Rottweiler

Description: The Rottweiler is a medium-large, robust, powerful dog. Their build denotes great strength, agility and endurance. The Rottweiler is a working dog, they are the happiest when there is a job to do whether it is herding, competing in obedience, tracking, search and rescue or retrieving the newspaper. They are an effective guard dog, but need firm handling and proper training. Rottweilers will defend their family and property to the end, but do have a tendency to become loyal to one person. An inexperienced owner should not consider Rottweilers. Type: Guardian Dog

Height: 23 – 27 inches Weight: 90 – 110 lbs.

Colors: Black with clearly defined tan or deep brown markings. Coat: Medium length, coarse and lying flat with undercoat on neck and thighs.

Temperament: Rottweilers are protective, determined With Children: Yes, but does better with school aged children. With Pets: Needs early exposure, may show some aggression towards other dogs. Special Skills: Watchdog, guard-dog and family pet.

Watch-dog: Very High, strangers are not welcome. Guard-dog: Very High

Care and Exercise: Minimal grooming of Rottweilers consists of brushing with a firm bristle brush or massaging their coat with a damp towel. Bathe only when necessary. Rottweilers need plenty of vigorous exercise. Training: Training should be kind, patient and consistent as a Rottweiler is dominant in nature. Females tend to be more gentle than males and require less forcefulness in training. Learning Rate: Low, Obedience – Low, Problem Solving – Low

Activity: Indoors – Low, Outdoors – High Living Environment: A home with a fenced yard is essential. Rottweilers do well in a kennel, but should not be left alone all day long in the yard.

Health Issues: Elbow and hip dysplasia, eye problems

Life Span: 8 – 9 years  Litter Size: 4 – 10

Country of Origin: Germany History: Known in Europe as the Rottweiler Metzgerhund, they were named after the town of Rottweil. Believed to have come from the Mastiff or the German Shepherd Dog they were originally bred to control livestock. During the First World War the Rottweiler proved to to be an intelligent police and guard dog.

First Registered by the AKC: 1931 AKC Group: Working Group Class: Working Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 2), KC (GB), UKC