The Rottweiler is a large, strong dog with a fighting appearance and a loyal character. It is considered one of the most aggressive breeds, as it fearlessly rushes to protect its owner from any threats. With proper upbringing, he will become a true friend, affectionate and faithful.
- Head
- Raising a Rottweiler
- Care
Breed traits
Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)
| Rottweiler | |||
| Activity | in the house | 2.8 | |
| on the street | 3.7 | ||
| Obedience | training | 3.7 | |
| strangers | 3.9 | ||
| Domination | in family | 3 | |
| over dogs | 4 | ||
| Defending your territory | from people | 3.8 | |
| from dogs | 4 | ||
| Sociability | in family | 4.4 | |
| with strangers | 2.6 | ||
| with dogs | 2.6 | ||
| Concentration | in family | 1.7 | |
| in front of strangers | 2.7 | ||
| with dogs | 2.6 | ||
| Aggressiveness | in family | 1.8 | |
| to strangers | 3.2 | ||
| to the dogs | 3.5 | ||
| to cats | 3.5 | ||
| Family behavior | calmness | 4.2 | |
| demand for affection | 4.2 | ||
| excitability | 3.5 | ||
| playfulness | 3.8 | ||
| excessive barking | 1.9 | ||
| behavioral breakdowns | 2.1 | ||
| Tolerance for children | up to 4 years | 3.2 | |
| over 4 years old | 3.5 | ||
| Institutional use | watchman | 4.6 | |
| bodyguard | 4.1 | ||
This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: German Shepherd, Cane Corso, Labrador Retriever, American Staffordshire Terrier, Doberman Pinscher.
Rottweilers make reliable guards, the best guides, and rescuers who risk their lives for people. This is an intelligent, independent and self-confident dog. But it is not suitable for everyone, as it requires serious education. Before getting such a pet, you need to study everything about their features, pros and cons.
The photographs show what a beautiful, hardy dog he is:
Rottweiler
Rottweiler
Rottweiler - general characteristics of the breed
Rottweilers are considered angry, aggressive dogs. In fact, such character traits are inherent only in animals that have not received the right upbringing. This breed was bred for serious work associated with danger, often in extreme conditions. Therefore, the main characteristics are considered endurance, courage, and strength. Intelligence is visible in the dog's gaze; they are self-confident, loyal to their owner and ready to serve him.
They are natural guards, so they will be aggressive, protecting their owner from danger. But with proper training, the result is a peaceful and affectionate pet. The main thing is to accustom the dog to calm behavior and obedience. The owner of a Rottweiler must be a strong person who can gain authority. This is a smart dog, it strives to dominate. If there is no leader in the family where this pet is kept, the Rottweiler will take his place.
Representatives of the breed are the best watchmen and security guards, guides and rescuers. They will bravely protect their owner from any dangers. They monitor the safety of children and property, and are not afraid to attack even an armed bandit. These dogs serve in the police and rescue services. They skillfully search for drugs, explosives, catch and disarm criminals. Due to their strength and endurance, Rottweilers can carry loads.
The service qualities of the breed are visible in the photographs:
On the attack...
Item protection
A description of the characteristics of the breed can be found in the table:
| Options | Characteristic |
| Weight | Females 42-48 kg, males - 47-54 kg |
| Height at withers | Females – 56-63 cm, males – 61-70 cm |
| Lifespan | On average they live 11-13 years |
| Intelligence | Tall, easy to train |
| Activity | Very efficient, energetic, resilient |
| Aggressiveness | Above average |
| Need for care | Easy care, light shedding |
| Working qualities | Security guard, watchman, guide, rescuer, draft animal |
| Puppy price | From 5 to 30 thousand rubles |
Interesting facts about the breed
Rottweilers are versatile dogs and there are many conflicting opinions about them. There are several interesting facts about this breed.
- These dogs take a long time to reach psychological and physical maturity. The Rottweiler becomes an adult by the age of 2 years.
