Want to know more about Rottweilers? You’ve come to the right place.
The Rottweiler is infamous, both positive and negative. We’re here to set the record straight, once and for all.
We’ve gathered all the necessary information for those curious to know about the breed or looking to see if this pup would be the right fit for them.
Here’s everything we’ll cover in our complete guide:
- What a Rottweiler Is
- Breed Characteristics
- Rottweiler History and Origin
- Different Types of the Breed
- The Rottweiler Personality
- Health Issues to Look Out For
- How to Care for Your Pup
What’s a Rottweiler?
This working breed has some serious strength. After all, these puppies are descendants of Drover dogs. First recognized in Germany in 1901, the breed has become highly popular, ranking eighth out of the 197 breeds that are part of the American Kennel Club (AKC).
These playful pups can make fantastic family companions. They’re proud dogs that know where they stand. Often labeled as an aggressive breed, Rottweilers offer much more than meets the eye. Let’s find out more about them.
Rottweiler Characteristics
This breed has many unique characteristics that led to its growing popularity.
What Does a Rottweiler Look Like?
The first thing you might notice is the breed’s powerful stance. Rottweilers are incredibly robust dogs. The build shows their endurance, and you’ll see this side of them if there’s anything fun to run after.
The Rottweiler colors are primarily black with rusty-toned markings. It’s one of the most noticeable features, making the dogs distinguishable from other breeds.
In terms of the Rottweiler size, they can range from medium to large. It all depends on the type of Rottweiler you have, but we’ll go through that a bit later. Generally, the sizes range between 22–27 inches. So they’re not massive, but they’re incredibly strong, so don’t let the size fool you, especially for the puppies that possibly haven’t been trained yet.
Unsurprisingly, the Rottweiler weight ranges for females and males. Females can weigh anywhere between 80–100 pounds, whereas males weigh between 95–135 pounds — pretty heavy for a medium-sized pup.
Rottweilers have a medium-length coat that’s dense, straight, and lays flat. But they do have a double-layered coat. So, do rottweilers shed? Yes, and it can be pretty heavy in spring.
The belief that this breed is aggressive comes from their legendary bite force, which is a little scary and not something I’d want to test out. The Rottweiler bite force is a staggering 328 PSI (pounds per inch). That’s nearly 100 pounds more than the German Shepherd (238 PSI), one of the most well-known large dog breeds.
Rottweiler History and Origin
They’re believed to be descendants of Drover dogs. The latter herded cattle and sheep for long distances, usually to markets. Rottweilers are also a working breed known for cattle driving. As the Romans attempted to conquer Germany, they left their herding dogs behind in the second century. The Drover was eventually bred to what we now know as the Rottweiler.
Fun Fact: The German town where Rottie pups originated is called Rottweil.
So, what were Rottweilers bred for? Initially, they herded and pulled carts to the market. Throughout history, this strong breed has trained for many jobs. They helped butchers by carrying meat, stood as guard dogs, and even trained as police pups. But a lot has changed since that time.
Types of Rottweiler Dog
If you’re a Rottie owner, you’ve probably heard about the different breed types. Not to burst any bubbles, but officially, there aren’t. The type just means your pup was born in a particular place. Still, let’s see if we can find any differences.
German Rottweilers
Commonly known as the original because of where they came from. These breeds usually have very pure lineage with little to no inbreeding.
The German industry standard for registering breeds through The Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK) is relatively high. They don’t take any chances of breeding with other dogs or ones with a tainted lineage.
German Rotties tend to be bigger and don’t have a docked tail.
American Rottweilers
These pups were all born in the US. And the German ADRK and American AKC look at the breed standards differently.
Some people believe they have a unique Rottweiler dog when they see the differences between theirs and the German breed. But this isn’t the case. The US breeds are just smaller and can have docked tails.
What to Look For When Buying a Rottweiler
Big warning here — if you ever see a breeder claiming to have a unique purebred or a Rottweiler with colors never seen before, run as fast as you can. They’ll charge you an arm and a leg for a pup that could possibly not even be a Rottweiler. The average purebred Rottweiler price is between $1,000–$1,500.
While we encourage our readers to adopt and not shop, we acknowledge that you might want a purebred, and that’s entirely your choice. Just do your research and pick carefully.
The Rottweiler Personality
Each breed has a specific temperament, and the Rottie is no exception. Let’s see what you can expect and whether it might be a good fit for you.
The Rottweiler Temperament
Some Rottweilers are fun and energetic, while others can be more serious and aloof. These pups are generally quite protective of their families, so they might not like strangers. Then again, it all depends on the dog’s individual traits.
Even pups from the same litter can have different personalities, so don’t assume two dogs from the same breeder will be the same.
