According to the 2022 ranking, Rottweilers placed at #15 for the most popular dog breeds. The Rottweiler is one of the many breeds that come from Germany. What I bet you did not know was that the Rottweiler is considered one of the oldest breeds of dogs. Today, people’s opinion on Rottweilers are split 50/50. Some people either love having them as a companion while others believe they are a scary breed of dog. While they may look intimidating, they were originally bred for being guard dogs. This means that they have potential to be territorial, but they will also do anything to protect you if they are trained properly. Rottweilers also have the potential to be extremely gentle, loving, and nurturing. They are full of surprises as long as they are raised in a proper and loving home.
Rottweilers Dog Training: (Step By Step)
They make great police dogs
Most people believe that German Shepards are used as police dogs and Dalmatians are used as firefighting dogs. While these are the stereotypical dogs for the role, Rottweilers actually make wonderful police dogs as well. Eventually, it was discovered that Rottweilers were both strong enough physically and smart enough mentally to deal with police work. Rottweilers are kindhearted towards people that they know while they are alert and cautious around people they do not know. They are utilized in France, Germany, Belgium, Australia, and even in the United States.
They require dog owners with experience
If you are a first time dog owner, getting a Rottweiler might not be for you. Rottweilers are dogs that need to be properly socialized and trained. If you feel like you might struggle to train your dog, make sure you take them to a professional trainer. However, the training process will not hold up if you do not reinforce it at home. Normally larger dogs like Rottweilers usually need experienced handlers. These dogs are great to have around, but it’s probably a good idea to get a dog easier to handle until you gain some experience as opposed to buying a Rottweiler the first time around.
They live about 10 years
The normal life expectancy for a dog is about 13-15 years. However, the average lifespan of a Rottweiler is about 8-10 years. The reason they do not live as long is because they are prone to many health problems. They are prone to hip dysplasia, aggression, obesity, otitis externa, and degenerative joint disease. Since they are prone to some dangerous health problems, make sure you are aways up to date on their vet appointments. It is possible for them to live longer than 10 years, but it is a stretch.
They are on the taller end, and they are heavy
On average a female Rottweiler weighs about 80-100 pounds while a male weighs about 95-135 pounds. Whether you purchase a male or female, they are both still insanely heavy. These dogs are definitely not a breed for toddlers or young ones. Both the male and female range from 22-27 inches tall. This is a little over 2 feet. While they are not in the top 10 tallest breeds, they are still tall enough to knock you down if they jump on you!
They’re undercoat is waterproof
Rottweilers have two coats. The outer coat is the coat of fur that you can see with your naked eye. The second coat is underneath the top coat and is in fact waterproof. This helps allow your dog to go into the water while not having the water reach their skin. This is why Rottweilers make such great water dogs. They absolutely adore going swimming and hanging out in the water. Keep in mind that each dog is different, so it is very important to see if your particular Rottweiler enjoys spending time in the water before you throw them in.
They are intelligent
Rottweilers are easily one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there. They have the ability to understand commands and the capacity to think things through. Like most intelligent dogs, they get bored easily if they are not receiving enough mental stimulation or enough exercise. Rottweilers are very high strung dogs so if they do not receive the proper care, they might become destructive. They are ranked the 9th smartest dog when it comes to obedience. The most important part of their intelligence is the fact that they have wonderful instincts to protect and guard. Their ability to read people’s intentions and thoughts is what makes them so unique and smart.
They need lots of exercise
On average, a Rottweiler needs about one hour of exercise a day. While this is the baseline for what they need daily, they will never say no to more. This wavers depending on your Rottweilers age. Young Rottweilers and elderly ones cannot handle that much physical activity in one sitting. Take your Rottweiler on walks around the block, play fetch in the backyard, or even keep your dog on a leash and go for a run. There are many ways to help keep your dog’s energy up, so try different forms of exercise!
They are prone to many health conditions
They struggle to live a long and healthy life because they are prone to many health problems. It is very important that you get your dog from a reputable breeder. If you have a trustworthy breeder, they should have no problem producing proof that the dogs they breed do not have problems with their genetics. The last thing any parent wants is to get a new dog and then be heartbroken a few years later when their baby develops a life-threatening condition.
They shed quite a bit
It is true that a Rottweiler is in fact non hypoallergenic and tends to shed a lot. They shed a lot because of their double coat which is why they always need to replenish their fur when they shed. While they shed all year round, it is not unmanageable. Make sure to brush them daily so you yourself can collect their balls of fur.
