The Rottweiler
The rottweiler is a molosser which basically means a mastiff-type dog. The rottweiler is a devoted family dog that is always willing to please. Some are more headstrong than others and are not as easily trained treats work well with these guys to keep them paying attention and training sessions should be kept short. The rottweiler requires a dominant owner that is firm, fair, calm, loving, and constant. Consistency in training is a must for the rottweiler. Some rottweilers may test dominance usually at 6 months, 1 year and two years of age; However I have had only a few rotties maybe 3 rotties that I have ever owned that have tried testing dominance I quickly correct them so they know I am the alpha. It is not really something you need to worry about unless it is apparent you have a dog that is snarling and snapping at you or growling at you every day then you have an aggression problem this is why it is important to make sure the parents have good temperaments especially with the rottweiler just remember a protective dog is different from an aggressive dog. Their general personality is mellow and loving with the family & friends and aloof with strangers until they see that the stranger is not threat. If there is a threat to their owner or family they will ferociously protect in doing so they seem to be totally immune to pain. Early socialization is a must with this breed but care must be taken before their immunizations are over because of their low immune systems. If raised with them they are great with children and any other pet you might have; we used to have a tiny little parakeet that was best friends with Maggie he used to sit on her arm when she was laying down and she would gently nudge him with her nose. Maggie has been known to mother a wild lizard! This breed also tends to snore. This is an all around breed that excels in just about anything. They have been used over the centuries in police, military, and customs work. They do well in competitive obedience, shutzhund, tracking, carting, herding, and if you have an agile one like Maggie you will have a good agility dog although they all tend to enjoy agility some are more agile than others. Most rottweilers have large litters generally 4 to 10 pups 12 are not uncommon and some have been known to have 14. These dogs thrive on exercise so if you live in an apartment or have a small yard you will be very busy keeping him busy or you will have a very destructive dog. If their brain can’t be exercised they will exercise it and you may not like what they consider to be exercise. This breed loves swimming, running out in the open, chasing and retrieving the ball, and agility. The rottweiler is very easily groomed just use a firm bristle brush and bathe when they need it. Most love to be brushed and don’t mind bath time, just start your rottie off at an early age get them to like bath time use warm water you don’t want to freeze them unless of course it’s summer and your outside use treats and praise and soon your puppy will love bath time. I like to use an oatmeal shampoo on the rottweiler. They are an average shedder and shed year round some shed more than others. They generally live around 10 to 12 years
The German and American Rottweiler; what’s the difference? German dogs are born in Germany. American dogs are born in America. In general there is really no difference other than where they were born. Although German dogs do tend to be more heavily built than the American rottweiler, This could be because German dogs were originally bred for work (in the beginning if the dog didn’t work it didn’t survive) before they came to America and became a family dog who didn’t work other than just be a house pet other than those who went to war. So now days you have those dogs in Germany whose family lineage never left and you have the American dogs who’s work drive have been thinned somewhat. Not all American dogs are not workers. This is just my theory of why German dogs tend to be more heavily built. Some German dogs would be considered to large for the AKC standard. On the other hand, It seems show lines tend to be heavier than working lines. In conformation dog shows judges almost want your dog to be overweight where as when competing in Schutzhund they like a leaner muscular dog. It seems like a dog heavier on the show lines tends to be heavier, laid back, and may have weight issues but a dog heavier on the working lines tends to be leaner and has more drive and energy. But there are many variations of features within the breed, it just depends on the breeding. Rare RottweilersRare Rottweilers The Red Rottweiler Red rottweilers occur from a deficiency in the hair gene. They happen once in a great while some people might try to mix say a chocolate labrador with a rottweiler and pass it off as a rare rottweiler but they do exist in purebreds. The Blue Rottweiler I have seen one litter. Blue would be a dilute color from black. Other colors I have seen or heard of are wolf gray and white (albino)
This is Dakoda who is now 8 years old is an AKC registered rottweiler who has long hair, both her parents have normal coats & her owner says her coat didn't fully come in until she was 16 months old. Photo courtesy of Christie Tompkins
This long hair rottweiler is Gypse courtesy of Craig Latimer The Long Hair Rottweiler It is something that happens every great once and a while. I have rotts with smooth coats and plush coats I have seen purebred rottweilers with long hair like the length of a border collie’s hair. It is just something that happens occasionally. A note about rottweiler colors, the very first rottweilers came in a variety of colors of brindle, gray, yellow and black, yellow and tan, and of course what we still see today very rarely the red and tan, black and tan rottweilers were the rarest color of them all. The yellow and tan dogs were the most common. And white markings on the face, chest and feet were seen today’s rottweiler will often whelp litters with white markings that usually fade with time although some do keep the white the only problem with white markings is it will be a disqualified in the show ring just like a rottweiler too large would be disqualified and this too is what they were originally, they were at one time extremely large until they were brought to Germany and down sized. Today’s rottweiler’s only acceptable color comes in black and mahogany, black and rust, and black and tan. Is the rottweiler right for you?Is the rottweiler right for you The rottweiler could be right for you if you want a dog that:
Is an all around dog that is multitalented and fairly easily trained Is a calm and self-assured dog. Is a big, burly and very powerful dog. Is a great guardian and farm dog.
