ALL ABOUT ROTTWEILER
by David the Dogman
David Klein FDTCB. F.inst D. Canine Behaviourist
The Rottweiler is the current "fad" guard/macho dog of the moment. For four years running, it has been the second most-popular American Kennel Club registered breed. The Rottweiler is a large, powerful dog and along with ownership comes much responsibility. Rottweilers require extensive socialisation from an early age.
Because of their size and strength, obedience training for your Rottweiler is a must. Weekly group classes for 6 to 12 months is generally considered a minimum. Rottweilers are "people" dogs. Left alone or with inadequate exercise for long periods they may become unruly and destructive.
How are they with children?
A properly bred Rottweiler who receives adequate socialisation and training will generally get along fine with children, but tolerance will vary from dog to dog. He must be taught early on what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, as should the child. Because of their large size and inherent desire to "herd", Rottweilers should always be supervised around children. A minor "bump" can cause serious injury to a small child.
Some Rottweilers have a high degree of "prey" drive (the instinct to chase moving objects), therefore should never be left alone with children, who naturally will want to run and play. I recommend waiting until children are at least school age before introducing a Rottweiler into the home. The amount of space in your home, the age of your children and the amount of time the dog will be in contact with the children should be seriously be considered.
Are they vicious?
A properly bred, socialised and trained Rottweiler is not inherently vicious. The rapid rise in popularity of the breed has attracted many irresponsible breeders who are only interested in making a profit, and don't care what damage is done to the breed in the process. Most are placed with the wrong type of owner and home.
Are they good with other pets?
Problems should be minimal when a Rottweiler is raised from puppyhood with other pets. They are highly intelligent, trainable, and with correct introduction, should be able to learn to co-exist peacefully with any pet you wish to introduce.
What kind of training do they require?
The Rottweiler has been developed for its working ability and often blooms when given a chance to work with its master, although there are occasional exceptions. It is very necessary to establish your control of the animal and obedience training is often the easiest and most rewarding way to do so.
Rottweilers can often be controlled using verbal reprimands alone, and while they occasionally require strong physical corrections, some trainers tend to be much rougher on Rottweilers than is necessary. Women have been very successful with the dogs in obedience training. Physical mastery of the dog is generally less important than sensitive, patient and positive training methods. Patience is an important factor in training a Rottweiler.
What about discipline?
The Rottweiler is a sensitive, intelligent and loyal animal, usually wanting to please its owner. Occasionally, it can be quite stubborn though, and requires more attention. A harsh word will often suffice, although sharper corrections are sometimes necessary. Ownership isn't for the timid or very busy person who cannot or is not inclined towards careful supervision of his/her pet.
Do they require much exercise?
The Rottweiler is a working breed. He is generally not happy sitting around doing nothing all day. A large garden with a six-foot high fence is essential. If you don't have the space, consider a smaller or less active breed. Adequate exercise is necessary to maintain the good health of your Rottweiler, as they have a tendency to gain weight without proper exercise.
Do they shed?
The Rottweiler is a double-coated breed, with a medium length outer coat and a soft downy undercoat. They do shed their undercoats twice a year, in spring and winter.
Are they noisy?
Rottweilers will bark to announce the arrival of people on the property, they generally don't bark without reason.
Which sex makes the best pet?
Opinions vary on this topic. I recommend a female, especially for first-time owners. Females are about 30% smaller and easier to control, somewhat less dominant and usually more affectionate. Males are stronger, more powerful and dominant, and therefore somewhat harder to train and control.
Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.
Interested in buying a
Rottweiler? You must be or you wouldn't be reading this. You've already
heard how wonderful Rottweilers are. Well, I think you should also hear, before
it's too late, that Rottweilers ARE NOT THE PERFECT BREED FOR EVERYONE. As a
breed they have a few features that some people find charming, but that some
people find mildly unpleasant and some people find downright intolerable.
There are different breeds for different needs. There are over 200 purebred
breeds of dogs in the world. Each breed was created with some specific purposes
in mind. There are lap dogs, hound dogs, herding dogs, hunting dogs, and many
varied combinations of these and other functions. Before you decide on one
specific breed, investigate it's history, temperament, and uses to make sure
that they mesh well with your own lifestyle. Just because a breed is currently
popular does not mean it's the right one for you, and the choice of a dog should
be made with the intention of caring for that dog throughout it's lifetime.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO THE BREED *CHIEFLY* BECAUSE OF
IT'S REPUTATION AS A PROTECTIVE DOG.
While a Rottweiler is a
large, impressive breed, true protection is only obtained through a lifetime of
training. Even if you do not choose to train in protection, a Rottweiler
requires many hours of obedience training and socialization, and can be expected
at some point in his/her life to challenge it's owner. Some Rottweilers are also
slow to bark, coming into their voice at two to three years of age - do not
expect your Rottweiler puppy to instinctively warn you of an approaching
stranger. There are many other breeds whose "watch dog" capabilities
far exceed that of the Rottweiler. If all you are seeking is a dog that will
bark at strangers approaching your home, you may want to look at the Labrador,
the Standard Poodle, or some terrier breeds.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SHARE YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR LIFE
WITH YOUR DOG.
