Rottweiler: Your Complete Guide
The Rottweiler, often nicknamed the Rottie, is a medium-to-large working dog known for their loyalty, keen guarding instincts, and phenomenal strength. They have an athletic, well-muscled physique that gives them a formidable look — but make no mistake. Beneath that threat-deterring exterior is a gentle giant who will do anything to please their family.
Rottweilers are among the most popular dogs in the United States today. However, despite their popularity, they sadly remain one of the most misunderstood breeds. They are often pictured as aggressive, unruly dogs in the press and associated with dog attacks and bites. There have even been movements to ban the breed entirely.
In truth, Rottweilers aren’t inherently more aggressive than any other breed. With a family who can support them and give them the loving home they need to thrive, they make patient, even-tempered, and well-rounded family companions.
Today, we’ll help to tackle the misconceptions of the breed by providing an accurate overview of their unique traits, history, trainability, and more. We’ll also discuss everything else you need to consider if you’re looking to purchase or adopt a Rottie to ensure you’re fully prepared.
A Quick Look at the Rottweiler
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 80-135 pounds – 22-27 inches |
| Coat Type | Short, smooth coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Loyal, protective, confident, and loving |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train |  |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits |  |
| Lifespan | 9-10 years |
What Is the History of Rottweilers?
The first official Rottweiler breed club was established in Germany at the turn of the 20th century. However, the Rottweiler’s history can be traced all the way back to ancient Rome.
Many experts believe that the Rottweiler descended from the Mastiff-like dogs that accompanied the Roman legions. These canines were bred to be all-purpose, durable powerhouses, capable of herding and protecting livestock while also keeping up with the army’s long (and often relentless) marches across the world.
Over the years, Rottweilers have gone on to serve many different roles. They have performed as drover dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs, and have even excelled as therapy dogs and emotional support animals.
Unsurprisingly, the Rottweiler has also become a popular family companion, with their admirable bravery and gentle giant nature winning over the hearts of pet lovers worldwide.
What Do Rottweilers Look Like?
The Rottweiler is a large, muscular dog whose frame conveys phenomenal strength and endurance. They have a broad chest, well-sprung ribs, and a pronounced jaw. They also have a confident, alert expression that very few breeds can match.
The Rottweiler’s most distinctive (and iconic) characteristic is their straight, medium-length coat, which comes in a striking combination of black with rust or mahogany markings. The markings are usually present as spots above their eyes, strips around their muzzle, and on the inner areas of their legs.
What Size Is a Rottweiler?
The Rottweiler stands 22 to 27 inches tall at the withers. Their muscles and heavy-boned frame mean most weigh a jaw-dropping 80 to 135 pounds in adulthood.
Males typically have a larger frame than female Rottweilers. You can expect a male Rottweiler to stand 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh 95 to 135 pounds, while females typically only reach 25 inches tall and weigh under 100 pounds.
What Is a Rottweiler’s Coat Type and Length?
The Rottweiler has a short, dense coat that consists of an outer layer and an undercoat. The outer layer lies flat and is straight and coarse to the feel, while the undercoat is soft and helps to protect them from the elements. The undercoat isn’t too prominent, though it does show up as breeching (feathering on the thighs).
What Is a Rottweiler’s Temperament?
The Rottweiler is a courageous, confident, and vigilant dog who has a knack for staying calm under pressure. While they can be reserved around strangers, they aren’t shy and warm up to people quickly once they understand they’re here to give them belly rubs (and not put their family in harm’s way).
Despite what their imposing frame may lead you to think, the Rottweiler is a big softie within the comforts of their home. They’re affectionate, patient, and often love to follow their favorite human from room to room — and yes, don’t be surprised if you hear them pawing at the bathroom door!
Rottweilers are eager to please and generally even-tempered dogs. However, due to their vigilant natures and powerful builds, they need ample socialization and consistent reward-based training.
Without adequate socialization, Rottweilers can become unruly or over-vigilant, which can manifest as destructive habits and potentially dangerous behaviors when factoring in their strength. They fare best with experienced dog owners who can not only give plenty of time and commitment to their care, but are also able to physically manage their size.
