Rottweiler

Are Rottweilers As Mean As They Look?

A Rottweiler is an ancient, noble breed that is thought to have originated with the Roman Army trying to create an all-purpose dog. The breed as we recognize it today arrived around 1910, appropriately enough, in the southern German area called Rottweil. Rottweilers are highly trainable, handsome dogs that look a lot fiercer than they are. They are easy to groom but require a lot of exercise. They are one of the perfect breeds of dogs for families with children, as Rottweilers bond better with kids than with adults. Rottweilers average about one hundred pounds, although some specimens only tip the scales at seventy-five pounds. They can vary in size and amount of fluffiness, but have the same basic body shape and head shape. They have powerful, Mastiff-like muzzles with prominent teeth, large soft eyes and floppy ears. They are almost always black and tan, although some can be almost pure black. The allowed colors for the undercoat are grey, tan and black. Rottweilers have docked tails for reasons unknown. No source of Rottweiler information has ever come to a consensus on why the docking of tails began. Perhaps it was just to make the dog look fiercer. Perhaps it was because the naturally long tails might get caught up in harnesses (they used to pull wagons). England and Wales have now banned the docking of tails for all pet dogs and hopefully, more countries will follow their lead. The expression on a Rottweiler's face is in direct contrast to their powerful, tank-like bodies. Their eyes (always brown) look curious and full of wonder. Their ears are floppy, like a Jack Russell's. Some heads are rounder than others, and some are quite blocky with a Boxer-blunt muzzle. In pet quality or show quality Rottweilers, the jaw must be strong and look like it could easily rip off limbs. The jaw is square and the teeth should meet evenly. No overbites or under bites are allowed. Rottweilers love people despite the cruelty and tail-docking they often have to go through with people. They are loyal and devoted to their families and wary with strangers. Since they are so easily trained, they also can be easily trained to attack. No Rottweiler is born wanting to attack a person, this is a trained skill. Rottweilers' reputation as attack dogs used to be more feared than that of the Pit Bull. Rottweilers need a lot of exercise and play. They get very hyper if they do not have a safe outlet for their energies. This is one reason why the Rottweiler received such a bad reputation – some dogs playing did not know their own strength and caused severe injuries. This is not a breed that does well chained in a yard. They become mental very quickly that way. They need interaction and to be part of the family they are protecting. It is hoped that the Rottweiler breed standard will be changed to ban all tail docking. Rottweilers would not be in shelters if their owners took time to learn some Rottweiler information before bringing home the dog or puppy.

What You Need To Know About Rottweiler Dogs

Most Rottweiler dogs that are abandoned are not bad dogs. It's that their owners did not take the time to learn basic Rottweiler information about care, feeding and exercise needs before taking one on. Rottweilers have been one of the most popular breeds of dogs in America for about thirty years, and not for the right reasons. Some people think sticking a Rottweiler in their yard makes for cheap home protection. Rottweiler dogs need attention, purpose and activity much in the same way a pony or a horse does. Rottweilers were bred to run about all day, protecting his master's farm and property. They were also bred to look very intimidating, but to be gentle with the people he is charged to protect. Today, when Rottweilers are abandoned, it's usually die to their high-energy needs, or even their sheer size. They average over eighty pounds when full grown – that's about ten to twenty pounds more than a German Shepherd. Rottweiler dogs need to be busy and to have a purpose in life. They need to be part of the family or at least be inside where the action is. Although the coat thickness and length can differ greatly with each Rottweiler, most Rottweilers cannot handle being left outside in extreme cold or extreme hot weather. If you are cold, you can be assured that your Rottweiler is, too. Despite their intimidating size, huge teeth and muscle, they are great with kids. They are usually better with kids than they are with adults. Rottweiler dogs seem to realize that kids are not as strong or mature as adult humans or adult dogs and usually will be very tolerant of ear pulling or being crawled over. But if an adult human were to do that, the Rottweiler would get really annoyed. Don't annoy your Rottweiler (hey – some people need practical advice). Another reason Rottweiler dogs get abandoned is due to their health. Rottweiler dogs are not as prone to illnesses like some other breeds, but they need their diets and exercise monitored, especially as puppies. Too much food or too little exercise can damage the growing Rottweiler's skeleton and joints. Rottweilers of all ages are prone to hip or elbow dysplasia, which is curable, but costly. Most people would rather buy a new car than pay for their dog's veterinary bills. Rottweiler dogs have big appetites and will cost more to feed than some other breeds of dogs. They will need at least once a year check-ups and booster shots. They need to be licensed, micro chipped and given obedience training. Most people are very ignorant on their Rottweiler information and will sooner shoot a Rottweiler running towards them than welcome them with open arms (which is what most Rottweilers expect). Rottweilers need to be on leads in the public at all times. The Rottweiler has a reputation it does not deserve. Rottweiler information can be found at any library or by searching the Inertnet.

