Rottweiler

Rottweilers are populare dogs worldwide. The breed is friendly, affectionate, teachable, attentive and confident.

It is common to use Rottweilers as service and police dogs. Much thanks to their stable mentalities and willingness to work.

Rottweilers are also known to love children and are great family dogs.

The Rottweiler is strong and energetic, which requires an experienced dog owner. First-time owners will struggle to discipline this breed.

Many people have become sceptical of the Rottweiler. The breed has an undeserved reputation for being aggressive, overly protective and territorial dogs. These are common misconceptions created by humans and got nothing to do with the breeds natural behaviour.

Their big, scary presence, combined with an aggressive stereotype from Hollywood movies, has portrayed them as mean dogs. They have also been bred to look aggressive by humans. Often their stance and posture, like with the Doberman, signals to other dogs that they want to fight.

That is not the case. There has been a fashionable trend to stump their tails, which is a vital tool for communicating with other dogs. This trend has been banned in some places, and serious breeders have attempted to make their tail grow back to normal.

However, that has been more challenging than expected. Originally their tail grew downwards. However, now it naturally grows upwards in a curlier shape. It certainly looks cool, but it signals aggression to other dogs.

Even though Rottweilers are not looking for trouble, their tail says the opposite to other dogs. This can cause reactions from more aggressive breeds, and the Rottweiler will get the blame for it.

They also have natural guarding instincts combined with deep, powerful barks, which does not help their rough image.

Natural guardian and protector

Due to their instinctive protection and guarding impulses, the Rottweiler is reserved towards strangers. The breed is not aggressive or shy but takes its time when assessing newcomers. Owners can improve this by socialising them from an early age.

And remember, they create strong bonds with their owners. A Rottweiler always protects you if it seems necessary. If a dangerous situation occurs, they will not hesitate to help you.

Myth or fact?

Unfortunately, many people have the impression that Rottweilers are looking for trouble. They are not. Tough, they can be dominant towards other dogs. Mainly because their body language is misunderstood. They have an aggressive stance by nature.

Other dogs either respond aggressively or act submissive as a result.

If, however, another dog reacts aggressively, the Rottweiler is not the dog to back off. They don't know how aggressive they look and will respond as if the other dog looks the meanest.

Unless trained for other purposes, they are calm and friendly family dogs. Proper training and a lot of socialization are important tools to keep a happy Rottweiler.

The Rottweiler's popularity has led to some problematic breeding. Varying mentalities is the result. It is essential to find serious breeders if you are considering getting one of these dogs.

Important to know about the Rottweiler

How much activity does a Rottweiler need?

Rottweilers are not suitable for people who like to spend lazy days on the sofa. They are a working breed requiring lots of stimuli. They have long-lasting durability.

Give them daily walks in varied surroundings.

Does the Rottweiler require a lot of fur work?

They have a double-layered coat which consists of an undercoat and overcoat. They mainly shed during seasonal changes.

Their short-haired coat requires little work to maintain its quality. Be sure to brush through the coat regularly, and bathe as needed.

The Rottweiler's health

In general, the Rottweiler has good health, but some diseases and conditions can occur.

This primarily applies to hip and elbow joint dysplasia, heart disease, skin syphilis, wakefulness, epilepsy, and cruciate ligament problems.

Others are prone to obesity, but you can prevent this with exercise and a good diet.

Rottweilers have a short life expectancy compared to many other breeds. Healthy individuals often live around 9-11 years.

PS: Just as in the human world, there is a big difference in personality, behavior, characteristics, and health between each individual. All dogs are unique! This breed description must not be seen as a conclusion but as an attempt to describe the essential features of each breed. There will always be significant variations within the breeds.