The Rottweiler Dog, also known as a Rottie, is an extremely popular dog. They are a large working dog breed that is strong and powerful, yet their friendly and kind-hearted nature also makes them an excellent companion dog! These pups love to play and can thrive in a family environment, too.
The Rottweiler has a bite force is 328 pounds per square inch, which is around half the strength of a shark’s bite! For this reason, these dogs are often seen as aggressive and dangerous, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’re interested in learning more about this dog and seeing whether this large breed might be the pup for you, keep reading below.
History Of The Rottweiler Dog
The Rottweiler Dog is a strong yet goofy dog that is extremely loving and loyal. It is for this reason that this dog breed is one of the most popular dogs in the United States and ranks at number 8 in the top 10 breeds.
These dogs have a working history and, although they are normally seen as companion dogs today, they are still used as police dogs, military dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs and therapy dogs, and can make great guard dogs and watchdogs for families too.
It is thought that these dogs first came to America in the 1920s, and they have been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1931.
Breed Origin
The Rottweiler originates from the town of Rottweil in Germany. These dogs are one of the oldest ever recorded dog breeds and their ancestors can be traced back to Ancient Rome. They were originally used as working dogs by the Romans for driving livestock and pulling meat carts.
By the 19th century, the Rottweiler was almost on the verge of extinction. People didn’t need to use Rottweiler’s anymore because they had found smaller working dogs that were easier to take care of.
Luckily, a small group of German breeders wanted to save the breed and unofficial breeder clubs were formed with the intention of reviving the breed. They were successful and the first Rottweiler was seen in the United States in the 1920s when they were brought over with German immigrants.
After WW2, the breed started to become more popular and this popularity has remained since.
Characteristics Of The Rottweiler Dog
Due to the fact that the Rottweiler is a popular dog, finding a Rottweiler breeder should not be too difficult. You can expect to pay anywhere between $850 to $4,000 for a Rottweiler puppy. Unfortunately, because they are so popular, there are many irresponsible breeders and puppy mills out there who do not care for the health of the breed. For this reason, you should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
The AKC classifies the Rottweiler as a large breed. Male Rottweilers usually stand 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 95 to 130 pounds. Females are smaller and usually stand between 22 to 25 inches tall and weigh 85 to 115 pounds.
Their bodies are well defined and muscular and they have a broad chest. Their head is also broad and looks large in comparison to their bodies. Their ears are level with their head and their eyes are almond in shape and are dark brown in color. Sometimes, you may see a Rottweiler with yellow eyes, but this is considered a fault in the breed standard.
Coat
Rottweilers have a short to medium length double coat that is straight and coarse. They shed only moderately but will shed more twice a year, during which time you will need to brush them more regularly to loosen hairs. We will go into more detail about grooming your Rottweiler later on.
Color
The Rottweiler dog does not have many coat color combinations. Their coat is limited to black with tan to mahogany markings. The markings appear over the eyes, on the cheeks, on each side of the muzzle, on the chest and legs and beneath the tail.
Temperament
The Rottweiler is a loyal and friendly dog that loves their humans! Although they can look aggressive and have a bad reputation for being a dangerous dog due to their powerful bite, these pups are extremely loving and just want to be around their people. It is for this reason that they don’t like to be left alone and they can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for hours at a time.
An intelligent breed, the Rottweiler needs lots of mental stimulation otherwise they can become bored and destructive. They love playtime and get on very well with humans of all ages. They can be wary of those that they don’t know, which is why early socialization from a young age is so important. They normally just want to protect you from any danger they see!
While the Rottweiler is highly trainable and sociable, you must be patient and be able to dedicate time to them until they learn. They are large breed dogs that are very powerful and so you shouldn’t think about buying one of these pups unless you know you can take the time to raise them into well-rounded dogs. Depending on the dog, they can also have a high energy levels and will love to accompany you while you exercise.
Lifespan
The Rottweiler has a life expectancy of between 8 and 11 years.
Known Health Issues
Rottweilers are a generally healthy breed, but, like all dogs, they are also prone to some health problems. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
- Elbow Dysplasia — this is a common condition in large breed dogs. It can be caused by different growth rates and can cause lameness. It can be fixed with surgery.
- Hypothyroidism — this can be caused by a deficiency of the thyroid hormone and may produce signs that include infertility, obesity, mental dullness and lack of energy. It can be treated with medication.
- Gastric Torsion (Bloat) — this is potentially fatal. You need to know the symptoms of it. Feeding your dog smaller more frequent meals instead of one big meal can help to reduce the risk.
- Allergies — this is common in dogs and allergies can vary greatly from dog to dog. The cause can be airborne allergens such as pollen, dust and mildew, or other factors such as foods or bedding.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the temperament and characteristics of the Rottweiler dog, we can take a look and see what living with one of these big dogs on a day to day basis is actually like. We will cover their diet, their grooming needs and their exercise requirements.
Food And Diet
Rottweilers require between 4 to 10 cups of high quality dog food a day, split into two meals. The exact amount you feed them should be based on their weight, and you should always double check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding them.
Ensure that the food you give your dog meets all their nutritional requirements and remember not to overfeed them as this can lead to obesity, especially as the Rottweiler loves food. Take a look at the food we recommend below.
