Rottweiler
Updated March 21, 2025
Rottweiler
Updated March 21, 2025
Robust, energetic dogs with a love of family life, Rottweilers are gentle giants that thrive in homes with pet parents who can give them lots of physical activity and mental stimulation. These emotionally complex cuties can’t go it alone—they need a dedicated bestie (or family of besties) who can prioritize quality time.
Affectionate, Aloof, Loyal
80–135 pounds
22–27 inches
9–10 years
Black and Rust, Black and Mahogany, Black and Tan
Rottweilers have an impressive legacy—they worked with the Roman legions in ancient times, and they were counted on to be guardians and helpers. They’re strong, smart, and always ready for dinner (don’t fall for it when they bat their eyes for a second helping, though).
Like a complex TV detective who seems tough at first glance, Rottweilers also have a sensitive side, with a big heart and an even greater need to have a special person to help curtail any separation anxiety. These high-energy pups benefit from a pet parent with the time to train them, and they’re usually a great fit for a family, too.
Rottweiler Characteristics
Rottweiler Appearance
With a stocky build and dark, almond-shaped eyes, the Rottweiler is a medium-large dog with triangular ears that hang naturally next to their cheeks.
All Rottweilers have a black coat with rust to mahogany accents. Their splotches of color have clearly defined borders and are most notable on their expressive eyebrows.
- Ears
The Rottweiler's ears are triangular and mid-size.
- Eyes
Their eyes are dark brown, almond-shaped, and deep-set.
- Nose
They have a broad, black nose.
- Coat Length
The Rottweiler has a straight, medium-length coat. They have an undercoat on their neck and thighs, but you won’t see it through their outer coat.
- Coat Color
Rottweilers have black fur with rust, mahogany, or tan markings.
- Tail
While it was once common to dock a Rottweiler tail, nowadays many of these active pups have their long tails intact—just as nature intended. Many groups, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, oppose tail docking, and many countries and U.S. states have banned the practice.
Rottweiler Temperament
Rottweilers are bright pups who can benefit from early training and socialization. They’re easy to train and eager to please—and sometimes so easygoing that they may seem aloof to the outside world.
Originally descending from the Mastiffs of the Roman legions, Rottweilers have been valuable companions and working dogs for centuries. They’re just as loyal today as they’ve always been, and pet parents who dedicate the time to training and socializing their new bestie will be rewarded with a lifelong friendship.
But the Rottweiler temperament can be a bit needier than most people realize. Their big statue gives them a tough cop persona, but at heart, they’re obsessed with their person and just want to be with them as much as possible. Isolation has a particularly negative affect on these pups, and it can lead to unhealthy behaviors.
Because Rottweilers are so strong, it’s important to train and socialize them. It’ll help them thrive (and be polite when guests show up), but it’ll also help them get along with other dogs and young kids, especially since your pup might be several sizes larger than their new friends. (A male Rottie can weigh 130 pounds or more!)
Make sure to use positive reinforcement—that is, treats, toys, and praise—when you train them; as with all dogs, negative reinforcement can do a lot more harm than good.
One adorable Rottie feature is the way they vocalize. They’re not known for excessive barking (though they will bark now and then), but they do have a deep rumble that sounds almost like a growl, yet it’s not—you can think of it like a cat’s purr. You might hear it when your Rottweiler is particularly content, like during a belly rub.
Related Breeds
How to Care for a Rottweiler
Rotties may be easy to groom, but that doesn’t mean you can slack off on care. They need daily exercise, tons of attention, and regular brushing and training. Just like a little kid looking for direction, they also need structure and interaction.
Grooming
Training
Diet
Exercise
Environment
Rottweiler Health
As a large breed, the average Rottweiler lifespan is 9–10 years. Here are a few potential health issues for pet parents to be aware of.
- Bloat and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV): Rottweilers, like many large breeds, are prone to a life-threatening condition called bloat that occurs when the stomach fills with air or food. A serious complication of bloat is when the stomach twists on itself, cutting off blood supply to the organs. This is called GDV, and symptoms include abdominal distension, restlessness, and dry heaving. If you notice these signs, go to the vet immediately.
- Cancer: Rottweilers are prone to two types: Bone cancer, or osteosarcoma, shows up as leg pain and lameness. It can often be treated with surgery, but chemo and other meds may be needed. Lymphoma often manifests as a firm bump in a lymph node (the back of the hind legs, under the jaw, or the armpits are most common), and it’s often treatable with chemotherapy.
- Eye issues: Rottweilers are prone to several eye conditions. Progressive retinal atrophy leads to blindness in dogs, and while there is no cure, genetic testing is available. Entropion, when one the eyelid rolls inward, can often be corrected with surgery.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: Common in large breeds, dysplasia is where the joints don’t fit together properly, whether it’s the hip or elbow. Treatment may include weight management, joint supplements, pain medication, or surgery.
- Hypertrophic osteodystrophy: Also known as HOD, this orthopedic developmental disorder occurs in giant dog breeds who develop too quickly. The outer part of the bone grows too fast when they’re puppies, often causing intense pain.
- Subaortic stenosis: This congenital heart condition is a narrowing of the aortic valve. Weakness, trouble breathing, and collapse are all symptoms. If your vet hears a heart murmur, your pup will likely need an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart).
Rottweiler History
Once upon a time, the Roman Army needed bright working dogs to be guardians of the herds they relied on for food. So, they bred them from Mastiffs.
The Romans brought these loyal companions with them as they conquered the known world, eventually leaving them in the town of Rottweil, Germany, to protect cow herds after the collapse of the Roman Empire. These early Rottweilers became the main stock used for many German breeds over the next few hundred years.
After the rise of cattle cars in the 1800s, Rotties found work as police and service dogs. The Rottweiler’s size, quick wits, and training know-how made them excellent at a range of complex jobs—from search and rescue operations to serving as guide dogs for people with disabilities. Since World War I, Rottweilers have served in various military branches, both as guardians and skilled working dogs.
Rottweilers first appeared in the U.S. in the 1920s, and, in 1931, the first Rottweiler (named Stina von Felsenmeer) was registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC). By the mid-1990s, more than 100,000 Rottweilers had been registered, and the Rottie is now one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S.
If you’re looking to bring home a Rottweiler puppy, expect to pay at least $1,500 and work with a reputable breeder. You can also find Rottweilers for adoption by searching Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs, as well as Rottweiler rescues like Kodi’s Club and Rottweiler Rescue of Los Angeles.