Learn More About the Rottweiler

3 minutes

Last update: 11 July, 2018

The fact that this dog competes with the Mastiff as the breed with the most powerful bite, may intimidate you?

The Rottweiler is considered a potentially dangerous dog in Spain. Its appearance (which certainly commands respect) can make it seem frightening! However, the Rottweiler is a faithful and friendly pet, when properly trained and socialized.

A dog with roman ancestors

The origin of this breed can be traced back to the Roman Empire. There, their ancestors were not only used for protection, but also to drive cattle.

But when the Romans reached the German region, known today as Rottweil, breeding with native dogs resulted in the so-called, Butcher Dog of Rottweil. They were called this because people used them to help slaughter cattle.

In addition, people used them to protect property because they were so brave. But as time passed, people discovered the dog’s other virtues and they became more popular.

Get to know the characteristics of the Rottweiler. A dog who commands respect for his intimidating appearance and, is faithful and affectionate when well trained and socialized.

A breed with an intimidating appearance

The Rottweiler is a strong, sturdy and athletic animal. A medium to large dog, perhaps his most prominent feature is his wide-but not disproportionate-head. And of course, his powerful scissor-bite jaw.

Other physical characteristics worth mentioning are:

Height: 61 to 68 centimeters (males) and 56 to 63 centimeters (females).
Approximate weight: 50 kilograms (males) and 42 kilograms (females).
Life expectancy: 12 years.
Medium and dark brown eyes, giving him a confident expression.
Triangular ears that hang toward the front. Since they are so close to his head, they make it look even wider.
A black and orange hard outer coat of medium length. A defining characteristic of this dog’s image.

The Rottweiler’s temperament and abilities

Obedient, attentive, courageous, calm and loyal to their families–these are just some of the adjectives to describe the temperament of these beautiful furry friends. But, if there is one thing that Rottweilers are known for, it is their versatility and intelligence.

Their flexibility and emotional stability make it possible for them to adapt to different activities. In addition, they learn easily. So, regardless of how many people choose them to protect their families, they can also train to be:

Police dogs
Therapy dogs
Guide dogs
Search and rescue dogs

They also stand out in canine sports and obedience competitions.

The importance of socializing your Rottweiler

However, a dog of this size and this personality must be properly socialized as a puppy. This is due to the fact that, while he may be very affectionate with and protective of his own family, he might not be so friendly with other animals and strangers.

So, if you want to own a furry friend of this breed, you need to make clear immediately who is in charge and what the house rules are.

However, it is good to remember that, although some countries, such as Spain, consider it a potentially dangerous dog, this categorization is arbitrary.

In reality, no animal should be labeled this way. Unless they have been mistreated or trained irresponsibly with the purpose of increasing their aggression.

How to care for this breed

If you choose to own a Rottweiler, keep in mind that food, veterinary and accessory expenses might be high, due to the dog’s build. Also, you must decide whether or not you can deal with such a robust and powerful dog when it comes to walks, games and other issues.

Apart from that, it is easy to take care of their hygiene needs, and they do not have major health problems. However, since they tend to gain weight, it is important to give them the type of food and portion sizes that your vet recommends.

Exercise is also essential for this very active dog. Having a patio or yard is ideal, so that your dog can enjoy outside space for a good amount of time. Also, if you cannot do it yourself, take him somewhere where he can be trained for a sport.