Some of the frequently reported temperamental qualities of Rottweilers are that they’re alert and reserved, making them good service dogs. These pups are usually okay left on their own, but it’s not because they don’t love you. You can expect some pup kisses when you walk through the door after work.
The Rottweiler isn’t known as a barker, so if your pup starts making a fuss, you need to pay attention to the cause.
Training this breed is essential, but we’ll get to that a bit later.
Are Rottweilers Good With Kids?
These pups adore all members of their families. It’s still vital to expose them to different situations, dogs, and people.
Rottweilers can be very playful, and their high energy can be great for children in the same house. But don’t ever assume your pup will act the same around other children.
Remember always to supervise kids in the presence of any animal. As much as pups need training, kids also have to learn proper behavior around pups.
Rottweiler Adoption
Unfortunately, because of many breed misrepresentations, people can be apprehensive about adopting a Rottweiler. The same goes for breeds like the German Shepherd Pitbull mix.
Taking on any pup is a big responsibility, and that should be your primary concern. But if you have time, financial, and emotional availability, your pup should be fine.
You need to dedicate the hours to train your dog yourself or in classes. We believe aggression is a learned behavior, so if you adopt a pup, be sure to ask about their previous living conditions.
Are Rottweilers Good With Other Dogs?
Here we’re not talking about one pup’s personality, but two. If both are territorial, it’s natural that they get aggressive towards each other.
You can’t simply throw both dogs in the backyard and hope for the best. If none of them back down, they’ll fight until one is severely injured or worse.
Getting two dogs acquainted takes time and a lot of effort from the dogs and the owners. Patience is key. If the dogs are uncomfortable at any point, consider aborting the mission.
Don’t ever force a dog into a situation they can’t handle physically or behaviorally. Dogs can’t communicate like us, so an unfamiliar environment might make dogs aggressive.
Rottweilers Health Issues
Every dog breed comes with its own set of health issues owners need to be aware of. Early diagnosis will often prevent illness from progressing quickly. Here are the health issues that often affect a Rottweiler:
Eye problems: These include cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and eyelid deformities.
Hip Dysplasia: It’s pretty standard in many large breeds. This is a genetic deformity where the leg bone (femur) doesn’t fit properly into the hip socket. If the case is severe, your pup might need surgery, and even if it’s mild, it can eventually lead to arthritis. Knee, elbow, and shoulder dysplasia are also commonly seen in Rottweilers.
Heart issues: Cardiomyopathy is when the heart muscle weakens, and blood struggles to pump correctly. Vets recommend having your pup’s heart checked from a young age.
Hypothyroidism: You should look into this early because it can cause unwanted aggression.
Aside from all that, the average Rottweiler lifespan is between 8–12 years.
Rottweiler Care
If you’re thinking of getting one of these pups, it’s essential to know how to take care of your dog.
Rottweiler Training
Rottweilers are naturally protective, so they need to learn what to do in different situations to prevent unwanted behavior.
Early socialization with dogs, adults, children, and other animals is vital. You must start the training as soon as you bring your pup home. There’s no waiting period as some people believe — the earlier, the better.
Classes are also highly recommended because teachers often know what works for specific breeds. The good news? A Rottweiler is incredibly smart and will learn quickly. They’re also very obedient, so pleasing you is their primary goal.
If you choose to train your dog with a collar, make sure it’s regulated and safe for your pup’s size.
Exercise
Because Rottweilers have such high energy, you need to exercise them through regular walking and playtime.
If you’re using your yard, remember that safety comes first. To avoid your pup getting out, you can try using a wireless dog fence like the PetSafe Stay & Play, a good option for all pup owners.
Exercising the brain is just as essential. Keep your Rottweiler mentally stimulated with toys that use treats, or try teaching them some dog tricks.
Grooming
Brushing: You’ll want to brush your pup’s double coat once a day to prevent excessive shedding.
Nails: Clipping your Rottie’s nails is essential, but they’re black so it can be a bit tricky. Get your vet’s advice to ensure you don’t cut them too short.
Ear Cleaning: Don’t clean inside your puppy’s ear. Wipe the flaps to avoid wax and dirt build-up.
Wrap Up
Rottweiler facts tell us this dog originated in Germany as a working breed, so its size and weight come as no surprise.
Because of this, these pups have a lot of energy. So you need to be prepared to exercise your dog at least once a day.
Training is the number one priority with this breed. Otherwise, it’ll run wild, which isn’t safe for your family or the public.
These pups adore their families, so be ready for an unbreakable bond when you get to know your pup. It’s all about trust. Your dog trusts you to look after them properly, and you can trust them to protect and love your family in return.
The Rottweiler breed is often misunderstood, but if you take good care of it, this pup will become your new furry bestie in no time.
