The Rottweiler is a very robust and beautiful dog. Powerful and fiercely loyal, they are believed to have ties back to the ancient Romans, where their ancestors helped to drive cattle on the long war marches. Today's Rottweiler no longer drives cattle, but has instead become a favored companion animal, particularly in the United States. Owning a Rottweiler requires a great commitment and a lot of responsibility, however, and it's important to research this breed, and your individual dog, very carefully.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Rottweiler Size
Variations: Standard only
Rottweiler
Colors:
No variations
Rottweiler Height: 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder
Rottweiler Weight:
80 to 135 pounds
Rottweiler
Exercise Needs: Demanding
Rottweiler
Grooming Needs: Minimal
Rottweiler Life Expectancy (Lifespan):
8 to 11 years
Are Rottweilers Child-Friendly? Best with older, well behaved children.
Rottweiler Training:
Moderate
Breed Group:
Working
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
The Rottweiler dog breed originated in United States of
America. Believed to be a descendant of the large mastiff-like "drover dog" of the ancient Romans, the Rottweiler's ancestors were used as both herding and pack animals, often traveling with the large Roman armies as they warred with other people. Due to the fact that there was no refrigeration available, the armies had to drive cattle along with them as they moved. These dogs were capable, not only of doing this task, but also of guarding the camp supplies at night.
When the Swabians drove the Romans from the area in 260 A.D., they would keep these drover dogs, allowing them to continue their job of guarding the cattle. Due to the fact that the Swabians relied upon farming and the trading of cattle, the dogs' future seemed secure and, for centuries, they prospered.
In 700 A.D., it was decided that a Christian church be built where the Roman baths had once stood. When the excavation unearthed the red tiles of former Roman homes, the area was renamed "das Rote Wil" (which means "the red tile") and the Roman drover dog became known as the Rottweiler Metzgerhund, or "butcher dog."
The breed would be threatened in the middle of the 19th century, when the practice of driving cattle was outlawed. For several decades, the number of Rottweilers dwindled, with the dogs seeming to have no apparent use any longer. Fortunately, he was picked back up and employed as a police dog at the turn of the 20th century, and this unique breed would be salvaged.
The Rottweiler is the epitome of sheer, raw power. A medium-to-large dog, he is built for strength and endurance, as well as being surprisingly agile for his size. Slightly longer than they are tall, Rottweilers possess a massive bone structure and are built, not only to take a blow or kick from agitated cattle, but also to be able to powerfully leap and dodge incoming attacks. Sadly, this also made them a favorite of those who would breed dogs for the inhumane practice of dog fighting.
Perhaps the most noticeable traits of the Rottweiler would be his massive head and the dog’s beautiful coloration. Rich black with markings that range from rust to a deep mahogany, the Rottie has a beautiful and noble appearance that has long made him a favorite of artists and photographers across the world and through the ages.
These massively-built dogs are generally very loving and doting, in regards to their family. While they tend to be very loyal and territorial, unethical breeders have either sought to emphasize this quality in the breed or didn't bother considering temperament prior to breeding, and the result has been a rash of poor quality Rottweilers being sold to the general public. Dogs that exhibit extreme aggressiveness, shyness, nervousness, or are overly jumpy should not be bred, nor should they be considered a suitable pet. A good Rottweiler is friendly, dependable and often tends to have a clowning personality, that strives to please and amuse his owner.
Rottweilers, especially puppies and young dogs, need a substantial amount of exercise. Ideally, they should have access to a sturdy-fenced yard, though they can also benefit from long walks or jogging excursions with their owners, and most Rottweilers enjoy visiting the local dog parks. Many people who own Rottweilers find that obedience and endurance classes are a great deal of fun, for both dogs and owners alike. Rottweilers love to find exercise in any way that they can - this can include climbing or jumping fences or, if left alone and without ample exercise, can also turn to more destructive methods of entertainment.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
The Rottweiler is easy to groom and take care of. While you may get a few stray hairs, here and there, he generally only sheds twice a year; in spring and in fall. Because of this, merely brushing him once or twice a week, gently using a soft-bristled brush, can give his coat a nice shine and your Rottweiler in a beautiful and shiny coat. Trimming his nails is also an important step in dog grooming, and should be started when he is young and can be taught to stand obediently for tasks, such as toenail clipping.
