Rottweiler

Good to know

• Drovers and guardians: descended from Roman cattle dogs and later used to drive and guard herds in the German town of Rottweil, they still have strong guarding instincts.
• Aloof outside, silly at home: often reserved with strangers, they can be playful clowns with their family and some still try to climb into laps.
• Train and socialize early: intelligent and eager to please but sometimes stubborn, they need consistent, fair training from puppyhood, and rough play is best avoided.
• Seasonal shedding: the short, coarse coat sheds moderately most of the year and more heavily in spring and fall, with weekly brushing the rest of the time.
• People dogs: they don't do well isolated from their family and enjoy having work to do, such as carting, tracking, herding or obedience.

Getting out with a Rottweiler

Daily walks and some play keep them content. A mix of park time and easy trails suits them.

Common health considerations

Inherited conditions to ask your vet about

• Hip/elbow dysplasia
• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
• Aortic stenosis (heart)
• Cruciate ligament rupture

Common issues

• Joint issues
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Obesity

Bloat (GDV) risk: high. A swollen belly with retching but nothing coming up is an emergency: go to a vet straight away.

Not every Rottweiler will have these. Good breeders screen for inherited conditions, and your vet can advise on testing and check-ups.

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