History

Believed to have descended from the Italian Mastiff, the Rottweiler is named for its city of origin Rottweil in Germany. Earlier raised by the cattlemen for herding and guarding, the breed faced a risk of extinction in the 1800s. But the love for the breed by Stuttgart settlers re-established it in the 20th century. It was in 1931 that the breed was introduced in the US, and by 1935, the pedigree standard of the dog was adopted.

Appearance

The Rottweiler is a medium sized bulky dog with a muscular body. It has a deep broad chest. The coat that is always colored black and is short and fine-textured. The breed comes with an occasional rust or mahogany marking on its black body. The head is slightly oversized with dark eyes and V-shaped ears. This breed might grow to 27 inches in height and 110 pounds in weight.

Color

Black with tan/rust or mahogany markings.

Personality

The dog is brave and determined, and is a highly loyal and affectionate partner, though it may act aloof with strangers. The breed is driven by the desire to protect the family and can even become over protective at times. Even with its steady temperament and obedient attitude, the dog can get fierce with other breeds if not for early socialization trainings

Health Concerns

The breed is an easy prey to bone or structural problems like hip and elbow dislocation. These genetic disorders might even lead to serious bone deformations. Bloating, panosteitis and retinal problems are other diseases that the dog might suffer from. However, the average life expectancy of the breed is 12 years.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR