| Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know | | | | even black splotches on the inside of the mouth. The |
| its breed, and that includes getting a better idea | | | | one most prominent feature of this breed is the |
| about its appearance, personality, and health | | | | head, which appears to be a little over-sized. Giving |
| requirements. Here's what you need to know about | | | | the dog its look of being alert, the forehead is |
| the Rottweiler: | | | | wrinkly. This dog also has teddy bear eyes, often |
| The Rottweiler dog, often referred to as a "Rottie," | | | | with a calm but alert expression. In comparison to |
| is an amazing creature that has been given a bad | | | | the head, the Rottweiler has small ears, laid close to |
| name over the years due to it getting into the | | | | the head. Even the coat of this breed is special, being |
| wrong hands. This large dog is indeed powerful and | | | | of medium length with an undercoat that is |
| robust but also sweet and eager to please. The | | | | waterproof. |
| Rottweiler originated from Germany although it has | | | | Although a Rottweiler is born with a tail, these are |
| also been linked to Roman Empire days as well. With | | | | generally docked extremely short. The reason is that |
| people traveling long distances with cattle, this breed | | | | Rottweilers used for working can have problems with |
| of dog was helpful with herding duties, along with | | | | the tail breaking and then getting infected from being |
| protection from prey or robbers. | | | | in the field. In most cases, a reputable veterinarian will |
| Sometime around the end of the 19th century, the | | | | perform the minor surgery while the dog is still in the |
| Rottweiler's popularity had dramatically declined. | | | | puppy stage, which allows less pain and a quicker |
| However, with the start of WWII, this breed's | | | | healing. |
| popularity level again began to climb, as the need for | | | | Finally, this particular breed has a broad, strong chest. |
| a strong, obedient, and intelligent dog was needed | | | | Because of the extra room, the lungs have much |
| for police work. The Rottweiler fit the need | | | | more capacity than that of other dog breeds. |
| perfectly. But something else happened. People also | | | | According to the American Kennel Club, the dog's |
| discovered that this breed of dog had an extremely | | | | back needs to be straight (no sloping) and for males, |
| loving and loyal side, which now made them a popular | | | | a height of 24 to 27 inches with the female hitting |
| choice for families. By 1935, the American Kennel Club | | | | about 22 to 25 inches. Weight also varies, males |
| had official recognized the breed for show. | | | | averaging around 110 pounds with females around 95. |
| Sadly, we still see bad publicity associated with this | | | | Temperament and Personality |
| breed of dog - not because the breed is ferocious or | | | | If a Rottweiler is socialized when young, introduced |
| evil but because irresponsible owners get their hands | | | | to various situations, loved, played with, fed properly, |
| on the breed, sometimes teaching them to fight. All | | | | exercised, and trained, it would make an outstanding |
| of this has caused a serious misunderstanding about | | | | addition to just about any home. However, because |
| the Rottweiler, which is a real shame. The truth is | | | | there are strong personality traits, people have taken |
| that while this breed does tend to be protective, if | | | | an innocent dog, teaching them to guard drug |
| the dog is socialized young, handled with a firm hand, | | | | houses, and even attack people. |
| and introduced to various situations it will make a | | | | Yes, the Rottweiler can be a little stubborn |
| wonderful, devoted pet that is great with children | | | | sometimes, even those carefully raised but overall, |
| and other animals. | | | | this dog is calm and they live off the attention of |
| Physical Appearance | | | | owners. The size and strength of the breed makes |
| This breed of dog looks strong, proud, and almost | | | | them a great watchdog. Even though this dog does |
| like royalty. The Rottweiler is black with beautiful tan | | | | not bark often, when feeling threatened or afraid, |
| markings on the muzzle, cheeks, chest, eyebrows, | | | | the powerful voice is heard. Keep in mind that this is |
| and legs. When you look closely at the chest | | | | a strong breed so you want the Rottweiler to be |
| markings, you would notice upside-down triangles. | | | | handled by an experienced dog owner. |
| Sometimes, a Rottweiler will also have a small patch | | | | Health |
| of white in between these triangles. For a family pet, | | | | Fortunately, the Rottweiler does not have too many |
| this marking is fine but for showing, it is not. Then, | | | | health problems. The things you want to keep your |
| the breed's muzzle would be tan, with the color going | | | | eyes open for or even have the puppy of interest |
| down the throat. Over each eye, there would be a | | | | tested for would include Hip and/or Elbow Dysplasia, |
| brown dot, which serves as the eyebrows. Other | | | | Bloat, various forms of cancer, Inflammatory Bowel |
| markings include any color on the leg not going up | | | | Disorder, Von Willebrand's Disease, thyroid problems |
| more than one-third, each toe should have a small | | | | such as Hypothyroidism, and eye problems. Also keep |
| black mark, and the area under the tail would be tan. | | | | an eye on their weight. |
| The Rottweiler also has black nails and there are | | | | |