Selection guide - Get the facts

Get the facts. Isolated incidents involving a small percentage of Rottweilers have unfortunately earned the whole breed a reputation as being unpredictable, violent and prone to unprovoked attacks. Keep in mind that how any dog behaves largely depends on how it is treated by its owner. Talk to breeders, trainers and veterinarians and learn the truth about the breed before making your final decision.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Selection guide - Rottweiler is not a breed that is right for every family or owner

Research the breed. The Rottweiler is a large breed that requires a lot of space to run. They are independent and intelligent but also very protective of their owners so they are not a breed that is right for every family or owner.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Use shampoo that your vet recommended

When choosing a shampoo, do not use flea and tick shampoos or other medicated shampoos unless directed by your vet. These types of shampoo do not work well with a rottweiler's coat.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Begin a regular grooming schedule early in their lives

With this breed in particular, it's important to to begin a regular grooming schedule early in their lives. Since rottweilers grow to become large and powerful dogs, you can have problems with grooming if they're not used to it.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Nourish coat

Let your dog air dry, then spray on a light coat of coat conditioner, coat gloss or mink oil to give his coat a beautiful sheen.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Wash with a regular dog shampoo

Wash with a regular dog shampoo. Ask your vet, breeder or pet store for any recommendations. During the bath, remove shedding hair with a rubber brush or natural bristle brush. Also take this time to remove any stray or long whiskers with grooming scissors.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Trim stray hairs

Trim stray hairs on his thighs, neck and back of his front legs with blending shears before bathing him.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Bathe your rottweiler once every two to three months

Bathe your rottweiler once every two to three months, unless he gets himself excessively dirty playing outdoors. This breed is one of the most odorless of all breeds, so baths are not a high priority.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Clean your dog's ears at least once a month

Clean your dog's ears at least once a month. Apply ear cleansing solution, found at any pet store, to a cotton pad and carefully clean the inside of his ears and the outer rim. Be careful not to insert the pad into any part of the ear canal you can't see.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Clip your dog's nails once a month

Clip your dog's nails once a month. Using large nail clippers, cut just the tips of the nails. Be careful to avoid cutting the quick, the reddish inner part of the nail, because it's painful and results in bleeding.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Brush your rottweiler at least once a month

Brush your rottweiler at least once a month with a natural bristle brush. You should increase your frequency of brushing during their major shedding times which are fall and spring to avoid hair all over your house.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover

Grooming tip - Rottweiler is an easy breed to groom

Rottweilers coloring consists of a black coat with tan or rusty-brown markings on their chest, throat, lower legs, above the eyes and on the sides of the muzzle. With an undercoat only on their neck and thighs, rottweilers' outer coat is short, flat, coarse and dense. They are an easy breed to groom.

Rottweiler - Dog Lover