Most Rottweiler dogs that are abandoned are not bad dogs. It's that their owners did not take the time to learn basic Rottweiler information about care, feeding and exercise needs before taking one on. Rottweilers have been one of the most popular breeds of dogs in America for about thirty years, and not for the right reasons. Some people think sticking a Rottweiler in their yard makes for cheap home protection.
Rottweiler dogs need attention, purpose and activity much in the same way a pony or a horse does. Rottweilers were bred to run about all day, protecting his master's farm and property. They were also bred to look very intimidating, but to be gentle with the people he is charged to protect. Today, when Rottweilers are abandoned, it's usually die to their high-energy needs, or even their sheer size. They average over eighty pounds when full grown – that's about ten to twenty pounds more than a German Shepherd.
Rottweiler dogs need to be busy and to have a purpose in life. They need to be part of the family or at least be inside where the action is. Although the coat thickness and length can differ greatly with each Rottweiler, most Rottweilers cannot handle being left outside in extreme cold or extreme hot weather. If you are cold, you can be assured that your Rottweiler is, too.
Despite their intimidating size, huge teeth and muscle, they are great with kids. They are usually better with kids than they are with adults. Rottweiler dogs seem to realize that kids are not as strong or mature as adult humans or adult dogs and usually will be very tolerant of ear pulling or being crawled over. But if an adult human were to do that, the Rottweiler would get really annoyed. Don't annoy your Rottweiler (hey – some people need practical advice).
Rottweiler dogs are prone to some health conditions common for large dogs – a lot of which can be avoided with maintaining a good weight and getting regular exercise and annual check-ups. You can tell your Rottweiler is at a good weight in this way. Look down at your standing Rottweiler's back from above. There should be a noticeable waist, but no ribs should be showing. If you see an overstuffed sausage shape or a fuzzy pear shape, then your Rottweiler needs to go on a diet.
Be diligent about renewing your Rottweiler's license every year. The general public is very ignorant of basic Rottweiler information and assumes all Rottweilers are bloodthirsty killers. Rottweilers are also prone to wandering, if they get bored. Keeping Rottweiler dogs both licensed and micro chipped will not only make you better friends with the police, but will also help to erase the stigma unfairly attached to Rottweilers.
The
Rottweiler has a reputation it does not deserve. With more
Rottweiler information available to the general public, there will be fewer Rottweilers abandoned.