History

The Rottweiler (pronounced Rott-vile-er) is a medium to large domestic dog. They are descendants of ancient Roman drover dogs; a dog used to herd and protect cattle as the Roman army plundered through Europe. As the Roman drover dogs mated with other dogs along the way, a new breed was created. Traveling butchers would use the dogs to herd cattle and protect their money as it would be tied in pouches around their necks. They soon became known as butchers' dogs. With the introduction of railways, the need for these dogs was diminished and almost wiped them out. They were brought back for use in the First and Second World Wars as service dogs. Then in 1931, the AKC finally recognized the Rottweiler as 'Any Other Breed or Variety of British, Colonial or Foreign Dog Not Classified'. In 1965, they were acknowledged as a breed in their own right.

Breed Standards

The perfect standard in a Rottweiler is a medium to large dog that is powerful and robust. They are black with distinct rust-colored markings. Here are some key standards:

• Head - Broad with a moderately arched forehead. Eyes are medium sized, almond shaped, and dark brown. Triangular ears are set wide apart and high on the head.
• Snout - Black nose that is well developed, more broad than round with large nostrils. The lips and gums are black with strong upper and lower jaws.
• Dewlap - The neck is muscular and slightly arched.
• Shoulder - Well laid back with a slope of about 45 degrees. Height is usually about 22-27 inches.
• Limbs - Legs are straight with forelegs being slightly closer together than the back legs. Very muscular.
• Body - Back is straight, loins are short, croup is broad, and chest is roomy.
• Tail - Traditionally docked but banned in certain countries.
• Coat - Outer coat is medium, coarse, dense, and flat. Under coat is on neck and thighs and must not show through the outer coat. They shed seasonally.
• Color and markings - Black with mahogany or rust colored markings. Distinctive markings with a dot above each eye, on the cheeks, and a stripe on each side of the snout. Two triangular marks that face down on the chest.

Temperament and Health

The Rottweiler is good natured, highly intelligent, brave, devoted, obedient, strong, loyal, and protective. They are mildly aggressive, more so towards strangers. Rottweiler puppies are very energetic and playful. They are a healthy breed that does not have a lot of diseases, although hip dysplasia is a common problem. They are also prone to obesity without a proper diet. Most Rottweilers live approximately 8 to 11 years.

Care of Rottweiler Puppies

Look for a puppy that is friendly, approachable, and plays well with his litter. Make sure they are vaccinated and de-wormed. Microchipping and spaying or neuturing is always a good thing to have done. A puppy needs a lot of exercise; aim for at least 4 to 5 exercise periods a day. As they get older, longer walks or hikes twice a day is needed. Give them toys that stimulate and keep their mind active. A bored Rottweiler can get into mischief. Make sure to feed your puppy a nutritious diet.

Having a Rottweiler as a pet will be fun and rewarding for the whole family.

Top 5 Routes for "Rottweiler Puppies"

1. Wikipedia A general source of information.
2. The Rottweiler Club First specialist club for this breed.
3. American Kennel Club A great place for information on many breeds of dogs.
4. Dogtime.com An excellent source of anything dog related.
5. WikiHow A great place to learn how to care for your puppy.