Rottweiler Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Rottweiler

Male Rottweiler

Common nicknames

Rott
Rottie

Origin

Germany

Traits
Weight	Male	50–60 kg (110–130 lb)
	Female	35–48 kg (77–106 lb)
Height	Male	61–69 cm (24–27 in)
	Female	56–63 cm (22–25 in)
Coat	Double coated, Short, hard and thick
Color	Black and tan or black and mahogany
Litter size	average 8 to 12 although larger litters are known
Life span	8–10 years

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 2, Section 2 #147	standard
AKC	Working	standard
ANKC	Group 6 (Utility)	standard
CKC	Group 3 – Working	standard
KC (UK)	Working	standard
NZKC	Utility	standard
UKC	Guardian Dog

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Rottweiler is a large and strong dog breed. They have a mostly black coat with brown markings on their legs and face. Rottweilers are known for being excellent guard dogs. They also make great herding dogs and loyal companion dogs.

What Rottweilers Look Like
Rottweiler Behavior and Personality
Size and Weight
Working Style and Skills
Images for kids
See also

What Rottweilers Look Like

Rottweilers are bred to be strong and powerful dogs. They have a black coat with clear, rich tan markings. Their strong look also shows a sense of nobility. These dogs are very well-suited to be companions, service dogs, rescue dogs, and working dogs.

The way a Rottweiler looks is all about balance, strength, and smarts. Dog clubs have rules for how a Rottweiler should look. This helps breeders make sure the dogs are healthy and fit for their jobs.

Anatomy of the Rottweiler

Here are some important parts of a Rottweiler's body:

Head: This includes their eyes, which are usually dark and almond-shaped.
Snout: This is their nose and mouth area, with strong teeth and a healthy tongue.
Dewlap: This is the loose skin under their throat and neck.
Shoulder: The strong joint connecting the front leg to the body.
Elbow: The joint in the middle of the front leg.
Forefeet: Their front paws.
Highest Point of the Rump: The highest part of their back, above the hips.
Legs: This includes their strong thighs and hips.
Hock: The joint on the back leg, similar to an ankle.
Hind feet: Their back paws.
Withers: The highest point of the back, between the shoulder blades.
Stifle: The knee joint on the back leg.
Paws: Their feet, which are strong and compact.
Tail: Their tail, which is often docked (shortened) in some countries.

Rottweiler Behavior and Personality

Dogs are naturally pack animals. This means they like to be part of a group, like a family. If they feel threatened, they will defend themselves. They also tend to protect the people they consider part of their "pack."

Rottweilers are known for being confident and calm. They are also very smart and loyal. Because they are so protective, they need good training and to be socialized from a young age. This helps them learn how to act around other people and animals.

Size and Weight

Rottweilers are considered "medium-large" dogs. There isn't a super strict weight rule for dog shows. The most important thing is that the dog looks healthy for its size. This means not too thin and not too heavy.

Male Rottweilers usually weigh between 50 and 60 kilograms (110 to 132 pounds).
Female Rottweilers usually weigh between 35 and 48 kilograms (77 to 106 pounds).

Working Style and Skills

A Rottweiler Primarch Velvet Delite herding sheep

Rottweilers are very good at working. They have a natural desire to control and gather things. This makes them excellent herding dogs. They are strong and can be very intimidating when working with animals.

When herding, Rottweilers often keep their head level with their back. Sometimes, they might lower their front body slightly, especially females. Males might do this in open fields.

Rottweilers have good balance and can bark loudly when needed. When working with cattle, they might use their body to push the animals. Because of this, they should be used carefully with cattle that have horns.

A Rottweiler will often find the strongest animal in a group of cattle and challenge it. Once they show they are in charge, they settle down and continue their work. Some farmers have found that Rottweilers are especially good at moving stubborn animals that other herding dogs, like Border Collies, can't move. Rottweilers will use their strength to make the animal move if they have to.

When herding sheep, Rottweilers are good at gathering them and follow directions easily. They can drive sheep with no problem. Some Rottweilers have even started herding cattle without any training!

If a Rottweiler works with the same animals for a long time, they often form a bond with them. They can become quite friendly with the animals, as long as the animals do what the Rottweiler wants.

Rottweilers are also great at many dog sports. These include Agility (where dogs run through obstacle courses) and Schutzhund (a sport that tests a dog's tracking, obedience, and protection skills).