It is thought that the Rottweiler’s progenitors were Mastiff-like drover dogs used in ancient Rome. Traveling with the Roman army, these dogs eventually made it to Germany, and, in particular, to a city called Rottweil, where they continued to be used as drover dogs and came to be known as the Rottweiler Metzgerhund (butcher dog). Male Rottweilers stand 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder, and females stand 22 to 25 inches at the shoulder. Their short coats are black with mahogany or rust-colored markings. Rottweilers are steady, confident, and devoted dogs. They have natural protective instincts and a tendency to try to assert their dominance. Both of these tendencies need to be kept under control. Early socialization and fair and consistent training and reinforcement are very important.

To learn how to rescue a Rottweiler in need of a home click here.

For Rottweiler breeder referrals from the American Rottweiler Club click here.

Potential Health Problems*

• Addison’s Disease
• Aortic Stenosis
• Atlantoaxial Subluxation
• Cataracts
• Coloboma
• Congenital Deafness
• Corneal Ulcers
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Ruptures
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Distichiasis
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Entropion
• Familial Renal Disease
• Follicular Dysplasia
• Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (Bloat)
• Hip Dysplasia
• Histiocytoma
• Hypopigmentary Disorders
• Hypothyroidism
• Medial Canthal Pocket Syndrome
• Meningitis
• Muscular Dystrophy (muscle degeneration disease)
• Muzzle Folliculitis And Furunculosis
• Osteosarcoma
• Osteochondrosis
• Panosteitis
• Parvovirus Enteritis
• Persistent Pupillary Membrane
• Polyneuropathy
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Retinal Detachment
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Digits
• Von Willebrand Disease