If you train and socialise your Rottweiler properly it will be a much loved member of the family giving you much companionship and security.

Rottweilers are very loyal, devoted, warm and intelligent creatures.

As a general fact they are dogs that do not bark unnecessarily and they are proven to be good watch dogs and warn when something isn’t right.

When a Rottweiler is matured, fit and healthy, it is a very calm dog that will love nothing more than to sleep or chew on a bone.

However, there is a downside to Rottweilers. The life expectancy of a Rottweiler is 8-10 years and they do not mature until the age of 2 years old.

Rottweiler health is a concern as they do have a poor immune system, more so as puppies. Puppy Rottweilers should be vaccinated to help them develop proper immunity to fight against common viruses that the average Rottweiler faces in life.

They are also at risk of hip dysplasia, tearing cruciate ligaments and heart problems as well as cancer.

It is so important to give them lots of proper training and socialising when they are puppies. If you fail to do this they can become unconsciously dangerous as adult dogs.

They play hard and can easily injure someone inadvertently. They also herd young children and other animals, bump, or nip them while doing so without meaning harm.

Rottweiler puppies are generally mouthy and you must teach them that this is wrong – more so as then tend to have temper tantrums.

Ensure that your Rottweiler is exercised frequently and will need some form of work (obedience, agility, herding, etc). If they become bored or improperly housed they can be destructive.

Feeding your Rottweiler is so important as this can be the most common reason for illness. Rottweiler puppies require a lot of very good, quality food. Sometimes a young male Rottweiler can eat as much as 8 – 10 cups of high, quality food per day – that’s an impressive 2 – 2 1/2 lbs!

When shedding they leave black “mouse balls” everywhere.

If you would like to read more about owning a Rottweiler, please read some of these excellent, highly recommended books:

* Rottweilers for Dummies by: Richard G. Beauchamp
* Training Your Rottweiler by: Barbara McNinch
* Rottweiler by: Wilhelm Jonas
* The Everything Rottweiler Book by: Margaret Holowinski
* A New Owners Guide to Rottweilers by: Urs Ochsenbein
* Rottweiler by: Di McCann