Rottweiler

also known as Rott, Rottie

Pros History


The Rottweiler is a large, powerful dog breed that has a rich and storied history dating back to ancient Rome. The breed's name, "Rottweiler," is derived from the German town of Rottweil, where the breed was first developed.

The Rottweiler's origins can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where the breed was used as a drover's dog, responsible for herding and guarding cattle as they were driven through the streets of Rome. As the Roman Empire expanded, the Rottweiler spread throughout Europe, eventually settling in the town of Rottweil in southern Germany.

In Rottweil, the breed's role evolved, and the Rottweiler became a versatile working dog, used for a variety of tasks including herding, cart-pulling, and as a butcher's dog. The breed's strength and loyalty made them ideal for these tasks, and the Rottweiler quickly became a valued and respected member of the community.

In the late 19th century, the Rottweiler's numbers began to decline, as the breed's traditional roles became less necessary. However, a group of dedicated breeders worked to preserve the breed, and in 1901, the Rottweiler was officially recognized by the German Kennel Club.

The breed was later recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1931, and it is now part of the Working Group. Rottweilers have also been recognized by the other major kennel clubs around the world, including the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Breed Information


Type

Is Rottweiler a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Rottweilers originally used for?

cattle driver, guardian, draft

Lifespan

How Long Do Rottweilers Live? What is average life expectancy for a Rottweiler? How long can Rottweilers live?

8-11 years

The average Rottweiler lifespan is somewhere between 8-11 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Rottweiler Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Rottweiler?

What is the average height of a Rottweiler? How big is a Purebred Rottweiler height? Rottweiler dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 24-27 inches (61 - 68.6 cm) 20.0 inches (50.8 cm) 23.5 inches (59.7 cm) 25.5 inches (64.8 cm)
Female 22-25 inches (55.9 - 63.5 cm) 18.0 inches (45.7 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm) 23.5 inches (59.7 cm)
What is the average weight of a Rottweiler? How much should Rottweilers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 85-135 pounds (39 - 61 kg) 55.0 pounds (25 kg) 72.5 pounds (33 kg) 102.5 pounds (46 kg)
Female 80-110 pounds (36 - 50 kg) 46.5 pounds (21 kg) 69.0 pounds (31 kg) 87.5 pounds (40 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Rottweilers get fat easily?

They are known for having a strong tendency to become overweight. It is important to find a balance between providing enough exercise and controlling their food intake. To maintain a healthy weight, it is recommended to increase the frequency and duration of daily walks and to engage in more playtime with the Rottweiler.

Hypoallergenic

Are Rottweilers Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Rottweiler is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Rottweiler personality? What are Rottweiler dogs best known for?

Alert
Fearless
Independent
Loyal
Courageous
Good-natured
Intelligent
Protective

Shedding Level

Are Rottweilers heavy shedders? How Much Does a Rottweiler Shed?

Rottweiler dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Rottweiler. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Rottweiler dog?

The Rottweiler dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Rottweilers come from?

Germany

Ancestry

What are Rottweilers descended from?

mastiff, german shepherd, roman drover dog

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Rottweiler breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Colonial Rottweiler Club
Deutscher Rottweiler Klub
International Rottweiler Club

Date of Birth

When were Rottweilers first bred? How old is the Rottweiler breed?

ancient times

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Rottweiler?

Working (AKC:1931)
Guardian Dog (UKC)

Rottweiler Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Rottweiler eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Rottweiler nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Rottweiler coat be naturally?

Black

Coat Length

How long is a Rottweilers coat?

The coat of a Rottweiler dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Rottweiler Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Rottweiler?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Rottweiler have in a litter? How many puppies can a Rottweiler have in her first litter?

8-11 puppies per pregnancy

A Rottweiler can have a litter of 8-11 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Rottweiler dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

Rottweiler Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Rottweilers have a lot of health problems?

The Rottweiler is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Rottweiler?

Osteosarcoma
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Bloat
Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
Lymphoma

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Rottweilers?

