Nutrition
Rottweilers are a very muscular dog. It is so important for growth and health of the dogs that they are fed a nutritious diet, a high protein, high calorie diet. We feed our dogs Victor High Pro Plus. This food can go from puppy to adulthood, so you never have to worry about switching foods. In addition to the dry food, we like to add in raw ground beef a few times a week for extra protein, as well as egg, which is good for their coats. Of course, every dog deserves some treats from time to time, but you want to do it in a healthy way. Pumpkin and pumpkin puree are great for their gut health and a tasty treat. I save the peanut butter for when it comes time to trim nails. Nothing distracts a dog more than some frozen peanut butter licks. Add in some bones from the butcher shop and you will have one happy heathy dog. This diet was suggested to me by another Rottie breeder with 20+ years' experience and vet approved.
Grooming
~Rottweilers are not as difficult to groom as some other breeds. But they do have a double coat, regular brushing with a brush like the furminator will help with shedding.
~ You may have heard but Rotties do not enjoy a nail trimming typically, it's vital you start trimming nails from the very beginning. Even then they may still hate it. I like to freeze a bowl of peanut butter and pumpkin puree for them to lick while I trim. It makes the process much quicker.
~Rottweilers have a tendency to get ear infections. It's very important that you clean their ears regularly. I do so after bathing.
~ Bathing about every 2-3 weeks is plenty unless they have gotten themselves in a particularly filthy predicament. You should try to avoid over bathing as the oils on their skin is what keeps their fur healthy. The type of soaps you use is also very important. Puppies and dogs need different soaps. A puppy has more sensitive skin and will need a puppy safe soap. I personally use Dr. Bonners Castille soap unscented for puppies as a tiny bit goes a long way. Once they are older I will use a scented version. My favorite is the peppermint.
~ I do not brush the dogs' teeth. I use bones from the local butcher to keep their teeth clean and let me tell you Rafa has a better smile them most humans.
Exercise
These big, beautiful beasts are stacked with muscle. Muscle that can easily turn into fat, as Rottweilers tend to be perfectly content sleeping on top of you rather than going out for a run. While Rottweilers don't need as much exercise as some high energy breeds, it is vital that they get proper exercise. You do not want an obese Rottweiler. Having a yard is important for these dogs as well as regular walks is a must. Beyond needing exercise for their health, they need it for mental stimulation. Try getting some of your exercise through mental stimulation, consistent training is the best way to do this. Remember, keeping your dog mentally and physically stimulated will help keep away any destructive behaviors. Exercising with and training your dog builds a bond between you that becomes unbreakable. The more you work with your dog the stronger that bond, which will make for a more reliable trustworthy pet.
