Hardly any breed carries around as many prejudices as the Rottweiler, and hardly any is so often kept completely wrongly. He is neither the "fighting dog" of the tabloids nor the cuddly sofa cushion from the TV advert. He is a calm, powerful working dog with a strong bond to his people, who needs leadership and deserves it too. Anyone who understands where he comes from also understands why he is the way he is.
The breed in numbers
- Origin: Rottweil, Germany, originally bred as a herding and draught dog for butchers
- Size: Males 61 to 68 cm, females 56 to 63 cm, 42 to 50 kg
- Coat: Short, dense, black with clearly defined reddish-brown markings
- Life expectancy: 9 to 10 years
- Character: Self-assured, calm, watchful, family-oriented, steady-nerved
Character: calm with substance
A well socialised Rottweiler is surprisingly relaxed. He does not bark at every little thing, but watches first and then reacts thoughtfully. This steady nerve is a bred trait, not chance. At the same time he is deeply bound to his family and would most like to be close to them, without being clingy in the sense of dependent. With strangers he stays reserved and attentive, which is normal temperament and not aggression.
What many underestimate: the Rottweiler is clever and likes to work with his head. Plain walks bore him in the long run. He wants a task that makes his concentration worthwhile.
Historically the Rottweiler was used as a herding dog for cattle and as a draught dog for butchers' carts, and he owes his name to the town of Rottweil in Baden-Württemberg. This working past is still in the breed's bones today: it wants to be needed, not just tag along. A Rottweiler with nothing to do all day finds himself something to do, and few owners like what he picks.
Five points that shape everyday life
1. Health has several weak spots
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are widespread in the breed, so reputable breed clubs X-ray consistently and exclude affected animals from breeding. Then there is subaortic stenosis, a congenital heart disease that should be checked in the puppy by a heart ultrasound. Osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer, also appears noticeably often in Rottweilers, usually in older age. Because of the deep, broad chest there is also an increased risk of gastric torsion (bloat), an acute emergency that has to be operated on within a few hours. This emergency operation costs €2,000 to €4,000 depending on the clinic, so dog health insurance is not a luxury for this breed but a must.
2. He is on the breed list
In Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia the Rottweiler counts as a listed breed. Depending on the state, this means a lead and muzzle requirement in public, a temperament test and an official permit before you get one. Anyone getting a Rottweiler should find out exactly about the rules where they live beforehand, not only afterwards.
3. Leadership is not an accessory but the basic equipment
With 45 kilograms of muscle, this dog needs clear, calm and consistent leadership from the start. That does not mean harshness or dominance games, which are long outdated, but reliable rules that the human keeps to as well. For first-time owners with no experience of large, self-assured breeds, the Rottweiler is the wrong choice. A good dog school from puppyhood is not an option but a requirement. How to structure the first months so that nothing has to be made up for later is covered in our book Welpenerziehung & Junghundtraining (Puppy Training & Young Dog Training).
4. Growth takes patience
Rottweilers grow slowly and are only fully grown physically at 18 to 24 months. During this time, stairs, jumping out of the car or long games of fetch put unnecessary strain on the still open growth plates and joints. Controlled, short bouts of exercise instead of constant strain protect against long-term damage that you cannot see in the dog until it is too late.
5. The reputation costs real money
Some liability insurers charge higher premiums for listed breeds, and some landlords and holiday accommodations reject the breed outright. A puppy from a breeding club such as the ADRK or through the VDH, with X-rayed, heart-checked parents, costs €1,500 to €2,500. Much cheaper puppies from uncontrolled breeding save on the purchase price and pay for it later, in health and in training.
Care: what he really needs
- Brain work. Tracking, mantrailing, draught dog sport or rescue dog work suit his disposition better than simply romping around.
- Consistent, calm leadership. Clear rules from the start, kept up by the whole family.
- Early, broad socialisation. Other dogs, people, situations: the puppy should get to know everything in a relaxed way.
- Enough space. A garden is not a must, but an advantage for a dog this size.
- Health care. Regular joint and heart checks, especially in old age.
Who is the Rottweiler right for?
For experienced dog owners who want a calm but demanding partner and are ready to invest in training and exercise. For people who find out about the legal requirements in their state before getting one and accept them. Not for first-time owners, not for people who want a guard dog without relationship work, and not for anyone convinced by the looks alone.
Your living situation matters too. In a small city flat with no lift, a fully grown 45 kilogram Rottweiler is a daily logistical task, especially in old age, when stairs become a burden. A house with a securely fenced garden makes a lot easier, but is no substitute for daily, guided walks and brain work.
What people keep asking
Is the Rottweiler more dangerous than other dogs? Studies on bite statistics show that training, socialisation and care make the decisive difference, not the breed alone. A well-led Rottweiler is a balanced family dog.
Does the Rottweiler get on with children? Yes, many Rottweilers are very patient with children from their own family. Because of his size, contact should still always be supervised.
Do you need a certificate of competence? In several states, yes, often combined with a temperament test for the dog. The exact requirements differ from state to state and should be clarified before buying.
And on the portrait?
The compact build and the clearly defined black and reddish-brown markings look especially impressive in realistic and pastel styles. Photograph him head-on at eye level so that the broad head and the alert gaze come across, ideally in a calm moment and not in the middle of movement.
Fifty kilos of dog can carry a large format. On canvas the broad head looks as calm as he does lying in the living room in the evening, and as a poster he fits above the desk. The sizes are listed in our dog portraits.
Keep reading
- Why so many German Shepherds end up in shelters: the other big breed with a reputation problem
- When the cleverest dog gets no task: intelligence without a task goes wrong here too
- Puppy training: the 5 rules: at fifty kilos, no training mistake forgives itself
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