Dog Breeds <Back to Breed Profiles

		Select the dog breed you are interested in from the list below. Alphabetical Search: A - E F - J K - O P - T U - Z or Select A Breed

Rottweiler

General
Other Names
Dog Group Kennel Club		Working
Breed Classification		Rottweilers belong to the working group and are used as guard dogs, watch dogs, police dogs, companions and seen in the show-ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£7.50-10 per week
Feeding Requirements		When they are puppies, it is important to follow the breeder's recommended diet sheet. As adults, they should be fed twice a day because of their tendency to bloat, a dietary condition which can be serious.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The price of a puppy can vary from £400 to £500 in Scotland and £500 to £600 in England.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years Rotties can live from 10 to 12 years.
Average Litter Size		8 The average size of litter is between 6 to 10 puppies.
General Physical Description		Rottweilers are medium to large compact dogs known for their solid black flatlying coats with clearly defined rustcoloured markings Although they have double coats the under coat is very fine and not visible through the outer one which is coarse and of medium length They are one of the strongest and most powerful dogs in the world for their size Built for trotting Rotties are wellbalanced and move with a purpose giving an impression of harmony and positivity For their size Rotties are very agile and capable of running and jumping with ease
Height Min Max Bitch 58cm (23") 64cm (25") Dog 63cm (25") 69cm (27") Weight Min Max Bitch 38kg (84lbs) 38kg (84lbs) Dog 50kg (110lbs) 50kg (110lbs)
Size Category		Large
Weight Height Range		Bitches measure 58 to 64cms at the withers, weighing around 38kgs, while dogs measure 63 to 69cms weighing around 50kgs.
Ailments		Puppies must be chosen from parents who have been temperament-tested and who have been hip-screened and given a good rating. Rottweillers have become unusually susceptible to parvovirus which is somewhat concerning for breeders. Because dietary problems have occurred in the breed, make sure the breeder gives you a recommended feeding plan when purchasing your puppy. The most common causes of death in Rotties are heart disease, cancer and bloat.
Common Ailments		Temperament, Pancreatic Problems Heart Disease Various Cancers
Susceptibility To Illness		Medium
Other
History		The true history of Rottweillers is somewhat hazy. One theory claims that the ancestors of the breed were the dogs used by the Roman legions to drove and guard their livestock as they crossed the Alps, which may mean that they are connected to the Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Entelbuchers which are also descended from Roman dogs. At this time, it was also the theory that they were used to hunt wild boar. By the Middle Ages, in Rottweil, Germany these dogs had been crossed with local sheepdogs to create the 'Rottweiler Metzgerhund', the Rottweil Butchers' Dog. Butchers used these dogs to drive and guard their livestock as it made its way on foot from town to town. In the 19th century cattle-driving became illegal in Germany and the Rottweiler suffered a decline in popularity until 1914 when they were once again brought into use for the war, which proved their physical and mental abilities. The breed entered the United States in the 1930's and was accepted into their Kennel Club in 1935, being accepted by the British Kennel Club the following year.
Intelligence		The importance of socialisation and training from an early age cannot be overstressed! These are intelligent dogs but can be rather dominant in nature. They require firmness and consistency from an early age from an equable, calm handler. The breed is extremely sensitive to your voice so use this to your advantage when it comes to praising the dog. Attack training is highly discouraged in case it overstimulates their already protective natures and they become uncontrollable.
Show Characteristics		The head should be of medium length with a well-developed, but not conspicuous, occiput and a well-defined stop. The teeth should be strong with a scissor bite. The eyes should be almond-shaped , medium-sized and dark brown. The ears should be small, high set and wide apart, lying flat and close to the cheeks. The neck should be fairly long, round, very muscular and slightly arched. The back should be straight, strong but not too long with a broad and very slightly sloping croup. The shoulders should be well-laid back and the front legs straight and muscular with plenty of bone and substance. The hindlegs, broad and strongly muscled, have fairly well-bent stifles and strong, sound hocks. The feet should be strong, round and compact with well-arched toes; the hindfeet being slightly longer. The tail is customarily docked at the first joint and carried slightly above horizontal when the dog is alert. It should be strong and not set too low.
Country Of Origin		Germany
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		> 2 hours per day. Rotties need exercise and plenty of it! Failure to do this can cause all sorts of behavioural problems. They love to run through woods and in the open countryside with no desire to wander far from their owners. They adore swimming and will quite happily run alongside a bicycle. Do be careful though when they are running off the lead to ensure their safety.
Distress Caused if Left Alone
Personal Protection		High
Suitability As Guard Dog		High
Risk of Sheep Worrying		High
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		Medium
Level of Aggression		High
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		Rottweilers are unconditionally loyal to their handlers and their families and will defend them and their property to the end. They are protective and brave, and like many other dogs, can be jealous if attention is given elsewhere. Temperaments can however vary: some being independent, aloof and less-friendly, others being outgoing and gregarious with everyone. So please choose your puppy carefully! Please remember that some Rotties can be aggressive and, as such, are unsuitable for timid or unconfident owners.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		< Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		One of the easiest breeds to maintain, give them a good brush down regularly with a rubber glove during the moulting seasons and this will suffice. The shine comes from correct feeding!
Colour		Rottweilers are always black with tan markings.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

Breed results: P-T
Papillon Parson Russell Terrier Pekingese Pharaoh Hound Pinscher (German) Pinscher Miniature Pointer Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pomeranian Poodle Miniature Poodle Standard Poodle Toy Portuguese Water Dog Pug Pyrenean Mountain Dog Pyrenean Sheepdog Rhodesian Ridgeback Rottweiler Rough Collie Saluki Samoyed Schipperke	Schnauzer Giant Schnauzer Miniature Schnauzer Standard Scottish Terrier Sealyham Terrier Segugio Italiano Shar Pei Shih Tzu Siberian Husky Skye Terrier Sloughi Smooth Collie Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Spanish Water Dog St Bernard Staffordshire Bull Terrier Sussex Spaniel Swedish Lapphund Swedish Vallhund Tibetan Mastiff Tibetan Spaniel Tibetan Terrier