When you decide to adopt or buy a dog, there is one thing you need to consider – the breed. One of the most recognizable breeds in the US, or in the world in general, are Rottweilers, known for their loyalty, courage, as well as commanding presence. 

Many people are skeptical about adopting this breed – mainly because of how intimidating they look, as well as the not-so-good reputation. However, once you start looking into what exactly it means to own a rottweiler, you will realize that nothing could be further from the truth. While they are large dogs, they are just giant teddy bears. 

Finding information about how to care for Rottweilers can be quite daunting, which is why we decided to gather some of the most important aspects of owning a rottweiler. So, here is everything you need to know before getting a rottweiler. 

Rottweilers Eat a Lot 

One of the things you need to prepare yourself for before getting a rottweiler is spending quite some money on food – not only do dogs of this breed like to eat a lot, but they also require high-quality food in order to stay healthy. 

Since Rottweilers are very energetic and muscular, their diet needs to contain a lot of protein – something that can be quite hard to find in a cheap, grocery store food. Also, don’t forget that many representatives of this breed have allergies, meaning you have to take it into consideration when choosing the food.  

That’s exactly why you will either have to spend some time searching for the best food or schedule a veterinarian appointment so that they can choose the type and brand of food that will be the most suitable for your dog. If you wish to do some research on your own, here you’ll find Purina Pro Plan dog food review – they are considered one of the best brands on the market nowadays, so they might have something that will meet the nutritional needs of your pup. 

Now, when it comes to their diet – a rottweiler needs more or less 2100 calories daily, although this might differ if the pup is very active. However, their breed is very prone to obesity, which means that you need to control how much they are actually eating. 

Rottweilers Are Prone to Some Serious Health Conditions 

While dogs of all breeds can get sick, there are some conditions to which Rottweilers are more prone than others. Such conditions include cancer (in particular bone cancer), orthopedic conditions (e.g., elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, intervertebral disk disease, hip dysplasia), and heart issues. 

When it comes to conditions affecting the hormonal and endocrine systems, the most common disease is called hypothyroidism. The organism of a dog suffering from this condition has problems producing a thyroid hormone called thyroxine, which is responsible for metabolism. Some of the most common symptoms of this disease include weight gain, reduced activity, dull hair coat, and reduced ability to tolerate the cold. 

Since Rottweilers are prone to so many health issues, it’s important that you find a vet who you can trust and who has profound knowledge of this breed. Keep in mind that you will have to visit your vet quite often so that you can make sure everything is okay with your furry friend. 

Rottweilers Require Grooming 

Due to the fact that Rottweilers have short fur, many people believe that they don’t require grooming and that their fur can be just left alone. However, nothing could be further from the truth – rottweilers require regular brushing, ear care, eye care, and more. 

Even though Rottweilers are pretty low maintenance, they still need to be taken care of. Every time you want to groom your pup, start with cleaning and brushing. Don’t forget about rubbing your pup’s body all over – by doing this, you will be able to notice any lump, bump, bite, or any other issue there might be. Also, you have to remember to check their ears, paws, teeth, and gums. 

Don’t forget about brushing their fur – it will help keep it from matting and prevent the skin from getting irritated. Additionally, it helps in distributing your four-legged friend’s natural oil all over their fur. 

The Bottom Line 

Owning a Rottweiler can bring a lot of joy into your life. However, before you decide to take this step, you need to make sure that you know what you are signing up for. Rottweilers require a lot of space, a lot of food, and a lot of monetary investment. 

If you are buying a Rottweiler puppy, remember to choose one from a reputable breeder, who will be able to provide you with a full genetic history of its parents – this way, you will be able to find out, and might even prevent some of the medical conditions that can become a problem in the future.