Rottweiler

Dog Breed Profile

Rottweiler History

The Rottweiler is a medium to large-sized breed of domestic dog with a distinctive appearance. The Rottweiler is the national police, guard, and war work breed of Germany. The Rottweiler is one of the five original working cattle herding dogs included in Johannes Andreas Wagner’s 1879 book The Cattle-Dog. The ancestry of the Rottweiler is traced to the drover, a mastiff-type of dog found in the Alpine regions of Central Europe. The origin of the word “Rottweiler” is from the Rottweil district of southwest Germany.

Time of Origin

Ancient

Country of Origin

Germany

Ancestry

Mastiff, German Shepherd, Rottweiler

Rottweiler Physical Characteristics

The Rottweiler is a large, powerful, muscular, and athletic breed that typically stands between 24 and 27 inches tall at the shoulders and weights between 100 and 130 pounds. They have a powerful, well-built, and well-proportioned body with a thick, short, and smooth coat that is red, sable, brindle, or black in color. They have a block-shaped head, small, triangular ears, and a thick neck. The Rottweiler has eyes that are dark amber-brown in color and a black nose. They have a short muzzle that ends in a wide, blunt, and tapered tip. They also have a powerful jaw. They are a very intelligent, courageous, agile, loyal, and protective dog.

Eye Colors

Brown

Nose Colors

Unknown

Coat Colors

Unknown

Height Range

Male Height Range: 24 – 27 inches

Female Height Range: 22 – 25 inches

Weight Range

Male Weight Range: 85 – 135 lbs

Female Weight Range: 80 – 110 lbs

Rottweiler Health

Description of breed health.

Lifespan

8-11 yrs

Rottweiler Health Concerns

Osteosarcoma, Hip And Elbow Dysplasia, Bloat, Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis, Lymphoma, Entropion, Panosteitis, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Osteochondritis Dissecans

Rottweiler Temperament and Behaviour

The Rottweiler is an obedient, powerful, and intimidating dog. They are protective of their families, and are very loyal to their owners. They are very intelligent and are easy to train. However, they are sometimes stubborn and can be difficult to train. They require daily exercise, and can become destructive if left alone for too long. They do well with other dogs and cats, but can be aggressive towards small animals.

Rottweiler Activity Requirements

The Rottweiler is a large, high-energy dog. They were originally bred as herding, guard, and fighting dogs, and they have many qualities that reflect their background. While the primary reason a Rottweiler was bred was for animal work, today they also make excellent pets and companions. They still retain some of their herding and guarding instincts, but they make wonderful family homes. Due to the sheer amount of energy a Rottweiler has, they are best suited to a home with a large yard. If you live on a busy street or in an apartment, a Rottie may not be the best dog for you.