families. They can be aloof with strangers but are loving pets.
Rottweilers may show aggression toward unfamiliar dogs if not properly socialized.
Hunting and Foraging
As opportunistic hunters, coyotes prey mainly on small mammals like rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles. They also forage for plants, insects and fruit when available. Rottweilers descend from drover dogs that herd livestock over long distances.
Although no longer used for herding, Rottweilers retain a strong prey drive toward smaller animals if not trained.
Aggression and Territoriality
Coyotes are skittish around humans, but they do attack pets. They become aggressive when defending dens and pups or disputing territories. Rottweilers are naturally protective. With proper training and socialization, a Rottweiler will only show aggression when defending its home or family from real threats.
Trainability and Obedience
It is impossible to domesticate coyotes. They are timid yet fiercely independent. Rottweilers aim to please their owners and are therefore responsive to obedience training. According to the American Kennel Club, Rottweilers display an above-average working intelligence and ability to follow commands.
Habitat and Range
Native Habitat
The coyote is native to the prairies, deserts, and brushy wooded areas of central North America. Rottweilers originated from Rottweil, Germany where they were used as cattle herding dogs. So the coyote’s native habitat is the wild expanses of North America, while the Rottweiler’s native habitat is the towns and pastoral countryside of Germany.
Climate Adaptability
Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of climates from the frigid winters of Alaska to the arid deserts of Mexico. According to the Humane Society, their thick fur coats allow them to tolerate cold, while panting and resting in shade allows them to cope with heat.
Rottweilers also have thick coats, but do best in temperate climates. Their shorter muzzles make it harder for them to keep cool compared to coyotes. So coyotes can thrive in more extreme climates.
Territorial Range
Coyotes have expanded their natural range dramatically over the last century. Once limited to central North America, they now roam from Alaska to Panama. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in cities as well as wilderness.
According to wildlife biologists, a typical coyote territory covers 2 to 60 square miles depending on the abundance of food resources. As pets, Rottweilers are content with a daily walk and a securely fenced back yard.
So while coyotes range widely across whole continents, Rottweilers have a much smaller territorial range.
| Species | Native Habitat | Climate Adaptability | Territorial Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Prairies, deserts, and brushlands of North America | Extremely high – can thrive from Alaska to Panama | 2 – 60 square mile home territory range |
| Rottweiler | Towns and countryside of Germany | Moderate – does best in temperate climates | Content with daily walk and secure back yard |
As this comparison shows, coyotes are far more adaptable in terms of habitat and range. Their ability to thrive across continents and highly varied climate zones gives them the clear advantage. Rottweilers make loving pets, but require care and supervision that wild coyotes never do.
Survival Capabilities
Foraging Skills
As wild canines, coyotes have superior foraging abilities compared to domesticated Rottweilers. Coyotes are omnivores and opportunistic feeders that have adapted to a wide variety of food sources including small mammals, insects, fruit, grass and human refuse (Humane Society).
They can survive in most habitats including forests, prairies, mountain areas and even urban spaces. Rottweilers on the other hand rely on humans to provide their food and water. Though originally bred as livestock guardians, their domestication has reduced their ability to forage independently.
Evasion Tactics
When it comes to evading threats, coyotes have the clear advantage with their small and wiry build that allows them to run up to 40 mph and jump over tall fences (National Wildlife Federation). Coyotes are shy and stealthy, using their pointed ears and bushy tails to signal warnings.
Rottweilers are physically larger dogs that are not built for running or jumping at high speeds over long distances. Their training does give Rottweilers a strong territorial instinct to stand their ground rather than evade threats when protecting their humans.
Disease Resistance
After centuries of evolution as wild animals, coyotes have developed a hardier immune system and disease resistance compared to domestic dogs. Statistics show coyotes have lower rates of viral infections like parvo, distemper and rabies which can afflict dogs even with vaccines (Mother Nature Network).
However, coyotes in highly populated urban regions can suffer from mange and other infections transmitted by local pets. Rottweilers do have above average endurance against bloat, bone cancer and heart conditions thanks to responsible breeding practices for the working dog breed according to the American Kennel Club.
Reproduction and Offspring
Breeding and Litter Size
When it comes to breeding and litter size, coyotes have the advantage. Coyotes reach sexual maturity at around 2 years old and have an average litter size of 5-7 pups. In contrast, Rottweilers reach maturity at 18-24 months and tend to have smaller litters of 4-6 puppies on average (source).
So in terms of sheer numbers, coyotes are able to produce more offspring per litter.
Parental Investment
Parental care also differs between the species. Coyote fathers assist the mothers by bringing food and protecting the pups. Rottweiler mothers do take good care of their puppies, but breeding kennels often separate the puppies from their mothers at 6-8 weeks to sell them, leading to less parental investment overall.
In the wild, coyotes invest significant time and effort caring for their young during the 4-5 months before the pups begin hunting on their own. So coyotes surpass Rottweilers when it comes to extended parental care as well.
Offspring Development
In terms of development, coyote pups first open their eyes at 10-14 days old. They emerge from the den at 3 weeks old, and both parents as well as siblings help to feed them regurgitated food until they can hunt after 4-5 months (source).
In comparison, Rottweiler puppies open their eyes at 8-14 days old. By 4 weeks they transition from nursing to solid food and reach full grown size by 18 months.
So while the development timelines are fairly similar at first, coyotes invest much more time teaching their pups survival skills like hunting before the young set out on their own. An advantage goes to coyotes for ensuring their offspring acquire all the skills needed for survival after leaving the pack.
Conclusion
In summary, while Rottweilers hold key advantages in size, strength and trainability owing to generations of selective breeding, coyotes are better adapted overall for thriving independently in the wilderness.
With superior senses and endurance, more opportunistic diets and elusive evasion tactics, coyotes have evolved over millennia to master survival in a variety of North American habitats. So when it comes to comparing wild canine capabilities, the coyote’s rugged resourcefulness wins out over the Rottweiler’s domesticated power.
