Rottweiler Origin , Characteristics and Temperaments
Rottweiler Origin and History
Rottweilers are believed to be descended from drover dogs (cattle-driving dogs) abandoned by Roman troops at Rottweil, Germany.
It is thought that the puppies of a Rottweiler bitch, a Dobermann female and an English Bulldog male were crossed and selectively bred over many generations until only purebred Rottweilers were produced.
The combination of the tenacity and courage of the early Rottweilers with the trainability and adaptability of the Dobermanns produced a dog that was in demand as a police, guard and military dog.
According to the modern standard, Rottweiler history states that Rottweilers trace their heritage back to the Roman Empire. However, the breed was not recognized by any major kennel clubs until about a century later.
The early ancestors of the Rottweiler were known as “turnspits” because they were used to turn meat spit roasting over open fires. These dogs can be traced back to ancient Rome, during the times of Julius Caesar and Marcus Aurelius.
Rottweilers believe their ancestors were used in the mines as well as in England. The Rottweiler is not a natural breed but rather a working dog, which was developed by crossing the German Pinscher with English Bulldogs.
The Rottweiler seems to have become established by the mid-19th century and was recognized by three kennel clubs. Originally, its history states that it was a cross between the Skye Terrier and a mastiff/heeler style dog of British origin.
Although the origin of the Rottweiler is debated, it was recognized by three major kennel clubs in 1891. The breed was included in several early dog books, including Dogs that Work and Dogs at Work by James Cowan and Robert Kerr.
The Rottweiler was exhibited at Crufts for the first time in 1894, and was registered for the first time with the AKC within a year. The breed was also recognized with the Kennel Club in Britain in 1891.
Rottweiler Characteristics
The Rottweiler is an intelligent, powerful, forceful and courageous dog requiring an owner who will assume the position of leadership. The Rottweiler is devoted, obedient, loyal and eager to work. It is extremely powerful, vigorous and fearless with a strong protective instinct.
He is self-assured but not aggressive or overly reserved with strangers. He forms a strong attachment to his own family but is generally accepting of visitors, although his protectiveness may sometimes be challenging for strangers to tolerate.
He is affectionate with family members, including children and is a good family dog. Like all large breeds, he should be socialized at an early age.
In comparison to other breeds, the Rottweiler is slow to mature (up to three years), as well as slow to stop growing (up to three years). He can live in a house with older considerate children if introduced at a young age. With other dogs, socialization is essential from the time they are very small puppies. Rottweilers are dominant and this breed should not be left with young children (the breed is commonly used as a guard dog).
He has a very deep bark and can be aggressive, which makes him an excellent guard dog. As early as the 9th century in ancient writings, Rottweilers were considered very trainable.
The Rottweiler is an extremely courageous dog, with an excellent sense of smell and hearing. His sense of smell makes him an ideal tracking dog for search and rescue missions.
He was used as an all-around farm dog and still retains these traits. Rottweilers pull carts, search for avalanche victims, guard property and herd livestock.
Rottweiler Breed Uses
Today, Rottweilers are primarily used as working dogs in police and military work, search and rescue, herding livestock, guide dogs for the blind, and for guarding homes. They also make good companions for people with allergies or other conditions that make it difficult for them to live near dogs.
Rottweilers are also used for dog sports and in obedience trials, as well as the show ring. They are also popular pets, particularly with those who have a romantic interest in German Shepherds.
The Rottweiler is a versatile dog, a powerful and courageous working dog, who can be trained to perform many functions. It is an excellent guard, but it can also be used as a therapy dog.
German police use the Rottweiler as a companion to the K9 officer because of its loyalty and its willingness to work with law enforcement officers. The German shepherd was considered unsuitable for police duty because of its exceptional size and strength. The Rottweiler is a substitute for the German shepherd in police work.
The Rottweiler has a field trial record in the United States for hunting game. The American Kennel Club recognized the Rottweiler as a working dog in 1995.
The Rottweiler is a good tracker and it has a strong character coupled with the urge to protect. The dog is intelligent, self-confident, courageous and fearless.
Rottweiler Temperament
Rottweilers are usually people dogs, being affectionate and loyal toward their families. Rottweilers are known to be fiercely protective of their human family members, as well as having a low prey drive when it comes to assuming a watchdog role.
The breed is among the most fiercely loyal dogs, yet it can also be aggressive when it senses something is wrong in the household. Rottweilers are often described as “dog eat dog” in terms of their tolerance for other dogs, so in other words Rottweilers tend to be very territorial and jealous of their family’s possessions.
The Rottweiler is a gentle and friendly dog. Most Rottweilers are obedient, loyal, kind-hearted and loving, but they have a strong protective instinct.
They are protective of their family and friends and very loyal to their owners. They need a confident owner who will assume the position of leadership for the breed.
The breed requires firm, consistent discipline; otherwise it can become stubborn and dominant in its behavior.
