Features
Country of Origin
Germany
Size
large
Height
56-68 cm
Weight
42-50 kg
Age
up to 12 years ol
ICF Breed Grou
Pinschers and Schnauzers, Molossers, Mountain Dogs and Swiss Cattle Dogspd
History of the breed
There is no exact data on how exactly the Rottweiler breed appeared in Germany. Historians assume that the ancestors of these dogs served the Roman soldiers, accompanying them on campaigns. And to them the Rottweiler came from Asia, where it helped people to graze livestock and guarded their homes.
The dogs got their name after the area they inhabited. Rote Weil - Rote Weil, which was occupied by the Romans, was taken over by the Swabian tribes. The locals were driven out, but the dogs remained. Existing breeds were repeatedly crossed. The end result was one that is as close as possible to the modern Rottweiler.
The ancestors of dogs were used by butchers to drive cattle. They were distinguished not only by their highly intelligent minds, but also by their great strength and stern temperament. If the butcher was worried about the proceeds of the transaction, he simply hung a purse of coins around the neck of the dog. This guaranteed complete safety of the funds. The Rottweilers' size also allowed them to pull wagons.
The advent of the railroad and the banning of pets on foot eliminated the need for dogs. The breed was threatened with extinction. But fortunately, Rottweilers continued to be bred because of their good guarding qualities. They were fearless and defended the home and the owner to the last. Therefore, it was not difficult for the Rottweilers to move into the category of service dogs. There is a theory that one incident contributed to the breed's growing popularity. A policeman, who was patrolling the streets with a Rottweiler, was able to calm down a crowd of drunken soldiers without using weapons or force. The well-trained dog handled everything.
In 1921 the first Rottweiler Club was founded in Stuttgart, where a unified breed standard was developed. Here was also created a plan for its development. The club operates to this day.
In the USSR, the Rottweilers found another use: they took part in the creation of the legendary black terriers. And the Rottweilers themselves were used only as "officers" of the police and army. It was extremely difficult for amateurs and breeders to get such a puppy. In the USSR, Rottweilers were more aggressive and larger than their Western counterparts. After a while, in our countries began to import representatives of the breed from Europe.
Rottweiler Description.
The Rottweiler is a large dog with a large head and matching ears that hang down slightly. The muzzle has a square shape. The gape hangs out, so the dog often drools. The Rottweiler's color is black, with brown undertones. The coat is short, stiff and coarse. The dog does not grow up quickly. The animal can reach full growth only by the age of two or three years.Males reach 68 centimeters at the withers and females 63. The weight of the former averages 50 kilograms and the latter about 42. The males are more massive than the females and have a loose build.
Head
The head is of medium length, the forehead is convex, the transition to the muzzle is very pronounced. The cheekbones are well distinguished, with relief muscles. The mouth opens wide, the jaws are also wide. The nose is large, with large open nostrils. The back of the nose is straight, not narrowed.
The lips are well attached to the jaw and droop downward to form a pucker. Rottweilers' eyelids, nose and lips can be exclusively black.
The eyes are small, round or almond-shaped, and have a deep brown hue. The eyelids are close-fitting, with a well-defined thickening at the edge. The eyebrows are also pronounced.
The ears are medium-sized, triangle-shaped, drooping. The ears are distant from each other, set high.
The ears are adjacent to the skull make it visually wider.
Rottweiler neck is wide and massive, the muscles are pronounced. Behind the scruff passes into a high withers. There should be no creases on it.
Case
The body has a slightly elongated shape. At the same time, it is shorter in males than in females. The back has no sagging, straight and powerful. The standard is to have relief of the muscles that surround the spine. The croup is sloping, rounded shape, with the back is on the same line.
The chest is big and wide enough, it has a barrel shape. The transition line from the ribs to the abdomen is almost absent, and the latter is loose. There are skin folds in the groin.
