Rottweiler Facts | The Smart Dog Guide

The Rottweiler is an obedient and brave dog. And there’s a lot you’ll want to know about this natural guardian. So here are the top Rottweiler facts and information.

German Butcher Dog

This breed gets its name from its place of origin, the town of Rottweil in Germany. It was a trading center for livestock and the breed was used to help move the cattle and pull dog carts. They were given the name “Rottweiler Metzerhund,” which translates to the “butcher dogs of Rottweil”.

Versatile Breed

The Rottweiler dog breed is known for being highly versatile. It’s a canine that excels at many jobs. It’s well-known for being a top-level guard and police dog. But it also can compete in competitions such as herding, agility, and Schutzhund.

Distinct Coat

Different from other breeds, the Rottweiler coat only has only one acceptable appearance. It always should be black with rust-colored markings. The marks should be over the eyes and also on the cheeks, throat, underside, sternum, forelegs, and back legs of the dog.

Hip Dysplasia

One of the Rottweiler health problems that potential owners need to be aware of is hip dysplasia. This is a genetic problem that affects quite a large percentage of the breed. It is a crippling condition where the hip’s ball and socket joint are malformed.

Different Sexes Different Temperaments

When considering this breed, one of the Rottweiler dog facts you’ll want to keep in mind is that there is generally a difference in temperament between males and females. Typically males are more dominant, bossy, and independent. They’re also larger in size. Because a female Rottweiler will usually be less dominant, easier to train, and smaller in size it’s considered by many to be a better choice for first-time dog owners.

Docked Tail

The Rottweiler standard calls for the dog’s tail to be docked short leaving only one or two vertebrae. However due to the fact that in 1998 tail docking was banned in most European countries, today it’s not uncommon to see Rottweilers with a full tail.

Natural Herder

The Rottweiler is classified as a working breed by the AKC. However because of its herding past it one of only two non-herding dogs allowed to compete in herding events. The other breed is the Samoyed, a Spitz breed that was originally used to herd reindeer.

From Rare To Popular

While many people are familiar with the popularity of the Rottweiler in the mid-nineteen eighties, the breed was actually quite rare before that. This is especially true in the United States. Their rare status was actually one of the reasons they became so desirable as pets.

Puppies With Ancestral Traits

One of the Rottweiler history facts many people are unaware of is that this breed shares ancestry with the Swiss tri-colored breeds such as the Bernese Mountain Dog. For this reason, every once in a while purebred Rottweiler puppies are born with white marking on their chest, toes, or chin.

Rottweilers And Children

The Rottweiler is known to be very good with children. However, it will need proper training, socialization, and supervision. Because they weigh so much there’s a good chance they will accidentally knock young children down.

They are also typically protective of young kids in their care. This is another reason they need to be supervised as it can help to prevent them from wrongly interpreting a situation as dangerous for the child when it’s not.

Carting For Fun

Since it’s part of their history many Rottweilers naturally enjoy activities such as carting. And there are several clubs in the United States where Rottweilers can earn carting titles. Weight pulling is another activity many dogs like and also do very well in when competing.

Not A Pet For Everyone

One of the most important Rottweiler facts is that this is not a breed for everyone. It is both large and powerful. A full-grown male Rottweiler can weigh up to one hundred and thirty-five pounds. Therefore it requires an owner who is not only responsible but able to physically handle a big dog as well.

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Rottweiler Facts And Information