Are you looking for a dog breed that takes full marks in terms of intelligence and strength? Then, you need a Rottweiler to add some colour to your life. The dog breed is best for those individuals who want a loyal and protective partner as well. Furthermore, according to Birmingham Live, Rottweilers are the UK’s third most favourite dog breed. Because 46,420 monthly searches have been recorded. In Birmingham too, they are pretty popular as 3500 monthly searches have been found.
However, you need to understand the breed’s particular needs, both mental and physical. The blog provides the necessary details regarding nutrition, training, grooming, and health issues to help you learn about Rottweiler care and health.
Understand The Rottweiler
Before you decide to adopt a Rottweiler, let us explain its origins and purposes. This will enhance your understanding of the breed.
The Rottweiler is a German dog used for herding livestock and assisting farmers in pulling their carts. The dog’s built and extreme loyalty proved its worth. Due to its dedication to work, more and more people preferred having one.
Today, nothing much has changed, as according to Zoo Plus Magazine, the dog is a friendly and joyful companion. It will amaze you with its obedience and affection. In addition, you will encounter this dog participating in a variety of activities, including search and rescue.
Rottweiler’s Physical Characteristics
A Rottweiler has the following physical characteristics:
Size
It is a large breed. Males are usually 24-27 inches tall, and females are 22-25 inches tall.
Weight
If you are concerned about their weight, males weigh around 95-135 pounds, while females weigh 80-100 pounds.
Coat
The Rottweiler’s coat is short in length and seems like a double coat. The outer coat feels coarse, whereas you will say the undercoat is dense. The dog’s coat varies in colour from black with markings in rust shades to mahogany.
Lifespan
Unfortunately, unlike other smaller breeds, the Rottweiler is a larger breed with a shorter life span. According to Pets4Homes, the average lifespan is between 8 and 10 years. The breed also has a number of health issues that tend to impact its quality of life. Therefore, keep in mind that this dog breed does not have a long life.
Nutrition
You need to give proper nutrition. As that is necessary for your dog's well-being and health. When we say diet, we mean you have to plan a premium-quality and age-appropriate feed for your large dog. Instead of managing the diet yourself, it is highly recommended for you to consult your vet for professional guidance. They will examine your dog and help you prepare a routine based on your dog’s weight, activity level, and age. Apart from that, the vet might ask you to get the following supplements for your Rottweiler:
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Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids support your dog’s joints, cardiac function, and the coat as well.
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The vet might also ask you to purchase joint supplements that contain essential minerals such as chondroitin. This assists in reducing the chances of arthritis in your Rottweiler.
Some Nutritional Considerations
Besides the main suggestions, you should keep some of the following nutritional considerations in mind, too:
Protein
This dog breed asks you to feed them with moderate protein content. This much is essential for their muscle mass and entire growth.
Fat
A little bit of fat is also necessary. Why? Because that provides energy and helps your Rottweiler to absorb nutrients.
Carbohydrates
A Rottweiler is a playful pup. So, it means that it needs energy for daily activities as well. Therefore, feed your dog food with complex carbohydrates that contain sustained energy. In this way, they will be able to keep themselves engaged in regular activities.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Try your best to fill their bowl with food consisting of Calcium and Phosphorus. These minerals are important for making your dog's bones and teeth stronger. Hence, your dog’s balanced diet will remain incomplete without them.
How To Feed A Rottweiler?
Even as a loving dog owner, you need to be careful while feeding your Rottweiler. Making them eat everything in one day is definitely not a healthy option. Hence, you must do the following:
Control Portion
Fill your dog’s bowl with small amounts. You must control their portions; otherwise, they will become obese. Obesity, whether in humans or animals, can also result in dangerous health issues. Therefore, limit the portions so your dog remains fit and active.
Feeding Times
It is suggested to keep your dog’s feeding times twice a day. Avoid going overboard as feeding them multiple times can bloat their stomach, resulting in gases and uneasy sleep throughout the night. And yes, it is a life-threatening situation, too, so you need to be more careful.
Fresh Water
Dogs can easily get dehydrated, so ensure their water bowl is filled with clean, fresh water. This way, they can drink whenever they're thirsty.