The tail has a thickened shape, which becomes narrower towards the end. At rest, it reaches to the hippo joint. Rottweiler holds it at the level of the back, the edge of the tail is slightly twisted. At exhibitions, it is necessarily checked for the presence of kinks and knots. If they are present, then the representative of the breed is considered defective.
Limbs
The forelimbs are straight and set far apart. The elbows are tightly pressed to the body and the shoulder blades are pronounced. The forelimbs, like the hind limbs, have a well-developed musculature. The knuckles are slightly sloping and fairly mobile. The paw has a round shape. The toes are gathered tightly together. They are short, with pronounced dense pads.The hind limbs of the dog are also widely set, they have muscular thighs with good relief. The hips are flexed at a gentle angle. When evaluating the limbs, the biggest disadvantage is considered clubfoot.
Wool
The coat of the Rottweiler is dense and good in thickness. The hair is of medium length and is close to the skin. The scruff and back are characterized by longer hair, which can give a slight curl. The undercoat is densely packed. If the dog is kept in a harsh climate, it may become thicker. In this way, the dog can tolerate low temperatures.
Colors
The Rottweiler is allowed only one color variant by the standard - black with a reddish or reddish tan. The spots must be well delineated, located in certain places and occupy no less than 15% and no more than 30% of the total body surface. The spots are located in such places:
near the eyebrows and cheeks;
On the shoulders;
around the chest;
under the larynx;
on the inner surface of the thighs;
in the area of the anus;
on the ends of the paws.
Rottweilers come into the world already with pronounced spots. Then they become more distinctly shaped and increase in size.
Rottweiler Character
The Rottweiler is a service dog whose fame does not always reflect the essence of the breed. It is unfairly believed that they are vicious and aggressive animals that can even attack the owner. This is not true - with proper education and training, the Rottweiler will become a true friend, guardian and protector of the family.
The Rottweiler is a dog built for work and physical activity. Like any other service breed, it requires professional training and education. Then the animal will become not just a friend, but the most obedient and affectionate pet, who will be ready to give his life for his master. It is believed that patience and intelligence of this breed allow it to easily find a common language with children, even the smallest. A well-mannered Rottweiler is an excellent family dog.
The breed boasts a developed intelligence. But many owners do not know this fact, so they try to focus exclusively on guarding or fighting skills.
Rottweiler will gladly keep you company on walks, will take part in active games. The character of the Rottweiler is strong-willed, independent and quite stubborn. He needs a strict leader, who will treat the dog with restraint, but fairly. The Rottweiler does not tolerate unreasonable punishment and exposure to brute physical force. Aggression from the owner can breed aggression from the dog in the future. The dog's psyche will not develop properly, so anything can be expected from him, up to the fact that he will become a danger to society and his owner.
The Rottweiler will fit an adequate and fair owner. It is better if he already has experience in owning and raising large dogs. The attitude of the Rottweiler to children, on the contrary, is very gentle and patient. These dogs are very loyal and attached to the family in which they live. Therefore, they can act as excellent bodyguards and will be ready to protect the "family" until their last breath.
Properly bred dogs react calmly to strangers, as long as they do not threaten the life of the family or encroach on their territory. The Rottweiler will not bark without doing something. He can get along with other animals if he's been raised with them since puppyhood. The earlier the dog is socialized, the better.
Care
The Rottweiler does not need any special care. It is recommended to bathe the dog once or twice a year, comb it when it is shedding, i.e. 2-3 times a month. Also, don't forget to brush his teeth to avoid plaque buildup, and look at his ears and eyes.
Special toothpaste can be used for brushing, as well as rawhide bones. The dog chews them and gets rid of plaque on its own. Another alternative is ultrasonic brushing at the veterinary clinic. It is especially effective in neglected cases.
Unlike Dobermans, Rottweilers are well tolerant of cold temperatures, so they do not need special clothing in winter. You can keep them as outside with an insulated kennel, and in the apartment. In the latter case, the dog must be provided with long walks, at least a couple of hours a day. Also, be prepared for saliva, which may remain on furniture and clothing. Because of the structure of the Rottweiler's muzzle, it hangs on the pimples almost constantly.
