History of the origin of the Rottweiler
The ancestors of the modern Rottweiler were Molossians, who previously lived in ancient Greek and Roman territory. They herded flocks of sheep, were used in battles, and guarded the convoys of the Roman army on long campaigns. Together with Roman soldiers, dogs moved to Germany, they were bred to guard and herd cattle. Those dogs bore little resemblance to modern Rottweilers, which were bred only in the 18th century.
According to another version, this breed originated in the ancient city of Rottweil, located at the crossroads of trade roads. Meat was exported from it in large quantities, which is why Molossians were called butchers' dogs. The animals were strong and hardy, so they were harnessed to carts with meat products instead of horses. Purebred dogs almost completely died out until a skirmish occurred between a policeman and several drunken sailors. A man, defending himself from a tipsy group, set a Rottweiler on them. The dog caused the men to run away from its owner, and the press covered the incident in newspapers across the country. Many people wanted to have the same pet, so amateurs began to revive the breed.
In the 20th century, purebred Rottweilers were brought to Russian territory. At first they were used to guard livestock, then they became partners of guards or guards in prisons and camps. When everything about the Rottweiler breed became known, breeders and owners realized that proper training determines whether an animal will become a loyal friend or a cruel enemy.
Character, habits, training features
The most important thing you need to know about this breed is that how you raise it, you will have such a dog. Yes, reviews of the Rottweiler from inexperienced owners are full of descriptions of difficulties, but if you turn to professionals, then all the breeders will answer in unison that there is no stronger, braver, more loyal and gentle beast in the world.
It doesn’t matter for what purpose you purchase a Rottweiler puppy, you need to start raising it with basic commands at home and socialization. Accustom your baby to the command “near”, “fu” and to wearing a muzzle. A child who is accustomed to walks in the parks and in full gear will feel comfortable as an adult and react minimally to strangers and dogs. Letting off the leash in public places is highly undesirable; it is better to take a large dog out of town, where it can run around to its heart’s content and play with a ball and shelves.
Another important aspect of raising a German breed is that this issue should be dealt with by an experienced dog breeder who can become an authority for the formidable dog. Devotion can only be achieved through love and perseverance.
Rottweilers treat household members with care; even small children are not a problem for him, although commands not from the owner are reluctantly carried out. By the way, love for children does not apply to the neighbor's kids. If you have guests with children, it is better not to let the dog into the common space at this time.
IMPORTANT: if you doubt how successfully you managed to socialize your dog, then take out accident insurance just in case. A peaceful Rottweiler in a family under stress and an unfamiliar situation can cause serious injuries to a stranger.
At the moment of an attack, the breed is inexorable, you will not be able to stop or pull away an adult dog, so do not take risks, do not enter into conflicts, but if an attack cannot be avoided, pray that the dog does not begin to tear the flesh, but simply grabs a muscle.
The breed cannot stand loneliness and constant sitting in an enclosure. All your training efforts can go wrong if you leave your dog alone all day. Yes, at night he perfectly performs the role of a security guard and can patrol the territory, but during the day he needs communication and free access to his household. Even if the dog intends to sleep in the corner on a bed all day, it’s boring for him to do this alone.
As a rule, small animals are considered prey, so you should think twice before adding a new pet. Also, Rottweilers do not get along well in same-sex couples, as they will always find out which of them is alpha.
IMPORTANT: the breed is very empathetic to family relationships. Any conflicts affect the dog’s psyche in exactly the same way as a child’s. The dog can even become aggressive if he hears noise and scolding regularly.
For the correct formation of the psyche, habits and skills, all owners of Rottweiler dogs are recommended to undergo:
- — general training course – a basic course for teams up to a year and the skill of passing an obstacle course for the exam in the RKF;
- - protective guard service - will help raise a puppy from 8 to 14 months into a reliable guard who can serve in law enforcement agencies or become a bodyguard for an individual household;
- - a controlled city dog - necessary when living with a Rottweiler in an urban environment, aimed at enhanced socialization and training for calm behavior in transport and city traffic.
Don’t skimp on special courses for your puppy, because the money saved will later come back to haunt the dog’s uncontrollability and danger.
Breed characteristics
The Rottweiler is called an excellent guard, but it is important to socialize and train it on time. If you do not pay attention to this aspect, the dog will turn into a threat to the whole family, and not just to the owner. This is a powerful but flexible animal; even the owner himself can train it without the help of dog handlers. The dog can be trained very well and easily remembers commands.
The Rottweiler dog breed reaches a medium size, but it can be large and powerful. The animal is distinguished by increased endurance and a lean body structure. An adult, regardless of gender, is characterized by:
- body weight 45-55 kilograms;
- height at withers – 55-70 centimeters;
- stretch index – 103-105.
The Rottweiler's coat is stiff, dense, but with a barely noticeable undercoat. A purebred dog has a black coat with red or brown markings scattered throughout it. Similar places are located on the collar, limbs, anus, sternum or muzzle.
Appearance
According to the standard, the animal’s skull is of medium length, it is widened between the ears and has a well-developed occipital protuberance. A distinctive feature of Rottweilers is their almond-shaped, dark brown eyes with close-fitting eyelids. The dog has an open, affectionate, but not cowardly or aggressive look.
Rottweiler lips are black and fit tightly to the wide jaws, their corners are tightly closed. The animal’s gums should be dark, but this shade is not important, the main thing is that it is:
- 20 teeth on the upper jaw;
- 22 teeth on the lower jaw.
A significant drawback is a pincer bite, but this will not be a defect. A purebred dog is characterized by the presence of hanging, triangular, high-set, small ears. The edge of the ears is located near the cheekbones, so it seems that the Rottweiler has a wide forehead. If the dog is alert, his ears stick out and wrinkles form, which are unacceptable in a calm state.
A characteristic feature of the breed is strong limbs with paws gathered in a ball, on which there are short black claws and curved toes. If you remember what a Rottweiler looks like, a picture of a dog with a docked tail often pops up, although in fact representatives of the breed have a tail of medium length. It is worth paying attention to the fact that the rules of the International Canine Federation prohibit docking; such individuals will not be allowed to participate in dog shows.
The Rottweiler may or may not critically fail to meet any standard. There are several disqualifying faults, which include excessive waviness of the coat, lack of teeth, the presence of large white spots, eyes of different colors or yellowness of the iris.
Character
In movies, Rottweilers are portrayed as aggressive, vicious, dangerous animals. Description of the breed, the character of Rottweilers allows its representatives to successfully play the role of demons. In real life, representatives of the service breed have difficult character traits, but with timely training, aggression can be easily controlled. The watchdog is distinguished by fearlessness, restraint, activity, intelligence, and adequacy. The above character traits of the Rottweiler arise subject to early socialization and proper upbringing.
The Rottweiler loves children, he is affectionate and caring, loves to play with them. What can become a problem is that the dog gets so carried away with the game that he can accidentally push the baby. Because of this, a pet and a child should not be left alone; active games should be supervised by adults.
The character of the Rottweiler dog indicates that the pet will never agree to share the owner’s attention with other pets. With proper upbringing, the dog will never show aggression, but it will also not be kind to strangers. It is necessary to teach your pet to distinguish everyday situations from dangerous ones, since at the slightest threat he attacks with lightning speed. During an outburst of rage, the Rottweiler ceases to feel pain, his grip becomes dead. However, dogs are not vindictive; they do not attack strangers or animals if they understand that the threat has passed.
Health
Like other large dogs, Rottweilers suffer from musculoskeletal system and joints, but active games, regular walks, and warm-ups can save the animal. It is worth noting that the Rottweiler is strictly forbidden to lie on cold surfaces or live in drafty rooms.
The pet suffers from weak immunity, as well as from a number of diseases:
- ailments of the pelvis and elbows;
- osteomyelitis;
- volvulus;
- problems with the cardiovascular system;
- skin diseases.
The characteristics of the Rottweiler dog indicate that all ailments can be hereditary or acquired, they can develop in old age. If they are not treated promptly, the diseases will definitely reduce the life expectancy of your pet. On average, a Rottweiler can live a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 years. Problems with the skin occur when there are problems with metabolism or hormones. It is imperative to take proper care of the skin and hairs in order to reduce the risk of dermatitis, which is almost impossible to get rid of.
The dog's weak points include the kidneys, so diet feeding with special food and strictly according to the clock helps to establish their proper functioning. The animal’s organs of vision must be examined in a timely manner, not forgetting to pay attention to the eyelids. A Rottweiler puppy without timely vaccinations often becomes infected with infectious diseases.
Preparing a dog for docking
To be sure that the puppy will tolerate docking normally, it is better to consult a veterinarian the day before for advice.
Important! If infectious diseases or congenital pathologies are suspected, an ultrasound and tests should be done. Unhealthy Rottweilers do not undergo surgery.
If tail docking is carried out no later than 10 days from birth, then it is enough to shave and treat the trimmed area with an antiseptic. To carry out surgery on adult puppies, the following preparatory procedures are carried out:
- cleaning from ectoparasites and helminths;
- treatment of the cutting area (shaving, lubrication with an antiseptic);
- maintaining a daily fasting diet before surgery, drinking is stopped 8–12 hours before;
- periodic measurement of the puppy’s body temperature (every hour), the norm is 37.5–39 °C.
Education and care
The characteristics of the Rottweiler breed indicate that the individual is prone to dominance. As soon as the opportunity arises, the animal begins to dominate other dogs and the owner. Inexperienced dog breeders will not be able to raise their pet on their own. In order not to spoil the animal, you must definitely seek help from dog handlers. It is strictly forbidden to indulge the whims of a pet, allowing it to sleep in the same bed with the owner or chew furniture.
The dog will have to be brushed weekly. This simple procedure will prevent tangling of hairs; the coat will shine if you bathe the dog infrequently. The advantages of a purebred individual include weak shedding. You will need to check your ears every week as they often suffer from infections or inflammation. Care consists of regularly removing wax from the ears, and if irritation or discharge with a foul odor is detected, contact a veterinarian in a timely manner.
Tartar forms on your pet's teeth, so every 5 days you need to brush them with a special dog toothpaste. If you don’t want to waste time on the procedure, you can purchase bones in zoological stores. It is customary to trim Rottweiler claws using a nail clipper and file them once every 30 days.
Features of raising a Rottweiler
The description of Rottweilers indicates that they are powerful and aggressive animals, so they need to be trained by professionals. When practicing commands, you need to be firm, but ensure that the dog is not just afraid of the owner, but respects and trusts him. If the conditions are met, then the pet will instantly understand what is wanted from it and will learn to obey commands unquestioningly.
During the training process, you need to take into account one feature: the Rottweiler is not only smart and inquisitive, but also cunning. If the owner shows himself to be weak and docile, the animal will react with instant disobedience. Often in such a situation, the dog does not want to carry out the learned commands, pretends that he has forgotten all the skills and does not understand what they want from him. This can be explained by the pet’s fatigue or cunning, but the owner is obliged not to give in at all or act gradually. If the command has already been voiced, you should definitely ensure its execution.
Keeping a dog
Based on the characteristics of Rottweilers, it can be understood that it is most comfortable to keep a pet in a private yard with an aviary and an insulated booth. A number of rules must be followed:
- when kept in a spacious enclosure, the dog is given a lot of attention, they play or talk with him to prove love and willingness to care;
- If the dog lives in an apartment, it must be provided with a long walk - it costs at least an hour to walk with the animal.
You need to walk your Rottweiler not slowly, but actively: playing, running, jumping, providing optimal physical activity. If you decide to place the dog in an apartment, you need to arrange a bed for him and place a mattress there. It is strictly forbidden to allow the Rottweiler to sleep on the owner's bed, because he will begin to perceive it as his resting place.
You need to decide on a place for feeding, purchase an adjustable tripod for comfortable eating and drinking. You need to buy high-quality rubber toys that both the puppy and the adult love to play with. The description of the Rottweiler breed indicates that its representatives are prone to obesity and often overeat. The animal has a sensitive gastrointestinal tract, so you need to think about a special diet for it. To avoid obesity, you need to avoid overfeeding and do not pour an additional portion of food into the bowl, even if the pet looks at the owner pitifully. The pet never refuses snacks, therefore, for the sake of its health, there is no need to follow the dog’s lead.
We should not forget that when eating natural food, food with a balanced composition of proteins, fats and carbohydrates should end up in the bowl. The Rottweiler's diet is based on:
- various cereals, except wheat and pearl barley;
- veal and chicken meat;
- sea fish;
- chicken eggs;
- dairy products;
- natural yogurt;
- cooked or raw vegetables.
