| Training | |
| Sensitivity to strangers | |
| Affection for family | |
| Suitable for first-time owners | |
| Ease of grooming | |
| Energy level |
Contents
The Rottweiler is one of the most iconic dogs on the planet: let’s meet this molosser who loves his family madly
The Rottweiler, or simply Rottie or Rott as its passionate fans call it, may have a reputation for being bad and dangerous. Is this true? Well, yes and no.
Rotts may be dangerous when someone threatens his owner, his family, or his home, when it feels threatened, and when it meets another dog tries to take the role of top dog for itself.
Moreover, Rotts may be aggressive when we don’t take care of them properly. It is a dog that does not tolerate being alone for many hours or being tied to the chain. The Rottweiler is a dog that needs to feel close to its owner and create a truthful relationship with him.
It needs, like all animals, to be loved and have someone who really take care of it. It is not a dog for everyone, and anyone thinking of owning one should keep in mind that they are not bringing home a war machine.
Rottweiler: Training
Its aggressive reputation is absolutely based on false assumptions. It adapts well to its family, especially female Rottweilers. This breed can adapt to live outside (it is ideal for it, because it needs a lot of exercise), as well as in an apartment (but you have to take it out for walks frequently).
Females have a strong maternal instinct, so you should feel no fear, even when it comes to children. In this regard, however, it is necessary to pay attention, especially with toddlers, because it could hurt them unintentionally during playtime, due to its large size.
The Rottweiler is a dog that must be socialized from puppyhood and needs training, even if it is minimal.
This requires an owner who knows what it means to have a dog of this breed, who knows how to be firm and consistent, but also loving and gentle.
It is smart, calm and also very obedient if it has established a good relationship with its owner. This breed has German origins, these specimens are not only used as guard dogs, but also in police and army forces.
Rottweiler: Origins and History
The Rottweiler is a molosser, born in the German city of Rottweil during the 19th century. The city was a very active commercial center where merchants from many countries met.
Some breeders and traders noted the Rottweiler’s intelligence, strength, and guile. They began to breed and use them for protection duties, for livestock control, and as guard dogs.
Merchants defended their profits by placing them in a small leather bag, which they then hung around the dog’s neck. Until the 1930s Rotties were practically unknown outside of Germany. Only after 1960 did it become popular in various countries around the world. As of1912, this dog breed began to be requested by the German army and it was crossed almost exclusively for military purposes.
It came to the United States only in 1930, and 5 years later it was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. At the turn of the century, the Rottweiler looked more like a large boxer dog and did not have that powerful air that now distinguishes it. It is currently used by the German police and army, as well as control units in public disturbances.
It is also one of the most used dogs in the Austrian police, and in Brazil it has been included in a paratrooper command. It is also used as a personal bodyguard. Today, the Rottweiler ranks third in the United States in specimens’ number and is increasingly popular in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, where there are specialized and registered breeders. But also they can be found in Ireland, Scotland, India, South Africa and New Zealand. The Rottweiler was admitted to the AKC Stud Book in 1931 and the FCI recognized in 1955 (Rule No. 147).
Rottweiler: Physical Characteristics
The Rottweiler belongs to the group of giant-sized, robust and powerful dogs. Its structure denotes a lot of strength, agility and resistance. The hair is short, straight and black, hard and compact, with brown or dark brown spots, while the undercoat remains softer. The tail is short with a horizontal bearing.
Males tend to be larger than females. The Rottweiler has:
- Males: 23 to 27 inches,
- Females: 21 to 24 inches.
They weigh 19 to 22 lbs. The head has an average length that widens between the ears, which are therefore well-spaced. These are small, triangular and hang gracefully. The eyes are almond-shaped and dark brown.
Rottweiler: Health
It is a dog that usually enjoys excellent health. Although it is good to examine puppies to rule out hip dysplasia. It is also good to always check dental hygiene.
The Rottweiler is a dog that adapts to all temperatures. It can stay in the backyard or even inside the house without problems. It has an average life expectancy of 13 years.
The Rottweiler needs plenty of water and a healthy and balanced diet every day. Above all, it is necessary to keep the calcium requirement under control, especially during its growth, since calcium deficiency could cause bone problems. It needs a lot of physical exercise.
Rottweiler: Temperament
Let’s face it, it’s not a dog for everyone. Or, rather, if you are not at least an expert, or if you cannot be accompanied by a trainer you should analize first before adopting a Rott. Above all, Rotts require you to dedicate time to them.
But. hold up, we do not mean that the Rottweiler is a difficult or dangerous dog, like all people believe, but being a dog with a strong character by nature, it needs good training and needs to establish a good relationship with its owner.
Abandoning it, leaving it alone for many hours, keeping it tied up, are all behaviors that can increase its aggressiveness.
It needs to be trained consistently and calmly, only then will the dog really recognize its owner as a guide. If it is well trained and loved, the Rottweiler is a very obedient and disciplined dog.
If not on alert, the Rottweiler is a wise and calm dog that never barks unless for a good reason
Of course, let’s remember that the Rottweiler is a defense dog. It is possessive of its family and its owner especially, if it feels threatened or feels danger to its family then it will show its teeth to warn the intruder to stay away.
It is not a dog that attacks immediately, but if it does, nothing can stop it. Like many other breeds, obvious differences in temperament can be identified between male and female Rotts.
The male has a fairly strong character, while the female has a calmer, more tolerant temperament and is more easily integrated into family life.
One tip is not to bring home an adult Rottweiler. If it is trained, it will surely make an exceptional watchdog, but it will be much more difficult to establish a loving relationship with it.
Rottweiler: Relationship With Other Dogs
If you are considering having a Rottweiler, you should keep in mind that this breed does not always get along with other dogs. Even during walks, it is good to always keep the dog on a leash and choose quiet paths.
Of course, not all Rottweilers have a very strong character, but if you are walking with your Rottweiler and you meet another dog during the walk, you will see that your dog’s instinct will prevail.
Relationship with children, on the other hand, is a completely different matter. Especially with a female Rottweiler, which is definitely more suitable and inclined to deal with your little ones.
Do you know how strong its maternal instinct is? Well, even for the Rottweiler it is strong!
We should always pay attention to very young children with medium and large dogs (just because of the size, not because they can deliberately cause harm), otherwise we will be dealing with a full-fledged mother. Sweet, protective and loving. The Rottweiler will become very attached to your child.
If your Rott is used to it, it will have no difficulty interacting with other children, as long as they approach with caution and finesse, because they will hardly perceive them as a threat.
It is a different situation with strangers, whom it might perceive as a threat to its owner or home.
Rottweiler: Price and Puppies
The price of a healthy and certified Rottweiler puppy varies from 800 to 1200 dollars, about 600-1000 English pounds. The cost includes pedigree, parental control certificates, health card, all papers. You should only contact certified breeding establishments.
Rottweiler: Breeders and Puppies For Sale
It is essential that you buy from a reliable breeder so that you can be sure that your puppy has been:
- Raised for good health and temperament;
- Well selected (his parents were chosen without genetic diseases);
- Properly socialized, so that it is neither too fearful nor too aggressive;
- Vaccinated and well cared for.
In addition, if you adopt a puppy, the reliable breeder will give you a veterinary certificate, in which it is stated that the animal has been dewormed and is completely healthy.
You can always ask for the pedigree papers, which on the other hand are essential: it allows you to check the purity of the dog’s breed. An animal with a pedigree has certain characteristics of its breed that differentiate it from the rest.
There are specialized and registered breeders in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, but also in New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, India and South Africa, where you can go to find your “Rott”.
Rottweiler: Video
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