Are Rottweilers Good With Kids?
Rottweilers are gentle, loving dogs who are incredibly patient around kids. Although they aren’t as excitable as some other breeds, they’ll still love to play, and their large, well-built physiques mean they can handle roughhousing without getting frustrated or hurt. Their protective side is also sure to give kids a sense of security and safety.
That said, you may want to consider another breed if you have toddlers. The Rottweiler has a unique habit of leaning against their owner when they want attention, comfort, and affection. While this trait is endearing, their large frame means they can accidentally knock young kids over in the process.
Regardless of your kids’ ages, you should always supervise their interactions together, as the Rottweiler is still a large, powerful dog. You should also make sure your kids are taught how to safely touch, interact, and play with the Rottie.
Are Rottweilers Good With Other Animals?
As long as they’re properly socialized from a young age, the Rottweiler usually gets along well with other dogs. However, you’ll want to be cautious of their size again here. You should only house the Rottweiler with dogs who are similar in size, temperament, and energy level, to prevent accidental injuries during play.
Rottweilers also have naturally high prey drives and often chase after small, moving, prey-like animals. Introducing them to other animals gradually can help ease this, but even with regular socialization and training, many Rotties will still retain this instinct to an extent. You should always keep your Rottweiler leashed around wildlife.
Are Rottweilers Aggressive?
Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive, unruly dogs. In reality, a well-trained and socialized Rottweiler is quite the opposite! They’re calm, composed, and patient, and rarely aggressive. According to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS), Rottweilers have a temperament pass rate of around 85% — higher than breeds like the Pomeranian and border collie.
Unfortunately, Rottweilers are often purchased by misinformed owners who don’t have a clear understanding of what the breed needs to thrive. This results in unruly, destructive behavior, and when combined with their large, powerful size, can lead to the Rottweiler becoming a liability for the owner. That’s why it’s incredibly important that you only get a Rottweiler if you’re prepared to support them with their specific needs.
Do Rottweilers Bark?
Rottweilers aren’t exactly big barkers. Even within the home, they’re generally calm and quiet. They are natural watchdogs, however, and will often bark if they want to alert their owners to potential intruders or threats.
Are Rottweilers Affectionate?
The Rottweiler is a tough, confident, and aloof dog outside the home. However, when they let down their guard and feel that their loved ones are safe, they transform into a lovable, affectionate, oversized pup.
While they probably won’t jump onto your lap any time soon — for the better, in our books — they will cuddle up, give you endearing nudges, and lean against you.
Are Rottweilers Intelligent?
Rottweilers are extremely intelligent dogs. With the right training and guidance, they can excel in practically any role or activity, whether that’s obedience, dog sports, or animal therapy work.
Thanks to their working dog roots, Rottweilers are also highly perceptive of their surroundings and able to think on their own feet (or we should say paws).
Are Rottweilers Energetic?
Most Rottweilers are very active and will need plenty of exercise to keep them occupied and happy. They’ll especially enjoy interactive activities that stimulate their mind as much as their bodies, like agility, hikes, hide and seek, and fetch.
While your Rottie’s exact exercise needs will depend on attributes like their unique personality traits and age, most need at least two hours of vigorous exercise each day, split across multiple sessions. They’ll also appreciate regular playtime throughout the day.
Are Rottweilers Easy to Train?
Rottweilers are highly intelligent dogs. They’re also devoted, work-driven, and eager to please their owners. Understandably, these traits make them easy to train. They’ll pick up obedience quickly, provided reward-based training techniques are used, and they’ll also master even complex tricks like roll over.
Thanks to their athletic builds, Rottweilers are especially great candidates for dog sports and agility training. There’s truly no activity that is too challenging for the Rottweiler — and they’ll enjoy proving that to you, too!
Are Rottweilers Good Watchdogs?
Rottweilers are natural watchdogs… After all, they’ve been selectively bred over thousands of years for this very purpose! They’re alert, confident, and protective, and are sure to alert their family members of potential dangers through their barks.
Their large, intimidating appearance also works as a highly effective threat deterrent too… Even if they are big softies underneath it all.
