Last Updated on September 20, 2023
Quick Summary: A Rottweiler’s lifespan is known to be around 8 to 12 years, depending on their overall health and quality of life. Interestingly, female Rotties are said to have longer lives than their male counterpart.
When it comes to being pet parents, the lifespan of our pooches often comes into our minds.
Regardless of the breed, the stress of worrying about our pet’s life expectancy keeps lurking at the back of our heads, and it’s fairly difficult to simply not think about it.
For sure you have already had the experience of researching and investing in several ways to prolong your dog’s lifespan, but the fact remains that eventually, they all end up leaving us too soon. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t exercise certain steps to keep their life well lived!
For this feature, we will talk about the rottweiler breed in particular.
Now, I know some of your foreheads are scrunched, and you’re already probably wondering how such a known fierce dog would worry about its life expectancy.
Worry not, as I am here to discuss further some facts and tidbits on the rottweiler breed, how long they get to enjoy their time here on Earth, and how you, as a dog owner, can make the most out of your canine’s life.
Let’s begin!
Rottweiler Overview
A common misconception about rottweilers is that they are one of the most vicious, violent, and aggressive dog breeds. The media also often portrays them to be such an extreme species.
Related: How To Calm An Aggressive Dog
As a child, I even remember my dad mentioning that they are, in fact, scary – and are highly capable of gnashing on my legs whenever I misbehave.
Silly me.
During my lifetime, I have observed rottweilers to be very protective and loyal, which eventually turned out to be true, according to a study conducted by many.
Back in the day, rottweilers had a reputation for being work dogs. With a little help from Wikipedia (Yes, I still use it), I have learned that rottweilers are best known for being used as herders of livestock (just like the case for border collies). Rottweiler dog breeds also used to pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. Because of this, in Germany, they are popularly known as “Rottweiler Metzgerhund,” which means “Rottweiler Butcher.”
The case for rottweilers proved to be different today.
At present, this breed of dog is popularly known for being solid search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs.
Now, you may be wondering, “How does a particular breed of dog tend to be so busy?”
My good friend, I’m glad you asked!
According to the American Kennel Club, these exceptional dogs have a natural gathering instinct and a strong desire to control. This basically makes them more than qualified to take on extreme tasks, such as guarding and protective roles.
The Rottweiler’s Personality and Temperament
Both the male rottweiler and the female rottweiler are known to be active and intelligent. However, males, in particular, have a certain tendency to be more aggressive and dominant than female dogs. For rottweilers who are well-socialized, they tend to get along quite nicely with other dogs and people in general.
Under the correct guidance, a rottweiler will be confident and calm but can be courageous if the situation calls for it. A fair bit of socialization will channel this dog breed’s territorial tendencies in a much more positive way.
Family guardians are arguably the most popular role of the rottweiler breed. Small children might need to steer clear of them at first though, as they have a reputation for being intense during certain situations.
If you’re a first-time dog owner, you may want to incorporate proper training at an early period. It helps to provide your rottweiler with leadership and authority. This enables your pooch to trust you without resorting to aggression and force.
For people with traumas with large breeds, it’s fairly hard to introduce them to your pet. It helps to exercise your dog to the familiarization of having certain people around, and this applies to both males and females. You want to be able to control their temperament, for both you and your friends will surely benefit from it in a lifetime.
How To Take Care Of Your Rottweiler Dog
Being generally big, rottweilers work and feel a lot better when exposed to daily exercise and given proper diet and nutrition. Their appearance and condition will show if they are being treated well and right by their owners.
Exposure to the right training methods does help out a lot. In order to achieve a healthy longevity goal, you must be able to monitor their behavior and adjust your training accordingly.
It’s important to remember that you must never allow this dog breed to get bored, as it may lead to destructive tendencies. It also helps to be consistent with mental stimulation training, as this pooch is known to be one of the most intelligent out there.
Lastly, it helps to accustom your pooch to a place where he has enough room to operate and pounce around, releasing all of their energy.
Health Issues and Diseases
Luckily for most dog owners, rottweilers have a reputation of being somewhat relatively healthy, considering that they tend to live an active lifestyle. They need daily exercise as they tend to demand mental and physical stimulation. They love a good heart pump! This is somewhat tied to their life span, but the case, sadly, is not the same for everyone.
Arguably the most common health problem in a Rottie is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia refers to the alteration or malformation of the hip joint.
Another common ailment is the parvovirus, a highly contagious and infectious virus that basically attacks the intestines (which can cause vomiting).
Allergies are also a common ailment in dogs and could cause a lot of stress to your pooch.
Other issues you could also come across are obesity, and of course, cancer.
All of the aforementioned incidents can lead to a lot of complications and in some extreme cases, even death.
Related: How To Recognize A Cancerous Tumor In Dog
A Rottweiler’s Lifespan
Ah, yes. This is probably the section you are most looking forward to: the life expectancy of a Rottweiler.
A rottweiler’s life span is generally known to be 8-12 years (for a healthy, average-sized one), and 8-10 years on average. Interestingly, female rottweilers are renowned for living two years longer than males.
And just like any other dog breed, rottweilers are not exempted from developing health issues that shorten their lifespan.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, rottweilers are some of the best companions you could ever have. Just keep in mind that training helps out a lot! When handled right, rottweilers will always be loyal and protective of their owners.
When health issues arise, it’s always the best option to take your dog to a veterinarian and have them checked. After all, you could always improve the quality of life of your rottweiler and enjoy their companionship for many years to come!