Rottweiler: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Rottweiler is one of the oldest dog breeds. Imported into the region of Rottweil in Germany by the Romans, it would then have been crossed with a herding dog, gradually giving rise to the breed we know today. It long served to drive and protect the cattle of butchers, which earned it a solid reputation as a courageous and enduring working dog. At the beginning of the 1900s, after the ban on transporting cattle by road, it was recruited by the German and Austrian police for its scenting ability, its robustness and its composure, before being officially recognized as a police dog in 1910. The breed was then officially accepted in the United States in 1935 and then in France in 1970.

The Rottweiler is a powerful dog, very muscular and well proportioned, with an appearance that is both robust, supple and enduring. Its body is solidly built with a developed chest, a firm back and very muscular thighs. The head, fairly broad between the ears, has a powerful jaw, dark brown almond-shaped eyes and triangular ears falling forward. The coat is short, smooth, hard and close-fitting, with a covered undercoat and hairs very slightly longer at the back of the limbs. The coat is black with well-defined tan markings on the cheeks, the muzzle, the underside of the neck, the chest, the limbs, above the eyes and under the root of the tail.

Well selected and properly socialized, the Rottweiler is a calm dog, self-confident, close to its family and naturally protective. It often appears reserved with strangers without being fearful, and it appreciates a consistent framework that allows it to clearly understand what is expected of it. Its loyalty, its steadiness and its attachment to its family group are among its most marked traits.

On a daily basis, the Rottweiler likes to take part in the life of its household and copes poorly with prolonged isolation if it lacks contact and activities. It needs regular exercise, mental stimulation and structured interactions to remain balanced. Without supervision, its physical power and protective instinct can become difficult to manage, whereas a well-handled dog proves stable, calm and very reliable.

The education of the Rottweiler must be early, regular and perfectly consistent. He responds well to calm, fair and clear handling, based on socialization, progressive learning and positive reinforcement. The priority is to channel his strength, teach him self-control and multiply positive experiences with humans, other dogs and varied environments from his youngest age.

The purchase price of a Rottweiler varies mainly depending on the quality of the selection, the health tests carried out on the parents, the reputation of the kennel and the dog's intended purpose. Beyond the initial price, you must plan for a lifetime budget consistent with a large, powerful, athletic dog that requires supervision.

The Rottweiler is an overall sturdy dog, but its large size and rapid growth require careful monitoring throughout life. Like many powerful breeds, it has orthopedic predispositions and certain cardiac sensitivities that justify serious selection and rigorous maintenance of its physical condition.

The Rottweiler needs a complete, high-quality diet, formulated for large dogs, with an energy density adapted to its age, activity and body condition. The ration must support muscle mass without promoting weight gain.

Among its other names, we find German Cattle Dog, Rottweil Butcher's Dog and more simply Rott. The breed has also inspired popular culture, notably with the Spanish horror film Rottweiler directed by Brian Yuzna in 2004.