Are Rottweilers Good Service Dogs?
As people-pleasing and naturally work-driven dogs, many Rottweilers excel at service work. Their large, powerful physiques mean they can even assist with more demanding tasks, like wheelchair pulling and balance assistance.
The Rottweiler isn’t just an effective service dog; their loyalty, affectionate side, and calm composure mean they can make a phenomenal emotional support animal and therapy dog, too. Their protective nature can even offer a sense of security to those with anxiety disorders.
You don’t have to take our word for it, either. Rottweilers themselves have proven their excellence in therapy work, with Wynd, a Rottweiler therapy dog, winning the Award for Canine Excellence in Therapy in 2015.
That said, the challenges involved in their care does mean they aren’t the right breed for every individual seeking a service dog. Consult your doctor or a dedicated service dog training organization for advice on which breed would best work with your home, lifestyle, and specific needs.
How to Care for a Rottweiler?
The Rottweiler is easy to train, even-tempered, and hardy. However, the breed is still best suited to experienced owners, as they do have demanding care needs. They need a good amount of exercise each day, regular training and socialization, and routine grooming to thrive, as well as a family who can manage their size.
Do You Need to Groom a Rottweiler?
Rottweilers have fairly short coats. While their fur doesn’t trap dirt and debris as readily as other breeds — looking at you, poodles — they are still double-coated dogs and benefit from regular grooming.
To keep your Rottweiler’s coat and skin healthy, you’ll need to give them a brush over once or twice a week (or daily during heavy shedding times). Finish off your grooming routine with daily teeth brushing, skin checks for ticks, and a wash every four to eight weeks.
Rottweilers often wear their nails down as they exercise, but keep a close eye on their paws and clip their nails if they grow too long.
Do Rottweilers Shed?
Rottweilers shed moderately year-round, with particularly heavy periods of shedding when the seasons change and they blow out their undercoat. If you’re after a low-shedding breed or prone to fur allergies, you may want to consider breeds like the poodle instead.
What Health Problems Do Rottweilers Have?
The Rottweiler can sadly be prone to a number of health complications, largely as a result of their large size and muscular, well-boned build. This includes ailments such as hip dysplasia, heart issues, cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCL), and osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
Make sure to invest in a high-quality pet insurance plan and take your Rottweiler to every routine veterinary appointment to ensure any potential health problems are caught early and your Rottie gets the treatment they need for a healthy life..
Rottweilers are also particularly susceptible to a life-threatening condition known as bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), due to their deep chests. While it isn’t always possible to prevent bloat, making lifestyle changes, like not exercising your Rottie immediately after they have eaten, may help.
How Long Do Rottweilers Live?
Sadly, the Rottweiler tends to have a rather short lifespan due to their large size and susceptibility to health concerns. Most Rottweilers live for around nine to ten years on average. That said, your Rottie may be able to live for longer with good genetics, a healthy diet, and regular vet checkups.
What Should a Rottweiler Eat?
The Rottweiler needs a high-protein, nutrient-dense diet that can keep them energized as they exercise and play. Additions like glucosamine can also help support their joints.
Be sure to stick to commercial dog foods that meet (or exceed) AAFCO standards, are enriched with vitamins, and have been carefully formulated to accommodate your Rottie’s size, growth stage, and activity level.
Adult Rottweilers generally need around three and a half to six cups of dog food per day to sustain themselves, though the exact amount will be unique to every dog. Some Rotties are more laidback than others, for instance. A canine nutritionist or veterinarian can help you formulate a personalized dietary plan that considers your Rottie’s individual needs.
Is a Rottweiler the Right Dog for Me?
The Rottweiler has more than earned themselves a top spot on the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) most popular breed list. They can thrive with those who are after a protective, loving family companion, as well as those who are looking to compete in dog sports like agility or use them for work.
However, their large size and intense care needs mean they aren’t the best fit for inexperienced owners. They also need plenty of space, consistent training, and routine vet checkups to give them the very best possible life.
With an experienced family up for the challenge, the Rottweiler will thrive and reward their loved ones with loyalty that very few (if any) dogs can match.