What is a Rottweiler?

Often people proudly mention they have a 'German' Rottweiler or 'German Style' Rottweiler, there are no differences in the breed standard between German and the United States EXCEPT German Rottweilers now have TAILS.  Yes, these wonderful dogs all have tails in Germany; they are no longer allowed to dock the tail. So our wonderful tailed rescues are 'German Style' Rottweilers in every sense of the word. You can even ILP a Rottweiler with a tail and compete in numerous AKC activities (ILP@akc.org). 

Tails on Rottweilers just give you more to love.  There are many rescued Rottweilers with a tail, they carry it down for the most part - generally does not clear tables, bang doorways or knock things down.   Please consider Rottweilers dogs with tails; on average they spend 4 times as long or longer without a forever home JUST because they have a tail.

Rottweiler Breed Standard

Working Group

General Appearance
The ideal Rottweiler is a medium large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. His compact and substantial build denotes great strength, agility and endurance.

Temperament
The Rottweiler is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment. He has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog. 

This breed does best when given a "job" whether this be actually working in events such as lure coursing, tracking, even agility  or daily times set aside for play.

Owning a Rottweiler is not a short term event, their life expectancy is 10-12 years.

Whether you live in the city or in the country, no dog can be safely left to run "free" without your direct supervision and control. The price of such "freedom" is inevitably injury or death: from automobiles, from Animal Control, or from justifiably irate neighbors. Like other working breeds, Rottweilers have an inherited instinct to herd. The unfenced country Rottweiler will sooner or later discover the neighbor's livestock (sheep, cattle, horses, and poultry). Many state laws allow a livestock owner to kill any dog chasing or "worrying" his stock, or "running" deer on his property. And livestock owners are quick to act on this right.  The unfenced city Rottweiler may exercise his herding instinct on joggers, children, bicyclists and automobiles.

Our dogs go to homes with securely fenced yards (i.e.; chain link / privacy) will be required.  With between 4' - 6' height preferred.  Invisible fencing is not acceptable. 
                           
Behavior Problems
Nothing in Life is Free by Lynda Adame

Training
Canine Drives

Making Peace between Dogs and Cats

Kids And Dogs: Safety First

Crating: Training or Torture?