The Rottweiler
(taken from the AKC ROTTWEILER BREED STANDARD)
General Appearance
The ideal Rottweiler is a medium large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. His compact and substantial build denotes great strength, agility and endurance. Dogs are characteristically more massive throughout with larger frame and heavier bone than bitches. Bitches are distinctly feminine, but without weakness of substance or structure.
Temperament
The Rottweiler is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment. He has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog. The behavior of the Rottweiler in the show ring should be controlled, willing and adaptable, trained to submit to examination of mouth, testicles, etc. An aloof or reserved dog should not be penalized, as this reflects the accepted character of the breed. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs should not be faulted. A judge shall excuse from the ring any shy Rottweiler. A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge. A dog that in the opinion of the judge menaces or threatens him/her, or exhibits any sign that it may not be safely approached or examined by the judge in the normal manner, shall be excused from the ring. A dog that in the opinion of the judge attacks any person in the ring shall be disqualified.
***To see the complete Rottweiler breed standard, click here***
General Appearance
The ideal Rottweiler is a medium large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. His compact and substantial build denotes great strength, agility and endurance. Dogs are characteristically more massive throughout with larger frame and heavier bone than bitches. Bitches are distinctly feminine, but without weakness of substance or structure.
Temperament
The Rottweiler is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment. He has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog. The behavior of the Rottweiler in the show ring should be controlled, willing and adaptable, trained to submit to examination of mouth, testicles, etc. An aloof or reserved dog should not be penalized, as this reflects the accepted character of the breed. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs should not be faulted. A judge shall excuse from the ring any shy Rottweiler. A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge. A dog that in the opinion of the judge menaces or threatens him/her, or exhibits any sign that it may not be safely approached or examined by the judge in the normal manner, shall be excused from the ring. A dog that in the opinion of the judge attacks any person in the ring shall be disqualified.
***To see the complete Rottweiler breed standard, click here***
Buyer Beware!
BUYER BEWARE! Before you buy a Rottweiler, ask yourself these questions.
Be honest with yourself, this is only the beginning...
Puppies are for a lifetime … and grow up to be big dogs very fast!
Do I have room for a Rottweiler? A full-grown Rottweiler will reach approximately 100 pounds. A dog of this size takes up a lot of space in a house. They require a fenced yard that will not be too short in the winter and they do not do well when tied on a chain. There are increasing laws regarding confinement of dogs and leash laws that must be considered.
Do I have the time to invest in a Rottweiler? Obedience training, exercise and general quality time. Rottweilers require a lot of “quality time.” They are not a “sit in the back yard” kind of dog. All Rottweilers need a structured obedience class, and most of these classes last between six to eight weeks and require that you spend time each day practicing what you have learned. Even when the class is over you will need to spend time to reinforce the positive behavior that you have worked for. A Rottweiler’s mind is a terrible thing to waste!
Will a Rottweiler fit my lifestyle? Am I home much or do I go out a lot? If you spend a lot time away from home, you should think twice about a Rottweiler. They are very social dogs and need your companionship as much as they need the basic necessities in life. If you travel a lot to places which will not allow your dog, will you have a housesitter that is comfortable with large dogs? If you spend a lot of your free time with friends, you need to think about where the dog will fit into your life.
If I rent, will my landlord allow me to have a Rottweiler? Be sure to ask before you bring home the new puppy. Many trailer parks and apartment buildings do not allow large dogs, especially Rottweilers. Many of the dogs in our rescue program have come from owners who could not find a place to live with their dogs.
Why do I want a Rottweiler? Status symbol or companion? If you want a Rottweiler because you want a big, mean, muscle-bound dog to ride in the back of your truck, you should stop right now and think about growing up! These dogs were bred to be working and companion dogs. The Rottweiler is a wonderful companion, friend and natural protector that deserves respect and commitment to its safety and reputation.