The rottweiler is probably not the right choice for you if you don’t want to have to worry about: A big dog that takes up space in the house and car. A large heavy dog that wants to be a lap dog, or who may stand on or sit on your feet and likes to lean it’s weight up against you. Providing a lot of early socialization to curb aggressiveness and at the same time worrying about their low immune system in the process. Carefully finding the right breeder to steer clear of ill-tempered rottweilers. Having to be a dominate owner so that the dog doesn’t dominate your house. A dog that wants to do something this is an active breed that needs a job if they are not exercised they may become destructive and those powerful jaws can do damage to your living room. (However young puppies should not be forced to exercise because it can cause bone problems, and an adult rottweiler’s exercise should be kept to a minimum in hot or humid weather so they don’t overheat). A clumsy sometimes exuberant dog especially when young. Slobbering and flatulence And shedding
Male vs Female which is right for you?
The male dog Pros Males are: More affectionate; More outgoing; Less likely to have mood swings; Larger than females; They tend to be less picky when it comes to food Cons Males are: Lift their legs when urinating and if he decides to do this in your house he may ruin your very expensive furniture, or even your plants outside. They mark just about anything that is vertical and their pee is very pungent. Getting a male nuetered will reduce the instinct to mark. They are more likely to test your authority (this is why I recommend females for the first time rottie owner). A neutered male is less likely to test you. Males have noticeable genitals, which can cause an awkward moment or two if he becomes aroused or licks himself in front of visitors. And some males are humpers who will mount anything even your guests. Getting your male will stop his wanting to mount everything. You have to worry about him escaping out of the yard is there is a female in season. Males can smell a female form miles away. Getting him neutered will stop this behavior.
The female dog or (bitch): Pros Female dogs are:
More easily trained because they are less distracted.; Less likely to give you power struggles.; They are smaller and easier to handle Cons Female Dogs are: They want affection but only on their terms.; A female in heat can leave bloodstains in your house so they must wear some form of bitches’ britches to keep your house clean. Spaying will eliminate her going into heat.; A female in heat will attract the neighborhood males who will be camped out on your doorstep. Spaying will eliminate this because she won't be in heat.; Females can sometimes have mood swings getting her spayed should take care of that.; Tend to be a little more finicky when it comes to food.
Rottweiler Trivia and Facts
The USA had the world's largest rottweiler population in the 1990's The German word Schutzhund means safety dog. a rottweiler in Virginia once whelped 16 puppies! The rottweiler is in the working group. Rottweilers tend to dislike their feet being touched. Cancer is unfortunatly common in rottweilers. Rottweilers have poor immune systems. The rottweiler delivers 2,400 pounds of pressure per square inch, that is double the pressure a German Shepherd delivers. The rottweiler is one of the cleanest and most odorless of dog breeds. Rottweilers purr when they are happy many confuse this with growling. When the rottweiler is guarding it doesn't bark it roars, I call it the Rottweiler Roar
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