The history of the Rottweiler can be traced back to Roman times. Shepherds of the time kept the ancestors of today’s Rottweiler as herding and guide dogs. This makes the “Rotti” one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Due to the livestock trade of the time, the dogs also came to the Rottweil area and quickly became very popular there. Butchers in the region continued to breed the breed and use it as a guard dog for their livestock. These strong and courageous dogs were thus given the name «Rottweiler Metzgerhund». But the Rottweiler has not only demonstrated his talent as a guardian of the flock. He also protected the money collected by butchers by carrying it in a pouch around his neck. Thanks to its intelligence, strength and docility, from 1910 it was officially kept as a police dog. Today it still serves as a protection and detection dog, but increasingly also as a companion and family dog. In some German Länder it is included in the «list of dangerous dog breeds», which must be taken into account when purchasing.
Body type, height and weight
Rottweilers are strong, stocky, muscular dogs with straight backs and deep chests. They have thick, short fur, a broad skull with strong teeth, and drooping triangular ears.
Male dogs reach a height at the withers of up to 68 cm and a weight of around 50 kg. Females are slightly smaller and lighter, measuring 63 cm and weighing 42 kg.
Fur and colors
The Rottweiler’s fur is black with reddish-brown spots on the muzzle, lips, eyebrows, under the base of the tail, chest and paws. This is called “fire”.
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Character and essence
Rottweilers are friendly, peaceful, affectionate and obedient dogs. As former guard and service dogs, they always keep an eye on their surroundings and always keep an eye on their family and well-being. The Rottweiler forms a close bond with its owner and learns very quickly thanks to its high intelligence. A well-trained and socialized Rottweiler never reacts aggressively or aggressively, but rather has strong nerves and is balanced.
However, the Rottweiler’s protective instinct should not be underestimated. Rottweilers definitely need something to do too. They love all kinds of sports and really love to train. Rottweilers feel most comfortable in the company of their human pack. Here they enjoy lots of cuddles and are affectionate and absolutely loyal companions.
Is a Rottweiler right for me? How should it be held?
A Rottweiler needs people with dog training experience who have time and are willing to work intensively with him. What is important is solid basic training from puppyhood and loving consistency. An owner who exudes calm, composure and self-confidence is very important to the Broken. If he accepts his human as «pack leader», he is extremely docile and hardworking.
He loves his people unconditionally and establishes particularly close relationships with them. Rottweilers are working dogs and need a job. Walks around the block are not enough for the strong, intelligent dog. On the other hand, he is enthusiastic about all sporting activities. However, he is not a marathon runner; prefers shorter but physically and mentally demanding activities. A dog sport particularly suitable for Rotti is obedience. Here he usually shows great performance and at the same time learns that he must be subordinate.
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Important: In some German states the Rottweiler is considered a so-called «list dog», which means that its keeping is subject to certain restrictions, such as the requirement of a muzzle or the completion of a temperament test. It is necessary to take these rules into account to avoid severe sanctions or confiscation of the dog by the authorities. If you bring a Rottweiler on holiday you must scrupulously respect the laws in force in the holiday country.
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Rottweilers are strong, active dogs that need lots of exercise and activity every day. They need to be exercised both physically and mentally. In addition to long walks, they are suitable for various (dog) sports such as obedience, agility or tracking.
Nutrition
When it comes to the Rottweiler’s diet, there are no special breed-specific characteristics to consider. You can feed your Rotti high-quality dry or wet food and vomit. The amount of food should be adapted to age and activity. Rottweilers bred as working dogs and with excellent physical and/or mental performance have a higher energy requirement. The corresponding food types are usually labeled “Activity (High)” or something similar.
Rottweilers love to eat, which is why you should make sure they don’t become overweight. In puppies and young dogs, excessive growth should be avoided as it is harmful to the joints. We therefore recommend a food for larger breeds with an appropriately adequate protein content.
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Treatment
The Rottweiler’s coat is very easy to care for. It is enough to brush it every now and then. During moulting, dead hair should be removed with a curry comb. Dental care and claw care are important for all dogs, including Rotti.
Typical diseases
Rottweilers are robust and healthy dogs, not particularly prone to diseases. As with all large dogs, hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) are more common.
Caution list dog?
If you want to buy a Rottweiler, you must keep in mind that the breed is present in the «list of dangerous dog breeds» of some German federal states. This means that the breeding and keeping of animals in these federal states are subject to certain legal requirements that must be met. Which breeds appear on the list and which conditions are linked to their breeding is decided by the individual federal state. So, before buying a Rottweiler, you should carefully check whether it is on your state’s list and what requirements you need to meet to keep it. Requirements may include, for example, a police clearance certificate, the requirement to have dog liability insurance, the requirement to wear a muzzle and lead, the completion of a character test and the provision of proof of competence.
Frequently asked questions about the Rottweiler
Is a Rottweiler dangerous?
The Rottweiler is on the «list of dangerous dog breeds» in Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia. This sometimes leads to significant restrictions and requirements for keeping animals. This list assumes that individual dogs are classified as “dangerous” solely based on their breed, which is highly controversial. Basically, Rottweilers are peace-loving, affectionate and strong-nerved dogs. However, improper breeding, deficient or incorrect training and/or socialization, and irresponsible breeding can have more fatal consequences than smaller dog breeds simply due to their size and strength. Well-bred and socialized Rottweilers are no more dangerous than other dogs of their size.
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Is a Rottweiler suitable for a family?
Rottweilers can be affectionate, well-balanced family dogs if they come from responsible breeders and are trained and socialized appropriately. If these requirements are met, there is nothing wrong with keeping a Rottweiler as a family dog. He bonds closely with his caregiver and turns into a cuddly monster at home once he has had enough energy beforehand. However, Rottweilers need a confident and balanced leader who they trust and who is also physically capable of leading the strong dog. The breed is not suitable for beginners in dog ownership.
How much does a Rottweiler cost?
A Rottweiler puppy from a responsible and reputable breeder costs around 1000 euros. You should definitely stay away from “cheaper” Internet offers. When breeding Rottweilers, it is even more important than with other dogs to ensure that the puppies are well socialized and become problem-free and strong-nerved dogs. Therefore the chosen breeder must belong to the «General German Rottweiler Club». If you have experience with dogs, you can also check out the animal shelter. Many Rottweilers and Rottweiler mixes are looking for homes here. A common reason for handing over is excessive demands on the previous owner or failure to comply with official requirements. In mixed breeds, it is not uncommon for the Rottweiler’s power and strength to clash with incompatible character traits of other breeds, such as a low stimulus threshold or weak nerves. Animal shelter employees can always give you information about the dog’s character.
When is a Rottweiler fully grown?
Rottweilers grow quite slowly. They usually reach maturity around 12-18 months of age. Until the age of about 2 years they continue to grow in width.
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