As with any breed, it depends on the people; and on what the line is being bred to do. Many Rotties are bred as family pets and they can be wonderful dogs. Friends of ours had one, before they even had children. As the children (3 in all ) arrived and grew, they woud reach an age and size where they could lean on the dog and get "horsey rides." They only did this with the parents watching, but that was in case the child fell off; the dog was a BIG rottie! That dog was always slobbery fun!

I believe many reputable breeders do more to breed for family life; and certain breeders focus on breeding for trial work (herding, tracking, agility, whatever depending on the breed). It's only the low lifes who breed for fighting today -- IMO.

I am SO glad you met this wonderful dog! Look at the impact he has had on you, he hee.

Oh BTW, if he was a service dog helping them due to hearing impairment, he would have been wearing an ID vest.