Love big dogs? The Rottweiler may be the right dog for you. Originating in Germany, this dog has a rather hearty breed. It does not fall behind in the intelligence department as well since this breed learns well and assimilates information the way other intelligent dogs do.

Rottweilers used to work as draught dogs in the past. They pulled carts of livestock for slaughter which means that they are very strong. In German, this breed's name is Rottweil Metzgerhund. In English, it means "Butcher's Dog". Rottweilers were generally owned by butchers centuries ago since they are strong and can pull carts. Today, Rottweilers are loved by their pet owners and are not required to do any tasks. Rottweilers are lean machines but they are not mean at all because they are friendly and generally love children. Some records show that Rottweilers were also used for hunting but today's Rottweilers no longer have a penchant for hunting. This means that bringing your Rottweiler to the dog park will not be too taxing because he won't go around hunting small dogs. Although a fairly versatile working breed, Rottweilers were also used as herders. They could protect herds of sheep with their speed, intelligence and strength. During World War I the breed served as police dogs and even served as messengers, ambulance carriers, guard and draught dogs.

The black coated dog has rich tan markings making this breed distinctive. It has a large skull and a large body but it does not lack elegance and nobility. This feature makes it one of the favorites among dog enthusiasts. This dog's nose is not round, it is broader compared to other working breeds. It also has lots of muscles on its neck and on its legs. The back is straight and firm and has a stumpy tail.

Rottweilers are a healthy breed and most of the time they are disease-free but as with most working breeds, hip dysplasia can be one of the major problems encountered by this dog. These dogs are very powerful and have developed great guarding and herding instincts throughout the years. They usually take the responsibility of taking care of the home's premises and are very protective of their masters. Be careful though because a Rottweiler can attack another person especially someone the dog deems suspicious. To avoid this, you should train your Rottweiler well. Enrolling him or her in a dog training facility while he or she is still young is very much recommended.

The Rottweiler is a large, muscular dog that weighs between 80 and 130 pounds. The Rottweiler dog stands 24 to 27 inches at the withers, and the bitch will usually be 22 to 25 inches. The Rottweiler has a strong, broad head with a scissors bite. The body is deep and powerful. The usual coat colour for the Rottweiler is black with tan markings on the face, muzzle, chest, and legs. A lighter colour variation occurs, red with brown accents, occurs more rarely. The Rottweiler has a life span of 10 to 12 years. It is also called the Butchers Dog. History: The history of the Rottweiler is rather fascinating as it extends back to the days of the Roman Empire. The Roman legionnaires had to travel with large herds of cattle to feed themselves while they were on campaign, and the progenitor of the Rottweiler was used to herd the cattle. One of the legion's stops was the town of Rottweil in Germany and it was here that the Roman dogs bred with the local dogs. Many of the dogs stayed behind when the legions moved and breeders in the town developed the breed. Later, Rottweilers were used by butchers to protect and herd cattle. When railroads came into being, the breed nearly died out from lack of purpose, but the Rottweiler soon found new work as a police, guard, or draught dog.

Temperament: A well-bred Rottweiler is generally a calm and loyal dog. It is extremely loyal, affectionate, and protective of its human family. The dog's owner must be dominant, the Rottweiler must be subordinate to its master. Unfortunately, careless breeding, poor socialization, and lack of exercise or work can lead to an unstable and aggressive dog. The Rottweiler is good with its owner's children, but should be closely supervised around other children.

Health Issues: Hip and elbow dysplasia are major health concerns with the Rottweiler. It can also suffer from eye problems and spinal paralysis. The popularity of the Rottweiler has caused too much inbreeding and, besides issues of mental stability, has caused an increase in heart disease and cancer. Stomach torsion, or bloat, can occur in this breed, as it can in almost any large dog. This calls for immediate veterinary treatment. The Rottweiler is able to free whelp easily and will often produce litters of 10 to 12 puppies.

Grooming: The hard coat of the Rottweiler can shed quite a bit, so an occasional brushing will help to control this situation. The Rottweiler tends to slobber and drool, so the muzzle should be wiped when necessary. Be sure to pay attention to the ears to keep them clean and dry.

Living Conditions: As the Rottweiler is a fairly quiet dog inside, it can live in an apartment. However, it must be given sufficient exercise or work. This dog began as a working dog and needs the mental and physical stimulation of a "job" to maintain its stability. The Rottweiler enjoys being near the people it loves, but is capable of living and sleeping outside as long as an adequate dog house is provided for it.