Rottweiler Dog Breed Facts and Photos

Are you interested in Rottweilers? The following facts will help you get to know the breed a little better.

Rottweilers are working dogs that developed into the dog everyone knows today in Germany. However, this breed goes back even further, and it was once used to herd and guard the livestock used to feed the Roman army.

Rottweilers are big dogs, perhaps not as big as Mastiffs or Wolfhounds, but they are substantial dogs nevertheless. According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, males usually top out around 27 inches tall, while females are typically a little smaller and usually wind up around 25 inches tall. Both sexes have deep chests, and they should have enough muscle mass to balance their frames.

Rotties have big personalities, so they need proper training from the time they are puppies. Begin by socializing a puppy to new people and places, and follow through with obedience training as soon as the puppy turns six months old.

After training is complete, you'll want to hold positive reinforcement sessions from time to time and put the dog through his paces so he doesn't forget how to respond to your commands. This will also remind him that you are the pack leader, and he'll respect you all the more for it.

Rotties love their families, and it's not unusual for these dogs to appoint themselves the family guardian. This is one more reason why it's so important to give these dogs training, structure and firm but fair guidance. They must listen and respond to their owners' commands in any situation, especially when someone they are unfamiliar with approaches.

Like most purebred dogs, Rottweilers are prone to certain diseases and disorders. Some of the most common include:

• Dysplasia - This is a painful, degenerative joint disorder that affects the hips and elbows.
• Cruciate ligament injuries - This includes tears and ruptures to the ligaments that hold the knee joint in place.
• Bloat - This is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills up with gas and fluid and then twists closed on itself.
• Entropion - This is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward and irritates the eye.
• Heart disease - This includes conditions such as subvalvular aortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

Although there are exceptions to every rule, Rottweilers only tend to live eight to ten years on average. So, feed your dog truly high-quality kibble, make sure he gets regular exercise and take him for regular checkups with the vet. The better you take care of your pet, the more wonderful years you'll have together.

If you enjoyed these Rottweiler facts, you might enjoy reading some fun facts about dogs.