- A Rottweiler can cause a lot of problems for an inexperienced owner. Without proper upbringing, he will become dangerous both for him and for those around him. For this reason, inexperienced dog breeders should not get such a dog.
- These dogs do not tolerate heat well. But they are tolerant of cold thanks to their thick undercoat.
- They often fight with other dogs because they feel like they are a rival. They treat small animals with contempt, but they can hunt them.
- Rottweilers can be trusted to guard money. Both before and now they are used as a safe, hiding jewelry behind the collar.
- This dog can quickly transform from a gentle, kind pet into an angry and aggressive beast if it senses danger.
- In cinema and cartoons, they are almost always negative characters.
- Previously, all Rottweilers had their tails docked. Since the end of the 20th century, docking of animals has been prohibited in the West. There is no such ban in Russia.
- There are many pictures from the times of Ancient Rome, depicting large powerful dogs - the ancestors of Rottweilers.
- These dogs don't live long. But there were cases when the Rottweiler was 15 years old. There is information about a dog that lived for 17 years.
pros
Now Rottweilers are valued as the best guards, guides, and watchmen. But they are also popular as a pet. After all, they have many advantages and positive characteristics:
- smart, quick-witted, trainable;
- strong, resilient, efficient;
- devoted, faithful, ready to serve a person, but not intrusive;
- medium size allows you to keep a Rottweiler in an apartment;
- moderate shedding, easy to care for;
- stable psyche, calm, balanced character.
Minuses
But potential aggressiveness makes this breed dangerous. Feeling threatened, the Rottweiler attacks quickly. When a dog is angry, it is impossible to pull him away; he does not feel pain. Therefore, such a pet is not suitable for everyone. Before getting a dog, you need to study what disadvantages Rottweilers have:
- stubbornness, aggressiveness;
- it is difficult to gain authority because they like to dominate;
- noisy;
- do not get along well with other animals;
- great need for high physical activity;
- the need for strict education;
- have a hard time experiencing the change of owner;
- increased salivation;
- tendency to obesity and the need for special nutrition.
The video will tell you more about the pros and cons of the breed:
Video: pros and cons of the breed
Basic moments
- Rottweiler puppies mature physically and psychologically only at two years of age.
- The dog requires constant physical activity.
- It will be very difficult for inexperienced owners to cope with such a dog, as it requires a strong owner.
- Rottweilers won't have any problems in cold temperatures, but can be miserable in hot weather.
- Dogs of this breed do not tolerate violence in their direction, but at the same time they recognize the owner as such.
- If the owner is in danger, his pet will instantly make a decision to save him.
- The dog will never refuse food, because of this they often lose their shape.
- If a dog has been familiar with some animal (even of a different species) since childhood, they will get along without problems.
- Dogs that are smaller in size than Rottweilers are treated with contempt. If, on the contrary, the animal encountered is larger than a dog, then most likely a fight will occur.
- If the Rottweiler has not undergone training from a trainer, there may be a danger to others and the owner.
Looking at the photo of the Rottweiler, we can say that the Rottweiler is a powerful and strong dog. At the same time, she is always full of energy and is a wonderful and faithful pet.
The best rescuers and guides are made from dogs of this breed. At home this is a sweet and loving dog, but on the street it is a dangerous animal that will protect its owner with all its might.
Origin story
The ancestors of the Rottweiler are considered to be Molosser-like dogs that served the Roman legionnaires. They guarded convoys and were even used as fighting dogs, as can be seen in the pictures of those times. With Roman troops they entered Germany. There, strong, efficient dogs took root and began to be used for herding cattle and guarding.
The modern Rottweiler became known as an independent breed of dog in the 18th century. It was bred in the German town of Rottweil. Mastiffs were crossed with local herding dogs. The purpose of breeding was to obtain an obedient and hardy dog. These strong, efficient animals were used to guard carts of meat, sometimes even harnessing them to carts. Therefore, at first they were called “butcher’s dogs.” Then the name rottweiler appeared.
