the rottweiler dog breed is a working dog

Everything You Need to Know About the Rottweiler Dog

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The Rottweiler stands out from a mile away, with his size following a close second only to his reputation. Which, by the way, is all true. That’s right, the Rottweiler is best known for his strength and protective guarding instinct for good reason.

So yes, they can seem a little intimidating – until you get to know them. Rottweilers are working dogs, loyal, intelligent and loving, and need to be paired with the right pet parents. A personality and lifestyle match if you will (which of course goes for all pets and peeps)!

Find out more below about the Rottie’s history, personality and more.

Rottweiler dog history

As you may have noticed the name Rottweiler has Germanic notes. And that’s because the breed as we know it originates from the German region of Rottweil. It was here that this handsome pup started filling the pages of its résumé; from pulling farm carts to helping farmers control aggressive bulls.

Looking at this powerful pup’s wide frame and broad shoulders, it’s easy to see why the Rottie made such a good working dog. Nowadays you’re more likely to play fetch with yours than have them pull a cart or tame a bull (but hey who knows!).

Given the chance, Rottweilers will take to a task or job with enthusiasm. Their adaptability and intelligence make them great at search and rescue. For something fun, try out dog obedience classes with your Rottie.

Although the Rottweiler we know today started its story in Germany, its roots have been traced as back as far as Roman times. By most breed standards that’s a long time, making the Rottweiler one of our oldest friends.

Read more about the history of dogs.

rottweiler dog relaxes after agility training

Physical characteristics

When you think Rottweiler, you think big. Let’s just say if the Rottweiler were a person, they’d be a bodybuilder. Speaking of big, males can weigh in over 60kgs while females can weigh as much as 45kgs.

Aside from their awesome stature, here are some other physical breed traits:

  • Breed group. Working dogs
  • Average lifespan. 8-11 years
  • Colour. Black and tan
  • Grooming needs. Low
  • Head shape. Broad forehead, triangular floppy ears

Are Rottweilers good pets?

Rottweilers can be lovely pets and are known for their confidence, intelligence, and bravery. They’re extremely loyal to their families, and generally very calm and obedient. If you love spending time training your furry friend then the Rottie could be your ideal companion.

They love working and do well in almost any dog sport from agility to basic training. Given they have that natural inbuilt confidence, all they truly require is good direction. However, without proper guidance they’ll be left to act on impulse, which given their size can be dangerous.

Give your dog a job

Even though Rotties love training, guarding and sports, they don’t have enormous energy needs. They do, however, need a ‘job’ of some sort, whether it’s training, playing or being a constant companion.

Without adequate socialisation Rottweilers can develop behavioural issues, like excessive barking or digging. Worse however, is the danger of aggression. Aggression is the main danger in an unhappy (read under-socialised or under-trained) dog. Especially if the dog is big, strong and able to inflict serious harm.

Read all about obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs.

women with her pet rottweiler

Living with a Rottweiler

As mentioned earlier, Rottweilers may behave aggressively when not properly socialised or handled. For this reason, the breed isn’t typically recommended for first time pet owners but patient and experienced pet owners should do well.

Rottweiler parents must prioritise socialisation and obedience training in starting both when your dog is still a young puppy. Don’t limit them to puppyhood though, they need to be continued throughout a Rottweiler’s life. Instead of viewing training and socialisation as things to check off a list, think of them as lifestyle choices to implement for your big strong Rottie.

Key to socialisation is exposing your Rottweiler to people – especially children – and other pets right from the get go. This needs to be done with proper supervision.

Read why positive reinforcement dog training beats other training methods paws down and check out our training resources below…

Are Rottweilers dangerous?

Rottweilers often work as guard dogs, so they’re frequently seen in police and military work. With good reason. They’re highly trainable, courageous and have a strong guarding instinct. This may be why the Rottweiler has been labelled as dangerous or vicious.

In truth, these guys are not inherently dangerous, however they want to protect and are reactive. And when their protective instinct isn’t well managed it can turn into aggression. If you’re considering bringing home an adopted dog like a Rottweiler, you need to schedule ample time for training and socialisation.

A well-trained, well-bred Rottie is just the best friend to have around. And they’re loving and gentle, especially to their people.

Here are some resources to get you started:

rottweiler puppy is ready to start socialising and training

Rottweiler puppies

If you’re ready to make the leap and open your heart and home to a Rottweiler puppy, then make sure you know how. With purebred dog prices soaring since the start of the pandemic, puppy scams are rife. Read up on how to buy a puppy safely, by reading these steps to finding an ethical dog breeder.

Read more about puppy mills so you know what to avoid. Good breeders care about who their puppies are going home to. And they’ll follow best practices to ensure your puppy is happy, healthy and well-adjusted.

Rottweiler health and pet insurance

Like many purebreds, congenital issues are a pet parenting consideration. In the main, the Rottweiler is a strong and healthy breed, prone to very few genetic conditions. Hip dysplasia in dogs is one of the more common issues with big dogs like Rottweilers.

Other common Rottweiler health conditions to guard against include:

Knowing what conditions could affect your pet pal gives you ample time and knowledge to safeguard against them. Regular vet checkups, a healthy diet and good exercise schedule are solid foundations.

Getting a pet plan early on also means that when and if conditions do arise, you’ll likely be financially protected. Although pet insurance doesn’t cover hereditary conditions that exist when you buy your policy, it will cover them if you purchase your policy before they even start (after the waiting period has passed).

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