Evanger's Breed Buzz: Rottweiler

Rottweilers benefit from premium nutrition like Evanger's

Often described as a calm, confident, and courageous dog, the Rottweiler breed is also known to be quite aloof around strangers, requiring proper introduction and time to build friendships. But as part of the family, Rotties love their people. In fact, they often behave in a clownish manner toward family and friends, while also being protective of their territory.

Sensible and steadfast, the Rottweiler breed tends to respond quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude toward influences in the environment. They can be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex. While many co-exist peacefully with the family cat, others may be predatory. Most are inclined toward dominance and will test for position in the family pecking order. So owners must be assertive and know how to lead a strong-minded dog.

Overall, the Rottweiler is a splendid, capable companion in the right hands. Yet, without ongoing socialization, companionship, supervision and obedience training, he may be considered "too much dog" for many households. Therefore, obedience training and socializing are absolute musts.

Rottweilers must be thoroughly socialized at an early age so that their territorial instincts are controlled rather than indiscriminate. While they require minimal grooming maintenance, they must have daily exercise that can include interactive walking sessions, brisk walks, and regular opportunities to stretch out and run. Mental stimulation via agility training, advanced obedience and ball retrieval is also mandatory for these canines that have a natural instinct to herd.

The outer coat is black with well-defined mahogany or rust-colored markings that comprise less than ten perfect of the dog’s body color. All Rottweilers standard to AKC specifications have one mahogany dot above each eye on the inner brow ridge, on the cheeks and one strip on each side of the snout. Cheek markings never cross the nose bridge.

With a life span ranging from 8-12 years, the breed displays risks for long-term health. They’re more susceptible than others to become infected with parvovirus – which can be easily prevented by following a veterinarian's recommended vaccine protocol.

As with most large breeds, hip dysplasia is a common concern. Osteochondritis dissecans, a condition affecting the shoulder joints, can also be a problem due to the Rotteweiler’s rapid growth rate. Any reputable breeder will have elbows and hips of all breeding stock x-rayed and read by a specialist, and will provide the paperwork to prove it. They’ll also have certificates proving that their breeding animals do not have ectropion or entropion, and that they have full and complete dentition with a scissor bite.

Rottweilers are also prone to obesity when overfed and under exercised. Among the consequences of obesity are arthritis, breathing difficulties, diabetes, heart failure, reproductive problems, skin disease, reduced resistance to disease and overheating caused by the thick jacket of fat under the skin.

Because Rottweiler puppies grow very rapidly, it is important to provide premium dog nutrition from the start in order to support optimal bone and muscle development. Consider mixing Evanger’s Super Premium All Fresh Vegetarian Dinner mixed with Evanger’s Grain-Free Rabbit. Evanger’s vegetarian dog dinner of fresh potatoes, carrots, peas, blueberries, cranberries and brown rice provides a powerful punch of natural vitamins, while Evanger’s Grain-free Rabbit adds a pure source of protein that can be increased as the growth and activity level of your Rotteweiler increase. Your Rottweiler will love the flavor and you’ll have the confidence that you’re providing him with a nutritious diet that will help prolong the health of this wonderful breed.