The Rottweiler is a muscular and dependable dog that belongs to the working dog category. Contrary to its appearance of imposing strength, the Rottweiler is famous for its loyalty, courage, and affectionate nature.
Known as the ‘gentle giant’ by its owners, the Rottweiler is a guardian and protector by nature. Its instinct is to protect its owner from strangers and perceived threats. Highly intelligent and confident, the characteristically stocky Rottweiler gives an air of self-assured aloofness.
While its personality is impressive, the Rottweiler is not everyone’s cup of tea. Despite their dangerous looks, Rottweilers are extremely loving by nature. Not aware of their big size, Rottweiler dogs and puppies jump on their own owners for cuddles and affection.
Some people find their nature too needy as they require more attention, care, and affection than other dogs. Is the Rottweiler the perfect dog for you? Read this detailed guide to find out!
About Rottweilers
-
Origin & History
The Rottweiler gets its name from Rottweil, a town in the southwest of Germany. Historians believe that the Rottweiler is a descendant of cattle dogs that were bred for herding cattle to the market in the Roman era. It is believed that in the 2nd Century, the Rottweilers were used to herd the livestock and carry meat carts for the butchers.
Although the Rottweilers are no longer used to herd cattle or guard meat being delivered to the market, they are still working security jobs. Today, we can see many Rottweilers working as security dogs, police dogs, search dogs, and rescue dogs.
-
Physical Appearance
The Rottweiler or Rottie is an effortlessly handsome dog; it has a striking coat of short black hair with rust markings. Rotties are hard to miss even as puppies because of their large, muscular, and stout bodies.
A fully grown male Rottweiler can be 24 – 27 inches in height and 95-135 pounds in weight. Whereas females are 22-25 inches tall and weigh around 80-100 pounds. Rottweiler puppies are bigger than most puppies; at 8 – 26 weeks of age, they are almost as big as an adult Rottweiler.
-
Temperament
Rottweiler puppies and adults have loving, affectionate, playful, and highly energetic personalities. They are protective by nature; unless they are well-trained, Rottweilers may have a hard time sharing their owners with strangers.
Rottweilers are intelligent dogs with high trainability. However, they can also become stubborn and headstrong if not trained at the right age. Therefore, you need to train your Rottweiler puppies from an early age. This will help in building socialization skills. Thankfully they are easy to train and show positive responses if you make consistent efforts.
-
Energy Level
The Rottweilers are energetic, but not overly so. However, they have high mental stimulation needs, which is why you should involve them in challenging activities every day. They can easily get bored, which can lead to destructive behavior; therefore, make sure you play games with your Rottie, take them out for exercise, and plan healthy activities.
Tip: Rottweilers love to swim. So, take them along in your next swimming session.
-
Life Span
Rottweilers have an average life span of 9-10 years.
Other Facts About Rottweilers
- Rottweilers are highly sensitive. Emotional and psychological issues like separation anxiety are common in this breed.
- Though Rottweiler is a guard dog, it is smart enough to take action as per the situation.
- Eye diseases and hip dysplasia are common among Rottweilers.
- Rottweilers are the strongest dogs, even stronger than German Shepherds.
- Rottweilers have a very large size. They are among the 10 largest dog breeds on earth.
- They are highly obedient.
- Untrained Rottweilers are likely to harm others unintentionally because of their size.
- They are immensely curious and fearless.
- They require experienced owners who can train them with consistency and affection.
- Rottweilers have a waterproof undercoat. Yes, they have two coats on the skin. The outer layer gets wet with water, whereas the inner layer keeps them dry.
- These dogs love to stay in a cold climate.
- Just like Mastiffs and Great Danes, Rotties are leaners too.
- Unfortunately, some countries have banned this breed. Because of its huge size and dominating personality, people consider it as a dangerous dog, which is an unfortunate misconception.
What Can I Expect When Caring for A Rottweiler?
Before bringing Rottweiler puppies home, you must have sound knowledge about how to care for these gentle giants. Read on to learn more about how to care for these dogs:
Health
Although Rottweilers look infallible, they are prone to a host of diseases. Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Cataracts, eyelid deformities, and other vision and eye problems are common in this breed.
Rottweilers are also likely to have heart diseases, hypothyroidism, gastroenteritis, Addison’s disease (a disease of the adrenal gland), folliculitis, and cancer. Research from the Rottweiler Health Foundation claims that a careful vaccine regime can strengthen their immune system and reduce the risk of cancer in Rottweilers. Therefore, we recommend regular follow-ups with a good vet and timely vaccinations.
-
Vaccinations
When you get you Rottweiler puppy, make sure to administer all core vaccines that are given before 16 weeks. Vets commonly use the term DHLPP for the initial vaccines.
It stands for:
D: Distemper
H: Hepatitis
L: Leptospirosis
P: Parvo
P: Parainfluenza
Additionally, you must also get the rabies vaccine.
-
Deworming
Furthermore, deworming Rottweiler puppies is also necessary for their health. It is best to consult a vet to find out the exact dosage and other essential tips required for deworming. In any case, make sure to give the dosage as per the weight.
Nutrition
Get ready to prepare huge quantities of home-cooked food for your new Rottweiler. You can buy ready-made dog food, but keep in mind that this new family member has a huge appetite, and dog food may become expensive.