The Rottweiler grows into a big and powerful dog, very quickly, so it is essential to establish control and teach him basic obedience while he is still a puppy. Be forewarned that this dog is extremely intelligent and crafty, and can often exhibit a great deal of stubbornness. Much like when dealing with a child, you must set rules for this dog to follow and, if he disobeys, you should not let it slip or ignore such behavior. Fortunately, with most, a few stern words will suffice, if he knows he has displeased his beloved human.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Rottweilers tend to be very hearty and robust dogs. While they are not as susceptible to the various genetic disorders many other purebred dogs suffer, there are a few concerns to take into consideration, prior to purchasing a Rottweiler puppy:
Sub-aortic stenosis (SAS)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Elbow dysplasia
Hip dysplasia
Simply put, owning a Rottweiler requires an enormous amount of responsibility and commitment. Due to poor breeding ethics, many of the dogs that are being made available as pets are sub-standard animals or, in other cases, the environment in which some good animals are being raised in is the part that is sub-standard. Because of this, one must be very selective when choosing a Rottweiler puppy.
Rottweilers can be very playful and fun-loving, but when it is a dog that weighs over 100 pounds that's bouncing around the living room, it's fairly easy to see where there can be problems. Remember that the Rottweiler does not care about the good china, nor does he seem to realize his own size and power. For this reason, it is not advisable that an elderly person take on a Rottie as a pet, nor should they be left alone with small children. Not only is there a risk of a dog bite occurring, but your happy-go-lucky Rottweiler puppy can easily knock a small or delicate person down.
In addition to this, the Rottweiler can also be very destructive when left alone for long periods of time. When he's bored, he can chew, dig, and claw, which can lay waste to a yard or a room in no time. It's essential that the dog always has things to play with, and that he is not left alone for too long a period of time.
If you have a lot of time and dedication to devote to this dog, you're sure to find a great companion in the Rottweiler dog breed. While they have received a lot of bad publicity in recent news, they are still an excellent pet for the right household.
Now that you have decided that the Rottweiler is the right breed
for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible
Rottweiler breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized
puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad
breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Rottweiler puppy
you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a
responsible Rottweiler breeder, you may need to pay more and wait
longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it.
Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard
breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional
expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love
with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely
need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication -
or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible,
caring Rottweiler breeder who home-raises their puppies with
love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a
health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the
Rottweiler breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather
than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a
healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that
will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter
and companionship.
Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...
Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These
sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders
listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Rottweiler puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many
sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for
puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear
of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the
breeders whom they allow to advertise.
We Highly Recommend:
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Choosing a name for your Rottweiler puppy can be a daunting
task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot
of thought and research to find just the right name for your
Rottweiler. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a
few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you
decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of
humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side?
A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Rottweiler
puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue
about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog
names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful
information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just
"garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on
visitor hits for this popular subject.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Rottweiler puppy. These sites offer inventive,
unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
Rottweiler Dog Names
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Rottweilers are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at
Rottweiler pictures, you can usually gain more insight into
what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help
you decide if you really want to become an Rottweiler owner.
The following sites below offer pictures of Rottweiler dogs,
Rottweiler puppy photos, funny Rottweiler photos and
more. Enjoy!
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn
more about the Rottweiler dog breed. We've compiled a list of
Rottweiler information sites to assist you in quickly locating
quality information about the Rottweiler dog breed, while
avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor
attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general.
If you know of an Rottweiler information site that offers
unique, quality information and photos of the Rottweiler
breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so
that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.
Breed Brief -
History - Appearance -
Temperament - Exercise -
Grooming
Training - Health
- Is Breed Right For Me? -
Breeders/Puppies For Sale
Dog Names -
Pictures - Further Info -
Clubs/Rescues
Rottweiler clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn
even more about the Rottweiler dog breed, help you locate a
responsible Rottweiler breeder, or help you find an Rottweiler dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving,
forever home. We've compiled the following list of Rottweiler
clubs and Rottweiler rescues web sites for your convenience:
Rottweiler Clubs -
Rottweiler Rescues
