Working Dog Group - Rottweiler

A breed that originated in Germany in the town of Rottweil, these dogs were known to be butcher dogs. The Rottweiler was named after its town of origin. It was said that the Romans brought these dogs with them when they invaded Europe, but they can be traced back right to the Middle Ages, where they were used as herding dogs, guard dogs and for police work. This breed had reached the brink of extinction had it not been the efforts of the enthusiastic people who were keen on breeding these dogs in the Stuttgart area. These dogs are also used as therapy dogs for aiding the blind people and so on.

The Rottweiler can grow up to 22 to 27 inched depending on the gender as the females as shorter and lighter in comparison. The average weight of both the genders is between 85 pounds to 130 pounds. They have an upper coat and an undercoat that is small, thick and coarse. The colors usually seen in this breed are black & tan and black & mahogany. The dominant color is black and the tan or mahogany color is seen on the cheeks, legs, paws and muzzle.

A breed that was originally a guard dog, Rottweiler has the right temperament of guarding territories or cattle. They are powerful, even tempered, easy to train and highly loyal towards their master. They are also very dedicated towards their family members. They are very courageous in nature and will put themselves before their family in case such a need arises.

They are highly obedient, and have been proving their mettle consistently through time, as they have been employed with the police department and the military of various countries across the world for many years. Their self assured demeanor creates an impression of aloofness, which is partly correct. These dogs love people around them and behave comically around their family members, but this does not change its basic serious nature, especially in case of dealing with strangers.

They are can be friendly and amicable, if they are trained consistently from puppyhood. If they are not trained properly, then they can grow up to be strong, willful and stubborn dogs that can pose a threat to people around. They are known to have a keen sixth sense that enables them to differentiate between friends of the family and strangers.

Rottweilers need a master who will be firm and quiet yet have a strong command over the dog and will teach him to obey the rules that are set for him with a calm persuasion. These dogs are naturally active as they were genetically used to running long distances, hence need loads of exercise. They are attached to their homes, so if you leave them free for a scamper in the woods, be sure that it will return to you without any hassles. They also love to swim and play fetch with ball. The best form of exercise for the dog is running beside a bicycle with his master.

These dogs are prone to hip dysplasia like all the other breeds. They have a tendency to snore and also to overeat. Make sure that you give them four small meals a day instead of a large meal. This can curb their inclination towards overeating to some extent.

Rottweilers can live up to 12 years of age, and contrary to their wrongly publicized image, they are very gentle and loving towards their family. Rottweilers are also known for their bravery and hence kept by many people as pets. They are great companions and perfect guard dogs.