In the 19th century, with the advent of the railroad, the need for such helpers disappeared, and Rottweilers almost disappeared. But gradually the fame of this dog as the best protector and guard spread throughout the country, and then throughout Europe. At the beginning of the 20th century, representatives of this breed were brought to Russia. At first, Rottweilers were used for herding livestock and in police service. Then they began to breed more evil individuals to guard prisoners in the camps.
Since the 20s of the 20th century, the Rottweiler breed has received official recognition as a service dog. According to the ICF classification, they were classified as Molossers, a subsection of Mastiffs. In Europe, Rottweilers were bred as pets, paying more attention to such characteristics as loyalty and goodwill.
In Russia, evil guards and guard dogs were bred, which gained fame as rude and aggressive dogs. Only in the 80s did representatives of the breed with a calm, peaceful character appear, brought from Germany. Now Rottweilers are one of the most popular dog breeds all over the world.
Description of the appearance of the Rottweiler breed
This breed is one of the twenty most popular, so almost everyone knows what Rottweilers look like. This is a strong, powerful dog, above average height, with a well-proportioned, muscular body. Males are larger, their height at the withers is 61-70 cm, weight is about 50 kg, sometimes more. The females are smaller, but also look powerful and strong. Their height is 56-63 cm, weight – 42-45 kg. In the photo, representatives of the Rottweiler breed look impressive. This is a muscular dog that at first glance gives the impression of a reliable protector.
The modern breed standard was adopted in 2000. It did away with tail docking. The description of the appearance has hardly changed since the beginning of the 20th century. The following character traits of a Rottweiler are considered mandatory: calmness, peacefulness, confidence and lack of aggression.
Photos show what this dog should be like:
Rottweiler muzzle
Outdoors…
The place of origin of the breed is Germany. This is the classic type of Rottweiler, and the accepted standard is based on it. It does not recognize varieties, but still different countries have developed their own subtypes. They have their own characteristics:
- American ones are larger, more aggressive;
- Austrians are shorter;
- Finnish ones are lighter in color, the ears and nose are longer;
- English breeders focus on character traits: calmness, equanimity and obedience.
Head
The dog's head is large and of medium length. Between the ears it is wide, the forehead is convex, the transition from it to the nose is well defined. The cheekbones and occipital protuberance are also prominent. When the dog is calm, there should be no folds on the head. If the dog is excited, they are acceptable. The Rottweiler's ears are set high and wide apart. They are medium in size, triangular, hanging.
The eyes are medium size, dark, oval. The gaze should be attentive, calm and open, without malice. The teeth are large, scissor bite. The lips are dark, tightly fitting, the cheeks are large, but do not cover the powerful lower jaw. The nose is wide and always black.
Torso
The body of the Rottweiler is proportionally folded. The body is not stretched, the length exceeds the height by no more than 15%. The neck is of medium length, strong, muscular, the scruff and withers are well defined. It should be tight, without dewlap or folds on the chest. The chest is wide and deep.
The back is straight, the transition to the lower back is smooth. There is no waist, the lower back is slightly convex. The croup is wide and muscular. The tail is set high and continues the line of the back. Hangs in a calm state. Now, according to the standard, it is not docked. In the West they abandoned this procedure because of its pain. In Russia, docking is not prohibited; such dogs can take part in exhibitions. But fewer and fewer breeders are doing this. If the tail is docked, it should be docked short, leaving 1-2 vertebrae.
Limbs
The limbs are straight, strong, set parallel. The shoulder blades and shoulders are massive. The forelimbs are slightly shorter than the hind limbs, set wide apart. The thighs are short and the lower leg is long. The paws are gathered into a ball and arched.
Coat and color
The coat is medium length, coarse and dense. It fits well and is shiny. Slightly longer on hind legs. The undercoat is thick, dense, and short.