Training tips, tricks, and facts
Just like any breed, the best time to start training your Rottweiler is when they are first born. It is always better to start when they are young so they can retain the information as they grow older. Fun fact, Rottweiler training begins before you even pick up your puppy. The training starts with the breeder. Here is what your breeder should be doing before you bring your baby Rottweiler home for the first time. There are 11 training goals that you should be aware of.
6-7 week milestones
Training goal number one is for your Rottweiler to have early socialization while they are still with their breeder. The first seven or eight weeks your Rottweiler puppy will spend with your breeder is super important. This is why it is important to find a breeder who you know will spend time with your puppy in the comfort of their own home. During this time your puppy should be encouraged to have visitors like children. The loud noises and sounds will help your puppy get used to being around others. With this in mind, your breeder needs to be cautious of who or what they introduce your puppy to. You breeder needs to be careful of bringing around viruses or diseases from other animals. There should be a healthy balance between caution and introducing your puppy to new people.
8-9 week milestones
Training goal number two is to set your expectations and your training goals. Typical training goals include learning the basics like teaching them to lay down, not beg, heel, and come when called.
Training goal number three is to make sure you keep socializing your puppy with strangers. Make sure you continue the work that your breeder should have started. This is the time when you need to have your extended family or friends over to interact and play with your puppy. Now that they are home with you and away from their breeder, it is imperative that you continue to socialize them.
Training goal number four is to make sure you get your Rottweiler used to nail care and other grooming treatments. While Rottweilers are a stress-free breed of dogs, grooming can still seem incredibly scary for your puppy. Building a foundation for doing your puppy’s toenails is super important because they become strong and big very quickly once they grow up. As far as baths go, baths need to be given about once a month because Rottweilers tend to get pretty dirty quickly. Do not forget about a strict brushing regimen. You can brush you puppy daily, weekly, or monthly, just make sure you brush them when they need it.
Training goal number five is to make sure you introduce new commands. During this week, your puppy’s brain is like a sponge. They have a short attention span, but they can absorb new information rather quickly. Start introducing “sit”, “down”, “stand”, “off”, “roll over”, “speak”, and “shake.” In order to make sure these commands stick, always remember to train with treats. Reward them with one simple treat when they listen to the command that you end up giving them.
Training goal number six is to potty train your puppy. This is probably one of the most important parts of training your puppy. Nobody wants to clean up their puppy’s mess in the family room because they did not potty train their Rottweiler correctly. Make sure you let your precious baby outside every opportunity you get. The simple schedule is to let them out every 30 minutes in the same spot.
Training goal number seven is to get your puppy used to leash walking. While there is no specific time for this to be achieved, but the eight week mark is a good time to start. Before you actually begin walking them on a leash, make sure that your puppy is used to wearing a collar first. Once you realize they are used to their collar start using a leash. Once your dog gets comfortable with you following their lead, make sure you start training them to walk behind you. You can help aid this by using some of the commands you have taught them throughout your training.
Training goal number eight is to explore the activities that Rottweilers excel at. Try to introduce them to agility exercises, obstacle courses like tunnels and ramps, chasing ducks, swimming, tracking, and barn hunting. However, since your puppy is still growing, avoid the heavy exercises like hikes. Rottweilers have a lot of energy so make sure you focus on letting them explore their wild side. They are great at many things, and it is beneficial for both you and your puppy to explore the things that they are good at.
Training goal number nine is to make sure you address nipping, biting, growling, and any other unwanted behavior. Since the Rottweiler has some herding instincts, they often like to bite or chase things that should not be bit or chased. While they do this unintentionally, these behaviors need to be discouraged when they first begin. Do not yell at your precious puppy because they need to learn overtime what not to do. Yelling at them will only hurt their self esteem.
4 month milestones
Training goal number ten is to complete your puppy’s shots and to continue to socialize your dog. Once your dog is fully vaccinated, you can introduce your puppy to actual playtime with other dogs. Make sure that your puppy or your friend’s puppy do not bully one another. Keep an eye on your Rottweiler and make sure that they are having fun.
Lastly, training goal number eleven is to enroll your Rottie in puppy obedience classes. This of course is optional. If you need help picking up your own slack, it is a perfect way for your dog to gain knowledge of what is right and wrong. It is another perfect way for your dog to learn how to interact with other dogs.
Whether you have a puppy or a dog, they are both a handful. Even though they can be a pain in the butt, they are the most loyal companions you will ever meet. They will love you until the end of time and all you have to do is feed, pet, and play with them!
