When it comes to the dog’s health, all future dog owners should know about it. Not simply in an informative way, but a step towards becoming a loving dog owners.

The general lifespan of a Rottweiler is around 10-13 years.

The Rottweiler can be affected by several musculoskeletal problems. The orthopedic problems include elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, cruciate rupture, spondylosis, arthritis being the most frequent problem.

Concerning the eyes, the Rottweilers can be affected by retinal dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy. These ophthalmologic problems appear especially for dogs who work.

The skin is subject to various problems. The most frequent issue is flea allergy. Also, the skin can be affected by cysts, dog mange (demodex), rashes (caused sometimes by intolerance or allergy to certain food producs), leading to skin cancer.

An improper alimentation or an imbalanced dieting can affect the intestinal system and the stomach, causing bloat, stomach torsion, colitis, bladder and kidney diseases, leading to long-term diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and affecting the liver.

One of the most important health issue that needs to be checked out is the negative reaction to vaccines or any other medical drug. This can be crucial for treating the various infections and diseases.

In conclusion, these health problems can be avoided if the dog owner maintains a stable and clean environment, a proper alimentation and correct working standards for the Rottweiler. The good health status influences the result of any dog training effort or socialization.

Health Precautions

Since it’s winter time, the temperatures are indeed low and not suitable for your pet, especially if you have a puppy. Many dog breeds have abundant fur but this doesn’t mean they are perfectly adjusted to the cold weather. If you decide to take your dog for a walk, make it short and if you have a small dog breed, use some kind of sweater or dog coat. If you don’t adjust to the new conditions, your dog will get feet, ear and tail frostbite. In the same time, place some type of pad and a bunch of blankets in your dog’s shelter and move it to a warmer location if the place is drafty. The constant contact with the cold ground is dangerous for your dog. If you play outdoor with your dog, pay extra attention to the frozen spots so your dog won’t have accidents.

If you have a car and you decide to take your dog with you, be sure not to leave him alone in it. Even if you consider that the car’s AC provides sufficient heat for your dog to stay warm, it can prove dangerous for high periods of time, because of the carbon monoxide eliminated by the engine. Another precaution is to prevent your dog from licking the ground. Don’t think this is a natural thing. Your dog actually licks the antifreeze, a lethal product used on roadwayy. If you see him lick something, quickly stop him, because antifreeze is really poisonous.
Grooming Precautions
If your dog gets wet from playing in the snow, use a towel and get him dried and clean. Check his pads for dirt or any other debree and clean them up too. Trimming some of your dog’s lower body hair eases up the cleaning.

Nutrition Precautions
During the winter season, your dog needs a larger quantity of vitamins and calories. Similar to humans, in order to keep his body warm and even exercised, your dog need an additional energy sources. And don’t forget the water issue. Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water to prevent his body from getting dehydrated in the winter time.

And of course, let’s mention something about the seasonal goodies. You must keep the alcohol, chocolate and other types of foods away from your dog’s reach. Stick to the regular nutrition schedule you had established and feed him regularly with proper dog food and treats.

Winter Precautions

If you have one or multiple heat sources in the house, make sure they are perfectly out of your dog’s contact. These places should be screened, so the dog could enjoy the warmth and not get severely burned. Having a christmas tree is another extra problem to take care of. Don’t decorate your tree with edible and glass made ornaments; secure all electrical cords out of reach and place the lights in the upper branches of your tree. These actions prevent your dog from getting burned or jumping on the tree to get something to eat.

Last but not least, don’t forget that the winter holiday is a time of excitement and joy. Cherish it with your family and your loved dog in the comfort of your warm home.

This is an interesting question to answer to. Your dog does this all the time, no matter the weather. Indoor, outside, running, jumping, etc. How does your dog’s pads look like?

Taking care of your companions’ pads isn’t something that hard to achieve. Over exercising in a rapid fashion isn’t a great idea. Your dog’s pads may show splits or nasty blisters. Set up a daily schedule for exercising and always prove extra care for your pet’s feet.

I have to mention that grooming is a very interesting subject to analyze. If you’ve set the daily schedule for exercises then you should also set a schedule for grooming. Check your dog’s nail size and clip them away if too big. These present a real danger for the dog’s pads. The big nails can curl into the pads or split. When grooming, the best way to get rid of potential dust or debris that might remain between the pads is to trim down the hair around it.

You can see the vet for specialized advice. You can check your dog’s feet for possible soars, stuck things. An extra attention is required when walking your dog in the yard, on grass, or during winter. If your dog steps in some sort of chemical or simply in the fertilizer treated grass, just to be sure, bathe his feet in warm water and use some baking soda too.

As a conclusion: beware of over exercising. If your dog’s pads hurt, you need to cut down on the exercises and treat the soars etc. Pay extra care in the winter time. Don’t wait on them to disappear as your dog will be unhappy, because his mobility is greatly reduced.