The Rottweiler's color should be black with brown or tan markings. This is the only color recognized by the standard. Moreover, even the location of the spots is strictly regulated:
- on the face - cheeks, eyebrows;
- on the throat, chest;
- on the inner thighs;
- on the paws.
The correct arrangement of tan marks develops in a Rottweiler with age. In puppies they may be blurry, but in an adult dog they are always clear, pure color, without white spots. All other coloring should be black. Light areas on the coat are often found in dogs before their first shedding. Sometimes white spots appear due to stress or poor diet.
The photographs show the peculiarities of the Rottweiler's coat and color:
Serious boy
Rottweiler
Disqualifying faults
There are several characteristics of the appearance and behavior of representatives of this breed, due to which they may not be allowed to be exhibited in Western countries. In Russia, the standard allows a docked tail, but other disqualifying faults are the same:
- loose eyelids;
- light or yellow eyes;
- missing several teeth;
- long or wavy hair;
- large white spots;
- many or few scorch marks;
- cowardice, aggression, disobedience.
Care and maintenance
Caring for the breed does not require a lot of time or professional skills.
First of all, it is necessary to take into account that every walk should be accompanied by active games and exercises. Let your pet exercise its instincts. Ideally, you need to train with dog handlers 1-2 times a week.
Since the dog runs around a lot during walks, it can damage its paws with a piece of glass or drive in a splinter. If this is not noticed in a timely manner, the inflammatory process and other unpleasant consequences will begin. Therefore, after a walk, wipe your paws and inspect them for damage. Overgrown claws can be removed using a special tool - a nail clipper.
Short hair will not cause much trouble for the owner, however, in addition to wiping with a damp sponge, periodically comb your Rottweiler. To do this, it would be nice to rub your hand with massage movements against the fur, and then comb in the same direction with a medium-hard brush. Be careful not to scratch your pet. Use a round-tooth comb to return the fur in the direction it grows. This simple procedure will allow you to get rid of lost hair and particles of dirt on the fur.
Rottweiler character
Despite their impressive and menacing appearance, Rottweilers are kind, peaceful and loyal. They can become a true friend and protector to the owner and his family members. Representatives of the breed are affectionate and obedient with them. They love to play and require human attention and love. These are energetic, active pets, capable of enduring children's pranks and always ready to defend themselves. Rottweilers love children, but only family members. It is better not to leave them alone with children; they may accidentally push or scare them.
Dogs of this breed become very attached to their owner. They do not tolerate loneliness well. Boredom can cause them to become aggressive or depressed. They are also jealous; you should not pet or treat other animals in front of your pet. Rottweilers have a hard time with a change of owner and can become uncontrollable.
At home, Rottweilers are calm, affectionate, and indulgent towards other pets, especially if they grew up together. They love to eat and lie on the couch. Family members and close friends are treated kindly. But on the street they become attentive, collected, and quickly react to any threat. They are wary of strangers, but with proper upbringing they will not show aggression. This is a very smart dog, it has high intelligence, but can be cunning and lazy.
The photo shows how good-natured this dog can become with proper upbringing:
Rottweiler with a cat
Raising a Rottweiler
But positive character traits are manifested in representatives of the breed only with proper upbringing. Rottweilers require serious training and a calm family environment. The owner must show patience and severity, but these dogs do not like aggression towards themselves or disrespect. Even if there are conflicts between family members, this will negatively affect the character and behavior of the dog.
Representatives of the breed cannot be called harmless lap dogs. When starting such a breed, you need to devote a lot of time to training. You need to start training a puppy from the first day it arrives in the house. He must immediately understand what is not allowed, where his place is. First you need to exercise for 15 minutes, rewarding your pet with treats. By 6 months, he should already know the basic commands: “Come”, “No”, “Ugh”, “Place”, “Nearby”, “Sit”, “Walk”.
An adult dog needs to be trained more seriously. He needs to be taught to be calm about noise, to find objects by smell, to take a barrier, to protect the owner. The dog must recognize the authority of the owner, go for a walk where he leads, and wait when ordered. Be sure to teach not to attack other animals and not to show aggression towards strangers.
It is advisable to take your dog through a professional training course. There are also specialized courses: ZKS (protective guard service) and UGS (controlled city dog). You can also teach a Rottweiler to herd livestock or hunt. It is better to train your pet under the guidance of a dog handler, as representatives of this breed are smart, cunning, stubborn and lazy. Only an experienced dog breeder who has experience with such breeds can handle them.
The video will tell you about the need to properly raise this dog:
Video: Briefly about the breed
Rottweiler: negative aspects of the breed
- Potentially dangerous dog . If brought up incorrectly, it can become aggressive due to its evil nature, cowardice or a sense of dominance. A dog of this breed should not be the first dog in the family: the owners must have experience raising such a pet.
- When kept in an apartment, it is necessary to walk a lot - 2-3 hours a day, always with active games and elements of training. This may not be possible for some people. As a result of physical inactivity, a dog may begin to develop various diseases and shorten its lifespan.
- When living on your own property, it is impossible to keep a Rottweiler on a chain . From such content he can become aggressive even towards his own owners.
- It is necessary to constantly train your Rottweiler so that it does not lose obedience. Especially in critical situations for him.
- Very strong , and therefore the owner must also have sufficient strength both to train the dog and to keep it on a leash.
- Can be a little clumsy and clumsy.
- May try to show dominance and rush at dogs that are larger than himself. To do this, he must develop strict discipline, thanks to which he will listen to the owner and not do it. Otherwise it may not be safe for him.
- When feeding dry food, you will have to spend a lot of money : good food is quite expensive. In the case of natural food, it must also be balanced: although the Rottweiler is not very picky about food, its body requires sufficient vitaminization and micro- and macroelements.
- When purchasing a puppy from insufficiently responsible breeders, you may encounter diseases of the hip joints (dysplasia) and the central nervous system (epilepsy and encephalitis). Therefore, you should not try to save money on buying a puppy. Addressing unscrupulous “divorcees.”
Content Features
If the area of your apartment allows, you can keep a Rottweiler in the city. But he feels better in a country house with a large yard. This breed is suitable for keeping in an aviary. It is necessary to provide your pet with a spacious kennel. It is important to constantly communicate with him, even if he lives on the street. The pet must feel the attention of the owner, otherwise it may become aggressive. The breed can withstand frosts down to -10˚. If it's colder outside, it's better to take the dog indoors.
With any method of keeping your pet, you need to walk at least an hour and a half a day. He needs physical activity and communication with his owner. You need to run a lot with the dog, preferably on the playground.
Care
Representatives of the breed shed once a year. They shed a little hair, so grooming does not create problems. It is recommended to comb your pet with a special brush or rubber mitt. It is enough to do this 2 times a week, during molting - daily. You can bathe no more than once every 3 months. It is easy to care for the wool - just wipe with a damp cloth.
This breed often develops tartar. Therefore, you need to brush your teeth weekly and give him special bones. It is also recommended to inspect and clean your ears several times a month. If signs of inflammation appear, you should contact your veterinarian.
Feeding
Representatives of the breed are prone to obesity, so you need to be strict when choosing a feeding diet. Dry food should be intended for medium breed dogs, preferably super-premium or holistic. It is important not to exceed the recommended serving size. It is enough to feed an adult dog twice a day. Water must be freely available around the clock.
If the owner prefers natural food, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian about what to feed the Rottweiler. It is forbidden to give pork, smoked meats, sweets, legumes, potatoes, white bread. It is not recommended to feed your pet from a common table. Be sure to make at least 50% of the diet meat and meat products. You also need cereals, vegetables, and dairy products. When feeding naturally, it is recommended to additionally give the dog vitamin supplements.
