Rottweiler dog breed
- Last updated: February 7. 2022
- Categories: Dog breeds, Large dogs, Short hair, Working dogs
- Post views: 773
M: 60 - 68 cm / 24 - 27 in
F: 55 - 63 cm / 22 - 25 in
M: 38 - 61 kg / 85 - 135 lbs
F: 36 - 45 kg / 80 - 100 lbs
Healthy dogs of this breed lives
average between 10 to 12 years
Working: Mainly large tough dogs bred for strength and endurance
Rottweiler general information
The Rottweiler dog breed is assumed to be direct descendants of Roman drover dogs who used to accompany the soldiers on their long marches, their jobs were to drive and guard the cattle that the Romans used as a food supply. One of these marches lead to a town in Germany where some of the Romans settled, when they were driven away, the dogs were left behind and the locals started using them as cattle herders and cart pullers of butchered meat. The butchers would also put the money they got at the market on the neck of the dogs for safe keeping on their way home. The modern Rottweiler we know today is most certainly a result of the Roman drover dog being crossed with various Sennenhund strains, Swiss mountain dogs. The Rottweilers were on the brink of extension in the early 1900s when their former jobs became obsolete, but now the Rottweilers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world
Rottweiler dog breed appearance
The Rottweiler males can weigh up to 61 kg / 135 lbs and have a height of 68 cm / 27 inches from the ground and up to the shoulders, the females are a bit smaller than the males, as is common with most breeds. They have broad heads with medium-sized triangular ears and a leveled back. Their coats are black with tan markings, black being the dominant color. They also have tan dots above their eyes which is used for communication. Docking the tails on Rottweilers is not uncommon, by doing so, the dogs get robbed of another important way of communicating, as dogs send signals about their temper using their tails. More technical appearance information can be found here
Rottweiler breed temperament
Rottweilers are calm good-natured dogs that are very loyal and obedient, eager to work and please their owners. Rottweilers are highly trainable dogs that love people and playtime, three traits that make them great family dogs. They are generally not fond of strangers, other dogs, and other pets, but this differs from dog to dog. They are bold, confident, and alert dogs that can be overly protective if they feel their family is being threatened. As with all dog breeds, not just Rottweilers, socialization with humans and other dogs should start early to teach the dog how to behave when encountering strangers and other dogs. Signing up for a puppy class is the first step along the way to get a companion that reacts to the world around it in a healthy well-behaved way
Rottweiler dog breed health
Rottweilers are one of the dog breeds most prone to canine hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, and Subaortic Stenosis. As with all dog breeds, Rottweilers are also prone to developing certain common diseases. This can include eye problems, skin allergies, orthopedic problems, and ear infections. Regular wellness checkups at the vet should be done at least once a year to track the dog’s development and catch any potential health issues early on, which improves the chances of successful treatment. Doing thorough research on the breeder is very important before proceeding with buying a dog to avoid puppy mills and backyard breeders. You can read about how to find reputable breeders in this pamphlet from The Humane Society of the United States
Rottweiler shedding and grooming
Rottweilers are double-coated dogs with a short coat size that sheds medium throughout the year. During spring and autumn, they blow their coats, which can leave a mess of dog hair around the home and furniture. Regular brushing is enough to keep the shedding at bay during the normal shedding period, during blowing seasons, extra grooming can help reduce the amount of lose and dead hair. Keeping the dog on meat-rich dog foods also helps reduce the shedding amount and prevents dry skin. Meat is digested and absorbed quickly, promoting better overall health in your furry little buddy. If your furry buddy is subject to excessive shedding, contact your local veterinarian and ask for guidance and hear with them if the dog should come in for a checkup
Rottweiler breed barking level
Rottweilers are considered low barkers. They are calm and quiet dogs that only bark when they find it necessary. Common reasons for dogs barking are protection, alerting, being bored, fear, seeking attention, separation anxiety, or just saying hello. You can read more about barking at this guide from WebMD Pets: Understanding why dogs bark. All breeds can be trained to reduce barking, including Rottweilers, another thing that should be focused on learning from an early age. There are plenty of online resources where you can learn how to reduce barking, like YouTube, online courses, and websites you can find on Google. You might also want to shop for dog training books too
Rottweiler dog breed training
Rottweilers are intelligent dogs that are highly trainable and are considered easy to train. In the right hands, they can be thought to do just about anything. Besides being loving companions, Rottweilers are also used as service and therapy dogs, search and rescue, custom inspectors, and guide dogs for the blind. As with all dog breeds, training should start at an early age and should be done in a distraction-free area after a walk when the dog has burned off energy. The first step on the long road is signing up for a puppy class, here you will learn the basics about dog care and training. You can also watch free dog training videos from professional trainers, attend some online dog training courses, or maybe get yourself a couple of dog training books
Rottweiler exercise requirements
Rottweilers have a medium exercise requirement, they are not among the most energetic dog breeds, but they should have at least 45 minutes of daily exercise as well as mental stimulation in the form of games and training. Rottweilers can adapt very well to apartment living, as long as their daily physical and mental exercise requirements are met. Spending time indoors learning new tricks and commands is a great way to stimulate dogs, playing games like guess the hand and find the treat is also fun and rewarding for your buddy. Dogs that don’t get enough exercise and mental stimulation can become bored and destructive, as they try to find ways to entertain themself. While being outdoors, playing fetch is always a sure winner, that way the dog gets to have fun while running back and forth, chasing whatever you throw
Caring for dogs
Grooming is not the only maintenance your dog requires throughout its life. Complete examinations at the vet should be done at least once a year for adult dogs. Puppies should come in every 3 or 4 weeks until they are around four months old. Contact your vet and they will set you up with schedules.
Trimming the claws should be done whenever they touch the ground when the dog is standing up, or make it a frequent routine to keep them short
Brushing the teeth should be done on a daily basis to prevent gum diseases. Chew bones and toys will also help strengthen your dog’s teeth and gums
Cleaning the ears to prevent ear infections is also another important part of the dog’s routine maintenance. You can have your vet show you how to do it
Socializing dogs
No matter what kind of dog breed you have, socializing it from an early age is the most important thing you can do in order to get a well-behaving buddy that reacts to the world around it in a healthy way. Until your puppy is around 16 weeks old, it should encounter different kinds of people, situations, and locations, learning that the world is a wonderful place to live. Puppies have a short developmental window in which their experiences will form their future selves. Puppies should however not be forced into situations they might feel uncomfortable with, as bad experiences may imprint and stay with the dog for the rest of the life. You can watch free videos from professional dog trainers on how to socialize your new puppy and learn how to do so the correct way
Rottweiler dogs on Instagram
Here are some pictures of the Rottweiler dog breed on Instagram. See even more pics of this breed by exploring #Rottweiler or using the Google Image Search
Video of the Rottweiler dog breed
Here is a video of the Rottweiler dog breed from the channel Animal Insider on YouTube. Learn more about this ancient breed while watching the dog in action
Frequently asked questions
References and resources
You can absorb more knowledge about this dog breed from the resources below. Websites, books, and social media sites where you can ask dog owners questions
