DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROTTWEILER DOG BREEDS: COMPLETE GUIDE

As a Rottweiler owner you might always think about what type of Rottweiler you have. Weather it is a German, American or Roman Rottweiler! However, there are different types of Rottweiler dog breeds known.

When people think about a Rottweiler dog they think about an aggressive guard dog. The Rottweiler is a large and powerful breed of dog that originated in Germany. They were originally bred for cattle herding and as guard dogs, and are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and protective nature.

Rottweilers are often used today as police and military dogs, search, and rescue dogs, and as family companions. They are also highly intelligent and trainable, which makes them good candidates for a variety of work and sports, such as obedience training, agility, and Schutzhund.

Rottweilers are large, powerful dogs and they require extensive socialization and training from an early age in order to prevent any aggressive behavior. Because of their large size and strength, they are usually not recommended for a first-time dog owner who has kids.

Overall, the Rottweiler is a loyal and intelligent breed that can make a great companion for the right owner. In this article we will discuss details about the difference types of Rottweiler dog breeds, their characteristics, and distinctions between the German, American and Roman Rottweilers which will give you a better understanding of this amazing dog breed.

What are the Different Type of Rottweilers?

The American Kennel Club recognizes, only one type of Rottweiler dog breed. However, there are variations within the breed in terms of their size, appearance, and working ability.

Rottweilers from different countries may have different types because breeding standards vary. There are three main types of Rottweilers because the three main countries breed these dogs. Countries like Germany have stricter breed standards, including physical traits, temperament, and genetic health, so official German Rottweilers will look more like the original Roman breed. The Rottweiler bred in USA are known as American Rottweilers.

In fact, there aren’t officially different Rottweiler dog breeds, but there are different types depending on the countries of origin. Let’s have a look at all three main types of known Rottweilers.

The German Rottweiler

If you want to know what type of Rottweiler you have, then the best way to tell if your Rottweiler is American or German is to know where your dog was born and bred. If your Rottweiler was bred in Germany, then it is a German Rottweiler.

The German Rottweiler is a large, powerful breed of dog that originated in Germany. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strength. Rottweilers are often used as working dogs, such as police dogs and guard dogs. They can also make great family pets, but it is important to provide them with plenty of exercise and training.

In Germany, the Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK) which is the Rottweiler club of Germany, has very strict rules and guidelines when it comes to breeding Rotties. Rottweiler puppies born in Germany cannot be registered unless they pass strict breeding criteria. Only the best is allowed to breed, and these are those that adhere to the standard, are healthy, obtain good hips scores, are equipped with good nerves, and pass several breed-qualification tests.

Today’s German Rottweiler was first recognized in German studbooks in 1901, and the name comes from the town of Rottweiler in Germany, where these dogs were first bred. German Rottweilers are known as working dogs with a lot of energy and a cheerful demeanor. 

German Rottweiler sitting on the tree in the jungle.
Source: Pixabay

Height and Weight

The German Rottweilers are large-sized dogs. The adult male German Rottweiler can weigh between 110 to 130 pounds, while females weigh between 77 to 110 pounds. However, a male German Rottweiler can grow up to 27 inches tall, while a female may get up to 25 inches tall.

This makes them considerably bigger than American Rottweilers with broader bodies, a muscular chest, and squarer heads. 

Appearance

German Rottweilers appear more impressive than most American Rottweilers with thick bones, broader bodies, and blocky heads. This is because they are bred strictly following the ADRK standard.

German Rottweilers have a short, dense coat that is black with tan markings. They have broader and triangular ears, and their eyes are like American Rottweilers. The body of German Rottweilers is a bit larger than the American Rottweilers. It features a muscular fore chest and well-formed ribs.

One of the distinctions of this variation of German Rottweiler is that they will not have docked tails, and tail docking is prohibited.  Their tail is often in natural condition. Tail docking is not allowed, which is one of the significant differences from other breeds. German Rottweilers have an average life expectancy of 10 years.

Temperament

The German Rottweiler’s temperament is important to the ADRK standards and breeding protocol. German Rottweilers are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strength. They can be gentle and loving with their family members, but they can also be protective and aggressive towards strangers.

Their intelligence, patience, and eagerness to work make them ideal for service dogs and police dogs. If you train them properly, they get along well with kids and other dogs. The ADRK wants their Rottweilers to be ideal guide dogs for the blind and disabled, security dogs, and police dogs.

Exercise and Training

German Rottweilers are large sized and energetic dog breed, and they need plenty of exercise. They should be walked for at least 30 minutes per day, and they should also have time to run and play to consume their energy. German Rottweilers are intelligent dogs, but they can also be stubborn. It is important to start training at a young age.

Health

German Rottweilers are generally healthy dogs, but they are prone to certain health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cancer. With proper training, exercise, and a better diet plan we can keep them healthy and happy.

If you are looking buy a German Rottweiler puppy for your family, then it is important and advisable to do your research and contact a reputable breeder. It is also important that you should have proper resources and time to take care of this large, powerful dog breed.

American Rottweiler

The American Rottweiler is a breed of dog that is derived from the Rottweiler, a breed that originated in Germany. Like the German Rottweiler, American Rottweilers descended from Roman dogs primarily for herding. The name Rottweiler comes from a town in Germany called Rottweil, where the breed as we know it now originated. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the modern American Rottweiler in 1931.