Rottweilers were bred to
share in many aspects of a family's daily life, as protective guardians, willing
workers, and happy playmates. They thrive on companionship and they want to be
wherever you are. They are happiest living with you in your house and going with
you when you go out. While they usually tolerate being kenneled for periods of
time, or crated inside the house by themselves, they need human contact and
socialization in order to remain well-rounded. A Rottweiler who does not receive
adequate socialization and attention is likely to grow up to be unsociable
(fearful and/or unprovokedly aggressive), unruly, and unhappy. He may well
develop pastimes, such as digging or barking, that will displease you and/or
your neighbors. An adult so exiled will be miserable too. If you don't strongly
prefer to have your dog's companionship as much as possible, enjoy having him
sleep in your bedroom at night and sharing many of your activities by day, you
should choose a breed less oriented to human companionship. Likewise, if your
job or other obligations prevent you from spending much time with your dog. No
dog is really happy without companionship but the pack hounds are more tolerant
of being kenneled or yarded so long as it is in groups of 2 or more. A better
choice would be a cat, as they are solitary by nature.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU DON'T INTEND TO EDUCATE (TRAIN) YOUR DOG.
Basic obedience and
household rules training is NOT optional for the Rottweiler. As an absolute
minimum, you must teach him to reliably respond to commands to come, to lie
down, to stay, and to walk at your side, on or off leash and regardless of
temptations. You must also teach him to respect your household rules: e.g. is he
allowed to get on the furniture? is he allowed to beg at the table? What you
allow or forbid is unimportant; but it is *critical* that you, not the dog, make
these choices and that you enforce your rules consistently. You must commit
yourself to attending an 8 to 10 week series of weekly lessons at a local
obedience club or professional trainer and to doing one or two short (5 to 20
minutes) homework sessions per day. As commands are learned, they must be
integrated into your daily life by being used whenever appropriate and enforced
consistently. Young Rottweiler puppies are relatively easy to train: they are
eager to please, intelligent, and calm-natured, with a relatively good attention
span. Once a Rottweiler has learned something, he tends to retain it well. Your
cute, sweet little Rottweiler puppy will grow up to be a large, powerful dog
with a highly self-assertive personality, and the determination to finish
whatever he starts. If he has grown up respecting you and your rules, then all
his physical and mental strength will work for you. But if he has grown up
without rules and guidance from you, surely he will make his own rules and his
physical and mental powers will often act in opposition to your needs and
desires. For example: he may tow you down the street as if competing in a
sled-dog race; he may grab food off the table; he may forbid your guests entry
to his home. This training cannot be delegated to someone else, e.g. by sending
the dog away to "boarding school", because the relationship of respect
and obedience is personal between the dog and the individual who does the
training. This is true of all dogs to a greater or lesser degree, but definitely
to a very great degree in Rottweilers. While you definitely may want the help of
an experienced trainer to teach you how to train your dog, you yourself must
actually train your Rottweiler. As each lesson is well learned, then the rest of
the household (except very young children) must also work with the dog,
insisting he obey them as well.
Many of the Rottweilers that are rescued from Pounds and Shelters show clearly
that they have received little or no basic training, neither in obedience nor in
household deportment; yet these same dogs respond well to such training by the
rescuer or the adopter. It seems likely that a failure to train the dog is a
significant cause of Rottweiler abandonment .
If you don't intend to educate your dog, preferably during puppyhood, you would
be better off with a breed that is both small and socially submissive, e.g. a
Shetland Sheepdog. Such a dog does require training, but a little bit goes
further than with a Rott. In the opposite direction, if your goals in obedience
training are oriented towards success at high level competition (HIT, OTCh, and
Gaines), please realize that while some Rottweilers can and do accomplish these
goals, they are few and far between. The Rott is not among the half dozen breeds
best suited to such highly polished performance.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU LACK LEADERSHIP (SELF-ASSERTIVE) PERSONALITY.
Dogs do not believe in
social equality. They live in a social hierarchy led by a pack-leader (Alpha).
The alpha dog is generally benevolent, affectionate, and non-bullying towards
his subordinates; but there is never any doubt in his mind or in theirs that the
alpha is the boss and makes the rules. Whatever the breed, if you do not assume
the leadership, the dog will do so sooner or later and with more or less
unpleasant consequences for the abdicating owner. Like the untrained dog, the
pack-leader dog makes his own rules and enforces them against other members of
the household by means of a dominant physical posture and a hard-eyed stare,
followed by a snarl, then a knockdown blow or a bite. Breeds differ in
tendencies towards social dominance; and individuals within a breed differ
considerably. Rottweilers as a breed tend to be of a socially dominant
personality. You really cannot afford to let a Rottweiler become your boss. You
do not have to have the personality or mannerisms of a Marine boot camp
Sergeant, but you do have to have the calm, quiet self-assurance and
self-assertion of the successful parent ("Because I'm your mother, that's
why.") or successful grade-school teacher. If you think you might have
difficulty asserting yourself calmly and confidently to exercise leadership,
then choose a breed known for its socially subordinate disposition, such as a
Golden Retriever or a Shetland Sheepdog, and be sure to ask the breeder to
select one of the more submissive pups in the litter for you.
Leadership and training are inextricably intertwined: leadership personality
enables you to train your dog, and being trained by you reinforces your dog's
perception of you as the alpha.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU DON'T VALUE CONSTANT COMPANIONSHIP AND SOMETIMES
PHYSICAL AFFECTION .
A Rottweiler becomes
deeply attached and devoted to his own family, and will show this affection in a
variety of ways. Some Rottweilers are noticeably reserved, however most are more
outgoing, and a few may be exuberantly demonstrative of their affections. They
like to be near you, usually in the same room, an almost always with a head or
paw in your lap. They will follow you from room to room, and if you are standing
still, will lean against your leg. They have been known to upend morning coffee
cups by deciding that it's time your hand touched their heads. They are
emotionally sensitive to their favorite people: when you are joyful, proud,
angry, or grief-stricken, your Rott will immediately perceive it and may respond
to your mood. As puppies, of course, they will be more dependent, clownish, and
given to testing the limits of their surrounding.