The most important fact you need to know that trying to remedy the mange must not be done by yourself. Seek veterinary advice imediately. It is crucial to discover in time the exact type of mange and treat it accordingly. There are three types of mange, each one having different symptoms and effects.

The first one, named cheyletiella, isn’t that serious. Its symptoms are easily noticed, because the dog’s body will have areas covered with a light dandruff. The dog will scratch himself because the damaged area itches a lot.

The second one, named sarcoptic, is more severe. Your dog will scratch uncontrollably and his fur will have high hair loss problems. Be careful when caring for your dog, because this type of mange is contagious to humans. Pay extra attention to the vet’s advice on how to treat this type of mange.

The third one, named demodetic, appears especially in young dogs and pups. It is caused by the demodex mite. This type of mange can also be a result of a genetic immune deficiency in some dog breeds. Some breeds seem more susceptible to this kind of mange, others may never get infested by it. The affected areas of lesions are the face, the muzzle, the periorbital eye regions. These damaged areas will present skin thickening and dry secretions. The vet will most certainly advice you to get some antibiotics.

Again, i must stress the fact that you need to get advice from a specialised veterinarian. He will give you an antibiotic and ointment prescription. You should also ask him about the effects of the mange on yourself, so you can properly use gloves, etc.

And most of all, don’t treat your dog as a rejected, don’t ignore him. Don’t stop showing him love and care and do your best to cure him of mange.

Identifying the right cause of this dog skin problems isn’t something easy to do. You might say your dog has fleas. It might be true, but what if it’s not?

By observing the symptoms you can fairly target the right solution and a possible cure. Let’s run through some common causes of skin problems.

a) Coat pathogenic infections
These infections (fungi and bacteria) that appear on the coat are usually causing hair loss in the damaged areas. You might not observe that your dog doesn’t scratch in that area, because the damaged part doesn’t itch that much. If your dog presents an yeast infection, the damaged area will look greasy and odorous, and your dog will scratch often.

b) Instinctual (neurogenic)
This should be treated when starting a proper dog training. Your dog should be instructed to stop chewing licking or biting his fur. This is an important issue that is commonly misunderstood as a “flea” problem.

c) Allergic symptoms
These problems might occur from the wrong feeding with low quality food products or from improper medication when using incorrect pharmaceutical products. They might occur even by natural causes, when playing in a dusty area or in contact with certain plants. When treating your dog for certain health problems you must always check the vet for instructions.

d) Outdoor sensitivity
You should already know that your dog breed has some issues when outdoor. Getting wounded while playing out in the grass or digging holes in the ground can cause further infections for your dog.

e) Nutrition imbalance
As stated before, your dog can have skin problems just by eating inferior food. Cheaper isn’t always safer and better. Checking the vet in this situation is a great idea. Let him decide if the food you give your dog is a balanced source of nutrients. That is especially effective because your dog needs a proper diet.

f) Parasitic intruders
The “flea” problem in an example. But fleas aren’t the only fur intruders. Playing in the dirt or dusty areas, your dog’s fur might be a great host for fleas, small flies, ticks, chiggers, mites. gnats, even the nasty mange parasites.

Always remember: don’t try to cure an eventual dog skin problem using your own methods. Consult a specialized vet and listen to his advices, even purchase the proper medical products he you to buy.

You must remember that a puppy is like a child. He’s on his first steps of life, in the period when the body systems is developing, when the muscular structure is strengthening, a period when he doesn’t have a thick coat. If you have a dog breed that likes to spend his time mostly outdoors, winter will become a problem for your pup. Many dog breeds will not stand the cold weather and they should be cared for any iced paws, frozen ears, fur problems.

The pup’s body can’t tolerate low temperatures and staying too long in the chilly air outside will be fatal for him. If you still want to take him for walks outside, even in the cold weather, you need to make sure he wears some type of coat. Buy some dog sweaters and boots for your pup: these will keep him warm and happy. His dog house should be lifted off the ground for a few cm, and be sure to put some blankets to isolate the dog house floor and to keep your pup warm.

Even if your outdoor walks will cease, you must make sure that your pup gets his daily share of exercise indoor. The exercising keeps him healthy and in shape, and his body is heated all the same. Be sure to provide his dog house with a bowl of water, but remember that water freezes during the winter period.

Using antifreeze or any other type of chemical to clear out the snow that gathers in front of your house, will be a mistake if you do it  carelessly. Your pup might lick that substance off the ground and it will be fatal to him. Just be sure to clean every trace of chemical after you’ve finished clearing the snow.

If you keep your pup indoor, be sure that he can’t reach your plants and flowers. Some of them will prove poisonous for him, if ingested. Another great thing is to keep your dog away from any table scraps and treats that can be toxic.

With care and affection for your pup, he will love the winter weather and will be happy.

a) Surrounding Comfort
Since you decided to get a puppy, you must have already purchased a proper dog bed, warm and cozy, and some dog blankets. Of course, introducing him in the new home is a great step, but you must be close to him, make him feel secure and safe.

b) Food and Dog treats
Puppies, as all small animals require a sensitive and delicate alimentation; don’t feed them table scraps or any other treat that includes hard to chew mixes of food. You can even help him strengthen his teeth with the use of chewable toys. The main goal is to teach him how to eat from a dog bowl.

c) Health Care and Vet Scheduling
Making a proper vet schedule for your pup is the best way to improve his health. All the necessary vaccines they need to take will protect them from internal worms and parasites, or any other common dog diseases. When dealing with some dog health issues, the best thing to do is to contact the vet: listen to his advices and establish a steady check up and vaccination schedule. And don’t forget: start taking your puppy outdoor, so he can familiarize with the surroundings and get some exercise.

d) Protection and safety.
All pups, no matter the breed, are very curious. They will wander in the house, checking out stuff, sniffing around. It’s safe to protect them from possible harm and accidents by blocking certain dangerous areas of the house. Be sure to keep him away from other bigger pets and teach your kids to gently treat the puppy.

e) Safety and training
Pups tend to run around, ignoring your commands. They are playful in nature and they won’t pay that much attention to you. It’s your own decision to start training them with simple commands, because they are very receptive, especially when you use treats. Just take easy training steps, nothing major.

You should prepare yourself with a precise and effective planning, but don’t forget that the puppy isn’t a training subject, but a loving member of your family.

Some of them might consider a little piece of chocolate the perfect dog treat. Just something sweet and rewarding, not something dangerous or an issue.

Why is chocolate an issue in the dog’s alimentation?
All dog breeds love chocolate and crave for it. Don’t use it as a favorite treat for them. They will accommodate to the chocolate and this will affect their health and body harmony.

So, yes, it will kill your dog by poisoning him. The various chocolate products are made of many elements, but the main poisoning factor is the theobromine, a bitter alkaloid produced by the cacao plant. Theobromine was commonly used in the 19th century as therapeutic uses for humans and it has the following features:
- it is a vasodilator: it widens the blood vessels;
- it is a diuretic: it helps the urination process;
- it is a heart stimulant;

Concerning the dogs and all animals in general, this theobromine has a poisoning effect. The small amounts of theobromine found in normal chocolate products has a minor effect on humans and it is safe to consume, but for dogs it is pure poison. This factor will generate nervous system and hearth problems in all animal breeds.
Let’s use this example. You take two small pieces of chocolate and give them as treats to your dog. These two small pieces are more than 60 grams of chocolate and have a dangerous effect on small dogs. For average-sized dogs, this amount will be higher, about 400 grams of chocolate.

However you put it, chocolate is really dangerous. You will see that your dog’s health condition starts to present complications. Digestive issues will appear, you dog will dehydrate, he’ll become highly excited and his heart rate will slow down. The worst and fatal complication will result in a seizure and even death.

You can check the vet’s advice but he will tell you the same thing: your dog must stay away from chocolate based treats. But wait, I’m not done yet. There are other harmful and poisonous foods for your dog. Don’t feed him human food, especially those that contain garlic and onions, because they are really toxic. Don’t give him milk because they might get lactose intolerant. Don’t use bone treats, because they will splinter after ingestion and get stuck intestinally, causing even fatality. Alcohol is another great danger for your dog.

Most human foods create high discomfort and mild digestive upsets so you must decide if you want to play with your dogs’ safety and health.

You might say that feeding your dog is something not worth discussing in detail, because it’s a self-understood consequence. And you might have heard that dogs eath all sorts of foods etc.

That might be true but you should ask yourself if “those” types of foods are healthy for your dog. The markets are bombarded by too many dog product offers. Low price doesn’t always mean that a product is of high quality. It’s pretty confusing for owners.

The words “dog supplies” reffer to all those items that are most necessary to your pet. Whether it mentions food products, habitual articles (bowls, feeders, beds, blankets, etc), even cloth accesories, the most common dog supplies you should take into consideration are:

a) a collar;
b) a leash
c) a bowl;
d) a cage;
e) play toys: chewable, etc;
f) clothes: neck pullovers, etc;
g) health related products;

Let’s take a common example:
You decide to “test” a new purchased product on your dog. You buy the product and you want to see if your dog will adjust with it in his daily alimentation. What’s wrong in doing that? It costs cheaper, your dog might actually like it… The pro motives might continue. This is considered an error by many people, just because not all products are of excelent quality and the owner is playing with his dog’s health and safety.

Purchasing “reconditioned” supplies isn’t a great idea. Your dog might get harmed and ill from some bad types of foods and treats. They won’t be able to resume their active exercises and will feel discomforted. Larger dogs require more food, so feeding them with insufficient food will mess up their alimentation habits and they won’t get the desired energy.

Choosing a bone treat as a possible reward “coin” is a great idea but you must be careful: it has the potential to choke your pet if used improperly.
The doghouse is another favored supply: the dog will sleep outside. You should buy him a blanket too so he’ll feel more confortable.

Consider all these dog supplies as inexpensive and necessary items. They will improve your dog’s life and health, and they will surely make your life easier.