Personality
The AKC describes the Rottweiler as a gentle playmate and protector within the family circle who watches the outside world with a self-assured aloofness. The breed standard asks for a calm, confident and courageous dog with a wait-and-see attitude toward new people, not instant friendship with everyone. The AKC rates the breed 5 of 5 for affection with family and 3 of 5 with young children, other dogs and strangers.
Exercise
Rottweilers are muscular, athletic dogs that should exercise every day, the AKC says, and they love swimming, walking and trotting with their people. They also need a job for the mind (the AKC rates mental stimulation 5 of 5): they learn carting easily and do well in herding, tracking and obedience. VCA notes that a Rottie can overheat in warm weather, so exercise in the cooler parts of the day.
Grooming
The straight, coarse, medium-length coat needs a weekly brush and a regular bath. Rotties shed only moderately for most of the year and more heavily twice a year, usually in spring and fall. The AKC adds weekly tooth brushing and nail trims.
Health: what to know
- Hips and elbows. The AKC lists hip and elbow dysplasia among the breed’s inherited problems, and the American Rottweiler Club asks breeders to X-ray hips (and, for CHIC, elbows) through OFA at 24 months or older. VCA notes that elbow dysplasia usually shows as a front-leg limp between 5 and 14 months.
- Heart. VCA names the Rottweiler among the breeds most often affected by aortic stenosis, which is often first noticed as a heart murmur; an echocardiogram is the most sensitive test. The American Rottweiler Club strongly recommends that breeding dogs have their heart checked by a board-certified cardiologist with an echocardiogram.
- Bone cancer. The AKC lists cancer among the breed’s health problems, and VCA names Rottweilers among the large breeds affected by osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that most often starts in the long bones of the legs. A new limp or swelling in a leg needs a vet visit.
- JLPP. Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy is a fatal inherited condition in the breed. The AKC lists a JLPP DNA test, and the American Rottweiler Club requires at least one parent of every litter to be clear. Ask the breeder for the results.
- Eyes. The AKC notes several eye problems in the breed, and the American Rottweiler Club requires breeding dogs to have a normal eye exam less than three years old. Ask to see the certificate.
Training
Training should start early, the AKC says: puppy socialization, basic classes and living in the family home are what raise a well-mannered Rottweiler, a "people dog" that does poorly left alone. The breed is intelligent, highly trainable and eager to please, though some are stubborn; the AKC asks for consistent, fair, firm handling without roughness, and VCA notes that Rotties rebel against forceful methods and do best with reward-based training. The AKC advises against roughhousing.
Is this breed right for you?
- Experienced owners ready to socialize and train from puppyhood
- Active homes that want a devoted, watchful family dog
- People who enjoy training, tracking or obedience work
- Homes where the dog would be alone or outside most of the day
- Families with very small children who can’t supervise every interaction
- Owners who want a dog that greets every stranger like a friend