A number of breeds retain into adulthood a less puppyish and playful
disposition, e.g. Sheepdogs, Mastiffs and others. Quite a few are far more
dramatically demonstrative and/or more clingingly dependent, e.g. the Golden
Retriever.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU ARE FASTIDIOUS ABOUT THE NEATNESS OF YOUR HOME.
The Rottweiler's short
coarse coat and undercoat do shed . Generally shedding is confined to once or
twice per year, but Rottweiler females may "blow coat" during their
heat cycles, and some Rotties shed more than others. I don't mean to imply that
you must be a slob or slattern to live happily with a Rott, but you do have to
have the attitude that your dog's company means more to you than does neatness
and you do have to be comfortable with a less than immaculate house.
While all dogs, like all children, create a greater or lesser degree of
household mess, many other breeds of dog are less troublesome than the
Rottweiler in this respect. The Basenji is perhaps the cleanest, due to its
cat-like habits.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU DISLIKE DAILY PHYSICAL EXERCISE.
Rottweilers need exercise
to maintain the health of heart and lungs, and to maintain muscle tone. Because
of his mellow, laid-back, often lazy, disposition, your Rottweiler will not give
himself enough exercise unless you accompany him or play with him. An adult
Rottweiler should have a morning outing of a mile or more, as you walk briskly,
jog, or bicycle beside him, and a similar evening outing. For puppies, shorter
and slower walks, several times a day are preferred for exercise and
housebreaking.
All dogs need daily exercise of greater or lesser length and vigor. If providing
this exercise is beyond you, physically or temperamentally, then choose one of
the many small and energetic breeds that can exercise itself within your fenced
yard. Most of the Toys and Terriers fit this description, but don't be surprised
if a Terrier is inclined to dig in the earth since digging out critters is the
job that they were bred to do.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU BELIEVE THAT DOGS SHOULD RUN "FREE".
Whether you live in town
or country, no dog can safely be left to run "free" outside your
fenced property and without your direct supervision and control. The price of
such "freedom" is inevitably injury or death: from dogfights, from
automobiles, from the pound or from justifiably irate neighbors. Even though
Rotts are home-loving and less inclined to roam than most breeds, an unfenced
Rott is destined for disaster. Like other breeds developed for livestock
herding, most Rotts have inherited a substantial amount of "herding
instinct", which is a strengthened and slightly modified instinct to chase
and capture suitable large prey. The unfenced country-living Rott will sooner or
later discover the neighbor's livestock (sheep, cattle, horses, poultry) and
respond to his genetic urge to chase and harass such stock. State law almost
always gives the livestock owner the legal right to kill any dog chasing or
"worrying" his stock, and almost all livestock owners are quick to act
on this! The unfenced city Rott is likely to exercise his inherited herding
instinct on joggers, bicyclists, and automobiles. A thoroughly obedience-trained
Rottweiler can enjoy the limited and supervised freedom of off-leash walks with
you in appropriately chosen environments.
If you don't want the responsibility of confining and supervising your pet, then
no breed of dog is suitable for you. A neutered cat will survive such
irresponsibly given "freedom" somewhat longer than a dog, but will
eventually come to grief.
READ THIS PARAGRAPH TWICE!
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY, FEED, AND PROVIDE HEALTHCARE
FOR ONE.
Rottweilers are not a
cheap breed to buy, as running a careful breeding program with due regard for
temperament, trainability, and physical soundness (hips especially) cannot be
done cheaply. The time the breeder should put into each puppy's
"pre-school" and socialization is also costly. The "bargain"
puppy from a "back-yard breeder" who unselectively mates any two Rotts
who happen to be of opposite sex may well prove to be extremely costly in terms
of bad temperament, bad health, and lack of essential socialization. In
contrast, the occasional adult or older pup is available at modest price from a
disenchanted owner or from a breeder, shelter, or rescuer to whom the dog was
abandoned; most of these "used" Rottweilers, after evaluation by an
experienced handler and vet check, are capable of becoming a marvelous dog for
you if you can provide training, leadership, and understanding. Whatever the
initial cost of your Rottweiler, the upkeep will not be cheap. Being large dogs,
Rotts eat relatively large meals. (Need I add that what goes in one end must
eventually come out the other?) Large dogs tend to have larger veterinary bills,
as the amount of anesthesia and of most medications is proportional to body
weight. Spaying or neutering, which costs more for larger dogs, is an essential
expense for virtually all pet Rottweilers, as it "takes the worry out of
being close", prevents serious health problems in later life, and makes the
dog a more pleasant companion.
Rottweilers are subject to quite a few genetically derived health disorders,
however, two conditions in particular are extremely prevalent and can be costly
to treat: hip dysplasia and parvovirus. Your best insurance against dysplasia is
to buy only from a litter bred from OFA or foreign hip certified parents and [if
possible], grandparents. Yes, this generally means paying more. While
suceptibility to parvovirus may have a genetic predisposition, there are no
predictive tests allowing selective breeding against it. Your best prevention is
to follow the vaccination schedule recommended by your breeder in concordance
with their veterinarian. As far as other genetically dreived health disorders,
such as entropian, elbow dysplsia, cataracts, von Willebrand's disease (a
bleeding disorder), and heart disorders, ALWAYS buy from a breeder who gives you
a written contract guaranteeing against these disorders. Finally, the modest fee
for participation in a series of basic obedience training classes is an
essential investment in harmonious living with your dog; such fees are the same
for all breeds, though conceivably you will need to travel a bit further from
home to find a training class teacher who is competent with the more formidable
breeds, such as Rottweiler. The modest annual outlays for immunizations and for
local licensing are generally the same for all breeds, though some counties have
a lower license fee for spayed/neutered dogs.
