Rottweiler

Breed overview

The Rottweiler (, , ) is a breed of domestic mastiff type dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large. The dogs are known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers' dogs, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. This continued until the mid-19th century when railways replaced droving. Although still used to herd stock in many parts of the world, Rottweilers are now also used as search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs.

• Country of origin: GermanyBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

• According to the FCI Standard, the Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest surviving dog breeds.
• In the region of Rottweil, these dogs met and mixed with the native dogs in a natural crossing.
• The main task of the Rottweiler now became the driving and guarding of the herds of cattle and the defence of their masters and their property.
• The butchers bred this type of dog purely for performance and usefulness.
• The buildup to World War I saw a great demand for police dogs, which led to a revival of interest in the Rottweiler.

Size and appearance

According to the FCI Standard, the Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest surviving dog breeds.

• Body mass reference: 35 - 48 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 35 - 48 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Body mass reference: 42 kgBreed reference body mass. female.
• Body mass reference: 50 - 60 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 50 - 60 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Body mass reference: 50 kgBreed reference body mass. male.
• Height reference: 56 - 63 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 56 - 63 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: Up to 63 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
• Height reference: 56 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
• Height reference: 61 - 69 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 61 - 69 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: 61 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
• Height reference: Up to 68 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: short
• Coat length: medium
• Coat texture: straight
• Height category: tall
• Weight category: large
• Weight category: giant

Personality and behavior

One study published in 2008 found that male Rottweilers have higher confidence, sharpness, and defense and play drives than females. A 2008 study surveying breed club members found that while Rottweilers were average in aggressiveness (bites or bite attempts) towards owners and other dogs, it indicated they tend to be more aggressive than average toward strangers. This aggression appears correlated with watchdog and territorial instincts.

• Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.16 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.83 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.91 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.47 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.08 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.01 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.52 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.55 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.22 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.49 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.74 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.35 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.58 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.
• Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.80 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Rottweiler.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: short
• Coat length: medium
• Coat texture: straight
• Shedding amount: heavy
• Shedding pattern: seasonal

Health and lifespan

A 2022 study in England of patient records found the average life expectancy of the Rottweiler to be 8 years, lower than the average of 12 years. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 10.6 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds. A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 9 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Breed history

According to the FCI Standard, the Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest surviving dog breeds. Its origin goes back to Roman times. These dogs were kept as herder or driving dogs. They marched over the Alps with the Roman legions, protecting the humans and driving their cattle. In the region of Rottweil, these dogs met and mixed with the native dogs in a natural crossing. The main task of the Rottweiler now became the driving and guarding of the herds of cattle and the defence of their masters and their property. This breed acquired its name from the old free city of Rottweil and was known as the "Rottweil butcher's dog". The butchers bred this type of dog purely for performance and usefulness. In due course, a first rate watch and driving dog evolved which could also be used as a draught dog. The buildup to World War I saw a great demand for police dogs, which led to a revival of interest in the Rottweiler. During the First and Second World Wars, Rottweilers saw service in various roles, including as messenger, ambulance, draught, and guard dogs.

Clubs and further reading

• American Rottweiler Club
• Rottweiler - article and references

Sources

1. Rottweiler - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Rottweiler, revision 1368889170. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rottweiler&action=history
2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
4. File:Rottweiler standing facing left.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Rottweiler standing facing left.jpg - Dr. Manfred Herrmann Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK) e.V. http://www.ADRK.de. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rottweiler_standing_facing_left.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.