The Dependable Rottweiler

Many breeders and owners refer to the dependable Rottweiler as “a dog with a heart of gold” due to its natural loyalty, bravery and readiness for any action that might come his its way. It originated from the Italian Molossus dogs, which were bred to fight lions in Roman amphitheaters. They were later given the name Rotwill (red villa) and eventually changed to Rottweil. But despite the fact that the Rottweiler dogs of the old days are big dogs for doing heavy work, it is the smaller version of the dogs that have been more popular today. The breed came to the United States in the late 1920s and was registered to the American Kennel Club in 1931. And today, it still continues to be on the ranking of the most popular dogs of the AKC, but it’s not as popular as during the 1940s through the 1990s.

The Dependable Rottweiler

A Rottweiler is a big dog with a typical height of 24 to 27 inches for males and 22 to 25 for females, and weighing around 80 to 110 pounds. It has heavy muscles and a deep, broad chest. The breed is usually black, and has markings in mahogany over the eyes, on the throat, lower legs and on the side of the muzzle. They have a short tail which is carried at or above horizontal. The Rottweiler has a smooth and short coat, and has an undercoat as well. However, curly or wavy coats are not allowed in the show ring or for breeding, so don’t get one with those characteristics if you wish to show or breed them. Overall, a Rottweiler is a sporty and athletic breed, much like its ancestors.

Despite some bad press in the last few years, the dependable Rottweiler is not really bad-tempered – it just depends on how they were raised. Although they can act aloof towards strangers and unknown guests, they are naturally confident and calm, and are courageous when it comes to dangerous situations. Some seem to have a hard time dealing with new experiences, but trainers and owners can help them out by making sure they’re properly socialized. If the Rottweiler is to compete in the show ring, there are many standards to consider when it comes to behavior: they must be under complete control and discipline by their owners, as must any breed.

Training a Rottweiler requires much patience and not everyone can raise a good Rottweiler, because it is one of the ‘strong-willed’ dog types. In fact, many cities and almost all private firms such as apartment complexes don’t allow Rottweilers, much like pit bulls. To prevent any catastrophe, a Rott must undergo strict training and obedience classes, coupled with lots of exercise. They should not be confined to a yard with little or no human interaction, because that can be the starting point of their aggression.

As described in YourPurebredPuppy.com:

Overall, the Rottweiler is a splendid, capable companion in the right hands, but without ongoing companionship, socialization, obedience training, and supervision, he is “too much dog” for many households.

The dependable Rottweiler can also be prone to some illnesses like elbow dysplasia, osteochondrosis, panosteitis, and many other joint / bone problems. There may also be retinal problems and they may also experience bloating, which can be fatal if untreated. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms that would indicate these potential problems so you can quickly get the dog to the vet if needed.

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