The Rottweilers were originally bred to drive cattle to the market, then later used to pull carts. They have been used in the Military and Police forces worldwide.
They are strong, loyal and loving dogs. If you are looking for a large powerful guardian and friend for your family or household, this could be the perfect breed for you.
They need plenty of exercise so as long as you have an active life and time to play outdoors and take them on a good daily walk, they are a fantastic addition to your outdoor family. They aren’t really apartment dogs. They are large and would be happier to have a garden to romp around in.
They are great all-round dogs, they are devoted to you and your family, and they are fantastic and gentle with children of all ages. You will probably want to avoid these large dogs with young children as they could be hurt by accident or if they were messed around with, one bite could be fatal.
They are usually good with strangers but perhaps a little aloof, so good socialisation will help them. They are great watchdogs and guardians. They will protect you and your family to the bitter end. and you will also be informed of people at the door or anything of interest going on outside. Unfortunately, they cannot decide who is a stranger or a friend, so don’t train them to be aggressive as this breed is intimidating.
They might be OK with other dogs, but they will be better as the only dog in the household. You should try to avoid two males together. Cats may be OK if brought up with it. They will normally chase neighbourhood cats with delight and ensure they can’t escape from your garden.
They are intelligent and fairly easy to train. These are large, powerful dogs. You will need to establish yourself as the top dog early on. Then you will have a lovely well-trained companion for life. Try to keep training both interesting and fun for the best results and avoid being harsh with them. Identifying their motivation reward early, and it’s normally food.
Unfortunately, the breed has had a lot of bad owners and bad press. If you want to let this dog off the lead, it may be best for them to wear a muzzle to avoid public opinion.
Their coats are low maintenance, but they are quite heavy shedders, especially around Spring and Autumn, at least weekly brushing will help combat the hairs.
These guys love to eat, it’s their passion in life. Because of this, they are prone to weight gain, and you need to make sure they are getting enough exercise to burn off all the extra tit-bits.
Rottweiler Stats
The Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest breeds of dog, with its origin in Roman times. These dogs were kept as herders or driving dogs. They marched over the Alps with the Roman legions, protecting the people and driving their cattle. Then at the beginning of the 20th Century, various breeds were needed for police service. The Rottweiler was among those tested. It soon became evident that the breed was highly suitable for the task, and therefore, they were officially recognised as police dogs in 1910.
- Weight -42kg –50kg
- Size – 56cm – 68cm
- They live for 10-12 years