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Rottweilers come from the Mastiff family, with working-class roots that trace to the war dogs of ancient Rome. The Rottweiler breed originated in the town of Rottweil, located in Germany, and was named for its red tile roofs. Rottweilers became all-around cattle dogs, controlling cattle in the butcher’s yard, pulling the butchers’ meat-laden carts around town, driving cattle from town to town, and guarding the money on the trip home.
The breed came to America in the 1930s, and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized it in 1935. Its popularity grew in the 1970s and 80s until, in the mid-1990s, the Rottweiler was the second most popular AKC breed.
The Rottweiler is most known for being a protective guardian of property and person. The breed comes by this reputation honestly, having once been used to drive cattle to market and guard the money the cattle brought on the trip back home. In the late 1900s, they again came to the public's attention as a popular property guard dog. They are highly protective of their home and family and can be overly suspicious toward strange dogs and people. Rottweiler owners must adequately train and socialize their dogs to ensure their Rottweiler doesn't mistake a guest as an intruder. They are strong dogs that could inflict much damage if their protective nature were redirected toward an inappropriate target.
Rottweilers are highly intelligent and rank 9th out of 138 breeds in terms of working intelligence, indicating their ability to easily learn and grasp what is wanted. Although perceived as tough dogs, they don't require tough training methods. Rottweilers are incredibly smart dogs but need someone committed to training them. Always use positive reinforcement, which involves rewarding the behaviors you'd like to see more of in your dog. They must learn to accept visitors and be socialized thoroughly as youngsters.
Rottweilers thrive on diets specifically formulated for large dogs. Such diets are especially critical for Rottweiler puppies. Many studies have shown that growing too fast increases the chance of many developmental joint diseases to which Rottweilers are already susceptible, including hip and elbow dysplasia. They are balanced in fat, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. Free feeding is not recommended for Rottweilers, as they tend to overeat, increasing their growth rate and the chance of developmental joint disease. Instead, feed several small meals over the course of a day, starting with three to four meals as a little puppy, then two meals at about four months of age, transitioning to an adult diet around nine months of age. Note that dry large breed dog food has larger kibble size, which gives the dog a chance to crunch and chew more and is less of a choking hazard from inhalation of kibble. You should constantly monitor your Rottweiler’s weight. You should be able to feel the ribs with gentle probing, and there should be a slight indication of a waist, with no dimple over the tail or roll of fat over the withers. Obesity makes joint disease worse, so always keep your Rottweiler trim. Remember that neutered and spayed dogs require fewer calories than intact dogs. Factor in all the treats you may be doling out during training. They can add calories faster than you might think. Always consult with your veterinarian if your dog has a particular health problem. Many specialized diets are available that are scientifically formulated for various conditions.
Rottweilers are strong, athletic dogs. While not excessively energetic, they still need an hour or two of active time each day. A long walk or a moderate jog will suffice, especially if mixed with games. Tug is usually a favorite game, and many Rottweilers also enjoy fetch. Most like to swim or at least splash. Pulling a cart is also an enjoyable activity that will burn off energy. Many organized activities appeal to Rottweilers and expend physical and mental energy. These include weight pulling, carting, tracking, ring sport, obedience training, and agility. Because they are often not good with strange dogs, they are not good dog park candidates.
