Rottweiler Basic Breed Information
Breed Age: Recognized by the AKC in 1931
Average Height: 24-27” for males, 22-25” for females
Average Weight: 95-135lbs for males, 80-100lbs for females
Life Expectancy: 9-10 years
Coat Variations: Black & Mahogany, Black & Rust, Black & Tan
*All breed information comes from the AKC website on Rottweilers
Fun Fact: Rottweilers are the descendants of dogs used by the Romans for sheep herding and guard animals. Source: FCI Standard No. 147
Rottweiler Breed History
Rottweilers are one of the oldest dog breeds that we know of. Their ancestors were used by the Romans as they traveled through the Alps and parts of southwestern Germany. After some interbreeding with native dogs in the area of Rottweil, Germany, the Rottweiler was born and subsequently used to guard sheep herds and homesteads. The Rottweiler gained more popularity during the time of the World Wars, being used more frequently for police work, messengers, as ambulance dogs (dogs that were sent out after large battles to seek out wounded soldiers), and personal guard dogs. According to some sources, Rottweilers were among some of the first dog breeds to be used as service animals for the blind. The breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 1931, and by the 1990s, they were the most registered dog by the AKC. Today, the Rottweiler consistently ranks in the top 10 most popular breeds in the United States by AKC data.
Rottweiler Strengths
- Calm
- Confident
- Great with children
- Protective of their home and family
- Playful, even silly
- Can be very snuggly and loving
- Intelligent
- Highly trainable
- Excels in canine sports
- Requires little grooming
Rottweiler Weaknesses
- Can be territorial without proper socialization at a young age
- Social animals that don’t do well if isolated for long periods of time
- Need consistent and firm training from a young age, or they can be defiant and destructive
- Needs exercise and stimulation, not a dog to just lie around the house
- Can be stubborn
- They are very playful but are also large and heavy dogs. As a result, some of their play can be too much for small children and the elderly.
6 Common Rottweiler Health Concerns:
Click on the name of a health condition to read more. Bring your pup in for regular health screenings to help keep them at their best!
Hip Dysplasia
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- Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal deformation, usually started by a dog’s genetics and exacerbated by weight, exercise, and nutrition. Hip dysplasia occurs when a dog’s hip joint, normally a ball and socket mechanism, does not develop properly. This causes the grinding of the bones in the joint, and can lead to total loss of function of the dog’s leg. Foods that help temper excessive growth can be helpful for puppies of breeds most at risk for hip dysplasia. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout the dog’s life is also crucial, as extra weight only adds more pressure to the at-risk joints. A veterinarian can also recommend joint supplements as part of a preventative treatment plan.
Progressive Renal Atrophy
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- A genetic disorder characterized by progressive vision loss and eventual blindness in dogs. Currently, the only way to diagnose this disease is to have a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist examine the back of the dog’s eye to test retinal functionality. There are also a few genetic tests that can be administered to young dogs to test for the gene responsible for PRA.
Aortic stenosis/sub-aortic stenosis (AS/SAS)
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- From Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Subaortic stenosis is a narrowing (stenosis) of the area underneath, the aortic valve, that causes some degree of obstruction or blockage of the blood flow through the heart. The narrowing can be mild, moderate, or severe; if moderate or severe, it can force the heart to work harder and potentially be harmful to the heart’s health.” Rottweilers, being a larger breed of dog, are particularly prone to developing this condition. In cases of mild stenosis, your pet may not need treatment, however, monitoring the condition with a vet is essential to make sure it does not progress. In more severe cases, medications may be prescribed to help lessen the strain on the animal’s heart.
Osteosarcoma
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- Bone tumors or bone cancer occurs in roughly 5% – 12% of Rottweilers. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare states that the average age at diagnosis is around 8 years old. Osteosarcoma is very invasive and spreads quickly, so early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
Allergies
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- Rottweilers may experience allergic reactions to some environmental and food-related factors. Changes in skin texture and increased itching are some indicators that a Rottweiler may be having an allergic reaction.
Epilepsy
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- According to Purina Pro Club, “about 66% of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (epilepsy that has no clear origin) experience their first seizures from 1 to 3 years of age.” Not all seizures are the same and can occur in dogs for many reasons, so it is important for a veterinarian to run diagnostic tests to determine the cause of a dog’s seizures in order to determine the proper treatment plan.
Famous Rottweilers
Rottweilers are often unfairly portrayed in media as aggressive and vicious dogs, but in reality, Rottweilers are some of the most loving and devoted dogs you can find. Here are 3 small news stories that exemplify the courageousness, bravery, and loyalty that should define the breed.
- A two-year-old Rottweiler named Jake from Shrewsbury, UK received a police medallion for his bravery after rescuing a woman from a serious sexual assault. After hearing the woman’s screams, Jake jumped into action and investigated. He chased down the attacker, then stayed right by the woman’s side as she called and waited for the police to arrive. She reported that Jake “… stayed alert and close to us like he was guarding us.” Jake had been adopted by his family the previous year from the RSPCA.
Hero pet: Rocky ran to defend Kasha (Image: PA Real Life Feature)
- After 3-year-old Blake Weaver became lost in the Ocala National Forest, rescuers feared that the rain, freezing-cold temperatures, and wildlife in the forest would pose a serious threat to the little boy’s life. The only comfort his family had was that his grandmother’s Rottweiler Samantha was with him. She had become his companion after Blake, his mother, and older brother moved in with their grandmother days before. Samantha, somehow understanding the real danger that Blake was facing in the forest, nudged the small boy into thick brush then laid down next to him to keep him warm and protect him from weather and wildlife overnight. She never left his side, and due to her loyalty, Blake escaped the incident with hardly more than some scratches and slight dehydration.
Jake, pictured with owners Ian and Liz Maxted-Bluck, was honoured in Shrewsbury.
- Adopted Rottweiler Rocky saved his entire family after a group of men broke into their home and held them at knifepoint. Husband and wife Aryan and Kasha were home in bed on the evening of March 9th, 2014 when they heard knocking outside the house. Rocky began to bark, so they put him in the bathroom to calm him. When Aryan went to answer the door, a group of men wielding knives burst through and held Kasha, then five months pregnant, at knife-point while they beat Aryan and demanded money. Rocky heard the commotion and broke through the door to rescue his people. He scared the attackers and they tried to run, but Rocky pursued them and stood in front of one of the men, growling and baring his teeth, so that he would not escape. Aryan was able to subdue the man until the police arrived to arrest him. Kasha reported that Rocky did not leave her side for days after the incident, and would even nudge her pregnant belly “as if he was telling the baby not to worry either.” After the baby was born months later, Kasha told newspapers “…nobody was happier about baby Aryan’s arrival than Rocky. He would gaze at Aryan in his cot, stood guard, and growled if strangers got too close.”
