| Rottweilers are one of the breeds whose 'reputation' | | | | be clumsy, boisterous and sometimes stubborn. As |
| precedes them. Think you know how a Rottweiler | | | | adults they are usually calm and have a fairly laid-back |
| looks or acts? Yes? Perhaps you're right, but the odds | | | | attitude, but it's important that family members are |
| are against it! | | | | physically strong enough, and psychologically confident |
| Unfortunately the Rottweiler is usually portrayed as the | | | | enough, to control a 120lb dog when necessary. |
| 'bully boy'..... or worse. How many snarling, teeth-baring | | | | Rotties love to 'lean' (a throw-back to their days as |
| Rottweilers have you seen in movies? Now, how | | | | cattle herders), and they can accidentally topple a small |
| many have you seen lolling on the sofa with the kids, | | | | child. As puppies or adults, Rottweilers tend to think of |
| or playing 'fetch' in the back yard? | | | | themselves as lap-dogs, and will happily climb into any |
| My Rotties are on the sofa, and playing fetch and I'd | | | | lap that's handy (of course you won't be able to see |
| love to tell you about the REAL Rottweiler, so I hope | | | | the TV, but they don't care!). They also have a |
| you'll keep reading to learn more about this incredible, | | | | wonderful habit of 'talking' to their human family |
| versatile breed. | | | | members, and many people unfamiliar with the breed |
| Rottweilers are one of the oldest herding breeds, and | | | | can confuse this 'grunting/grumbling' sound with |
| their origins date back to Roman times. Used as cattle | | | | growling. It's totally different, and I tend to think of as a |
| drovers and livestock guardians, they were also | | | | similar sound to a cat's 'purring' - it means they're |
| companions and protectors to merchants traveling in | | | | happy and content. |
| Europe. | | | | This breed is very intelligent and eager to please. I've |
| From the beginning, the main characteristics of this | | | | owned and trained several breeds during my lifetime |
| breed were courage, intelligence, athleticism, strength | | | | and can honestly say that Rottweiler puppies learn |
| and loyalty. And although the Rottweiler has | | | | more quickly than many others. They love to be |
| experienced many up and down turns in popularity | | | | successful and lap up rewards and attention. But it's |
| over the years, these characteristics are just as | | | | vital to only use positive, non-punitive training techniques |
| strong today as they were centuries ago. | | | | with them as they're surprisingly sensitive and don't |
| Indiscriminate aggression shouldn't part of the | | | | respond well to raised voices or punishment of any |
| Rottweiler temperament, and the original German | | | | sort. |
| breed standard (set by the Allegmeiner Deutscher | | | | Many people make the mistake of thinking that such |
| Rottweiler Klub, or 'ADRK') describes the Rottweiler | | | | big dogs require loud voices and an overbearing |
| character this way.... 'Good natured, placid in basic | | | | attitude - totally wrong in my experience! Also, once |
| disposition and fond of children. Very devoted, | | | | your pup is adolescent or older, this sort of attitude is |
| obedient, biddable and eager to work.... self-assured, | | | | likely to trigger an inherently stubborn reaction in the |
| steady and fearless...'. | | | | dog, and training will become a struggle and much less |
| The American Kennel Club puts it this way 'calm, | | | | enjoyable for everyone involved. |
| confident and courageous... with a self-assured | | | | Just like any other breed, Rottweilers have their own |
| aloofness'. | | | | health issues. Being large dogs, as puppies they are at |
| Well-bred Rotties today fit this description perfectly. | | | | risk of too-rapid growth and the subsequent joint/bone |
| Unfortunately, as with all breeds, surges in popularity | | | | damage that occurs. Feeding a quality puppy food |
| have led to poor breeding practices in many countries, | | | | designed for large breed dogs and avoiding |
| at times producing nervous, fearful and aggressive | | | | supplements is the best way to help a Rottie pup |
| dogs. In Germany, there are strict protocols and | | | | grow up strong and healthy. |
| regulations in place for breeding, and the average | | | | Other health problems that can be seen in Rottweilers |
| quality of German Rottweilers is therefore much higher | | | | include panosteitis, hip and elbow dysplasia, congenital |
| than it is in other countries. | | | | heart disease, kidney problems, allergies and some |
| Of course, there are some wonderful dogs produced | | | | cancers. They are also very susceptible to the horrible |
| around the world, by ethical responsible breeders, but if | | | | Canine Parvovirus, and in addition to the normal three |
| you're thinking of adding a Rottweiler to your family, | | | | Parvo shots, they should be given a fourth Parvo |
| you need to do a lot of very thorough research and | | | | vaccination at 16 weeks of age. |
| find the right breeder and the right dog/s. | | | | I love this breed, and would describe a Rottweiler as a |
| So, do Rottweilers make good family dogs? Yes, and | | | | teddy bear in a grizzly bears' coat! I hope that you've |
| no! All families are different, and Rottweilers aren't | | | | found this an interesting look at a dog breed that's |
| usually recommended for first time dog owners or for | | | | widely misunderstood but is truly a 'diamond in the |
| families with young children or frail, elderly members. | | | | rough'. Visit my website below for a lot more |
| This is because the Rottie is a big, strong, intelligent dog | | | | information and some wonderful photos. |
| who, as a puppy and adolescent, has the tendency to | | | | |