All dogs, of whatever breed and however cheaply acquired, require significant
upkeep costs, and all are subject to highly expensive veterinary emergencies.
Likewise all cats.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU WANT THE "LATEST, GREATEST FEROCIOUS KILLER
ATTACK DOG".
Although the Rottweiler's
capability as a personal protection dog and as a police dog have been
justifiably well publicized, and occasionally dramatically over-stated, the
Rottweiler is not any more capable in these respects than are half a dozen other
protection breeds. Nor are all Rottweilers equally capable: some are highly so
and some moderately so, but many have insufficient natural capacity for such
work. Due to his laid-back disposition, the Rottweiler is, if anything, a bit
slower to respond aggressively to a threat than are most other protection
breeds. For the same reason, however, the Rottie is perhaps somewhat more
amenable to control by the handler and somewhat more willing to follow commands
to refrain from biting or to stop biting when told to do so. Whatever the breed,
before the dog can be safely protection trained, he must have great respect for
the leadership of his handler and must be solidly trained in basic obedience to
that handler. Equally essential, he must have a rock-solidly stable temperament
and he must also have been "socialized" out in the world enough to
know that most people are friendly and harmless, so that he can later learn to
distinguish the bad guys from the good guys. Even with such a dog, safe
protection training demands several hundred hours of dedicated work by the
handler, much of it under the direct supervision of a profoundly expert trainer.
Please don't buy any dog for protection training unless you are absolutely
committed to the extreme amount of work that will be required of you personally.
Also talk to your lawyer and your insurance agent first.
In contrast to the protection-trained dog, trained to bite on direct command or
in reaction to direct physical assault on his master, the "deterrent
dog" dissuades the vast majority of aspiring burglars, rapists, and
assailants by his presence, his appearance, and his demeanor. Seeing such dog,
the potential wrong-doer simply decides to look for a safer victim elsewhere.
For this job, all that is needed is a dog that is large and that appears to be
well-trained and unafraid. The Rottweiler can serve this role admirably, with
the added assets of generally dark color and "bestial" appearance
adding to the impression of formidability and fearsomeness. If the dog has been
taught to bark a few times on command, eg "Fang, watch him!" rather
than "Fifi, speak for a cookie", this skill can be useful to augment
the deterrent effect.
Other breeds of dog which are equally suitable for protection or for deterrence
include the Doberman, German Shepherd, Briard, Belgian Sheepdog, Bouvier des
Flandres, Belgian Tervuren, and Belgian Malinois. Of these the first 2 are also
recognized by the general public as "police dogs". The Malamute,
though not suitable for protection, is quite effective for deterrence due to his
highly wolf-like appearance.
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU WANT A TOTALLY UNAGGRESSIVE AND UNPROTECTIVE DOG.
Most Rottweilers have an
assertive and confident personality. When confronted with a threat, a proper
Rottweiler will be somewhat more ready to fight than to flee. Thus he may
respond aggressively in situations where many other breeds back down. Most
Rottweilers have some inclination to act aggressively to repel intruders on
their territory (i.e. your home) and to counter-act assaults upon their pack
mates (you and your family). Without training and leadership from you to guide
him, the dog cannot judge correctly whom to repel and whom to tolerate. Without
training and leadership, sooner or later he may injure an innocent person who
will successfully sue you for more than you own. With good training and
leadership from you, he can be profoundly valuable as a defender of your home
and family. (See also remarks on stability and socialization above.)
If you feel no need of an assertive dog or if you have the slightest doubts of
your ability and willingness to supply the essential socialization, training and
leadership, then please choose one of the many breeds noted for thoroughly
unaggressive temperament, such as a Sheltie or a Golden Retriever.
READ THIS PARAGRAPH TWICE!!
DON'T BUY A ROTTWEILER IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO COMMIT YOURSELF FOR THE DOG'S
ENTIRE LIFETIME.
No dog deserves to be
cast out because his owners want to move to a no-pet apartment or because he is
no longer a cute puppy or didn't grow up to be a beauty contest winner or
because his owners through lack of leadership and training have allowed him to
become an unruly juvenile delinquent, with a repertoire of undesirable
behaviors. The prospects of a responsible and affectionate second home for a
"used" dog are never very bright, but they are especially dim for a
large, poorly mannered dog. A Rottweiler dumped into a Pound or Shelter has
almost no chance of survival -- unless he has the great good fortune to be
spotted by someone dedicated to Rottweiler Rescue. The prospects for adoption
for a youngish, well-trained, and well-groomed Rottweiler whose owner seeks the
assistance of the nearest Rottweiler Club or Rescue group are fairly good; but
an older Rott has diminishing prospects. Be sure to contact your local
Rottweiler club or Rescue group if you are diagnosed with a chronic illness or
have other equally valid reason for seeking an adoptive home. Be sure to contact
your local Rottweiler club if you are beginning to have difficulties in training
your Rottweiler, so these can be resolved. Be sure to make arrangements in your
will or with your family to ensure continued care or adoptive home for your
Rottweiler if you should pre-decease him.
The life span of a Rottweiler is from 9 to 12 years. If that seems too long a
time for you to give an unequivocal loyalty to your Rottweiler, then please do
not get one! Indeed, as most dogs have a life expectancy that is as long or
longer, please do not get any dog!
