Rottweilers: Everything To Know!
Rottweilers are loyal, self-confident, independent and protective dogs, as well as caring for their family and home. They have an excellent instinct and characteristics that make them one of the best guard dogs.
Keep reading below to learn more about this famous breed. We’ll cover its physical characteristics, stories, curiosities and much more that, without a doubt, is worth knowing.
Origin of the Rottweiler.
This breed is native to the German region of “Rottweil” indeed, it is considered one of the oldest.
Its history dates back to the time of the Roman Empire. When the Roman shepherds, arrived at the region of “Rottweil” used the ancestors of these dogs for protection and conduction of the cattle.
Also, they were a great company for the Roman legionaries when they fought outside the transalpine region.
Very similar to today’s Rottweiler, this ancestor exhibited a powerful physique, with a multifaceted, intelligent, loyal and protective character.
The Rottweiler breed almost disappeared as a breed, shortly before the beginning of the 20th century, when smaller dogs easier to maintain assumed many of its functions.
Fortunately, expert breeders were able to maintain this breed, and today it is one of the most common in the United States.
Arrival of the Rottweiler In America.
It is known that the first Rottweiler arrived in America in the late 1920s, thanks to a German immigrant. In 1930, the first litter was bred and in 1931, the American Kennel Club registered the first Rottweiler dog.
This breed began to gain popularity in the United States after World War II. At this time, it was recognized mainly as an excellent obedience dog.
How the heck did dogs ever become domesticated? Click here to find out!
Physical Characteristics of the Rottweiler.
Rottweilers are characterized by a wide, medium-length head with a powerful muzzle that should be neither short nor long in relation to the skull.
Its back is strong and straight, and continues with a short, strong and deep back. Its chest is wide and deep, and presents a well-developed fore-chest.
This is an athletic and agile dog, able to overcome the most difficult work tests. Thanks to this robust body, the rottweiler is able to knock down an adult without biting them.
Size: males measure 61 to 68 cm, while females can reach 56 to 63 cm.
Weight: males usually weigh about 50 kg and females weigh about 40 kg.
Eyes: they are medium sized and dark brown in color.
Ears: triangular and pendulous.
Coat: the coat of these dogs is hard external, of medium length, smooth and shiny black, accentuated by its strategically located tan spots. They have a double layer of hair and the bottom layer changes every spring and autumn.
Lifespan: 8 – 10 years.
Rottweiler Temperament.
Generally these dogs are obedient, attentive, brave, and loyal to their loved ones. They also stand out for their intelligence and versatility, in fact, this breed is considered one of the ten most intelligent in the canine world.
Rottweilers have a great flexibility, emotional stability and learn easily; also, they are extremely protective of their own.
They will not be all the time glued to your face. But they will follow you wherever you go to ensure your safety.
Due to their permanent state of alert, as well as their level of concentration and protective instinct, they are excellent guard dogs, police dogs, assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs, etc.
But it’s necessary that their master have experience and authority at the time of training them, since these are dogs that treasure much energy, strength and vitality and can become very reactive or aggressive with strangers.
Otherwise, these dogs will assume the role of superior and since they are so intelligent, this would really become a real problem.
Puppy Socialization.
This is why it is very important to socialize them from the time they are puppies so that they have a healthy relationship with their environment, with people and other animals.
A dog as big and with a strong personality like the Rottweiler must be properly socialized from puppyhood. Socialization is a sensitive period that begins at three weeks of age and lasts until approximately 12 weeks, but continues until puberty.
During this stage, the puppy must be exposed to all those stimuli and situations that it will encounter in adult life. There are 4 basic elements in the correct behavior of the dog that are acquired: self-control, communication, hierarchy and detachment.
To correctly socialize a Rottweiler and almost like any other breed, it is important that as a puppy it learns to know many people, in different places with different smells, textures and situations from its early age.
Once the puppy has had its first vaccinations, it should be taken out several times a day so that it can learn to perform its first basic needs on the street and exercise.
Training.
How do you avoid DISASTER when choosing a Dog Trainer? Read up here!