On average, Rottweilers eat 5-10 pounds of food/week. However, it varies as per the activity level. Furthermore, males are likely to eat more due to their larger size as compared to females.
Tip: Weight issues are common among make Rottweilers. Therefore, follow the nutrition chart given by your vet.
Training
Training is essential for Rottweiler puppies from the get-go. Since this is a territorial breed, roughhousing from this stage can bring many behavioral issues in later life. Therefore, train your puppy with a firm but a gentle hand from the start.
-
Follow a Routine
Always ensure that your Rottie is following a good routine. Sleeping and waking up on time, exercising, walking, and playing are all essential things that can contribute to good health. Therefore, follow a consistent routine.
Also, you will be amazed to see how obedient Rottweilers are. These curious pets are always looking to learn something new. So, you will not have a hard time training them.
Furthermore, don’t be harsh with them during training. It’s best to condition their behavior with toys and treats. Rotties are famous for going out of their way to please their owners, so they are likely to win your heart in no time.
-
House Training
Appropriate housetraining plays a vital role in the upbringing of this loyal breed. It also contributes to developing a strong relationship between the owner and the pup. Remember that patience and consistency are key to good house training.
Furthermore, bear in mind that Rottweiler puppies have tiny bladders. Therefore, do not expect that they can hold urine for long. Ensure that you take them out frequently while they are young to avoid accidents.
Tip: Experts advise taking your pup outside right after mealtime. This way, they will learn to pee after every meal. Besides this, they will learn that the meal place is different from the pee place.
Rottweiler puppies usually take 15 days for pee training. Therefore, do not expect them to be perfect in just a few days. However, if you consistently train your pup, it can easily hold pee overnight at 7 months of age. Younger pups have a lower threshold and must be accommodated accordingly.
Other things to keep in mind while training a Rottweiler puppy are:
-
Rottweilers Love Companions
No matter who the companion is, Rottweilers love companionship. You can even ask a child to play along if you are busy with some household chores.
-
Rottweilers Are House Dogs
Always remember that Rottweilers love to stay inside the house and around people. There is a misconception that they want to stay outside because of their muscular appearance. They have a loving nature, and they love to be near their family.
Grooming
The Rottweilers have a short, coarse, and medium-length coat which means that you should brush and bathe them regularly. Experts recommend brushing your Rottie at least twice a week. Moreover, brush the teeth of your Rottweiler daily and trim their nails weekly to avoid scratches and scuffs.
Rottweilers do not shed a lot normally. However, they may shed heavily twice a year, during spring and fall. Keep their hair short and trimmed during these two seasons to avoid allergies and a dirty-dog smell.
How To Buy a Rottweiler?
After reading the above points, you must be planning to hug a lovable Rottweiler. But wait, get some buying tips before looking for Rottweiler puppies. Here is how you can get Rottweiler puppies:
-
Rottweiler Puppies for Sale
You can purchase Rottweiler puppies from a responsible and registered breeder.
-
Rottweiler Puppies for Adoption
You can adopt Rottweiler puppies from someone who is giving away puppies, a dog rescue, or a dog shelter.
Adopting puppies is the best choice. However, if it is not possible for some reason and you end up looking for King Rottweiler puppies for sale, keep the following tips in mind:
Rottweiler Puppies Price & Other Considerations
- On average, you will find that the price of Rottweiler puppies is in the range of $1500-$2500. This is the price of an eight-week-old puppy. But be ready to spend an additional amount on training and grooming needs. Also, health insurance will cost you $300 annually.
- Rottweiler puppies are available for sale but be sure to observe the parents before making a purchase. Parents should be friendly, easy to handle, and well-trained.
- Avoid the puppy if the mom has been bred more than three times. This can bring health as well as behavioral issues.
- Make sure to examine the back legs carefully; Rottweilers are prone to hip dysplasia, which is expensive to treat.
- Thoroughly check the coat; it should be shiny. Similarly, the gums should be pink, and teeth should be white.
- If any breeder is offering a king Rottweiler puppy for sale at a low price, double-check its health. Some breeders can easily fool you with unhealthy puppies.
Things to Consider When Getting Rottweiler Puppies
-
Male Vs. Female Rottweiler
In comparison to females, male Rotties are aggressive and dominant. Due to the loving nature and mother instincts of a female Rottweiler, females are easier to train. Therefore, if you cannot give a lot of time to train your dog, go for a female pup.
-
Single Vs. Multiple Rottweilers
You will end up frustrated and annoyed if you buy two male Rottweilers at the same time. Since males are dominating, chances of fighting and displays of aggressiveness are higher. Therefore, if you want to buy more than one dog, buy a male and a female combination.
Lastly, remember that Rottweiler puppies’ price varies from one country to another. In my opinion, we should give even a high price if the pup is smart and healthy.
Rottweilers – The Gentle Giants
With its loving and protective nature, the Rottweiler can become your best companions. Muscular and sturdy in appearance, Rottweilers are immensely soft from the inside. They can even babysit your child and enjoy a nice playtime.
Furthermore, expect your Rottie to be obedient. These adorable pups will not give you a tough time. All you need is to stay consistent with your training, give time, and include this lovely pet in your family.
If the Rottie is not your style, check out our detailed guide on the Pug breed.
