Rottweiler

Description: The Rottweiler is a large, muscular dog that weighs between 80 and 130 pounds. The Rottweiler dog stands 24 to 27 at the withers, and the bitch will usually be 22 to 25 . The Rottweiler has a strong, broad head with a scissors bite. The body is deep and powerful. The usual coat color for the Rottweiler is black with tan markings on the face, muzzle, chest, and legs. A lighter color variation occurs, red with brown accents, occurs more rarely. The Rottweiler has a life span of 10 to 12 years. It is also called the Butchers Dog.

History: The history of the Rottweiler is rather fascinating as it extends back to the days of the Roman Empire. The Roman legionnaires had to travel with large herds of cattle to feed themselves while they were on campaign, and the progenitor of the Rottweiler was used to herd the cattle. One of the legion’s stops was the town of Rottweil in Germany and it was here that the Roman dogs bred with the local dogs. Many of the dogs stayed behind when the legions moved and breeders in the town developed the breed. Later, Rottweilers were used by butchers to protect and herd cattle. When railroads came into being, the breed nearly died out from lack of purpose, but the Rottweiler soon found new work as a police, guard, or draught dog.

Temperament: A well-bred Rottweiler is generally a calm and loyal dog. It is extremely loyal, affectionate, and protective of its human family. The dog’s owner must be dominant, the Rottweiler must be subordinate to its master. Unfortunately, careless breeding, poor socialization, and lack of exercise or work can lead to an unstable and aggressive dog. The Rottweiler is good with its owner’s children, but should be closely supervised around other children.

Health Issues: Hip and elbow dysplasia are major health concerns with the Rottweiler. It can also suffer from eye problems and spinal paralysis. The popularity of the Rottweiler has caused too much inbreeding and, besides issues of mental stability, has caused an increase in heart disease and cancer. Stomach torsion, or bloat, can occur in this breed, as it can in almost any large dog. This calls for immediate veterinary treatment. The Rottweiler is able to free whelp easily and will often produce litters of 10 to 12 puppies.

Grooming: The hard coat of the Rottweiler can shed quite a bit, so an occasional brushing will help to control this situation. The Rottweiler tends to slobber and drool, so the muzzle should be wiped when necessary. Be sure to pay attention to the ears to keep them clean and dry.

Living Conditions: As the Rottweiler is a fairly quiet dog inside, it can live in an apartment. However, it must be given sufficient exercise or work. This dog began as a working dog and needs the mental and physical stimulation of a “job” to maintain its stability. The Rottweiler enjoys being near the people it loves, but is capable of living and sleeping outside as long as an adequate dog house is provided for it.

Rottweiler Puppies for Sale