Rottweiler
● Key Characteristics Of Rottweilers
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Rottweiler Puppy?
● Most Asked Rottweiler Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
If you’ve been searching for a brave and confident guardian, then look no further than the Rottweiler. These dogs are a robust working breed that descend from the mastiffs of the Roman legions.
● Key Characteristics Of Rottweilers
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A Rottweiler Puppy?
● Most Asked Rottweiler Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
If you’ve been searching for a brave and confident guardian, then look no further than the Rottweiler. These dogs are a robust working breed that descend from the mastiffs of the Roman legions.
The exact origin of the Rottweiler remains unknown. But, most people believe that the breed descended from the Roman drover dogs. In the past, these animals were used in moving cattle.
So how did the Rottweiler transition from a herding dog to the dog we know today? Well, this can be attributed to the Romans mission to conquer Europe. Large armies were needed for this goal to be accomplished.
These armies realised that they needed dogs of great stamina to manage their flocks. Thus, the Roman herding dogs were used for these tasks. And, to transport food and other items on the hoof.
Later development of the Rottweiler happened in the German town of Rottweil. In this area, these dogs were used as cattle dogs and sometimes, as police dogs.
Unfortunately, their popularity diminished after the advent of the mid-1800s industrial revolution. During this time, drover dogs were replaced by railroad.
In fact, very little was written about the Rottweiler until in 1901. During this time, a combined Leonberger and Rottweiler club was established.
Over the years, the popularity of the Rottie has grown. This is mainly due to its hard-working nature.
| Are Rottweilers Family-Friendly? | They can be. Historically Rottweilers are service animals. This means they are intelligent and loyal; making them wonderful family pets. Children must always be supervised with all dogs. |
| Daily Exercise Needs? | 2 hours of exercise every day. |
| Common Health Issues & Considerations | These dogs can suffer from: ● Allergies. ● Bloat. ● Elbow and hip dysplasia. ● Distichiasis. ● Cranial cruciate ligament injury. |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years |
| Nature & Temperament | These dogs are very loyal to their owners. They are also self-assured and have a fearless temperament. |
| Size | Weight Male: 50 - 60 kg Female: 35 - 48 kg Height 56- 69 cm |
| Suitable Environment | They are best suited for the suburbs and larger homes. |
| Grooming | Brush your Rottweiler weekly, to get rid of loose hair and distribute its natural skin oils. |
● Nothing makes a Rottweiler happier than giving them a task to do.
● Rottweilers are still used to herd cattle and sheep in the present day.
● These dogs are very sensitive. To prevent separation anxiety, owners need to put in the time and care that they deserve.
● Rottweilers are leaners; they like leaning their bodies against people.
Nutrition
Rottweilers can be fed two meals of 2 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food every day. This amount is based on other factors like your dog’s size, age and activity level.
Free-feeding is not advisable. This is because Rottweilers cannot self-moderate so they will eat as much as they want.
Grooming
The short, flat coats of Rottweilers make them a low-maintenance breed. So, they need a little more than frequent brushing and an occasional bath. The recommended frequency for brushing their coats is weekly.
Whenever possible, brush them every day using a rubber curry brush. The soft rubber teeth of this brush are good at grabbing dead hair and pulling it away from their body.
Recommended grooming tips:
● Wipe your Rottweiler’s muzzle using an old towel. These dogs have deep and thick muzzles, which trap excess saliva.
● Bathe Rottweilers three to four times in a year.
● Brush their teeth at least once a week.
● Trim their nails on a monthly basis.
Exercise
Rottweilers are active dogs. Therefore they need at least two hours of exercise each day. These dogs thrive on all forms of exercising- swimming, running and playing fetch.
Training
Rottweilers are some of the smartest dogs. For this reason, they take well to training.
One thing though: early socialisation and training are important for Rotties. Due to their strength and stamina, these dogs need a firm grounding in obedience, early in life.
You might find that their natural herding and protective instincts are too strong. So training helps to improve the breed’s temperament. This is more so when they are around humans and other animals.
Just like humans, the traits of a specific Rottie boil down to its genetics and individuality. Ensure the breeder is a registered and reputable breeder.
It’s also important to note that they are aloof to intruders. They also maintain a reserved attitude when they are in a new environment.
The Rottie is described as a medium-to-large dog. Males are about 61 to 69 cm tall at the shoulder while females are 56 to 61 cm tall.
The Rottie is not a suitable breed for everyone. If you’re looking for a dog that will like everybody and mindlessly obey all that it’s told, then a Rottweiler isn’t the best choice.
The best Rottweiler owner is one who is very responsible. This means that he will be devoted to the care, training and companionship of their dog. They should also be very familiar with the specific needs of Rottweilers.
The average cost of a Rottweiler for sale ranges between $1000 and $4000 approximately.