The Rottweiler - Confident, Bold, Alert and Imposing

We have a Rottweiler that lives across the street. He is huge, but we have never feared him as he is well trained and very gentle. He wanders around his front yard much of the time. He gets along great with all the neighborhood dogs and with his owners' grandkids.

I've never had any fear that he would attack any child. He doesn't even attack the mail carrier.

This dog can be trusted because he was consistently trained and socialized as a puppy. That's the only way you can have a Rottweiler in the family. If you do not have the time or the temperment to train a large dog, this is not the dog for you.

The Rottweiler is by nature a watchdog and protector of his family. They guard their homes and families, excel in agility training, and think that they are tiny lapdogs when they are with their owners.

In the 1800s they were a popular breed with cattlemen who used them to drove and guard the cattle. Around the middle of the 19th century, however, cattle driving was outlawed and by the end of the century Rottweilers were close to extinction.

Just in time, some dog fanciers got together and worked to resurrect the breed. Happily, they succeeded and today the Rottweiler is among the top 20 favorite dog breeds in the United States.

The Rottweiler is fairly large and very muscular. These powerful dogs weigh between 85 to 130 pounds and stand 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder. A Rottweiler has a sleek black and brown coat and deep, soulful brown eyes.

The Rottweiler is a part of the American Kennel Club's Working Group. These powerful dogs are often used as guard dogs.

Unfortunately, some Rottweiler owners have mistreated their dogs in an attempt to make them more aggressive. These abused Rottweilers have given the breed an undeserved reputation as a dangerous breed.

Rottweilers that are bred and raised properly actually make a good family dog. They can be extremely loving family pets.

Rottweilers are not the best breed for an apartment. These dogs are big and powerful and they need room to run. Ideally, Rottweiler owners should own a home with a fenced yard. If you do not have a fenced yard, you should be prepared to take your dog for frequent runs in the park to burn off excess energy.

The Rottweiler is an extremely intelligent dog and this breed does best when it has something to do. Give your Rottweiler a job, such as keeping pests out of the garden, and you will have a happy dog.

It is important to begin training a Rottweiler puppy at a young age, as these dogs quickly grow into large, powerful animals. Also, puppy obedience classes are a wonderful opportunity for you to provide your Rottweiler with plenty of socialization at a young age.

Luckily, this breed enjoys learning, as long as the trainer uses love and patience. These dogs respond eagerly to new challenges, which is why the Rottweiler does well in agility trials.

Because of their size and strength, Rottweilers may not be the best choice for a family with a toddler. A six month old puppy may not realize his own strength and could accidentally injure small children while he is romping around. If your heart is set on a Rottweiler puppy, you may want to wait until your children are old enough to walk well.

Of course, a dog with the size and energy of a Rottweiler can burn up quite a few calories. You should be prepared to buy quite a lot of food for your puppy. Also, it is important to make sure that your puppy's nutritional needs are being met, since Rottweilers can develop joint problems when they are older.

Since a Rottweiler has such a short coat, grooming one of these dogs is not very time consuming. Brush your dog once a week with a slicker brush to keep his coat looking shiny and glossy. Also, be sure you take the time to check his nails to be sure they become not too long. When your dog is a puppy, you may also want to accustom him to having his teeth brushed.

If the thought of having a hundred pound dog attempt to crawl into your lap as though he weighs ten pounds horrifies you, then a Rottweiler may not be the breed for you. After all, not everyone wants a dog who has the appearance of a killer and the heart of a marshmallow.

Some more facts about Rottweilers:

Energy level - 3

Exercise requirements - 3

Affection level - 2

Friendliness towards other pets - 2

Friendliness towards strangers - 1

Watchdog ability - 5

Protection ability - 5

Heat tolerance - 2

These dogs do not do too good in hot weather. They can become overheated quit easily. It is better to have them indoors with their family, anyways, for correct socialization with the family. Rottweilers need three things to do well in society: socialization, consistent training, and daily exercise.
They enjoy cold weather, but you must provide them with a shelter.

In the 1990s the Rottweiler was the second most popular dog in the United States. It has since dropped in favor and in 2003 was the 15th most favorite dog. Pretty good for a dog that almost became extinct at the end of the 19th century.