Early training is important because no matter how friendly the dog is, without proper education and training, it can develop behavioral problems such as excessive barking, digging or aggression due to boredom and lack of stimulation.
In addition, a dog with these qualities cannot suffer deficiencies in its education because they could affect its adult life very negatively. In this sense, the best thing for your Rottweiler is to start educating it from the age of three months or the first days you bring it home.
This is a dog capable of absorbing everything it can be taught, so it is not necessary to wait until it is older or more than 6 months old to start training it, in fact, waiting longer can make training more difficult.
Care and Hygiene.
Hygiene.
The Rottweiler is generally a very clean dog that does not need excessive care, but just like any dog, it is essential to maintain a regular grooming routine.
Brush its coat: twice a week, to remove dead hair, dust and any dirt it has. Brushing with a firm bristle brush will make the job easier.
Nails: check its nails regularly to make sure they are not too long or uncomfortable to walk on.
Bath: Is advisable to bathe it once a month so that excess soap does not remove the natural protective layer of its skin. Don’t forget that you should always use a specific canine shampoo for its hair type.
Buccal hygiene: Brush your Rottweiler’s teeth regularly to prevent tartar from settling on the surface of its teeth. If in spite of such brushing, you find that this starts to happen, don’t hesitate to take it to the vet’s office for a more thorough teeth cleaning.
Walks and Exercise.
Walks and exercises are necessary for every dog’s physical activity, especially for Rottweilers, which are full of energy, it is better for them to have a daily routine.
If your Rottweiler is quite active, it should go out at least twice a day for about 20 minutes, as it needs a good dose of daily exercise.
Keep in mind that every dog is different and there will be Rottweilers that are calmer or lazier and prefer to be at home rather than go out for a run.
Food.
During the growth stage, the feeding of the Rottweiler should be the necessary nutrients to become a strong and healthy dog. This will be achieved with high-quality food for puppies.
It is recommended to accustom the dog to eat two or three times a day. This is so that the food does not generate anxiety to it.
When the dog reaches a medium size, they tend to have more appetite and look for food even more. In this case the best thing is to buy them food with less fat and more protein.
Finally, when they reach adulthood it is better to change their diet again. Buy food for senior dogs, which gives them a more vitamin intake. Since they will do less exercise you must reduce calories not to get fat.
Always keep in mind that this breed has a tendency to get overweight. It’s important to prevent obesity through adequate food rations, physical exercise and moderate snacks.
By avoiding being overweight, you will also be preventing the development of degenerative diseases such as hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis.
German and American Rottweiler: differences.
The difference between both Rottweilers is very small.
Officially the only difference between the two is the place of birth. Even so, there are small physical differences between both Rottweilers:
- German Rottweilers are far more robust than their American cousins.
- The German Rottweiler differs from the American Rottweiler in having a slightly shorter muzzle. They have a larger body and strength, but retain its style and elegance.
- But the length of its tail is what allows it to differentiate them quickly. In America Rottweilers still have short tails, this is because breeders or owners cut it shortly after being born. While in Europe this practice is forbidden so European Rottweilers have a long tail.
- The American is larger than the German in size. The German ranges between 68 and 69 cm in height. The approximate weight of an adult American is up to 80 kg if well cared for.
Interesting Facts about the Rottweiler.
- They belong to the family of dogos and mastiffs.
- The Rottweiler was one of the first breeds used as guide dogs for the blind. More recently they’ve served alongside search and rescue workers at disaster sites.
- In the Middle Ages, merchants traveled with Rottweilers. They tied bags with money collected during the markets around their necks. It was considered the safest place.
- In 1910, the Rottweiler was officially appointed as a police dog.
- They are prone to gas problems, so they are quite “gassy”.
- They tend to drool a lot because of the type of jaw they have.
Do you know what the 10 rarest breeds in the United States are? Click here to learn!
Rottweilers are one of the most famous breeds of all. Since these dogs have emerged as guard and herding dogs since ancient times. Today they’ve become not only service dogs but also a firm, loyal and protective pet of your home.
Hopefully this information has been a big help if you want to adopt one or have one at home