Rottweiler

Genetic Predispositions and Health

Rottweilers can suffer from hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, subaortic stenosis, progressive retinal atrophy, seizures, von Willebrand Disease, ectropion, entropion, cataracts, panosteitis, degenerative myelopathy, juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy, leukoencephalomyelopathy, myotubular myopathy 1, and neuroaxonal dystrophy. Cancer, particularly bone cancer, is more common in Rottweilers than in many other breeds.

Personality and Behavior

Rottweilers are often described as confident, calm, and courageous, with a self-assured aloofness. They are protective of their families and can be reserved around strangers. Despite their protective nature, they are often very gentle and affectionate with their families. Rottweilers are intelligent and highly trainable, but require a firm, calm, consistent handler. Early socialization and positive reinforcement training are crucial for this breed.

Herding Dog Lineage

A canine genetic lineage is a group of individuals or entire breeds that descended from common ancestors predating modern breed formation. Often these lineages are associated with a ‘type’ of dog with a unique historical working role and associated behaviors (e.g., herding, scent hunting, etc.).

Herding dogs are known for their high intelligence, trainability, and strong work ethic. These breeds originated in areas where managing livestock was an important part of daily life and had large pastoral lands. These breeds were specifically developed to help farmers and shepherds move, manage, and protect herds of livestock. Breeds within the herding dog lineage are agile and are known to have a natural herding instinct, where they like to keep their animals together. They are loyal and attentive to their handlers and are eager to please and are also highly aware of their environment. Many breeds within this linage have gone on to work as rescue and police dogs.

Example breeds with ancestry from this lineage include Border Collie, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and German Shepherd.

Fun Facts

The Rottweiler is the 8th most popular breed in the U.S. according to the AKC's 2021 rankings.

A Rottweiler named Duke is a character in the movie "The Secret Life of Pets" and its sequel.

Rottweilers have been used as search and rescue dogs, guide dogs for the blind, and police dog.

References

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rottweiler/
https://www.ukcdogs.com/Rottweiler
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/ROTTWEILER-147.html
https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_rottweiler
https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/products/breeds/193/
https://rottweilerhealth.org/