In Conclusion :
If all the preceding "bad news" about Rottweilers hasn't turned you
away from the breed, then by all means DO GET A Rottweiler! They are every bit
as wonderful as you have heard!
If buying a puppy, be sure to shop carefully for a *responsible* and
*knowledgeable* breeder who places high priority on breeding for sound
temperament and trainability and good health in all matings. Such a breeder will
interrogate and educate potential buyers carefully. Such a breeder will continue
to be available for advice and consultation for the rest of the puppy's life and
will insist on receiving the dog back if ever you are unable to keep it .
However, as an alternative to buying a Rottweiler puppy, you may want to give
some serious consideration to adopting a rescued Rottweiler. Despite the
responsibility of their previous owner, rescued Rottweilers who have been
evaluated by experienced Rottweiler handlers/breeders and vet checked have
proven to be readily rehabilitated so as to become superb family companions for
responsible and affectionate adopters. Many rescuers are skilled trainers who
evaluate temperament and provide remedial training before offering dogs for
placement, and who offer continued advisory support afterwards. Contact local
Rottweiler breeders, Rottweiler club members, the local humane society, or your
local all breed kennel club to learn who is doing Rescue work.
An Afterward:
This article was originally written by Pam Green, a caring and involved Bouvier
des Flandres owner, and has been adapted in order to assist in Rottweiler
education by Liz Bauer in 1994 with assistance from Lucy Newton of Cornell
University.
Pam first wrote this article nearly 14 years ago. Since then it has become a
classic of Bouvier literature, reprinted many times. Pam has spent nearly 8
years in Bouvier Rescue, personally rescuing, rehabilitating, and placing 3 or 4
per year and assisting in the placement of others.
Liz has been involved with Rottweilers since the early 1980's, purchasing her
first Rottweiler in 1991, and breeding her first solo litter in 1997. She became
involved in Rottweiler Rescue in 1986, retired from active rescue in 1996 and
currently assists with the evaluation and placement of over 50 Rottweilers per
year in association with Joan Sweeney of Wisconsin Rottweiler Rescue. Liz can be
contacted at harkon@inxpress.net
Lucy has owned rottweilers since the early 1990's and is involved with Search
and Rescue in the Ithaca, New York area. She can be reached at lan5@cornell.edu.
Reference Trojan Rottweilers
The
history of the Rottweiler is not a documented record. There is the likelihood
that the Rottweiler is descended from drover dogs indigenous to ancient Rome.
These drover dogs were described as being of the Mastiff type, with great
intelligence, rugged, dependable, willing to work and with a strong guarding
instinct. The transition from Roman herding dog to the dog we know today can be
attributed to the ambitious Roman Emperors wanting to conquer Europe. As very
large armies were required for these expeditions, the logistics of feeding such
a large number became a major factor. As there was no form of refrigeration, it
meant that the meat accompanied the armies "on the hoof". This meant a
dog capable of keeping the herd together during the long marches was needed. The
"Mastiff type" was well suited to this task as well as shouldering the
extra responsibility of guarding the supply dumps at night.
As
sites of civilization arose along the legions' roads, so did various types of
dogs. One such road led to an army encampment on the Meckar River in what became
the state of Swabia in Southern Germany. It flourished as a trading center and
was eventually called Rottweil (Rote Wil-"red tiled roofs"). Here, the
breed became known as the Rottweiler. "Lore" has it that the butcher's
of Rottweil depended on their dogs to herd cattle to market; then once the
cattle were slaughtered, the dogs pulled the butcher's carts. When the meat was
sold, the money purses were tied around the dogs' necks to keep the money safe
from bandits.
The
Rottweiler was kept busy until the mid-19th century when railroads replaced
droving for getting livestock to market and using dogs as draft animals was
outlawed (due partially to abuses). As the Rottweiler's customary jobs were
eliminated due to industrial progress, he fell on hard times. Thanks to the
breeds' traits of endurance, strength, loyalty and intelligence, he found a new
niche as a guard dog and the Rottweiler's talents were put to new uses with the
police and military. It was toward suitability for those tasks that the modern
Rottweiler was developed. In 1910 the Rottweiler was officially recognized by
the German Police Dog Association as the fourth police dog breed. The period
from 1882 to 1910 saw the breed go from obscurity to national acclaim.
The
large leap for Rottweilers is assumably due to some very hard work and skillful
breeding by their owners and breeders. The Rottweiler was fortunate that the
"dog fancier", a person who loved the breed for its own sake, had
arrived on the scene. Dog breeding was no longer done solely for the purpose of
producing a working animal. Breeders set out to preserve their chosen breed in
the form in which it had been handed down to them, while at the same time they
also set out to refine and improve it when they felt this was necessary. One of
the milestones was being accepted as a working police dog. To have achieved this
success, the comparatively nondescript and unknown dog of the late 1800's must
have changed considerably. In 1905 the Rottweiler was selected as a "fine
dog of unusual breed and irreproachable character" to be presented to the
President of a dog show, organized by the Association of the Friends of Dogs in
Heidelberg, Germany. We assume from this that the breed was recognized and
settled, more or less, in its present form, though not well known. It is also
reasonably safe to assume that the Rottweiler was already showing the exemplary
character that we have grown to admire today.
Hip Dysplasia
(Thank you to Leerburg
for the xrays)
Hip Dysplasia (HD) is a developmental disease in which there is a
malformation of the hip joint(s). It is a genetic disease, which may also be
influenced by environmental factors. It is a common problem in most large
breeds, and depending on severity, can cause serious pain and/or debilitation.