The American Rottweiler was first developed in the United States in the early 1900s. The breed was created by crossing Rottweilers with other breeds. The goal of these crosses was to create a larger and more powerful dog that would be better suited for working roles.

American Rottweilers are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strength. They are excellent working dogs, and they are also good family pets. However, it is important to note that American Rottweilers are large and powerful dogs, and they require proper training and socialization.

American Rottweiler resting on the ground.

Height and Weight

The American Rottweilers are large-sized dogs. American Rottweilers are typically larger than German Rottweilers. The adult male American Rottweiler can weigh between 95 to 110 pounds, while females weigh between 80 to 100 pounds. However, a male American Rottweiler average height can range between 24-27 inches tall, while a female average height ranges between 22- 25 inches tall.

Appearance

The American Rottweiler is a medium-sized dog with a strong, muscular build. Their color is often black with clearly defined rust markings. American Rottweilers have a shorter coat than German Rottweilers. Males are often larger than females, with larger frames and more robust bone structures.

One of the key features of the American Rottweiler is it has a docked tail. The Rottweiler’s fur is coarse and straight with a medium-length outer coat. The undercoat is only present on the neck and thighs. The Rottweiler sheds moderately throughout the year.

Temperament

The AKC recognized the Rottweiler as a loyal, loving, and protective dog who makes a good guardian. American Rottweilers are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strength. German Rottweilers are also known for these qualities, but they are also known for being more independent and stubborn.

American Rottweilers are affectionate, fun loving and protective to their owners. With proper training and socialization, they could be a great family dog for children.

If you are looking for a large, powerful, and loyal dog, the American Rottweiler would be one of the best options for you. However, it is important to do your research and find a reputable breeder before getting an American Rottweiler.

Roman Rottweiler

The Roman Rottweiler is also known as the Giant Rottweiler. Sometimes these dogs are not purebred Rottweilers but are a cross between a Rottweiler and some type of Mastiff. Roman Rottweilers can get extremely big as they grow and attain the considerable size of a giant dog. They are widely known to be one of the biggest dog breeds existing on the planet.

Because of their giant size they have some health issues like orthopedic problems, including hip dysplasia. They also are prone to snoring and overheating due to their large size.

This type of Rottweiler is not recognized by either the AKC or the ADRK. This is because they are typically much larger than either breed standard.

Big Roman Rottweiler walking on the grass.
Source: Pixabay

Height and Weight

The male Roman Rottweiler can get up to 23 inches tall, while some may grow up to the giant size of 30 inches. Contrary, the female Roman Rottweilers are not as big as the male ones. They have a height that ranges between 24 inches to a giant size of 29 inches.

On average, a typical Roman Rottweiler weighs 95 pounds. The female Rottweilers are often lighter than the male ones. A male Roman Rottweiler can weigh between 95 to 130 pounds, while a female Rottweiler typically weighs 85 to 115 pounds.

The life expectancy of a Roman Rottweiler often ranges between 10 to 12 years on average. However, the female Roman Rottweiler can live up to 14 years, much longer than their male equals.

Appearance

These dogs have a muscular appearance with a broad head and strong jawline. Unlike American and German Rottweilers, their eyes are typically round rather than almond-shaped and set back in the skull.

Temperament

Roman Rottweiler is an affectionate, loving, and protective dog who will do anything for its owner to be safe. The intellectual abilities of Roman Rottweilers make them willing to learn and relatively easy to train. These canines have been guard dogs since ancient times, and this ability brings other outstanding qualities for a Roman Rottweiler.

Price of Rottweiler

The price of a Rottweiler can vary depending on several factors, such as the dog’s pedigree, age, health, and location. On average, a Rottweiler puppy can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. However, some breeders may charge more for puppies from champion bloodlines or with desirable traits.

It is important to do your research and find a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health and well-being of their dogs. You may also consider adopting a Rottweiler from a rescue organization, which can be a more affordable option.

FAQ

Q- What’s the price of a month-old German Rottweiler, and what about an American?

A- The Price of Rottweiler puppy can vary from breeder to breeder however, it would usually cost anything between $500-$3000.

Q- What is the biggest breed of Rottweiler dog?

A- Among the three the German, American and Roman Rottweiler, the Roman Rottweiler is the biggest type of Rottweiler dog breed.

Q- Which type of this breed sheds the least?

A-The America Rottweilers shed significantly less than German Rotties. 

Q- What is the lifespan of Rottweiler dogs?

A- The average lifespan of Rottweiler dog is anything between 8-10 years.

Conclusion

Rottweilers are one of the oldest and ancient dog breeds worldwide. There are 3 types of Rottweilers known, The German, American and Roman Rottweiler.However, the American Kennel Club recognizes, only one type of Rottweiler dog breed.  They are large, powerful, affectionate, and protective dog breed who are always ready to protect their owners and love to play with kids.

They are large and gigantic sized dog breeds which could weigh anything between 95-130 pounds and the average height ranges between 22-27 inches while the average lifespan of the Rottweilers is between 9-10 years.

The German and American Rottweilers have their own breeding standard which is governed by the ADRK and AKC respectively. According to the AKC and ADRK The Rottweilers are loyal, loving, and protective dogs who make a good guardian. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strength. The Roman Rottweiler is the biggest among the German, American and Roman.

If you are looking for a large, powerful, and loyal dog, The Rottweiler dog breed would be one of the best options for you. However, it is important to do your research and find a reputable breeder before getting a Rottweiler dog.

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