Exercise For Rottweilers
As mentioned at the start of the blog, Rottweilers are full of life. Therefore, you need to arrange daily exercises to keep them mentally and physically fit as well. These can be in the form of regular walks, playing time, and interactive activities in the following ways:
Daily Walks
Take time to go for daily walks to your nearby parks, which will allow your Rottweiler to exercise. Then, make up your mind to do at least two walks daily. Each walk can last 30-60 minutes, so neither you nor your dog will feel tired.
Play Games
With a Rottweiler, you will not need a human’s company. You can play games with your dog as well. For instance, you can arrange interactive games such as creating puzzles and tug-of-war. You never know if your dog might defeat you in these activities.
Mental Challenges
Keep giving them chances to use their wit. Provide challenges like agility courses, obedience training, or scent work. They will enjoy being a part of such training, leaving everyone amazed.
How To Groom A Rottweiler?
We mentioned at the beginning of the blog as well that a Rottweiler has a short and double coat. But that still does not mean that you will not need to spend time brushing their hair. Because the breed sheds a lot of hair, you need to grab that dog brush and remove that loose hair for a neater look. And, to evenly distribute natural oils as well. However, the good part is that Rottweilers don’t ask for much maintenance as compared to dog breeds with more hair. So, let’s spill the beans on how to groom the dog:
Skin Care
Having a Rottweiler means you won’t have to worry about skin issues. However, if you observe anything unusual, feel free to reach out to your veterinarian. When it’s time for a bath, ensure they are genuinely dirty; otherwise, bathing is unnecessary.
Coat Care
This dog breed has a medium-length coat that has the ability to shed a lot. Therefore, you will need to take that dog brush and do either daily or weekly brushing. This will assist in keeping their coat healthy, and you will also not see your home area full of dog hair.
Eye Care
While you continue your weekly brushing, keep in mind to check your Rottweiler’s eyes as well. They might blink many times so the hair does not enter their eyes. And that blinking can further lead to tearing, irritation or other discharge. If this happens, then it clearly indicates entropion or another eye issue that the breed already has. Therefore, you must be careful while brushing hair off them so that hair does not annoy their eyes, resulting in tears.
Ear Care
Rottweiler is a dog breed with folded and floppy ears. Hence, their ear canal can capture moisture and debris. So, what do you need to do here? The answer is to clean their ears regularly, not with a random product but a veterinary-approved cleaner. In this way, there will be no risk of infection and maintain the ear’s health as well.
Teeth Care
It’s essential to brush your Rottweiler’s teeth at least three times each week. Always use a toothpaste specifically designed for dogs. Avoid using human toothpaste, as it can harm your dog’s oral health. Regular brushing is necessary to maintain their teeth in healthy condition.
It is also recommended to schedule annual dental cleanings with anaesthesia when your Rottweiler turns 2 or 3 years old.
Nail Care
Imagine playing with your Rottweiler and their nails injure you. Felt painful? Yes, as part of grooming your furry friend, you will trim their nails as well. This will keep you and your dog safe from discomfort and becoming dirty. Therefore, get a dog nail cutter and you are good to go.
Training Your Rottweiler
Rottweiler is an intelligent dog breed and easy to amuse, allowing you to train them in the best possible ways. Therefore, it is suggested to train them to become more social and create positive reinforcement. For that, you need to do the following:
Early Socialization
If you are not around, your Rottweiler might not feel safe in the presence of complete strangers. Therefore, you should train them to become social with plenty of people and places and make them experience things so the fear leaves them.
Positive Reinforcement
Whenever your dog behaves well, reward them with treats, toys, or applause. This serves as a method of positive reinforcement training. Consequently, they will learn to distinguish between good and bad behavior.
Consistency
Stay consistent with all the training methods. Set and establish clear rules and limitations. It will settle in your dog’s mind, and as a result, their behaviour will never let you down.
Training Professionally
If you feel unsure about guiding or training your dog effectively, don’t hesitate to contact a professional dog trainer. They can train your pet while you observe how your dog responds to their methods.