Health
In appearance, it seems that the Rottweiler is a hardy and healthy dog. But representatives of this breed have many congenital and age-related diseases. They are prone to the following pathologies:
- allergies, dermatitis, eczema;
- conjunctivitis, cataracts, keratitis;
- pancreatitis, flatulence, volvulus;
- renal failure;
- heart attack;
- hip dysplasia;
- epilepsy;
- diabetes.
Rottweilers are big eaters. They not only beg, but also steal food and pick it up on the street. Therefore, they are prone to intestinal infections and obesity.
You can learn more about caring for your pet from the video:
Video: description of the breed, maintenance and nutrition
Rottweiler: positive aspects of the breed
- Balanced character . The Rottweiler will never show aggression for no reason, is calm towards people and other dogs, and is not intrusive.
- High level of intelligence development , understands a lot, understands, for example, when it is possible to communicate with the owner, and when it is better to do something on his own.
- Well trained . If necessary, he can become a reliable family protector and home guard. In addition, he can be trained to work in special services.
- Loyalty to your master . This dog is unlikely to run far from its owner, and is unlikely to follow a stranger.
- Although the dog is large, it can easily be kept in an apartment . At the same time, she, of course, needs regular walks, which has a great effect not only on the health and mood of the dog, but also the person.
- This breed exhibits rather weak shedding : just walk over the body with a special roller or brush once a week, and there will be practically no need to collect hair throughout the apartment. You will also have to bathe infrequently: no more than once every six months. In dirty or rainy weather, simply wipe it with a towel.
- Food can be anything . The Rottweiler is whimsical: it can eat both natural food and dry food. At the same time, it is dangerous for health to feed both
- When living in a private house, you don’t have to worry about him freezing outside: two-layer wool will protect him from frost in an enclosure. You just need to equip a suitable insulated booth.
- The Rottweiler is very hardy : it can cover quite a long distance, both walking and running.
- Almost perfect health - almost no need to visit the veterinarian, with the exception of routine vaccinations.
- He gets along well with the children with whom he grew up in the same family, provided that they do not offend him. He is wary of other people's children and may perceive them as a danger, so their communication should take place only in the presence of adult owners.
How to choose a Rottweiler puppy
To buy a purebred puppy, you need to contact a nursery or reputable breeders. The cost of these dogs in Moscow depends on the class:
- the price of pet-class puppies is 10-18 thousand rubles;
- breed class will cost 20-30 thousand rubles;
- the price of a show class puppy is more than 50 thousand.
The price of a Rottweiler without documents is 5-8 thousand. But the dog may turn out to be a mixed breed or with behavioral deficiencies. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a puppy with documents. It should be 2-3 months old. It is advisable to study reviews about the breeder in advance and become familiar with the living conditions of the dogs.
When buying a Rottweiler, you need to pay attention to ensure that the puppy is healthy. This is indicated by the following signs:
- tail straight;
- the bite is correct, the teeth are straight;
- ears and eyes without discharge;
- the coat is smooth, without dandruff;
- the stomach is not bloated;
- the skin on the abdomen is pink;
- nose black, wet;
- The baby himself is active and inquisitive.
Training and education of a Rottweiler
All puppies from four months can visit the training area , but before this time the baby must know the command “come to me!” and “show your teeth.” Teaching these commands to a puppy is very simple. Rottweilers are trained with pleasure, special attention should be paid to practicing commands for endurance. It is forbidden to make a puppy angry, try to poison him against other dogs, or cause aggression towards people , as this spoils the dog’s character, and in adulthood he may become uncontrollable.
Particular attention is paid to the training and education of adolescents, since at the age of 7-10 months the dog goes through adolescence and can become stubborn and ignore the owner’s commands. During this period, bitches go through their first heat, they become overly playful, capricious, and some dogs become depressed. You should not punish your pet for this: when the effect of the hormones wears off, her behavior will return to the same.
