Fast Facts
Group classification: Working

Country of origin: Germany

Date of origin: Antiquity
Weight (M): 85 - 135 lb Height (M): 24 - 27"
Weight (F): 80 - 100 lb Height (F): 22 - 25"

Life expectancy: 8 - 11 years

Owner Level:
For experienced involved dog owners

Personality:
Rottweilers are a German breed so they tend to be of a serious nature. The ideal Rottweiler is quiet, even-tempered, obedient, easy to train, faithful and brave. This breed should show a strong understanding of what is right and wrong if trained and guided by a responsible and involved owner. This is a physically strong breed that will leap to the defense of the ones they love. For this reason training and socializing is mandatory for the Rottweiler to succeed in life. These are working dogs that need a job. Boredom can lead to behavior problems. The Rottweiler personality and activity levels vary from dog to dog. Genetics, training, socializing, and the care they receive are a large part of what determines each dog's personality.

Description:
The Rottweiler is a medium large breed with powerful features and an impressive appearance. The dog’s coat is black with tan or brown markings, and is dense, straight, coarse and of medium length. The head is broad, round and of medium length. Ears are triangular, pendant, and medium sized, and prick up to change the overall profile of the head when the dog is in an alert state. The expression is proud, alert and self-assured. The body is compact and muscular, with a level back – the dog is generally slightly longer than it is tall. The tail is generally docked short. The Rottweiler’s gait can be described as a trot, projecting confidence, power and balance.

Temperament:
Rottweilers are a proud and noble breed. Their imposing appearance and protective instincts have made them a prized guard dog for centuries, but properly trained the breed can just as easily be groomed to be a calm and loyal companion. The Rottweiler’s inherent nature is that of a confident and courageous protector, incredibly devoted to its family and reserved or occasionally aggressive toward strangers. The dog should be trained from a very young age to be sociable toward people and other dogs. Because it is so important that a Rottweiler be trained properly, owners with limited dog experience or who feel they cannot safely handle a large breed should not consider the Rottweiler. However, with proper training and care, the Rottweiler can become a loyal, loving and useful member of the family.

Caring for a Rottweiler:
As an athletic and fairly energetic breed, the Rottweiler needs daily exercise and attention. Mixing in an occasional game with the dog’s daily walk is a good idea to let the dog flex its mental muscles as well. It is also of utmost importance to start obedience training as early as possible, and to be consistent and firm in the dog’s training; Rottweilers are a dominant breed and have a tendency to become stubborn and unmanageable if not properly disciplined. The Rottweiler has a preference for cooler climates and may become overheated if not given adequate water and shelter on hot days. The coat is easy to care for, requiring only the occasional brushing. Major health concerns for the breed include canine hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, subaortic stenosis and osteosarcoma. Minor health concerns include gastric torsion, hypothyroidism and allergies