Owner guide - Closely supervise your rottweiler if small children are near

Closely supervise your rottweiler if small children are near. They have a tendency to "herd" children and to chase moving objects - which could include running children.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Rottweiler can generally be taught to obey with positive reinforcement

Rottweiler can generally be taught to obey with positive reinforcement. However, you may need to use a sharp tone if your dog is being stubborn.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Understand rottweiler's health problems

Understand that a rottweiler is prone to certain health problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia (a malformation of the joints), osteochondrosis dissecans (a bone disease that causes lameness and arthritis), paneosteitis (a rotating lameness), Von Willebrand's Disease (a bleeding disorder), bloat, heart disease and allergies.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Play with your rottweiler often

Play with your rottweiler often. They love to run, swim and play catch. You can't overexercise this breed.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Keep your rottweiler on a leash when away from your home

Keep your rottweiler on a leash when away from your home. This breed can be aggressive with unfamiliar dogs, although early training and socialization may curb this tendency.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Walk or run your rottweiler at least twice a day

Walk or run your rottweiler at least twice a day, for 20 minutes or more each time. This breed is very active and will also need a large backyard to romp around in. If a rottweiler becomes bored or doesn't have enough activity, she may become destructive.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Avoid leaving her alone with unfamiliar people in your home

Remember that a rottweiler has a strong instinct to protect her home and family. Avoid leaving her alone with unfamiliar people in your home; if the dog perceives an unfamiliar visitor as an intruder, she may become aggressive. Allow your rottweiler to slowly become familiar with visitors.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Trim your Rottweiler's nails

Trim your Rottweiler's nails every two to three weeks.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Brush your rottweiler's coat awhen necessary

Brush your rottweiler's topcoat and undercoat only when necessary. The same goes for bathing. Rottweilers are average shedders and lose their topcoat and undercoat twice a year.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Owner guide - Feed your rottweiler

Feed your rottweiler high-grade dog food. The first ingredient should be meat if you want a quality product. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. Also, the fiber content needs to be 4 percent or less.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover