Genetic Traits of the Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is an ancient breed, almost becoming extinct in the 1800s, but becoming popular again in the 20th century. It is thought to have originated from the Italian Mastiff, which was brought to Europe with the Romans. The town of Rottweiler in Wurttemberg, Germany, is where the breed first came about. During the Middle Ages, this breed was used as a guard, a messenger and for police work. In modern times, the dog became popular for tracking, guarding, search and rescue, herding and even as a seeing eye dog for the blind.

  1. Appearance

    • This well-known dog is a large breed, with males standing between 24 and 27 inches tall and weighing from 95 to 130 pounds. Females are slightly smaller than this. With a tough, robust and muscular appearance, the body of this dog is compact but powerful, allowing the animal plenty of stamina, endurance and strength. This breed has a medium-length, smooth coat of straight, coarse hair which is black in color with brown markings.

    Temperament

    • Rottweilers have a strong protective instinct, and are incredibly loyal to their families. They are brave and courageous, and benefit from having a strong-minded but composed owner who will keep the dog in place. This breed is very intelligent and easy to train and can do very well in competitive obedience. To prevent naughty behavior, it is important that training starts at an early age, as the size of the Rottweiler means misbehavior can be dangerous. However, with plenty of socialization at an early age, Rottweilers get on very well with children, dogs, cats and other household pets. Friends and relatives will be welcomed, but the owner will soon know if a stranger approaches that the dog does not like.

    Health

    • The lifespan of Rottweilers is between 10 and 12 years. As with any purebred dogs, there are some genetic conditions that this breed is prone to, the most prominent being hip dysplasia. There are also certain issues that the Rottweiler suffers from because of its size, such as snoring. It is also important that this breed does not overeat, as it will put on weight very easily, and can then struggle to slim down again.

    More Facts

    • This is a breed that thrives on exercise, and it is not possible to give them too much. The Rottweiler enjoys to run and swim, and if taken out in the open countryside, it will get plenty of the exercise it loves with no danger that the dog will run away from its owner. They are fairly inactive indoors, so as long as they are walked enough, they can live in any environment, including an apartment.