German Dog Breeds: The Rottweiler Dog

The dog breed known as the Rottweiler has developed a bad reputation in recent years. It is ironic because the descendants of this large and noble breed were useful and respectable dogs for almost two thousand years. The exact history of the Rottweiler is unknown, but the breed is thought to have developed in ancient Rome around 74 A.D. These mastiff-type dogs helped Roman armies conquer much of Europe. They were used by the military to herd cattle and to protect cattle and men. The breed fell out of favor in the 1800s due to no longer being needed to herd due to advances in technology and farming. Rottweilers began to be used by the military in World War I and II as police and guard dogs. Unfortunately, many also were trained to be hostile and aggressive to dogs and people. The present day Rottweiler dog is named for Rottweil, Germany where the breed again gained support and favor. The personality and appearance of the Rottweiler dog breed make it unique. Surprisingly, one of the first adjectives used to describe the Rottweiler's personality is calm. The breed is known to be an excellent, relaxed family pet. In fact, a calm, courageous and confident temperament is the breed standard according to the American Kennel Club, which registered the Rottweiler in 1935. Other personality traits include loyalty to family but aloofness with strangers, intelligence, work ethic and self-assuredness. All of these traits assist the Rottweiler dog in performing the tasks it does best such as herding, protecting, tracking, competing, and performing police and military work. The Rottweiler's strong physical traits also define the breed. All purebred Rottweiler's have distinctive coloring with an all black short coat with brown markings in specific areas of the cheeks, muzzle, paws and legs. A strong and large dog, the Rottweiler is muscular and has a broad head and chest. Its tail is generally docked to give its body a longer, more streamlined appearance. Rottweilers are easily differentiated from other dog breeds due to their physical and personality traits. There is no guarantee that a mistreated Rottweiler dog won't become aggressive in the future. Even if the dog has been rescued and re-socialized by a rescue center, the potential for violence will always be there. It is normally recommended that potential dog owners check into adopting or fostering rescued purebreds from shelters rather than buying purebred puppies. However, this is not a good option with the Rottweiler dog because of its size and potential for aggressive behavior if it feels threatened. When buying a purebred Rottweiler, it is a good idea for the buyer to visit the kennel and see how puppies are raised. If Rottweilers receive love and training from an early age they will have a good foundation for the buyer to build upon. Researching breeders to make sure they are ethical is also important. Buyers should know the breed standard for Rottweiler dogs and should look for the calm temperament, specific black and tan markings and other characteristics unique to the breed. Most importantly, the buyer's household should meet the Rottweiler's social and activity needs so that dog and owner will have a healthy, happy life together. The personality of the Rottweiler has received a bad reputation. Aggression and violence are not typical of every Rottweiler dog. In this article Rottweiler information is provided. The behavioral traits of the Rottweiler dog breed are also explained.

Reading Up On Rottweiler History

In order to be totally in tune with what your Rottweiler is thinking or to understand why he or she behaves in a certain manner, you will what to go back in time and learn about the history of your dog's breed. Many today still fear the Rottweiler, just as they did many years before now. The Rottweiler was always considered a smart dog and one that would scare off thieves. This is as true today as it was in the past. To fully understand and to take full advantage of the nature of the Rottweiler, it cannot be stressed enough why it is so important to take a few moments and understand where this breed comes from and what its ancestors went through. By doing so, you may actually walk away better equipped to handle your own Rottweiler. It doesn't take but a moment to educate yourself so that next time a guest in your home is scared of the look the Rottweiler has, you can share knowledge with them and lessen their fear. This breed is not one that just came about, as the ancestry of the Rottweiler dates back into ancient Roman times, which started with a type of Mastiff dog known as the Roman drover. These dogs were used daily to herd cattle during the time that the army would be traveling. And then during the night the drovers would be left to watch over the soldiers while they slept and would alert them if troubled surfaced. But it was during the travels of Caesar that some of the drovers were left in areas of Germany and natives there adopted them. The Germans ended up breeding the dogs to help them with jobs that they needed help with since this breed did so well for the soldiers. It was actually in the town of Rottweil, Germany where this breed got its name, as this is the place where the dog became known as the butcher's dog. With the Rottweiler pulling carts and barges, it seemed that they were suddenly irreplaceable but that thought soon came to an end with the introduction of the railroad. Now, without a job, the fate of the Rottweiler breed was not looking too great and there was fear they would soon cease to exist. But then the police stepped in and saw that the Rottweiler would make a wonderful police dog and in 1910, it was official, the Rottweiler was a police dog. The American Kennel Club Stud Book accepted the Rottweiler breed into the registry in 1931 and through time the popularity of the breed only grew. For a decade, the Rottweiler stood within the top ten of the breeds registered with the American Kennel Club. But then, in the year 2000, eleventh place was given to the Rottweiler and the breed lost the decade long streak. The Rottweiler popularity still continued to grow and still became the member of many households across the world. Being as loved and respected now as they were back in the ancient Roman times, the Rottweiler is here to stay. The Rottweiler breed is one that has served many purposes throughout time and has proven that it would be an excellent guard of anyone's home. It is important to get as much Rottweiler information as possible when thinking of bringing one into your home.