What Are Some Common Health Issues Of A Rottweiler?
Some common health issues of a Rottweiler are as follows:
Hip or Elbow Dysplasia
This dog breed has hip or elbow dysplasia. What are these?
Elbow Dysplasia
It affects the joint of your dog’s elbow. The signs involve swelling, the dog might have lame forelimbs, an abnormal walking style, and an elbow bulging on the side.
Hip Dysplasia
This causes the hip joints to loosen, resulting in lameness and cracking or popping sounds from your dog’s joints. When your dog walks, it might resemble a bunny hopping.
Remember, neglecting these conditions can lead to arthritis in your dog. While some veterinarians recommend surgery for certain dogs, others may recover through medical management. This approach involves healing with pain relief medications, joint supplements, or weight loss.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus
In the list of common health concerns, there is gastric dilatation-volvulus too. Rottweilers have this. The stomach of the dog bloats with either internal food or gas. This happens because these dogs have narrow abdomens and deep chests. The swelling increases, allowing it to block the blood flow from major organs present in the abdomen.
The bad news is that this gastric condition could be fatal, especially if not treated well. Go to the vet immediately when you notice any of the following signs of GDV:
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If your dog is unable to settle
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They are not asking for food
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You see them drooling
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If their abdomen increases in size
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When they are retching but not vomiting
Heart Disease
Your Rottweiler can suffer from heart disease as well. These can be in the form of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Cancer
Rottweilers have the tendency to have bone cancer as well. The situation can be metastatic, painful, and aggressive. Therefore, if you notice any signs of pain, swelling, and lameness in your dog, then take them to the vet. The vet can diagnose through radiography or a physical exam.
Eye Problem
Rottweilers can suffer from Entropion, a medical term for a condition affecting the eyelids. What does it entail? In this case, the eyelids fold inward, which leads to rubbing against the cornea. If left untreated, it can cause ongoing discomfort for your dog. Moreover, it increases the likelihood of eye infections and other corneal ulcers.
Obesity
This dog breed can become obese really quickly. Therefore, even if it is the first time you are adopting a Rottweiler, you need to be careful. And avoid giving them lots of food. Try to get in touch with your vet to guide you further on how much portion and times of day you should be serving food to your dog. They will give you the correct diet plan, including the right exercises and make sure they are not given table leftovers as well. Otherwise, your dog will become obese and that will result in other health conditions.
Tips To Prevent These Conditions
You can always save your Rottweiler from these conditions in the following ways:
Genetic Testing
It is suggested to move ahead with genetic testing, especially for elbow and hip dysplasia. In this way, you will learn what other conditions your Rottweiler has inherited.
Weight Management
Make an effort to create a nutritious diet for your dog. Serve their bowl with small, controlled portions. This practice can lower the risk of joint issues and other health concerns. Additionally, it helps prevent obesity in your dog.
Early Detection
It's important to recognize the signs of common health issues in your Rottweiler. This way, you can promptly consult your vet for further advice.
What To Do For A Rottweiler?
As a Rottweiler owner, you will be required to do the following things:
Space
Rottweilers are very playful. Hence, they require plenty of space to use their energy. So, provide them with a room where they can easily roam and exercise.
Fencing
Your Rottweiler might wander off, and you will need to keep them inside. Therefore, go for fencing so your furry fellow remains inside and does not scare away others in the neighborhood.
Training
Give early socialization training to your dog so they don’t have issues exploring and settling in new places and interacting with strangers.
Health Care
Keep going for regular checkups to confirm that everything is fine with your dog. Otherwise, you might regret not doing so. Hence, see what the vet has to say and follow their instructions for the well-being of your Rottweiler.
Time
Like other dog breeds, Rottweilers also feel bored. Therefore, you need to give your time and focus on their activities. Take out time and go with them to the nearby dog park. Do some exercises with them, train them, and when you return home, then play their favourite show while brushing their hair.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you now have a clear understanding of how to care for your Rottweiler. With the right nutrition, exercise, and attention to their health and well-being, you’ll be fully equipped to welcome a Rottweiler into your home and provide them with a loving, comfortable life.
