Questions and Answers

Should I get a male or a female ?

This is strictly a matter of personal preference. Both are equal in pet qualities. The male is larger, stronger and more impressive when first seen. The female, however, should be considered as equal in all other respects. Modern veterinary practice recommends neutering of non-breeding animals of both sexes as a means to a healthier, better pet.

How much room do they need ?

A large garden with a six foot fence is ideal, but Rottweilers have been successfully kept in large flats. A garden is essential if you are getting a puppy or young dog. A garden will help keep the dog exercised and reduces boredom, possibly preventing some destructive behaviour. If you do not have enough space for a Rottweiler consider another breed.

Personal commitment on your part is most important. Walking your dog on a regular basis develops a better bond and more personal relationship with your dog than just letting him run in the garden.

Are they good watchdogs?

The Rottweilers' size and bark will discourage most intruders, yet he will learn to recognize your friends and receive them cordially. The Rottweilers instinct to protect those he loves becomes very apparent as he matures.

However, problems can arise quickly. Strangers must never come into your home or garden unannounced. Roughhousing with your Rottweiler should be avoided. Rough play encourages aggressive behaviour.

People expected to be in contact with the dog while you are absent should be well known to the dog. Although Rottweilers are unlikely to bite without provocation, being cornered and held by one of these dogs is very unnerving.

Are they easy to train?

Because of the size and strength of the animal, the Rottweiler must be trained early in his life. Fortunately, Rottweilers are intelligent working dogs and begin responding to commands as soon as they understand what you want of them. Occasionally there are exceptions. It is very important to establish control over your dog. Obedience training is the easiest and best way to do this.

Your breeder should be able to help you find a training class. Avoid very rough trainers. Rottweilers can often be controlled using verbal reprimands. Some trainers tend to be much rougher than necessary. Sensitive and positive training methods, time and patience are more effective.

Children and small adults have been very successful with Rottweiler in all aspects of dog training.

Are they good with children?

How Rottweilers adapt to children varies from individual to individual. Many are very tolerant and loving towards children. Others resent the occasional rough treatment an unknowing child can inflict.

The dog's size can be a serious problem. Rottweilers have accidentally caused injuries to small children in the family by bumping into them and knocking them down or into furniture. Some breeders recommend waiting until children are at least school age or older before bringing a Rottweiler into your home. The amount of space in your home, the age of your children and the amount of time the dog will be in contact with your children should all be taken into consideration before making a decision.

How much do Rottweilers eat?

A Rottweiler will not eat you out of house and home. Depending on the size, age, sex and activity level of your dog, it will eat between 3kg and 4kg of high quality kibble a week. This would generally be between 400g and 600g of kibble divided into two meals a day. High quality kibble costs between £20.00 and £30.00 for a 15kg bag. Most breeders and vets do not recommend adding supplements to high quality dog food.

What is Hip Dysplasia ?

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary, development disease in Rottweilers and most other large dog breeds. It is a malformation of the hip joint(s). It often causes pain as the dog ages. Parents and grandparents of the puppy you purchase should have had they hips x-rayed under the British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia Scheme - the Breed Mean Scores at 30/01/1998 is 14. Ask to see the parents' results. Buying a puppy from a litter whose parents have average scores does not guarantee that your puppy won't develop dysplasia later on. However research has shown that normal adults produce litters with one-third or more of the pups less dysplastic as adults. Dysplastic adults, however, tend to produce more severely dysplastic offspring than normal adults.

Do All Puppies Have Worms?

Intestinal parasites are common in puppies. Puppies can become infected with parasites before they are born or later through their mother's milk. The microscopic examination of a stool sample will usually help to determine the presence of intestinal parasites. This exam is recommended for all puppies, if your veterinarian can get a stool sample. Please bring one at your earliest convenience. Even without t a stool sample, the use of a deworming product that is safe and effective against several of the common worms of the dog is recommended. It is important that deworming be repeated in about 3-4 weeks, because the deworming medication kills only the adult worms. Within 3-4 weeks, the larval stages will have become adults and will need to be treated. Dogs remain susceptible to reinfection with hookworms and roundworms. Periodic deworming throughout the dog's life may be recommended for dogs that go outdoors.

Tapeworms are the most common intestinal parasite of dogs. Puppies become infected with them when they swallow fleas; the eggs of the tapeworm live inside the flea. When the puppy chews or licks its skin as a flea bites, the flea may be swallowed. The flea is digested within the dog's intestine; the tapeworm hatches and then anchors itself to the intestinal lining. Therefore, exposure to fleas may result in a new infection; this can occur in as little as two week

Dogs infected with tapeworms will pass small segments of the worms in their stool. The segments are white in color and look like grains of rice. They are about 1/8 inch (3 mm) long and may be seen crawling on the surface of the stool. They may also stick to the hair under the tail. If that occurs, they will dry out, shrink to about half their size, and become golden in color.

Tapeworm segments do not pass every day or in every stool sample; therefore, inspection of several consecutive bowel movements may be needed to find them. Your veterinarian may examine a stool sample in his office and not find worm segments, but then the next day they may appear. If you find them at any time, notify your veterinarian.