Rottweiler breed guide

A well-bred, properly raised Rottweiler will be calm and confident, courageous but not unduly aggressive. The aloof demeanor these guardians show outsiders hides playfulness and downright silliness that endear Rottweilers to loved ones.

Rottweilers are people dogs that do not do well isolated from humans and life experiences. Leadership, early socialization, basic classes and living in the owner's home are key to a well-mannered one.

Rottweilers live 9 to 10 years. Before breeding, responsible breeders test breeding dogs for hip dysplasia, which X-ray can detect and for eye diseases and heart conditions. Cancer sometimes occurs in the breed.

Dr. David Waters of the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation has done cancer prevention research funded by the Rottweiler Health Foundation and found that cancer and longevity are linked to a careful vaccination regimen and to keeping males and females intact until at least six years of age.

The straight, coarse, medium-length outer coat lies flat, with undercoat on the neck and thighs. A Rottweiler should be brushed weekly and bathed regularly. It sheds only very moderately most of the year with heavier shedding twice a year, usually spring and fall.

The breed is muscular and athletic and should exercise daily. If there are jobs to do, Rottweilers learn cart pulling easily and are excellent workers in herding, tracking and obedience.

The Roman Empire shaped Western Europe's formative years and dog breeding was among the pursuits it changed. Conquering legions took their herds along as food on the hoof and needed tough, durable dogs to move and guard them.

Using Asian mastiff types as breeding dogs, the Romans developed the distant ancestor of today's Rottweiler.