The Rottweiler
A Rottweiler
Origins
The Rottweiler (also named Rottweiler Metzgerhund – Butchers Dog; nicknames: Rott, Weily, Rottie) has its origins in the land of Germany, being considered on of the oldest herding breeds alive. It is said that they have a really old ancestry, dating in the Roman Empire period. They were used to herd cattle and protect them from wild animals and robbers. They had a period of breeding decline during the railroad expansion, by the end of the 19th century. Later on, after World War I, the Rottweilers were used as police dogs and gained a higher popularity among dog owners.
Appearance
The Rott belongs to the medium or large dog breeds category, displaying a height of 62-68 cm and a weight of 47-50 kg. The head has a round forehead; the triangular folded ears are carried forward, to the side of the head; the eyes are dark brown or black. The muzzle is blunt, with 42 teeth, a medium length tongue.
The body is covered by a medium length wiry coat and an undercoat (which is waterproof), always colored in black with mahogany or tan markings in the muzzle, chest, legs, cheeks and above the eyes area. The legs are heavy boned, powerful, straight. The tail is docked most of the times, and sometimes it’s natural bobbed.
Grooming
The Rottweiler is a medium shedder, especially due to the living environment. Dogs who live in hot climates are missing their undercoat, so the shedding will be higher. The short and coarse hair is a real problem when it comes to the surrounding environment. Nonetheless, during the shedding season, a special attention is required, by brushing and removing the hair, cleaning the ears area. In order to keep the skin clean and the coat shiny, you should also give him a weekly bath. The bath is a must if you use your Rottweiler to herd cattle or any other working activity.
Health Facts
The Rottweilers have a lifespan of 10-13 years. These dogs are prone to various health problems, including:
- flatulence: caused by a poor or unbalanced diet;
- joint and bone diseases: caused by rare genetic issues or lack of required food nutrients;
- cancer: for this illness a special diet is required;
- cardiologic problems: subvalvular aortic stenosis, heart murmurs, sub-aortic stenosis;
- gastro-intestinal: colitis, gastritis, ulcer, irritable bowel disease;
As stated before, an improper alimentation can damage the kidneys, can cause bloat. Also, the lack of exercising and effort can cause arthritis, bone problems, obesity and finally heart failure.
Temperament and Lifestyle
The Rottweiler is a very obedient, intelligent, devoted dog. This breed enjoys working and exercising, being rustic and natural in all actions. The Rottie is fearless and alert, steady and active. These dogs require a special attention regarding the dog obedience training and socialization with humans and pets. This should be done in the puppy stage, to counterattack the aggressive behavior, herding instinct and guarding stance.
Rottweilers aren’t suitable dogs for unexperienced people, because their owners won’t fully understand the dog’s actions and won’t be responsible dog owners.
Many people think that the Rottweiler is an aggressive breed, bred especially for illegal dog fights or simply dangerous dogs. This is totally wrong. If you get a Rottweiler, make sure it has gone through a dog training process and dog socialization effort.
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