Puppies and weakened individuals will have to be supplemented with vitamin and mineral complexes and dietary supplements, which were recommended by a veterinarian. They are required to strengthen ligaments, joints, and the musculoskeletal system. The older the dog gets, the fewer times a day he should eat, that is, a two-month-old baby eats 4 times a day, and an adult animal – 2 times. It is necessary to arrange fasting days for adult animals once a week, when they drink water and eat cottage cheese or kefir. Feeding puppies is no different from adults, but new foods should be introduced with caution.
It is strictly forbidden to offer your pet:
- salty food;
- smoked meats;
- confectionery;
- white bread and rolls;
- fried foods;
- beans, peas, beans;
- tubular chicken bones;
- potato;
- whole milk.
Barley or pearl barley is not recommended for Rottweilers, since it is practically not absorbed by the dog’s body and leads to bloating. Meat products should not be offered to puppies under four months of age.
Ear cropping
The operation is not complicated, it has been carried out for a long time, so veterinarians know all the intricacies. The main thing is to ensure the sterility of the instruments and the procedure site. You can invite a doctor to your home.
Ears are always cropped using local or general anesthesia. The Rottweiler is fixed on a flat surface (operating table, couch): the dog is laid on its side, the hind and front limbs are tied, and a hygienic fabric muzzle is put on the muzzle.
An inhalation tube is installed for artificial ventilation and tongue control. The ears are placed on the table and secured with patterns along the cut line. Metal forms not only serve as a template, they reliably clamp the vessels of the cropped ears.
The skin is moved to the base, an incision is made with a scalpel according to the attached template. The cut edge is treated with an antiseptic, stitches and a corrective bandage are applied.
How to choose a puppy
Due to the fact that most countries in the world have introduced bans on keeping Rottweiler dogs, it has not been so easy to buy one recently. To purchase service dog puppies, you need to be sure that the owner will be able to raise him on his own. A pet of this breed must not be the first large dog in the owner’s house. Before purchasing a Rottweiler, you need to:
- see the puppy's parents;
- soberly assess the character of the future pet’s mother and father;
- examine the external characteristics of the parents, since they can indirectly affect the baby’s health;
- ask to see the pedigrees of the animals.
You should not buy a puppy that is excessively timid, since a healthy animal is always ready for play. Among individuals from the same litter, a leader can be identified, so you need to watch the babies from the side. To understand who will become a friend, you must conduct a noise test, that is, clap your hands above the animal’s head. If the puppy turns towards the sound, barks, and becomes interested, then you can purchase it. If the dog reacts sluggishly or runs away cowardly, he will not be able to protect the owner and cannot be trained.
There is no need to take your pet home from the breeder until it reaches three months of age. During this period, the baby’s bite will form and he will be vaccinated according to his age. You should carefully examine the skin, ears, eyes, and sniff the baby so as not to acquire a sick animal. The Rottweiler must have both testicles and no hernias.
The cost of Rottweiler puppies, which appeared from famous parents, have the RKF pedigree, is 20,000 or 30,000 Russian rubles. The price of a baby with minor defects, who was born from an unplanned mating, will be almost four times cheaper.
The Rottweiler is considered to be aggressive, so experienced breeders with enormous willpower can keep it. If the pet is not raised correctly and does not undergo a special training course, it can turn into a merciless killing machine that will not spare even its owner. If you socialize the dog in a timely manner, the Rottweiler will faithfully serve the owner and protect his family members until death.
At what age do they dock?
Older dogs are not docked. The older the Rottweiler, the more sensitive it is to pain, and the more difficult it is to tolerate anesthesia and surgery.
If the procedure was not performed as a puppy, then it is better not to do it. After a year, dogs' skin edges grow unevenly and scars form.
The tail of Rottweilers is trimmed almost immediately after birth - after 3-10 days. The ears are cropped later – after 6–7 weeks. The puppy must gain at least 3 kg.
It is considered acceptable to carry out cupping for up to six months.
Basic moments
Rottweilers are serious and energetic brutal dogs, whose main purpose is to serve people. Rottweilers make the best rescuers and guides, ready at any moment to risk their own lives in the name of saving people. On the street, these muscular beauties are the epitome of menace and alertness. They are energetic, observant and always in control of the situation. However, as soon as the dog returns home, the affectionate sloth awakens inside him, occupying the soft sofa and ready to devour kilograms of treats.
