Rottweiler
Complete Breed Guide
"I’m a big, brawny dog that means business!"
Quick Facts About Rottweilers
Working
80–135 lbs
22–27"
No
Based on current listing prices on Puppies.com. Results may vary.
Overview
Rottweilers — affectionately known as "Rotties" — are confident, powerful dogs whose deep loyalty and natural protectiveness make them one of the most devoted breeds you can own. These large and capable dogs are calm and steady by nature, with a watchful presence that comes from genuine devotion to their families.
Rottweilers are well known for their strong, muscular build and natural desire to protect. They are frequently chosen as working dogs in protection, police, and service roles because of their intelligence, physical ability, and reliability under pressure. Rottweilers are loyal, family-oriented dogs who thrive with consistent training and early socialization. They are highly obedient, learn quickly, and excel when given a job that engages both their body and mind. Rotties form deep bonds with their families and bring the same focus and dedication they apply to work directly into their role as a companion — attentive, calm, and completely devoted to the people they love.
Temperament and Behavior
Rottweilers are loyal and brave dogs who will risk life and limb to defend their families. The breed’s size and power make them the ideal guard dog. Rottweilers need a lot of attention, but they’ll repay the favor. When they aren’t on alert, these pups are usually quiet, observant, and calm. Females bark more often than males, so if you’re bringing a Rottweiler into your home as a watch or guard dog, the girls will be more vocal than their male counterparts.
Coat & Grooming
The Rottweiler has a distinct outer coat of short, thick, coarse fur with a thick layer of hair underneath. All dogs in this breed are black with brown markings. You may find ones with long hair or white chest markings, but these traits are not as common. Because this breed has such short hair, their coat doesn’t require much maintenance. Use a rubber glove to remove hair when your Rottie sheds, but other than that, all your pup will need is basic care.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Socialization is the top priority if your Rottie is going to be around kids or other animals. Rottweilers can be good playmates for children, cats, and pets, but they need to be socialized early and have positive experience when they’re young. This breed likes the cold weather but shouldn’t be left outside too long. They also are known to snore loudly, so Rottweilers may not be the best cuddle buddies.
Exercise & Activity
Rotties need daily exercise to get their energy out and their heart pumping. It’s safe to take them running with you in the open country or the woods, as they don’t like to wander far from their families. Rottweilers are very smart and also love sports like swimming, running beside a bicycle, and playing fetch with a ball. Over-exercising a Rottweiler is just about impossible, so have at it!
Health Considerations
The typical Rottweiler lifespan is 9–10 years with proper care. Rottweilers are prone to obesity, so pet parents need to be diligent about their dog’s mealtimes and portion sizes. Ask your veterinarian about the best food for your Rottie, how much they should eat, and how much exercise they should get every day. Obesity in dogs can lead to many other health problems (or make existing problems worse), so it’s essential that your Rottweiler stays at a healthy weight. Rottweiler health conditions can include Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture, Osteosarcoma, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), Entropion, and Subaortic Stenosis.
Breed descriptions and health information are provided for educational purposes only and should not replace consultation with a licensed veterinarian. Individual dogs may vary in temperament and health.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Rottweiler FAQs
Common questions about the Rottweiler breed, answered by our editorial team.
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