Rottweilers, or “Rotties,” are among the most popular dog breeds in the United States thanks to their intelligence, strength, and loyalty. With their rich history as working dogs, Rottweilers gained a reputation as competent guard dogs, customs inspectors, and herd protectors. Contrary to popular belief, Rottweilers can also be loving and gentle companions for those who provide them with proper training, socialization, and care.
In this article, our team at Champion Rottweilers explores everything you need to know about this dog breed, including Rottweilers’ behavior, history, temperament, health concerns, and care requirements. If you want to add a Rottweiler to your family or are curious about this fascinating breed, read more about these dogs below.
Rottweiler Breed Information & History
The Rottweiler breed’s origins trace back to the Roman Empire in the Rottweil, Germany region. The Romans used the modern-day Rottweiler’s ancestors, the Mastiff and Roman Molosser, for herding and guarding. These breeds’ descendants, Roman drover dogs, closely resembled Rottweilers as we know them today.
The Romans left the region during the fourth century AD. Since then, local farmers have used these dogs for meat transportation, wagon pulling, and cattle driving. In 1901, the International Leonberger and Rottweiler Club released the first official record and description of the Rottweiler breed.
Physical Characteristics of Rottweiler Breed
The Rottweiler is a large dog breed with a burly, muscular build, a sizable head, and dangling ears. Males weigh up to 135 pounds and have a shoulder height of up to 27 inches. Females are slightly smaller, with a maximum weight of 115 pounds and a shoulder height of up to 25 inches.
These dogs have black coats with attractive tan markings or “penciling” as dots above the eyes and on the cheeks. These tan markings are also on either side of the muzzle and cheeks, on the lower legs, and underneath the tail.
A dog Rottweiler is a mild shedder, making it a suitable breed option for allergy sufferers.
Proper Everyday Care for Rottweilers
A Rottweiler has the same routine care requirements as other dog breeds. The most critical care requirements include:
- 24/7 access to fresh, clean water
- Daily meals consisting of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
- Daily exercise and outdoor playtime
- Daily human interaction in the form of attention and affection
- Weekly ear cleanings, coat brushings, and nail trimmings
- Monthly examinations for ticks or other parasites
- Yearly veterinary examinations and vaccination top-ups
Ensure your Rottweiler’s environment is safe with no escape routes, choking hazards, or rodent poison. Objects like fruit stones and socks can cause intestinal obstruction, so keep your yard clear of these hazards.
Nutritional Requirements for Rottweilers
Rottweilers have specific dietary requirements to provide energy, reduce lifestyle disease risks, and prevent allergies.
Your adult Rottweiler needs around 2,000 to 2,200 calories daily, depending on its size. Approximately 26% of your dog’s diet should consist of whole proteins, such as poultry, herring, or lamb. Rottweilers’ diet should also be rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, such as omega 3 and 6.
Minimize your Rottweiler’s carbohydrate intake to prevent diabetes, obesity, and stomach issues. Rottweilers are also prone to grain and filler allergies. Consult your veterinarian to ensure your dog’s diet promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.
Common Health Risks for Rottweilers
Unfortunately, Rottweilers have a higher risk for certain health conditions than other breeds. These conditions include:
- Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer
- Hip and shoulder dysplasia
- Subaortic stenosis, a heart condition that involves the narrowing of the aortic valve
A healthy diet, regular exercise, vaccinations, and routine vet visits will significantly lower your Rottweiler’s risk of health complications.
Rottweilers’ Behavior and Temperament
The Rottweiler breed is known for being staunch, aggressive, or volatile, but this is not always true. For example, Rottweilers are popular as therapy dogs, which says a lot about their temperament and ability to show affection.
Like all dogs, improper care or poor owner habits can cause Rottweilers to develop problematic behaviors. However, due to Rottweilers’ strength and need for stimulation, owners have little room for error.
Indoor Rottweilers living closely with their owners generally have a low risk of developing problematic behaviors. On the other hand, a Rottweiler that lives outside with minimal human interaction, exercise, and stimulation, will become bored, antisocial, and aggressive. Rottweilers’ aggressiveness can also be due to mishandling, anxiety, and lack of training.
Rottweiler Training Requirements
Rottweilers are highly intelligent and one of the most trainable dog breeds. All Rottweilers should undergo rigorous obedience training, including family dogs that will never work.
Ideally, you should enroll your Rottweiler for training from the age of eight weeks. After completing potty, obedience, and leash walking training, provide your dog with weekly training and socialization. Ongoing training will help you address unwanted behaviors like nipping, biting, and herding.
Some Rottweiler owners use the services of an obedience school or private trainer. However, because training a Rottweiler is so easy, many owners take this task on themselves with great success.
Rottweiler FAQs
Is a Rottweiler safe to have around children?
Rottweilers are not a child-friendly breed. If you don’t know a Rottweiler’s history, keep your children away from it at all costs.
A fully trained and socialized Rottweiler is generally safe around children. If you have a trained Rottweiler for a family dog, ensure your children know how to behave when playing or interacting with it.
How old do Rottweilers get?
Rottweilers have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Is a Rottweiler the right option for me?
A Rottweiler is a suitable breed for people who:
- Love spending time with dogs
- Have unlimited patience and a desire to build a meaningful bond with their Rottweiler
- Appreciate the characteristics, abilities, and companionship that Rottweilers can offer
- Have a living situation that allows for safe interactions between their family and dog
Are You Looking for a Rottweiler Breeder? Call Now
At Champion Rottweilers, we provide Rottweiler puppies with new families. If you are looking for a new Rottweiler companion, look no further than our puppies. Call now to start the rewarding chapter of Rottweiler ownership in your life.