Entropion
Panosteitis
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Von Willebrand's Disease
Osteochondritis Dissecans

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Rottweiler breed?

Eye
Hip
Elbow
Blood
Blood Test
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Rottweiler Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Rottweilers have a lot of energy?

Rottweilers are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do Rottweilers need socialization? How social are Rottweilers?

Rottweiler have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Rottweilers get?

The Rottweiler dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Rottweiler have? Do Rottweilers sleep a lot?

Rottweilers dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Rottweiler drool a lot?

The Rottweiler is a breed that is known for drooling quite a lot. Drooling is the unintentional flow of saliva outside of the mouth and can be a normal characteristic of certain breeds. Rottweiler is one of them. If you dislike the presence of drool and the potential for saliva spots on your clothes, it may be best to consider a different dog breed. Drooling is a normal part of their physiology but it's important to consider if it's something you can handle.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Rottweilers are known to bark very little or not at all. They tend to be very quiet and do not bark excessively. They may only bark in specific situations, such as when they need to alert their owner to something important or when they are in distress.

Territorial

Do Rottweilers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Rottweilers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Rottweiler running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Rottweiler dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Rottweilers enjoy doing? How do I keep my Rottweiler busy?

Run, Fetch, Play keep away, Play, Brushing, Exploring, Walks, Dog Parks, Walks running, Running, Walking, Playing, Leader, Jogging, Tricks, Tug-of-war, Wrestling, Swim, Soccer, Ball

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Rottweiler? How much energy does a Rottweiler have?

Medium

Rottweilers are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Rottweiler walk each week? How many miles should a Rottweiler walk every week?

10 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Rottweiler, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Rottweiler should exercise a day? How much activity does a Rottweiler need?

75 minutes

In general most Rottweilers usually need at least 75 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Rottweiler?

The Rottweiler is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Rottweiler?

Weekly

Rottweiler should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Rottweilers?

Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Rottweiler eat?

3.3 cups

For an average 85-135 pound (39 - 61 kg) Rottweiler feed 3.3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Rottweiler Cost Daily?

$2.10 - $2.70 / day

The average cost of a Rottweiler is somewhere $2.10 - $2.70 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Rottweiler Cost Per Month?

$55 - $73 / month

The average per month expenses of a Rottweiler is between $55 - $73. This makes an average of $660 - $876 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Rottweiler Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Rottweiler?

The Rottweiler breed is considered highly intelligent and very easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Rottweiler dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Rottweiler dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Rottweiler do well in apartments? Are Rottweilers good indoor dogs?

Rottweilers are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Rottweilers good with kids? Are Rottweilers good around children?

Rottweilers are not the most kid-friendly dogs. If you have children, you might want to reconsider adopting another dog as a companion.

Senior-friendly

Are Rottweilers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Rottweilers good with cats? How friendly Rottweilers are toward cats?

Rottweilers are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Rottweiler dogs get along with other dogs? Are Rottweilers OK with other dogs?

Rottweilers are not dog friendly dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Rottweiler dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Rottweilers friendly with strangers?

Rottweilers are not stranger friendly dogs.

Playfulness

Do Rottweilers like to play? Are Rottweilers playful?

Rottweilers have an average level of playfulness. The Rottweilers, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Rottweiler easily trained?

Rottweiler dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Protective
    Known to be protective of their families and make good guard dogs
  • Service Dog
    This breed excels as a service dog.
  • Quiet
    This breed is known for being relatively quiet, making it a good pick for those looking for a more peaceful pet.
  • Loyalty
    Known for being extremely loyal and devoted to their families
  • Therapy Dog
    Therapy dog tasks are well within this breed's capabilities.
  • Strength
    Strong and powerful breed

Cons

  • Not suitable for office environment
    A Rottweiler may not be the best choice for a dog to have in an office setting.
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    People prone to allergies may have a reaction to Rottweilers, as they are not considered a hypoallergenic breed.
  • Tendency to gain weight
    The Rottweiler breed is known for its tendency towards being overweight.
  • Potential aggression
    Tendency to be aggressive if not trained and socialized properly