Rottweiler
A Roman drover's dog that stayed on in the German town of Rottweil, driving cattle to market. Butchers tied the day's takings round its neck and slept easy.
Overview
The Rottweiler descends from Roman drover dogs left in the German town of Rottweil, where it drove cattle to market and then guarded the butcher's takings by carrying the purse around its neck. That is where the old name Rottweiler Metzgerhund, butcher's dog, comes from.
It is powerful and it is one of the lower bloat risk large breeds, with a lifetime risk of 3.9 percent against 36.7 percent for a Great Dane.
Temperament
Confident, calm and deeply loyal. Rottweilers are affectionate with their families and naturally aloof with strangers, and a well bred one is steady rather than reactive.
They are strong willed and physically powerful, and they need consistent early training and heavy socialisation. They can be dog aggressive, particularly with the same sex. Popularity has produced a great deal of poor breeding, and the difference between a well bred Rottweiler and a badly bred one is enormous.
Care and grooming
A short coarse double coat that needs weekly brushing and more during the moults. They shed more than people expect.
Hip and elbow dysplasia are common, osteosarcoma occurs at high rates in the breed, and subaortic stenosis is a cardiac concern worth screening. Nine to ten years is the realistic expectation.
Living and exercise
An hour and a half a day plus training work, and less while growing.
They excel at obedience, tracking, carting and protection sport. Breed specific legislation and insurance are practical realities in many places and should be checked before buying.
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