Rottweiler puppies: Confident and dominant from the very beginning
Rottweilers are one of the most recognisable dog breeds with their shiny black coats and brown markings. They are strong, big-bodied dogs due to their working background and, to the average Joe, the Rottweiler can appear quite intimidating. Rottweilers are still used as working dogs in the lines of search and rescue, police dogs, sometimes as herders, and very often as guard dogs. They have a ‘helper’ mentality, and when trained correctly, they experience true purpose in working.
The Rottweiler is a strong-willed and self-confident breed, and needs a firm handler and proactive training from the very beginning. Rottweiler puppies may be cute, solid little puppies with very appealing markings, but their personalities have been bred into them and it’s important to know the breed properly before you decide on adding a Rottweiler puppy to your family.
How much do Rottweiler puppies cost?
Because Rotties are such a popular breed, they are bred in unregulated environments and are available from unregistered breeders. An unregistered puppy can cost around R3 000, while registered puppies from reputable breeders start at R6 000 and can cost anything from R9 000 to R15 000 for champion stock.
The best parts of the Rottweiler breed
That short, dense, beautiful coat is easy to maintain, so the Rottie’s grooming needs are few. Despite being bred as working dogs, the Rottie can just as easily laze around and become overweight, but if he’s raised by an active handler, he will gladly participate in any activity that requires the use of his strong, able body and intelligent mind. When raised correctly in a family environment, the Rottweiler plays the role of protector and is loyal to his family. If you are considering a Rottweiler puppy for your family, it’s crucial that you do your research properly and understand this breed before committing to it.
Beware of the dog
Rottweilers are strong, dominant dogs – a personality trait that will emerge quickly from your Rottweiler puppy. They need to be trained from as early as possible and they need constant socialisation with other people and animals to understand their place in the social chain. As Rottweilers were bred to work on their own, their self-confidence and independence can become problematic if they aren’t trained to work with people and other dogs. This cannot be a dog left to his own devices, as he can quickly become a nuisance, and subsequent training will be that much more difficult.
The Rottweiler puppy needs a high-quality diet from the very beginning to support his strong, stocky body. As a larger breed, Rottweilers do suffer from hip dysplasia and may have ligament problems, so a healthy diet from the outset will be beneficial to the dog.