Your dog should be taught to clean his ears from an early age so that he is comfortable with the procedure afterwards. Due to the nature of its structure, ear wax often accumulates in the ears. You can get rid of it with a cotton swab moistened with hydrogen peroxide.
Like any large dog, the Rottweiler is prone to musculoskeletal problems. Keep your dog's joints healthy and do not allow him to sleep in drafts or on a cold floor.
Conditions
The Rottweiler is very energetic, so he needs physical activity. Running, cycling, and outdoor activities are things that the owner of this breed should be prepared for. Without proper exercise, the character of the dog can deteriorate, which, ultimately, will affect the education and training. However, with caution you should walk the dog on hot days: Rottweilers do not tolerate high temperatures well. Dog activity in the sun can put unnecessary strain on the heart.
Rottweilers are famous for their good appetite. A Rottweiler's strong body and powerful muscles need an increased amount of protein. But lack of proper exercise leads to rapid obesity of the pet. That is why it is recommended to feed your dog only quality food. Watch the amount of protein in the pet's diet, and then he will be full of energy without undue stress on the body.
Keeping a Rottweiler in an apartment can be problematic only because of the impressive size of the dog. The best option for it is a private house with a large and fenced area. But for such keeping, it is necessary to prepare a suitable place for wintering. Despite the fact that Rottweilers calmly tolerate the cold, they need a spacious and insulated kennel. It is unacceptable to keep the dog on a chain or in a confined space.
If you are going to keep a dog in your yard, you must give it enough attention. It should not be isolated from its owners. If you leave the dog alone, it can negatively affect its behavior in the future. The Rottweiler can be left alone only at night and for a short daytime nap.
Keeping it on the property not only allows the dog enough freedom and opportunity to discharge its energy, but also realizes its potential as a watchdog. Guarding qualities that are inherent in the breed, it is better to use. Consider the weight and size of the dog when building an enclosure. It must be strong, otherwise a large dog will simply destroy it.
Nutrition
The Rottweiler's nutrition should be high quality and balanced. It is not recommended to feed the dog human food and leftovers from the table. The optimal diet is a combination of commercial dry and wet food.
Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of balanced foods for all breeds, including Rottweilers. Choose it based on age, weight, activity and other factors. For example, for pregnant and lactating bitches, it is better to take food with a special marking. They have an increased amount of nutrients and vitamins.
It is very important for the Rottweiler to keep the grams of the diet. The breed is a "perpetually hungry" breed, so it is easy to overfeed the animal. It is easy enough to calculate the required amount of food, as the manufacturer always gives such information on the package. For example, an adult healthy dog with low activity needs about 680 grams of food per day. For dogs with a more active lifestyle, the weight is increased by 150 grams.
If you want to prolong the life of your pet, choose super premium food. They are low in carbohydrates and high in animal protein. This helps keep large dogs like Rottweilers in good shape.
Dry and wet food can be mixed. It is better if they come from the same manufacturer. If your dog's diet consists of high quality industrial food, he doesn't need extra vitamins and supplements. All of them are already in the diet and are calculated in the best way. But water in the bowl should always be in unlimited quantities.
Training and Education
Rottweilers are attached to all family members, but they can consider only one person as an owner. Therefore, they will obey mainly him. Therefore, it is very important to immediately establish the correct emotional connection between man and animal. The main thing in this case is to be patient and persistent, to become the authority for the dog, as well as to define for him the limits of what is allowed.
This breed often exhibits character traits such as stubbornness and independence. If you want your dog to obey you and listen to you, it's best to start training him as soon as he arrives at home. Don't wait too long, as they grow up very quickly. If you miss the moment, you can get an uncontrollable dog that will be dangerous and unpredictable. With his weight of 50 pounds, plenty of muscle, and a bite force of 140 pounds per square centimeter, it's scary to imagine the consequences of sudden outbursts of aggression.
