Live Life Team
The Rottweiler was originally bred in Germany. Its primary function was the herding of animals. It may also be known as Rottweil Metzgerhund. The breed dates back so far that the original Rottweilers were known as Roman War Dogs. Its high intelligence and strength saw it carrying heavy weights such as wood or produce. Later this breed saw action in both World Wars as guard dogs.
The primary colour of this breed is black. Usually they will have either tan or mahogany markings and these are usually found around the legs, belly and muzzle. They have a huge, heavyset head and medium sized triangular ears, which hang forward but do stand upright when they are alert. Like many dogs, they have a double coat. The undercoat is their waterproof layer and the topcoat is medium length, coarse and protective. The body, like the head, is heavy set and sturdy and extremely strong.
The temperament of the Rottweiler is subject to much controversy. It is thought that, with adequate training and management, this dog can become a gentle reliable companion. However, without training and care or indeed, with abuse, the Rottweiler can easily become extremely aggressive and destructive. It’s considerable weight and strength can makes it formidable when combined with aggression.
The Rottweiler is a strong-willed and dominant creature. An owner must assert himself or herself as the leader during training else this dog will assume the role itself and problems can follow. There have been a number of fatal attacks on humans over recent years in many parts of the world and in many places, the Rottweiler has a bad reputation and must legally be muzzled in all public places. This can be seen in Germany and France. This dog does not usually bark excessively. Infact it is common for a male to be quiet in the moments preceding an attack. The female is likely to bark more than the male as she has innate tendencies towards protecting her pups.
The fiercesome appearance, size and reputation of the Rottweiler make it an excellent and popular choice as a guard dog. These dogs are also used extensively by police forces and military across the world. Despite their response to training and many positive characteristics they may not make the ideal family pet if there are young children. Even a dog that does not display aggression can injure simply by their size and boisterous behaviour. In addition they can become over protective of children that they live with and may attack another child if they perceive their behaviour as a threat e.g. playful wrestling.
Rottweilers are susceptible to a number of health issues and, on the whole, their life expectancy is lower than many other breeds. It is common for them to become crippled by bone diseases and cancers and hearts disease often afflict middle-aged dogs. Less serious issues include excessive slobbering and flatulence. Young Rottweilers must have their exercise limited as they may easily damage their developing bones. The negative side of this is that the pups are often extremely energetic and can become destructive. An adult Rottweiler needs regular exercise in order to ensure both physical and mental wellness.
