Rottweiler: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care

Rottweiler temperament and personality

The AKC describes the Rottweiler as protective, alert and watchful, yet gentle, loving and playful with family, and notes the breed can be territorial. VCA calls Rotties confident and protective with strong loyalty to family, naturally alert and possibly cautious with strangers.

Day to day, a well-raised Rottweiler is calm in the house and wants to be close to its people, often leaning on them. The guarding instinct is real, though, and it needs direction. Both sources stress early socialization and consistent leadership, and VCA warns that without training a Rottweiler may become overly protective or hard to manage.

How big do Rottweilers get?

The AKC lists males at 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and females at 22 to 25 inches, with a typical weight of 80 to 135 pounds. VCA gives the same overall ranges. Males are usually noticeably bigger and heavier than females.

Rottweilers are heavily muscled and grow fast. VCA lists hip and elbow dysplasia and osteochondritis dissecans among puppy-stage problems, so keep a growing puppy lean and avoid high-impact exercise until your vet says the joints are mature. A trim adult carries far less strain on its hips and elbows.

Rottweiler lifespan and common health issues

VCA gives a lifespan of up to 10 years. Its breed page lists hip and elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy, and neuroaxonal dystrophy in puppies; bloat, subaortic stenosis, Cushing's disease, wobbler syndrome and progressive retinal atrophy in adults; and bone cancer, lymphoma, joint disease and cataracts in seniors.

Ask a breeder for hip, elbow, heart and eye results on both parents. Ask your vet about preventive gastropexy and what lameness in a large dog should prompt an X-ray. A swollen belly with unproductive retching is an emergency; VCA notes bloat requires immediate veterinary care.

Exercise needs

The AKC calls the Rottweiler a very active breed that needs a lot of exercise and enjoys walking and swimming. VCA rates energy as moderate and recommends regular daily exercise such as walks and training. Most adults do well with an hour or more of activity a day.

Rotties enjoy work. Obedience, tracking, carting and herding give them a job, and structured training doubles as exercise. Avoid hard exercise in hot weather and for an hour or so around meals, and keep off-leash time to secure, private areas.

Rottweiler grooming and shedding

The coarse, straight coat is simple to care for. The AKC recommends weekly brushing and regular baths, and says Rotties shed moderately with heavier shedding in spring and fall. VCA rates grooming needs as low and shedding as moderate.

The AKC also says to trim nails and brush teeth weekly, and VCA adds routine ear care. Start handling the paws, ears and mouth in puppyhood so a 100-pound adult is relaxed about nail trims and vet exams.

Training a Rottweiler

The AKC says early training and socialization are essential, that owners should be consistent and firm, and that roughhousing should be avoided. Rotties are eager to please but can be stubborn. VCA calls training essential for the breed.

Start puppy classes as soon as your vet allows and keep training throughout life. Focus on calm greetings, loose-leash walking, a solid stay and a reliable leave it. Use reward-based methods and clear rules, and expose the puppy to many friendly people, dogs and places while it is young.

Are Rottweilers good with kids and other pets?

The AKC says Rottweilers are affectionate with their families and patient with children when properly trained, but their size and playfulness may be too much for small children, so supervision is advised. VCA says they are generally good with children when supervised.

The AKC says Rotties can get along with other dogs and people if socialized young, and VCA notes they may be selective with other pets, so introductions should be careful. Visiting children and unfamiliar dogs may trigger protective behavior, so manage visits closely.

What a Rottweiler needs at home

Secure fencing, an extra-large crate, a heavy-duty orthopedic bed and a strong, well-fitted harness or collar with a sturdy leash are the basics. Many owners teach the dog to wear a basket muzzle calmly, which makes vet visits less stressful.

For care and enrichment, keep a rubber curry brush, nail grinder, ear cleaner and dog toothbrush, plus heavy-duty chew toys and puzzle feeders. A slow-feeder bowl helps a dog that gulps. Ask your vet about bloat risk and joint care early.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.