Does everyone in the house agree about getting a Rottweiler? Because this is a big decision, you need to be sure that everyone in the house agrees that they want a Rottweiler. There have been many occasions where the husband brings home a Rottweiler and the wife is not pleased! Owning a Rottweiler is a major responsibility and should be thought of as a family commitment. Everyone needs to be involved with the raising and care of the dog. Rottweilers are very aware of their position in the family, the “pack” instinct is strong and they need to feel a part of the family unit.
Can I afford the food, veterinary care and general upkeep of a large dog? There is a lot of general care that is required to maintain a healthy animal. Vaccinations, annual exams, and health testing are very important. The average Rottweiler gains ten pounds a month until they are about eight months old, then it slows down a bit. They will require several different collars, leashes, bowls, chew toys and obedience classes before they are mature adults.
Be honest with yourself, this is only the beginning...
Puppies are for a lifetime … and grow up to be big dogs very fast!
Do I have room for a Rottweiler? A full-grown Rottweiler will reach approximately 100 pounds. A dog of this size takes up a lot of space in a house. They require a fenced yard that will not be too short in the winter and they do not do well when tied on a chain. There are increasing laws regarding confinement of dogs and leash laws that must be considered.
Do I have the time to invest in a Rottweiler? Obedience training, exercise and general quality time. Rottweilers require a lot of “quality time.” They are not a “sit in the back yard” kind of dog. All Rottweilers need a structured obedience class, and most of these classes last between six to eight weeks and require that you spend time each day practicing what you have learned. Even when the class is over you will need to spend time to reinforce the positive behavior that you have worked for. A Rottweiler’s mind is a terrible thing to waste!
Will a Rottweiler fit my lifestyle? Am I home much or do I go out a lot? If you spend a lot time away from home, you should think twice about a Rottweiler. They are very social dogs and need your companionship as much as they need the basic necessities in life. If you travel a lot to places which will not allow your dog, will you have a housesitter that is comfortable with large dogs? If you spend a lot of your free time with friends, you need to think about where the dog will fit into your life.
If I rent, will my landlord allow me to have a Rottweiler? Be sure to ask before you bring home the new puppy. Many trailer parks and apartment buildings do not allow large dogs, especially Rottweilers. Many of the dogs in our rescue program have come from owners who could not find a place to live with their dogs.
Why do I want a Rottweiler? Status symbol or companion? If you want a Rottweiler because you want a big, mean, muscle-bound dog to ride in the back of your truck, you should stop right now and think about growing up! These dogs were bred to be working and companion dogs. The Rottweiler is a wonderful companion, friend and natural protector that deserves respect and commitment to its safety and reputation.
Does everyone in the house agree about getting a Rottweiler? Because this is a big decision, you need to be sure that everyone in the house agrees that they want a Rottweiler. There have been many occasions where the husband brings home a Rottweiler and the wife is not pleased! Owning a Rottweiler is a major responsibility and should be thought of as a family commitment. Everyone needs to be involved with the raising and care of the dog. Rottweilers are very aware of their position in the family, the “pack” instinct is strong and they need to feel a part of the family unit.
Can I afford the food, veterinary care and general upkeep of a large dog? There is a lot of general care that is required to maintain a healthy animal. Vaccinations, annual exams, and health testing are very important. The average Rottweiler gains ten pounds a month until they are about eight months old, then it slows down a bit. They will require several different collars, leashes, bowls, chew toys and obedience classes before they are mature adults.
Rottweiler Health Issues
The four main areas for health testing at this time include: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Heritable Eye Issues (cataracts, entropian, ectropian), Heritable Heart Issues (sub-aortic stenosis, heart murmurs)
Other potential health issues include (but are not limited to):
· Cancer (various types)
· Cruciate ruptures
· Arthritis
· Allergies
· Hypothyroidism
· Von Willebrand’s Disease
· Panostenitis
· Dog aggression
· Bladder infections
(Taken in part from the Rottweiler Health Foundation Health Survey Results)
Other potential health issues include (but are not limited to):
· Cancer (various types)
· Cruciate ruptures
· Arthritis
· Allergies
· Hypothyroidism
· Von Willebrand’s Disease
· Panostenitis
· Dog aggression
· Bladder infections
(Taken in part from the Rottweiler Health Foundation Health Survey Results)