Teach simple commands like "sit," "lie down," and "voice. Demand them, but never yell, much less hit the animal. Your voice should be firm and confident. Patience and repetition of the exercises will pay off.
By the age of six months, your puppy should know what he can and cannot do. Do not physically punish your dog for misbehavior. Give him a stern reprimand. The Rottweiler is sensitive to his owner's mood swings, so he'll know right away what he's done wrong. Be sure to praise the dog for doing the right thing.
You can train your puppy outside with a leash and muzzle. You'll have to be patient, you'll have to repeat commands hundreds of times. But it's better to spend enough time on this, because it's almost impossible to retrain or re-educate a Rottweiler.
If your dog will participate in shows, pay attention to the development of service functions and skills. This will require the participation of professional dog handlers. They will train the dog according to a special program. There are no problems in the process of such training if the pet attends classes with the owner on a regular basis.
Rottweiler Health
This breed can develop diseases that are associated with damage to the nervous system. For example, cases of epilepsy or encephalitis are not uncommon. The first disease is inherited. The symptoms of the disease can be managed, although it will take a lot of time, effort, and money. The dog will become a full-fledged member of your family, but it will not be suitable for breeding.
Other common diseases in Rottweilers include:
Allergic reactions and dermatitis;
Elbow joint dysplasia;
aortic stenosis;
Osteosarcoma (bone cancer);
gastric or intestinal congestion;
hypothyroidism (thyroid disease).
Who are Rottweilers good for?
Buying a puppy is a very responsible business. Especially when it comes to a breed such as a Rottweiler. You have to weigh all the pros and cons and decide if such a dog is suitable for you.
This is a large and powerful dog that requires a lot of attention, time, and finances. Be prepared to have to spend money on good food or natural food, which the Rottweiler consumes in large quantities.
The owner of the Rottweiler must have a certain number of qualities. This is a stable nervous system, strong-willed character, firmness. If you indulge the whims of the dog, then it will grow into a real monster, with which no one will be able to cope. It is difficult to imagine a dog worse than an untrained Rottweiler.
The ideal owner would be someone who has experience with guard dogs. The Rottweiler is best not taken as the first dog by people who are inexperienced and too young.
Unfortunately, the Rottweiler is one of those breeds of dog that are more likely to be given back or just kicked out on the street because they simply cannot cope with this animal. This breed is very difficult to bear the betrayal of the owner. Therefore, it is better to think a hundred times before you buy a puppy Rottweiler.
Choosing a puppy
To get a quality puppy, it is better to go to reputable breeders with a good reputation. Be sure to ask if the puppy has any genetic diseases. Ask about the fate of other puppies that were purchased in this kennel. Do not hesitate to ask for phone numbers of their owners. Honest breeders have nothing to hide, they often keep in touch with their "offspring" and their owners.
When visiting the kennel, pay attention to how the puppies and the bitch are kept. It should be dry and clean. The animals have enough places to play, they do not sit in cages.
If you buy a Rottweiler for the first time, the breeders recommend to give preference to females. Their working qualities are not worse than the male, but they are less aggressive and stubborn. But bitches do not get along well with other "girls" of any breed. A problem can also be the presence of heat, which occurs twice a year.
When choosing a dog, pay attention to his appearance. He should look healthy, with clean eyes, strong bones, and large paws. Feel its abdomen to rule out the presence of a hernia. His coat should be smooth and shiny.
Even in one litter, all the puppies will be different. Take your time to observe them. You'll see which ones are the quiet ones and which are the cheerful ones. It is best to choose the largest puppy that isn't afraid of loud noises. Clap your hands or toss puppies a bunch of keys. The most fearless ones will instantly go exploring the object. Cowardice is not welcome in a Rottweiler.
If there are more than six puppies in a litter, the possibility of buying an underfed animal increases. The bitch who gives birth should not be younger than two years old or older than eight years old. Between births there should be at least one year.
It is better to take a puppy at the age of two or three months. His weight during this period is 3 to 5 kilograms. The puppy must have a puppy's dog tag and a veterinary passport.
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