Best Dog Food For The Rottweiler Dog
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We recommend the Purina ONE SmartBlend dry dog food for the Rottweiler Dog. Formulated especially for large dog breeds, this recipe contains real chicken as the number one ingredient, ensuring that your dog gets all the protein they need to keep their muscles lean and strong. Also in this food there is a natural source of glucosamine that ensures your pups joints stay supple and healthy, which is very important for larger dogs.
With omega-6 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals, your Rottie’s skin and coat remains in the best condition and the antioxidant blend supports their immune system. All the ingredients are also high digestible in this food and there are no fillers.
Exercise
The Rottweiler dog is a relatively active breed with moderate exercise needs. These pups will need two twenty to thirty minute walks a day, but will also happily accompany you while you are out exercising and like to go running and hiking.
Due to their intelligence, the Rottweiler needs to be kept mentally stimulated at all times so they don’t become bored and start exhibiting destructive behaviors. You can play games with them such as “fetch” and frisbee, and they are also a great dog for obedience and agility training too.
Their working history means they also love to be given a job to do to keep them active, so this is something to think about.
Family Compatibility
Rottweilers can make excellent family dogs when raised in the right environment. A loving dog, they are great with children and can make an excellent playmate. However, you must teach your Rottweiler how to play with children. They often don’t realize how big they are can end up hurting children unintentionally.
Rotties are very dedicated to their owners and can become very protective. For this reason, they make excellent guard dogs and watch dogs. However, you will need to ensure you socialize them properly so they do not become aggressive with strangers.
These dogs can have high prey drives thanks to their working nature and so will need to be introduced to small animals around the home from an early age, or live in a large dog only household. However, when socialized properly they can live very happily with any other dog or cat.
Remember, the Rottweiler doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods of time, so if you are out for hours at a time then this dog isn’t for you. You must be able to dedicate lots of time to them for paying and interaction, helping to keep them mentally stimulated.
The Rottie will also benefit from a yard to run around in. The yard should be fenced to protect strangers and other animals that may have to contend with your Rottweiler who come onto the property. Again, this is why socialization is so important.
Training
Due to the fact that the Rottweiler is a large and powerful dog, they require training from early puppyhood. That being said, the Rottweiler is highly trainable and intelligent, so as long as you have the patience, there should be no issue. They like to learn new things and like to please their owners.
These dogs respond best to reward based training and positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. You should never get angry or annoyed with your Rottweiler Dog because this will make them not want to learn.
Remember, these pups are very intelligent and so they can excel at obedience training and other dog sports.
Socializing
The Rottweiler loves people, especially their family, and will want to be around them at all times. However, this doesn’t mean they are as welcoming to strangers and can be a little aloof with them. They can also be wary of children they don’t know and animals they don’t live with, so socialization is extremely important. Proper socialization will ensure your dog grows up to be well-rounded and doesn’t contribute to the idea that all Rottweilers are dangerous!
You should introduce your Rottweiler to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals when they are young, in a safe and controlled way. This way they will understand there is nothing to be afraid of.
Grooming
Thanks to their short coat, you should only need to brush your Rottweiler weekly. However, during their shedding seasons which happen twice a year, you will need to brush them more frequently. You should use a firm bristle brush to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils.
You can bathe your Rottweiler as and when is needed, or take them to the groomers. The groomer will also be able to help you trim their nails. Cleaning their teeth is one of the most important things and should, ideally, be done daily to prevent build up of decay and disease. You can also use dental sticks.
Remember to establish a grooming routine from a young age so your Rottweiler is comfortable and feel it is a positive experience.
Rottweiler Dog FAQ’s
How much does a Rottweiler Dog cost?
A Rottweiler can set you back between $850 to $4,000. Because of their popularity, there are lots of breeders out there. This is good as it means finding a pup is easier, but can also be negative because there is a rise in irresponsible breeders and puppy mills.
Always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can show you health clearances for both parent breeds. If buying from a breeder is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. Again, because of their popularity, there are often Rottweilers in shelters because people buy these dogs without realizing their needs and then cannot take care of them.
Is a Rottweiler dangerous?
The Rottweiler has a reputation for being an aggressive dog. This is largely down to their very powerful jaw and the few incidents in which Rottweiler dogs have hurt humans.
However, when raised in the right environment, Rottweilers are one of the sweetest dogs — they’re the 8th most popular breed for a reason! Loving and loyal, they thrive off human attention of love to be around their humans. They can be very protective of you but that’s only because they care. With the right socialization, these dogs can get on very well with children and animals and really just want to play.
Unfortunately, because of their history, you may have to carry extra liability insurance to own one. In some areas, you may not even be able to own a Rottweiler as they may be banned. Always check locally to see what the laws are around where you live.
Summary
Despite their powerful and strong appearance, the Rottweiler is a sweet and gentle pup that makes an excellent family dog. Playful and fun-loving, these dogs love their humans and get on very well with children. They do not have very high exercise needs although do need to be kept mentally stimulated and do not like to be left alone. Their intelligence means training and socializing should not be difficult, but patience is required to make sure they really understand. That being said, these dogs just want to please you and show you affection, so what’s not to love! Is a Rottweiler the pup for you?