Rottweiler
Rottweilers as pets:
- general health
- energy level
- Detachability
- trainability
- intelligence
- chewing tendency
- size
- family and kid friendly
- happy/barking
- low
- separation anxiety
- ease
- preferred temperature
- warm climate
- exercise needs
- ease
- be friendly with other dogs
- ease
- Thoroughbred Cost of Ownership
- $1,150
- pack of dogs
- Serving
- male weight
- 110-132 lbs
- female weight
- 77-105 lbs
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rottweiler photos
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The Rottweiler is also known as Rottie, Rott or Rottweil Metzgerhund (German for "butcher's dog").

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According to the American Kennel Club, it is the 8th most popular dog, one of the 10 smartest dogs, and one of the most loyal breeds. Originating from ancient Roman shepherd dogs and related to the Italian mastiff, the Rottweiler is considered one of the oldest dog breeds. It was developed in Rottweil, Germany, where Roman troops settled in the 2nd century. It was used to herd cattle, hunt bears, or pull carts.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, butchers hired Rottweilers to carry money in their neck pouches as they went to market. Today, working dogs make excellent police dogs, service dogs, guard dogs, or family pets.
You can check out incredible facts about Rottweilers.

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Rottweiler
advantage! | shortcoming! |
---|---|
It is a great guard dog. This breed is known for its protectiveness of the family around strangers. It is also wary of strange dogs. | It has a tendency to chew. After the normal puppy teething period, if an adult Rottie is bored or anxious, he can resort to chewing on furniture and other items in the house |
It's very smart. This breed has been tested to learn commands in as little as 5 attempts. It is so adaptable that it can even go hunting, as long as the prey is the right size – its powerful bite can kill small prey. | It may have a shorter lifespan than other breeds. It has a shorter lifespan compared to other breeds of similar size and weight. This is due to the prevalence of cancer in the breed. Otherwise, it has a normal healthy lifespan. |
It's adaptable. While he's used to being a strong working dog, the Rottie easily gets used to lounging on the couch with his family at home. Just remember to give him exercise and mental stimulation every day so he doesn't resort to destructive behavior. | It is more expensive. The Rottweiler is one of the oldest dog breeds that originated in Roman times. It's also one of the most expensive dog breeds, whether you're keeping a pet or showing quality. However, the more expensive the puppy and the more responsible the breeder, the better the dog's health will be. |

©EKATERINA SOLODILOVA/Shutterstock.com
Rottweiler Health and Recreation
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Rottweiler Size and Weight
The Rottweiler is a medium to large short-haired dog with an average height of 25.5 inches for males and 23.5 inches for females. Adult males weigh about 121 pounds, while females weigh about 96 pounds. Rottweiler puppies weigh an average of 13.5 pounds at 8 weeks of age and are considered adults at 24-36 months of age.
male | female | |
---|---|---|
high | 25.5 inches tall | 23.5 inches tall |
weight | 121 lbs, fully grown | 96 lbs, fully grown |

© nicolas.fontana/Shutterstock.com
Common Rottweiler Health Problems
Purebred Rottweilers have some common health problems. The most common are eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. A type of heart disease called aortic stenosis causes abnormal rhythms that can lead to a heart attack. Joint and bone problems such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteochondritis are also unique to the breed. Finally, cancer complications were responsible for 43% of deaths in a group of Rottweilers in a recent study. The breed is prone to cancers of the liver, spleen and bone, as well as lymphoma. In summary, the most common health problems for Rottweilers are:
- eye condition
- aortic stenosis
- joint problems
- cancer
Rottweiler Temperament
The Rottweiler is known for its loyal, affectionate, sensitive and protective disposition. Due to its calm and quiet temperament, it is a popular choice for families, including those with children. It is no more dangerous than any other dog breed, but its behavior can become rebellious if not properly trained or socialized.
But that doesn't mean they can't be trained. They are very intelligent and quickly take on obedience training. Both males and females are characterized by loyalty, adaptability and a desire to work as well as hunting and herding instincts. However, a 2008 study found that men had higher levels of self-confidence, sharpness, defense, and play drive than women.