Rottweiler Grooming
The Rottweiler is relatively low in shedding, which makes it an excellent choice for a family pet. The breed has few health problems, although it can be prone to hip dysplasia and epilepsy. The breed requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangles in the coat.
A Rottweiler will get along well with children if introduced from a young age and socialized properly.
Rottweilers are intelligent and easy to train, as it is eager to please with a firm and consistent training.
The breed is prone to over-grooming, which offsets its low-shedding nature, especially in males.
The Rottweiler’s coat is close-fitted and short, requiring little maintenance. The coat is available in various colors, including black, red brindle and fawn, white or sable colors.
Rottweiler Care
Giving your Rottweiler two hours of exercise every day is essential to your dog’s health and well-being. Although it may not be easy to get them outside in winter, you should still try. The Rottweiler is a very devoted, loyal dog and it needs to be trained to socialize with other dogs.
The breed is easy to train and is an excellent family pet.The Rottweiler will not do well living in an apartment if it does not have enough room for exercise. It can live outdoors if you ensure it has shelter from the extremes of hot or cold weather, as well as shelter from extreme temperatures.
The Rottweiler needs exercise on a regular basis and must be taken on a daily walk for at least half an hour. It is important to socialize this breed, especially with young children. The Rottweiler can live in the city or in an apartment, as long as it has a yard where it can play and plenty of outdoor activity.
Rottweilers are not recommended for new owners because they require a proper training and socialization when very young.
Rottweiler Training
The most effective training for your Rottweiler is operant conditioning, which is based on the principle of reinforcement. This type of training works on the simple premise that behavior that is rewarded will be repeated and vice versa.
The dog must be motivated to learn and you must reward the desired behavior. With consistency, a clear understanding of the training objectives and copious praise when rewards are given, your Rottweiler should respond well to any training regime.
Rottweilers are intelligent and eager to please, but they require a firm, consistent training.
Rottweilers can be protective of their property and will not hesitate to defend it. They are very loyal and will protect their family with their lives.
Many Rottweilers have been selected for the show ring and other performance venues. Rottweiler Temperament is one of the most important aspects of its nature.
The Rottweiler is an excellent guard dog, but it can also be very gentle with children.
The Rottweiler is a powerful and courageous dog, who stands above other dogs.
Rottweiler is one of the most courageous dogs in the world, a powerful and confident dog, who can work on advanced canine training.
Rottweiler Activities and Exercise
A Rottweiler is an active breed of dog, and according to The Kennel Club, requires more than two hours of exercise a day. They are not considered to be simply a guard dog, but also for police work, search and rescue, and other forms of service dog. With its intelligence, strength, and large size, the Rottweiler is an excellent choice for a guard dog.
This breed excels in many areas of canine performance events. Rottweiler is not just a guard dog but also for police work or as a search and rescue dog. The Rottweiler is an endurance athlete with high endurance levels in running competitions such as tracking trials.
The Rottweiler is a versatile dog, a powerful and courageous working dog, who can be trained to perform many functions. It is an excellent guard, but it can also be used as a therapy dog.
German police use the Rottweiler as a companion to the K9 officer because of its loyalty and its willingness to work with law enforcement officers. The German shepherd was considered unsuitable for police duty because of its exceptional size and strength. The Rottweiler is a substitute for the German shepherd in police work.
The Rottweiler has a field trial record in the United States for hunting game. The American Kennel Club recognized the Rottweiler as a working dog in 1995.
The Rottweiler is a good tracker and it has a strong character coupled with the urge to protect. The dog is intelligent, self-confident, courageous and fearless.
Rottweiler Nutrition And Diet
The Rottweiler requires a well-balanced diet. It should be fed a dry food, which suits its specific protein and nutritional requirements. The breed requires a lot of exercise, a brisk walk every day, or an off-leash dog park at least once per week. A balanced diet with the right calorie and protein content is important for the health and well-being of the Rottweiler.
It has a very good appetite, which must be encouraged with regular feeding. The breed should be fed 1 cup of dry food per 10 pounds of body weight per day.
Rottweiler Health Issues
The Rottweiler is a generally healthy breed. However, it is prone to hip dysplasia and eye diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
The breed is also prone to elbow dysplasia and Osteochondritis dissecans, which accounts for its low occurrence. The congenital disease of PRA occurs in older Rottweilers and eventually leads to blindness.
The Rottweiler is not ideal for people with allergies because the dog’s dander or “hairs” can cause allergic reactions.
Generally, the Rottweiler is a healthy breed, which has few health problems. However, it is prone to hip dysplasia and epilepsy.
The breed requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangles in the coat. A Rottweiler will get along well with children if introduced from a young age and socialized properly.
Rottweiler Lifespan
The Rottweiler is a very long-lived dog. The typical lifespan of the Rottweiler is 8 to 10 years.
The longevity of the breed is measured in the German records over many years, and it was found that they lived longer than any other breed, including humans.