HD is almost never detectable in animals younger than six months, and then in
only the most severe cases. Two years is generally considered the minimum age
for accurate diagnosis.
The
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) maintains a Hip Dysplasia Registry,
which functions as a diagnostic service and a registry of hip status for dogs of
all breeds. X-rays are evaluated by three veterinary radiologists, and are
assigned a hip status of Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild Dysplasia,
Moderate Dysplasia or Severe Dysplasia. Dogs receiving evaluations of Excellent,
Good or Fair are assigned an OFA Breed Registry Number. Only dogs that are at
least 24 months of age are eligible for an OFA Number.
In an effort to reduce
the incidence of HD, responsible Rottweiler breeders will not breed dogs which
have not received OFA clearance. Puppies should only be purchased after careful
evaluation of the hip dysplasia status of the parents and the grandparents. The
breeder of the puppies should be able to provide copies of the OFA certificates
(on official stationery from the OFA). This is not a guarantee that your puppy
will not develop HD later on; research has documented the fact that normal
parents can produce litters with one third or more of the puppies dysplastic as
adults. Genetics may be the cause of dysplasia but environmental factors such as
over-feeding, over exercise and injury of young animals may also contribute to
this
disease.
Elbow Dysplasia
Like hip dysplasia,
elbow dysplasia is a hereditary disease. It is a malformation of the elbow
joint(s). OFA certifies elbows on a pass/fail basis. As with hip dysplasia, your
breeder should be able to show you reports from the OFA defining the
conformation of both parent's elbows.
Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
OCD is a disease of bone formation that leads to lameness and arthritis. It
results from a disturbance of the process by which cartilage is turned into bone
during the growth process. Abnormally thickened cartilage forms in areas of the
joints that are subject to stress and, hence, prone to damage. Cracks form, and
the cartilage can tear, forming a flap. This flap may remain attached to the
bone, or it may tear away and float freely in the joint. The cracks, flap or
free cartilage piece lead to inflammation of the joint (arthritis), pain and
lameness. More than one joint is often affected simultaneously. In dogs, a the
most commonly affected joint is the shoulder, followed by the elbow, hock and
knee.
Paneosteitis
Sometimes referred to as "growing pains" or "pano",
panosteitis occurs as a rotating lameness, usually in puppies about four months
of age. There are tests for pano which should be done to rule out more serious
problems. Sometimes crate rest is all a puppy needs for complete recovery.
Von Willebrand's Disease (VWD)
VWD is a hereditary a bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia. Dogs affected
with VWD may have symptoms ranging from prolonged bleeding of toenails cut short
to hemorrhaging during minor surgical procedures. Dogs may be carriers while
exhibiting no outward symptoms. VWD is diagnosed through blood screening.
Bloat
Bloat is a common condition in which the stomach swells from gas, fluid or both.
Bloat becomes a medical emergency when the stomach distends and then flips over,
causing torsion. Bloat and torsion may be caused by over-eating, drinking large
amounts of water after eating, and/or vigorous exercise after a meal. Efforts to
prevent bloat may include feeding several small meals a day, crating the dog for
several hours after eating, and monitoring water intake.
Purdue Study On Bloat
http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm
Heart Diseases
The most common heart problem seen in Rottweilers is Sub-Aortic Stenosis. This
disorder can be very mild or so serious that it results in sudden death.
Reputable breeders, working with canine cardiologists, hope to identify the mode
of inheritance of this and other heart problems.
Allergies
Some Rottweilers are prone to flea and/or food allergies. Symptoms and severity
of the allergies vary from dog to dog.
Eye Diseases
Entropian (eyelids rolling inward) and Ectropian (Eyelids rolling outward) are
inherited conditions which require surgical correction. Both of these conditions
disqualify a dog from being shown in AKC conformation competition.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)
and certain types of Cataracts are inherited conditions. Dogs used for breeding
should be examined annually by a Board-certified Veterinary ophthalmologist,
until at least eight years of age, as hereditary eye problems may not present
themselves until later in life. Dogs examined by a Board-certified Veterinary
Ophthalmologist and found to be free of hereditary eye disease may be registered
annually with the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF).
Epilepsy
Epilepsy may result from injury to the head or from bacterial infections of the
brain. If no such cause is found, it is regarded to be congenital. Congenital
epilepsy can be an inherited trait, and has been observed in many breeds. The
term epilepsy refers to recurring episodic seizures/convulsions. The episodes
can be triggered by fatigue, excitement, anxiety, noise or in females, by
estrus. It may be controlled with medication. Obviously, breeding is not
recommended.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism refers to insufficient output of the thyroid hormone by the
thyroid gland. It may slow down the whole body functions; the dog may become
lethargic, mentally slow, without much energy. Its coat may become dull, thin
and fall out easily. In males it can lower the sperm count and reduce sexual
activity. In females it may cause irregular heat cycles. The signs may develop
very slowly, and the condition can be detected with a blood test. Usually, it is
a permanent condition, and is treated with thyroid hormones. Hypothyroid is
generally considered to be an inherited trait.
Cancer
Cancer is becoming a very common condition in the Rottweiler breed, with bone
cancer being the most frequent type. Any suspicious lumps, moles, sores or
unexplained lameness should be investigated by your veterinarian.
Fleas? Try this recipe for a Natural Flea Spray!
Bring a quart of water just to a boil. Pour it over a fat sliced lemon and a tablespoon of crushed rosemary leaves. Let this sit overnight. Strain and put in a spray bottle. If you have a serious infestation, pour the whole batch in the tub as a rinse after a bath with a good herbal shampoo. Leave on and rub in for five minutes.
