Rottweilers have a history as interesting as their personalities. This loyal and intelligent breed gets its origin in Germany, where they helped farmers tend to their livestock. Now, the canine is known for its exceptional work as guard dog, search and rescue assistant, and last but not least, a family companion.
Whether you already own a rottweiler or simply interested, here are a few things to know about this beloved pet.
Size and lifespan
Rottweilers (known as “rotties” for short”), are born weighing an average of two pounds. By six months, their weight reaches nearly thirty times that amount! Fully grown rottweilers can weigh more than 100 pounds, with male usually weighing more than females. Keep in mind, however, that although rotties are large by nature, their weight should still be properly managed.
Obesity is a serious detriment to a dog’s health and quality of life. As veterinarians, we assess several factors to determine if a dog is within a healthy weight range.
If you’re having trouble managing your rottie’s weight, partner with your veterinarian to determine the right course of action. In addition, here are a few tips:
- Research the calories in your dog’s food. This information is usually found on the back of the package. Use this information to determine how much your dog should be eating per meal.
- Choose food labelled “complete and balanced”.
- Increase exercise by incorporating more playtime with your dog or going for longer walks.
Most rottweilers have an average lifespan of 8-12 years. Proper nutrition and weight management can help extend your rottie’s life.
Temperament
Rottweilers are loving dogs that generally interact well with children and other pets. And since rotties were bred to be working dogs, their natural inclination is to please their owners.
Pet parents should be aware, however, that rottweilers can have stubborn personalities. Early socialization and training are key to managing their stubbornness and setting expectations for their behavior. Rotties are dominant dogs so it’s important for owners to assert themselves as the “pack leader”.
Training needs
Proper training is important to ensure the safety of your dog. For example, your dog’s response to “leave it” can prevent your pet from eat something harmful.
A few training commands your rottweiler should learn include:
- Sit
- Stay
- Lay down
- Come
- No
- Eat and don’t eat
- Leave it
- Drop
Training is also important to prevent aggressive behavior. Dogs tend to nip and bite when they’re puppies. This may seem harmless when they’re small but will become problematic as they reach adulthood.
Common medical conditions
Rottweilers can be predisposed to hip dysplasia, a condition that affects mostly large dogs. The rottweiler’s large body mass and excessive growth rate puts stress on the hip joint at an early age. This can cause a separation between the thigh bone and pelvis. As a result, the hip becomes dislocated.
Unfortunately, hip dysplasia caused by a genetic predisposition is not preventable. Pet parents can determine if their rottie is prone to the condition by requesting a hip certificate from their dog’s breeder. More information about hip dysplasia, including treatment and care can be found in this blog.
Living conditions
Rotties need space to roam, run, and play. Like all dogs, without an outlet to release their energy, rotties can display destructive behavior. Therefore, small living conditions are not ideal for rotties.
Misperceptions
Some people find rotties visually intimidating and assume they’re aggressive. The truth is, all dogs have the potential to be aggressive, including a five-pound chihuahua. Rotties are mostly gentle giants. As stated above, however, proper training is a must for this alpha dog.