©Dmitriev Mikhail/Shutterstock.com
How to Care for a Rottweiler
Rottweilers are not recommended for novice or inexperienced dog owners. Regardless, they have unique needs, especially if they are puppies. Whether it's teething, training, or health issues, Rottweilers have breed-specific issues that must be considered.
Best Dog Food for Rottweilers
Rottweilers need nutritious food that will give them the energy they need without causing excess weight. Therefore, they require a high-protein, meat-based diet. Since the breed can suffer from heart disease aortic stenosis, owners should educate themselves about soy-free dog food and discuss the health hazards of soy with their veterinarian.
Rottweiler puppy food: Rottweiler puppies need plenty of protein to develop muscle and strength, and to meet the high energy demands of puppyhood. Their diet should contain 24-28% protein and 14-18% fat.
Adult Rottweiler Dog Food: As with puppy food considerations, pet owners should feed their adult Rottweiler a high-protein, low-fat diet. It should contain 22-26% protein and 12-16% fat.
That's why, at AZ Animals, we believe the best dog food for Rottweilers is Royal Canin Breed's specific Rottweiler formula.
The protein and fat ratio of this food is suitable for large dogs such as Rottweilers, and it does not contain soy ingredients such as peas and lentils, which are not good for the dog's heart. Your dog's joints will benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate from high-quality turkey and chicken. In addition, taurine has the dual benefits of maintaining eyes and vision as well as a healthy heart, in addition to being an antioxidant that promotes overall health.
best overall
We have different recommendations if your Rottweiler is a puppy, a senior dog, or if you are looking for a more affordable alternative recommended by Royal Canin. Read our complete Rottweiler dog food guide for more information.

©Callipso/Shutterstock.com
Rottweiler Care and Grooming
The German breed has a short to medium length, coarse, dense and flat outer and undercoat. The undercoat thickens as needed, depending on the surrounding climate, and also seasonally thickens in winter and thins in summer. As a result, it replaces its coat in spring and fall, so it sheds more hair than usual and requires more frequent grooming. Some dogs that live in hot climates do not have an undercoat.
Fortunately, this breed is easy to care for. It only needs a monthly bath and grooming every 4 to 8 weeks, with a weekly coat brushing and more frequent brushing in the spring and fall.
rottweiler training
Due to its size, the Rottweiler needs obedience training early on – it's a lot of dogs to care for. You should start training your Rottweiler as early as 6 weeks of age but no later than 6 months of age. A strong handler can establish dominance as a leader and is patient enough to provide socialization and positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior around strangers and other dogs.
rottweiler sport
Rottweilers need daily exercise, but it's not demanding. A short walk or a long walk is fine. Indoors, he enjoys chew toys and games or other mental stimulation.
rottweiler puppy
Rottweiler puppies are much like puppies of any other breed, and as such are energetic and playful. They start teething between 6 weeks and 6 months, during which time they will chew on anything, so they need to get used to chew toys early on. Needs may be evident in early puppies along with separation anxiety.

© Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com
rottweiler and child
Rottweilers are patient and gentle with children and become more protective the longer they are around them. Since young children are rowdy, they should be supervised around Rottweilers and taught to be gentle with the dog.
type
While you might see a headline claiming that there are three types of Rottweilers—German, American, and Roman—on closer inspection you'll find that there aren't actually three distinct types. The American Rottweiler was simply born in the US, where breeding regulations are looser than in Germany, so the dog may have been a mix of other breeds, and mostly German.
The Roman Rottweiler, also known as the Gladiator or Giant Rottweiler, is the result of breeders mixing German Rottweilers with larger breeds to create the larger "Rottweiler" . This type is not recognized by the AKC or other kennel clubs responsible for maintaining the breed standard. In other words, there's really only one type of Rottweiler, and that's the German. Everyone else is a pretender.
dogs similar to rottweilers
Other breeds that are similar to the Rottweiler are the Italian Mastiff, Doberman Pinscher and Bernese Mountain Dog.
- Labrador – Similar in training, but have different socialization needs. It is also a popular variety.
- Boxers – German breeds such as Rottweilers are slightly shorter, live longer and are easier to train.
- Bullmastiff – Similar to a Rottweiler, but from England, less expensive to own, less playful and less intelligent.
famous rottweiler
A lot of bad movies have been on TV. These large dogs have won over many fans with their cute, friendly demeanor and goofy antics. Movies like The Omen, Lethal Weapon 3, Entourage, Man's Best Friend, and Half Baked are just a few examples, and their stature makes them favorites for on-screen characters.
Popular Names for Rottweilers
Popular names for Rottweilers include:
- Rosie
- Bella
- Bear
- maximum
- zeus
See all 110 animals that start with R
Rottweiler FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What does a Rottweiler look like?
The Rottweiler has a black coat with rich tan markings, broad skull and muzzle, strong neck, deep chest, curved tail and a trotting gait. Although its tail is traditionally docked at the first or second joint, tail docking is prohibited in most countries and this fact is covered in the FCI country of origin breed standard.
Are Rottweilers Good Family Dogs?
Yes, the Rottweiler is a great family dog, sweet, protective, affectionate and loyal.
Are Rottweilers good for kids?
Yes, with proper socialization and training, Rottweilers can be very gentle and patient with children.
How long does a Rottweiler live?
They generally live 10-12 years.
How much does it cost to own a Rottweiler?
A pet-quality Rottie can cost $500-$2,000, while a show-quality Rottie can cost $2,500-$4,000.
Are Rottweilers Dangerous?
Rottweilers with poor socialization or aggressive training combined with their large size and strong bite can be dangerous.
What is the best dog food for Rottweilers?
A high-quality large dog food is best for Rottweilers.
Are Rottweilers Smart?
The Rottweiler is one of the 10 smartest dog breeds and is fairly easy to train.
Is a Rottweiler a herbivore, carnivore or omnivore?
Rottweilers are carnivores, which means they eat other animals.
To which kingdom does the Rottweiler belong?
Rottweilers belong to the animal kingdom.
What category is the Rottweiler?
The Rottweiler belongs to the mammalian class.
What phylum do Rottweilers belong to?
Rottweilers belong to the phylum Chordate.
What family does the Rottweiler belong to?
Rottweilers belong to the canine family.
What order is the Rottweiler?
Rottweilers belong to the order Carnivora.
What type of mulch do Rottweilers have?
Rottweilers are covered in hair.
What genus is the Rottweiler?
The Rottweiler belongs to the genus Canis.
What are some interesting facts about Rottweilers?
Rottweilers are strong, loyal, and confident!
What is the scientific name of the Rottweiler?
The scientific name of the Rottweiler is Canis lupus.
What's the Difference Between a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd?
There are some key differences between Rottweilers and German Shepherds, that is, the average size of a Rottweiler is much larger than a German Shepherd. The German Shepherd also has a thicker coat compared to the Rottweiler's short coat.
What's the Difference Between a Roman Rottweiler and a German Rottweiler?
There are differences between Roman Rottweilers and German Rottweilers, namely size and temperament. German Rottweilers are also more likely to have bushy tails than Roman Rottweilers.
What is the difference between a German Rottweiler and an American Rottweiler?
The main difference between German Rottweilers and American Rottweilers is where they were bred. However, German Rottweilers tend to be chunkier, while American Rottweilers have a rounder appearance.
What's the Difference Between a Rottweiler and a Cane Corso?
Both the Rottweiler and the Cane are larger working breeds that make great guard dogs and family pets. While breed-specific training is recommended for each of them, Rottweilers can be more kid-friendly.
What's the difference between Bullmastiff and Rottweiler?
The main difference between Bullmastiff and Rottweiler is appearance . While the Rottweiler is always black with brindle, the Bullmastiff comes in a variety of color variations.
You can read about all other differences here.
What is the difference between an Akita and a Rottweiler?
The biggest difference between the Akita and the Rottweiler is trainability. While Rotties can be a bit stubborn, they have nothing against Akitas, who can be a challenge to train.
Other major differences include size, appearance, longevity, temperament, grooming, drooling levels, energy levels, and barking levels.
What are the main differences between Beauceron and Rottweiler?
The main difference between Beauceron and Rottweiler is temperament. While Rotties are more protective and can make better guard dogs, Beaucerons tend to be more reserved around strangers.
Other differences include size, appearance, longevity, trainability, grooming, shedding, drooling, energy levels, and barking levels.
What are the main differences between a Serbian Rottweiler and a German Rottweiler?
The main difference between Serbian and German Rottweilers is health, and the poor breeding of the Serbian lineage resulted in many additional health problems for these poor pups.
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source
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- Rottweiler puppies, available here: https://rottweilerpupdog.com/common-rottweiler-health-problems/
- Dog Health, available here: https://www.dogzhealth.com/rottweiler-health-problems/
- Your purebred puppy, available here: https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/health/rottweilers.html
- Vetstreet, available here: http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/rottweiler
- Canine Journal, available here: https://www.caninejournal.com/rottweiler/
- Pet Education, available here: https://peteducate.com/do-rottweilers-bark-a-lot/
- Rottweiler Life, available here: https://www.rottweilerlife.com/male-vs-female-rottweiler-the-facts-before-you-before-you-bring-one-home/