By Steve Wolfson
While walking my Rottweiler Bronco, a gentleman approached the two of us and said, "Oh, he's very nice, he must be a German Rottweiler!" I replied, "How did you know that?" He then replied, "I can tell by the size of his head. His head is much bigger than my Rottie's head. German Rottweilers have much bigger heads than the American ones." I told him that he was in error since Bronco was born and raised right here on Long Island, NY. He descends from German stock, but they all do. Looking still puzzled by my explanation he asked, "Then why all the Rottweilers I see have such small heads and potato stick legs?" That characterization made me laugh. I then replied, "More likely, the ones you are seeing result from a poorly planned breeding program using inferior breeding stock." He told me he had paid a great deal of money for his dog and was disappointed in the way it eventually turned out. I understood his disillusionment and further explained that spending a large sum of money (I was afraid to ask the exact price he paid) was not the correct criterion to procure a quality Rottweiler.
"The German Rottweilers are better", "The American Rottweilers have no bone substance, Are the American Rottweilers from the same breeding stock?" I am asked these questions continually, so I thought it would be a good idea to answer them, perhaps settling this colloquial notion. What is the difference between the German Rottweiler and the American Rottweiler?
There is only one Rottweiler; correct in type* and construction according to the standard. No doubt, untypical and poorly constructed specimens are everywhere. Often, I have encountered Rottweilers purchased as pets (even represented as a show dog) I would consider completely lacking breed type *, yet I know they are pure bred Rottweilers. Why the difference? Variations of size, shape, and head type etc, encountered in the breed happen for two reasons:
A Normal variance that occurs in the progeny when breeding Sire to Dam
B. Poor planning / Little Concern for the Rottweiler breed (some breedings take place with no motive at all, but for a monetary one).
A. Even when a litter is carefully planned, a percentage within the progeny is observed that varies in type and construction. This is normal. Not every pup in the litter will be uniform. This divergence is a matter of genetic inheritance which all competent and concerned breeders must deal with each time they decide to plan a litter.
When searching for a stud dog to utilize, the experienced breeder does their homework:
1. Researching the pedigrees of Sire and Dam.
2. Ascertaining whether the stud dog and brood bitch will compliment each other.
3 . What improvements can be realized in the upcoming litter?
4. What undesirable construction / type faults will possibly surface?
By doing homework, the concerned breeder reduces the occurrence of undesirable flaws and increases their chances of producing desirable traits and a uniformity in the litter. Predicting results and having goals are the hallmark of a concerned, experienced, responsible breeder.
B. Undesirable traits which many people not deeply involved with the Rottweiler question are the Doberman-like heads, lo ng bodies, thin, spindle- like bones, general poor construction. These traits are repeatedly observed when the Sire and Dam used in the breeding are not uniform in breed type*, poor planning (perhaps no planning at all) and little concern for the Rottweiler breed. A breeding of this sort, for all concerned, should not occur.
Those are reasons why great variations are seen in Rottweilers. Top quality specimens are produced by thoughtful, selective, hard working breeders. It does not matter what the country of origin is. Germany produces some of the finest Rottweilers. Also included in this list are all of Europe, Russia, Canada and certainly the US. Quality is where you find it; not exclusive to one particular place. Conversely, there are plenty of pin headed, potato, stick legged, grossly overweight, giant sized Rottweilers available here and outside the US.
However, there are differences when we compare breeding practices. Here are some highlights of the ADRK breeding procedures.
1. The ADRK has strict controls on which are bred.
2. The ADRK requires all dogs for breeding must pass a minimum qualification test called the Ztp (Zuchttauglichkeitprufung). I A dog cannot be coupled unless it has passed.
3. The ADRK standard does not allow any missing teeth.
4. Any dog/bitch which is over, or under the height range will not pass the Ztp.
5. All Rottweilers born after 1999 cannot have their tails docked. The practice of docking tails has been stopped.
Does this translate into breeding better dogs? One must make a comparative analysis of this and come to a final decision.
At the American Rottweiler Club national held in Orlando, Florida, March-2002, I observed some outstanding specimens. I would not be able to determine their country of origin merely by looking at them and would be happy to compete with these outstanding US Rottweilers in the Klub Sieger show in Germany.
Beware of sales pitches, unethical breeders, claims which cannot be documented. Read, learn, ask detailed questions, go to the shows, become a student of the breed. Do not be fooled by the "Grass is Greener" logic. By virtue of the dog's country of origin does not make it better. This is a premise based in mythology and snob appeal.
*Breed type:
Breed type for the Rottweiler is the essence of characteristics* that distinguishes it from others. *Essence of characteristics: One must carefully read the standard to discover and comprehend the essence of characteristics.
PRCI
Breed Standard (F.C.I.-Standard Nr. 147 / 19.06.2000)
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Rottweiler is a medium to large size, stalwart dog, neither heavy nor light
and neither leggy nor weedy. His correctly proportioned, compact and powerful
build leads to the conclusion of great strength, agility and endurance.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
The length of the body, measured from the sternum (breast-bone) to the ischiatic
tuberosity should not exceed the height at the withers by, at most, 15%.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT
Good natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children, very devoted,
obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural and rustic, his
behaviour self assured, steady and fearless. He reacts to his surroundings with
great alertness.
HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Of medium length, broad between the ears. Forehead line moderately arched
as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed without being conspicious.
Stop: Well defined.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Nose well developed, more broad than round with relatively large
nostrils,always black.
