Rottweiler, breed of working dog that is thought to be descended from the drover dogs (cattle-driving dogs) left by the Roman legions in the vicinity of what is now Rottweil, Germany, after the Romans abandoned the region during the 2nd century ce. From the Middle Ages to about 1900, the Rottweiler moved herds from pasteur to market and accompanied local butchers on buying expeditions, protecting them from thieves, and carrying their money in its neck pouch, earning the nickname “the Butcher’s Dog.” During the 19th century, Rotties fell out of work as cattle-driving “drover dogs,” as railroads became the preferred manner of transporting livestock, and they were at risk of disappearing as a breed. They made a comeback in the early 20th century and found new roles in police and military work, including as therapy dogs.

Characteristically stocky and strongly built, the Rottweiler has a short coarse black coat with tan markings on its head, chest, and legs. Its historic role as a guardian and herder has honed the breed’s instinct for wariness and protectiveness when encountering strangers. Rottweilers are known for their confidence and intelligence, but they require a steady training regimen to learn social skills.

The formal history of the breed dates back to 1901, when the first standard Rottweiler was produced by the International Club for Leonbergers and Rottweiler Dogs in Germany. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931.

Britannica Quiz

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Care and upkeep

The Rottweiler needs a well-fenced yard, daily exercise in the form of long walks or runs, and mental stimulation. The breed can be aggressive toward other dogs, and, thus, dog parks are best avoided. The Rottweiler successfully competes in organized activities, such as agility, scent work, Schutzhund (“protection dog”; that is, a set of activities, similar to police dog training, designed to instill obedience and develop tracking and protection abilities), cart pulling (drafting, or “carting”), weight pull, and any other conditioning that engages both mind and body. Although the dog enjoys playing with a ball, it is not driven to retrieve it.

Rottweiler coat care is minimal, consisting of occasional bathing and brushing. Although its coat is effective in insulating the dog from cold weather, a Rottweiler should not be left in below-freezing temperatures for extended periods. The breed functions well in warm weather but may become overheated in hot conditions.

Rottweilers are susceptible to canine hip dysplasia, so puppies should be raised on a large-breed puppy food, which slows the rate of growth and lessens the risk of developing that condition. The breed has the highest rate of osteosarcoma of any breed. Osteosarcoma is a form of bone cancer that produces tumours in the leg bones, and any unexplained limping should be checked by a veterinarian. In addition, Rottweilers generally have a shorter life span (9–10 years) than other dogs of similar size and weight. Although the reason for this remains poorly understood, one study noted that if owners of female Rottweilers delayed spaying their dogs until age 6, the dogs’ chances of living to age 13 increased nearly five times.

Temperament

The breed was developed to perform a variety of tasks related to controlling aggressive livestock on their way to market, pulling carts, and protecting the dog’s owner from robbers. Rottweilers needed to be strong, brave, intelligent, and biddable to perform these duties, and today’s Rottweilers retain these traits. Although the Rottweiler learns quickly, it can be stubborn when told to perform a task it does not want to do. Rottweilers can be destructive when young. However, once they reach adulthood, they tend to be serious-minded  and not keen to play games unless they are challenging. The breed is not prone to prolific barking.

Are you a student?

Get a special academic rate on Britannica Premium.

Subscribe

The Rottweiler is an excellent watchdog and protection dog, but it may not be trustworthy around other pets. The breed is loyal to its loved ones, but it is often reserved, even suspicious, toward unfamiliar people. It is not usually friendly toward strange dogs, and dogs of the same sex within a household may not get along. Rottweilers are second only to pit bulls as the dogs responsible for most attacks on humans. Though these aggressive culprits make up only a tiny minority of the breed, Rottweiler owners must ensure that their dog is extensively trained and socialized to prevent it from becoming aggressive around people or other pets that could be vulnerable.

These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.