Rottweiler: Training, Temperament, Exercise, Health

(Rottie)

Group: AKC Working Dog Group, KCGB Working Dog Group, Mastiff

Ranking: 17 in AKC; 11 in KCGB

Also Known As: Rottie, German Rottweiler, American Rottweiler

About Rottweiler Origin and History of the Breed The Rottweiler may have descended from the Italian Mastiff (which is now the Neapolitan Mastiff). It was a herding dog in the Middle Ages. The dog, as we know it today, was bred in the German town of Rottweil in Wurttemberg. The Rottweiler has been used for tracking, herding, watchdog duties, carting, police work, competitive obedience, and schutzhund.

A General Appearance of the Dog

The Rottweiler is a medium large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. His compact and substantial build denotes great strength, agility and endurance. He has a broad head with a rounded forehead and a well-developed muzzle. His dark eyes can be friendly or daring. His triangular ears are carried forward. One of the things people find frightening about the Rottweiler is the amount of black – over his body and even inside his mouth. The tail is docked and dewclaws are normally removed. Extremely well-developed musculature is obvious in the jaws, shoulders and hips.

There is much debate about German Rottweiler vs. American Rottweiler. The German version is shorter and stockier with a bigger, more block-y head.

Coat Color

The Rottweiler is mostly black but has rust or mahagony colored markings on his cheeks, muzzle, paws, and legs.

Coat Type

The coat is short, hard, glossy and quite thick. The Rottie is an average shedder. The outer coat is straight, coarse, dense, of medium length and it lies flat against the body. There should be undercoat on his neck and thighs, but how much undercoat the dog possesses is dependent on climatic conditions.

Height

Males: 24 – 27 inches
Females: 22 – 25 inches

Weight

Males: 100 lbs (approx)
Females: 88 lbs (approx)

Personality

Temperament of the Dog

Known for their fierce fighting capabilities when defending their family and property, the Rottweiler is normally a calm, happy, confident dog who loves his family and friends. They love companionship and relish socialization exercises.

However, if not out of stock that has a nice personality and if not socialized and obedience trained at a young age, Rotties can be hard to handle, aggressive, and unreliable. Having been bred for centuries for guard work, the Rottweiler can easily turn aggressive. Their size and strength will make them impossible to hold on leash should they decide to go some place or be aggressive, so obedience to commands is essential.

They can be aggressive with other dogs and should be kept on leashes in public places. When the Rottweiler is consistently brought up and trained, it will be a good playmate for children. It will accept cats and other household pets as long as the dog has had a positive experience with them while it was young. Friends and relatives of the family are normally enthusiastically welcomed. Strangers can get no further than the sidewalk.

Most people are afraid of a Rottweiler, but that is not the correct reaction to have toward them as it puts them on alert. Proper introductions by the owner will put a correctly trained Rottie at ease and pave the way for a long and happy relationship.

Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?

A small, well-fenced yard will be sufficient for a Rottweiler. If he sees something of interest, an invisible fencing system will not hold him. He can live in an apartment if he gets sufficient walks and some play times each week in a well-fenced dog park. The Rottweiler is fairly inactive indoors.

Are they suited to homes with kids?

If they are brought up with children from puppyhood, Rottweilers are good family dogs. Make sure all friends are properly introduced. Either leash or crate the dog if anyone is afraid of him when visiting. He will take advantage of that fear.

Activity Level

How Active is the Breed?

As puppies, Rottweilers are quite energetic, but as adults they are fairly inactive indoors but more active outdoors.

How Much Exercise Does the Dog Need at every stage of its Life?

Puppies like to play with toys and roughhouse with people both indoors and outdoors. However, as they grow into adulthood, they become less active indoors. They still enjoy a good romp outdoors as well as daily walks.

Grooming

Very little grooming is necessary as the Rottweiler has a smooth, glossy coat. A twice monthly brushing with a firm bristled brush keeps it shiny. Bathing is normally unnecessary. They are average shedders.

Health and Care

Rottweilers are prone to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) damage.

Being a large, heavy breed, Rottweilers tend to get panosteotitis – growing pains. They should not be jogged or run on a regular basis until after they are a year old.

Rotties snore and drool. They also over-eat and gobble their food, so feed them in 2-3 smaller meals a day.

Genetic Problems

Hip and Elbow dysplasia and entropion are the main genetic problems of Rottweilers. Other problems include ectropian, PRA, cataracts, cancer, some epilepsy, hypothyroidism, Von Willebrand’s disease, OCD, and sub-aortic stenosis.

Breeding the Dog and any Cautions

Talk with several breeders to find the right companion.

Litter Size: 12 puppies are not uncommon

Life Span: 10-11 years

National Breed Clubs

British – British Rottweiler Association – www.britishrottweiler.co.uk
US – American Rottweiler Club – www.amrottclub.org

Other Recognition: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Rescue Link: www.rottrescue.org/national_list_rott_rescue.html