Muzzle: The foreface should appear neither elongated nor shortened in relation
to the cranial region. Straight nasal bridge, broad at base, moderately tapered.
Lips: Black, close fitting, corner of the mouth not visible, gum as dark as
possible.
Jaws / Teeth: Upper and lower jaw strong and broad. Strong complete dentition
(42 teeth) with scissor bite, the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower
incisors.
Cheeks: Zygomatic arches pronounced.
Eyes: Of medium size, almond shaped, dark brown in colour. Eyelids close
fitting.
Ears: Medium-sized, pendant, triangular, wide apart, set on high. With the ears
laid forward close to the head the skull appears to be broadened.
NECK Strong, of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, free from throatiness, without
dewlap.
BODY
Back: Straight, strong, firm.
Loins: Short, strong and deep.
Croup: Broad, of medium length, slightly rounded. Neither flat nor falling away.
Chest: Roomy, broad and deep (approximately 50 % of the shoulder height) with
well developed forechest and well sprung ribs.
Belly: Flanks not tucked up.
TAIL: In natural condition, level in extension of the upper line; at ease may be
hanging. PRCI Adopted Exception: Docked at the first or second joint within 7
days of birth or left in its natural state.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS: Seen from the front, the front legs are straight and not placed
too closely to each other. The forearm, seen from the side, stands straight. The
slope
of the shoulder blade is about 45 degrees to the horizontal.
Shoulders: Well laid back.
Upper arm: Close fitting to the body.
Forearm: Strongly developed and muscular.
Pasterns: Slightly springy, strong, not steep.
Front feet: Round, tight and well arched; pads hard; nails short, black and
strong.
HINDQUARTERS: Seen from behind, legs straight and not too close together. When
standing free, obtuse angles are formed between the dog’s upper thigh and the
hip bone, the upper thigh and the lower thigh and the metatarsal.
Upper thigh: Moderately long, broad and strongly muscled.
Lower thigh: Long, strongly and broadly muscled at top, sinewy.
Hocks: Sturdy well angulated hocks; not steep.
Hindfeet: Slightly longer than the front feet. Toes strong, arched, as tight as
front feet.
GAIT The Rottweiler is a trotting dog. In movement the back remains firm and
relatively stable. Movement harmonious, steady, full of energy and unrestricted,
with good stride.
SKIN
Skin on the head: Overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may
be slightly wrinkled.
COAT
HAIR: The coat consists of a top coat and an undercoat. The top coat is of
medium length, coarse, dense and flat. The undercoat must not show through the
top coat. The hair is a little longer on the hindlegs.
COLOUR: Black with clearly defined markings of a rich tan on the cheeks,
muzzle,throat, chest and legs, as well as over both eyes and under the base of
the tail.
SIZE AND WEIGHT
Heigtht at withers: For males is 61 - 68 cm.
61 - 62 cm is small,63 - 64 cm is medium,
65 - 66 cm is large - correct height,67 - 68 cm is very large
Weight: approximately 50 kg
Heigtht at withers: For bitches is 56 - 63cm. 56 - 57 cm is small,58 - 59 cm is
medium height,60 - 61 cm is large - correct height 62 - 63 cm is very large
Weight: approximately 42 kg
FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and
the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree.
General appearance: Light, weedy, leggy appearance. Light in bone and muscle.
Head: Hound-type head. Narrow, light, too short, long or coarse head. Flat
forehead (lack of stop or too little stop).
Foreface: Long or pointed muzzle; split nose; Roman nose (convex nasal bridge)
or dish-faced (concave nasal bridge); aquiline nose; pale or spotted
nose(butterfly nose).
Lips: Pendulous, pink or patchy; corner of lips visible.
Jaws: Narrow lower jaw.
Bite: Pincer bite.
Cheeks: Strongly protruding.
Eyes: Light, deep set. Also too full and round eyes; loose eye-lids.
Ears: Set on too low, heavy, long, slack or turned backwards. Also flying ears
or ears not carried symmetrically.
Neck: Too long, thin, lacking muscle. Showing dewlap or throaty.
Body: Too long, too short or too narrow.
Back: Too long, weak; sway-back or roach back.
Croup: Too sloping, too short, too flat or too long.
Chest: Flat ribbed or barrel shaped. Too narrow behind.
Tail: Set on too high or too low.
Forequarters: Narrow or crooked front legs. Steep shoulder placement. Loose or
out at elbow. Too long, too short or too straight in upper arm. Weak or steep
pastern. Splayed feet. Too flat or too arched toes. Deformed toes. Light
coloured nails.
Hindquarters: Flat thighs, hocks too close, cow hocks or barrel hocks. Joints
with too little or too much angulation. Dewclaws.
Skin: Wrinkles on head.
Coat: Soft, too short or too long. Wavy coat; lack of undercoat.
Colour: Markings of incorrect colour, not clearly defined.. Markings which are
too spread out.
ELIMINATING FAULTS:
General: Distinct reversal of sexual type, i.e. feminine dogs or masculine
bitches.
Teeth: Overshot or undershot bite, wry mouth; lack of one incisive tooth, one
canine, one premolar and one molar.
Eyes: Entropion, ectropion, yellow eyes, different coloured eyes.
Tail: Kink tail, ring tail, with strong lateral deviation
Hair: Definitely long or wavy coat.
Colour: Dogs which do not show the typical Rottweiler colouring of black with
tan markings. White markings.
Behaviour: Anxious, shy, cowardly, gun-shy, vicious, excessively suspicious,
nervous animals.
N.B.: Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum..