Have you recently made a Rottweiler puppy part of your family? Or, are you considering adopting a strong, friendly, loyal companion such as a Rottweiler puppy? Rotties are, without a doubt, one of the best breeds you can adopt. They’re famous for their strong personalities, good temperaments, and high loyalty. However, what if we compare them to other breeds of the same size and weight class? Rottweilers comparably have a shorter lifespan.

Now, the biggest reason why Rottweiler lifespan has become so shorter is because of the gene variation in them with time. Initially, Rotties had the roles of cattle and cart dogs. However, with time, many families started adopting them for their family and house security, making them the perfect family dogs. And, with an increase in demand for Rottweiler puppies, force breeding came into action. This led to the shorter life span of Rotties.

So, What is the lifespan of a Rottweiler? What are the various causes for shorter lifespans in Rotties? Can you increase the lifespan of a Rottweiler? Let’s end all your concerns regarding Rottweiler lifespan through this Rottweiler living guide.

Rottweiler Lifespan: How Long Does A Rottweiler Live?

So, starting with the main topic of this guide, what is the average lifespan of a Rottweiler? On average, a Rottweiler’s lifespan is between 8 and 10 years. However, if we talk specifically about a male Rottweiler’s lifespan or a female Rottweiler’s lifespan, there is a difference. Talking in average numbers, a male Rottweiler can live up to 8.7 years. While in the case of female Rottweilers, a female Rottweiler can live up to 9.5 years.

On record, the longest-living Rottweiler until now is Bam-Bam, who lived around 12 years and three months. While there are some cases of Rottweilers living up to the age of 13, there hasn’t been any record to confirm these claims.

Because of their short lifespan, Rottweilers are among the US’s list of the shortest lifespans of dog breeds. A healthy and purebred Rottweiler, which is raised right, can be an exception in crossing the average limit of 8 to 10 years. However, there are many factors that can reduce the Rottweiler lifespan, which we will discuss in detail when we progress further in this guide.

But, before that, we should get familiar with the different life cycles of Rottweilers to get a better understanding of the Rottweiler lifespan topic.

Understanding A Rottweiler Lifespan Through Its Various Life Cycle

The life cycle of Rottweilers is similar to any other dog. So, there are four stages through which every Rottweiler has to go. Now, suppose you’ve recently adopted a Rottie puppy or are thinking of adopting one. In that case, you should read about these stages so you can care for your pup in better ways.

Stage 1: Puppy (0 to1.5 years)

A Rottweiler’s puppy stage starts from the day they’re born. This stage continues until the Rotties become 18 months old. Like any other dog breed, the first eight weeks of a Rottweiler puppy are highly essential. How much proper care they get during this eight-week period will decide how they will grow and perform after entering adulthood.

For that reason, the puppy has to stay close to their mother for that time period. The mother Rottweiler milk will help the puppies get proper nutrition for healthy growth. Furthermore, a mother’s body’s warmth is essential when puppies are in their blind and deaf stage. This is common with all breeds of puppies. That’s why the mother’s presence is crucial for the puppy’s development and growth.

Stage 2: Adolescent Stage (1.5 to 2 years)

The next stage, after the puppy stage in Rottweilers, is commonly referred to as the “Adolescent stage.” Now, the puppies have all the nutrition they need from their mother. During this life cycle stage, proper puppy training is essential. The puppy is yet to enter adulthood, which is the stage where a Rottweiler’s growth in behavior and other things become a bit stagnant.

Teaching your puppy when it is still young is easier compared to when it enters its next life stage. You should familiarize them with dog foods and a proper nutritional diet so they can develop their body bones efficiently. Also, don’t forget about the puppy’s socialization training. This is a big concern for owners looking for a family pet. Early training is the key to raising a well-behaved Rottweiler that is good with children and other dogs.

Stage 3: Adulthood (2 to 7.5 years)

Adulthood is the most energetic and peak life stage of a Rottweiler. Upon reaching this age, the Rottie will touch its maximum height and have proper body structure and behavior. All the training you’ve given them during their adolescent stage will come into action now. If everything goes well during their earlier growing years, handling an adult, Rottie, becomes easier.

You can now introduce your dog to different hobbies and activities in which they can participate. Rottweilers are fun-loving, and they will enjoy everything with their owner. A few of their favorite activities are swimming and hiking. If you love hiking, you have made the right choice by adopting a Rottweiler, as they love it too. As an owner, you can enroll them in fun brain activities where they can stay busy.

As we mentioned, this stage is where your dog will be most energetic. You need to look for some activities and hobbies where your paw friend can spend his energy. Furthermore, you can take them to dog parks and competitions where they can meet other dogs and learn new fun stuff.

Stage 4: Senior (Above 7.5 years)

Once your Rottweiler enters the senior life stage, they will become less energetic. They will not be that interested in running and taking long strolls. However, they will still love you and your family but will show some aging signs like gray hair and difficulty standing as they grow older.

To ensure your Rottie has a long life, you must introduce more healthy foods and even supplements. A senior dog’s digestion becomes weak with increasing age. Therefore, you should give them foods that are easier to digest and are more nutrient-rich.

Also, vet visits will become more frequent for you as your dog will demand more care with their age. They will not need the same level of exercise as before. Furthermore, their body will require less food compared to their adult life stage. During this time, your Rottweiler will demand more affection than anything else.

Why do Rottweilers live for a short time? Knowing Health issues in Rotties

It is common to see large dogs like Rottweilers having shorter lifespans compared to smaller dogs. You’ll find various theories regarding why Rottweilers or large dogs generally have shorter lifespans. While it is all in theory, here are some reasons why large dogs like Rottweilers tend to be like that:

When dogs grow faster, they become more prone to degenerative diseases like hip dysplasia, arthritis, etc.
A faster growth rate can be directly proportional to a faster aging rate.
Larger dogs are usually more suitable for the role of working dogs, which puts them at a high risk of obtaining injuries or even death in some cases.

From these theories, you can assume an idea as to why Rotties live for a short period. However, before you do that, let’s see some of the leading causes of Rottweiler’s death.

Cancer (a common cause of death in Rottweilers)
Difficulty standing
Brain disorders
Musculoskeletal disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, etc.

There are other causes too, but these are the most common ones. While we’re at it, let’s see some common health problems that Rottweilers face.

Common Health Issues in Rottweilers

In most cases, the health issues in Rotties start from bones and joints. This is because they’re part of large breeds, making them more prone to health issues. And, when your dog is struggling while moving or is in an immobile state, this becomes a big reason they live short.

Suppose you adopt from a Rottweiler breeder, like Vom Hause Stan. In that case, you can significantly prevent such conditions from happening with your dog. But, still, there is always a chance of your Rottweiler inheriting multiple or one of the following health conditions:

Osteochondritis: This is a joint disorder that is common in large breeds like Rottweilers. Osteochondritis happens when the cartilage of a dog turns inflamed and starts separating from the connected bone. Such a condition can affect your Rottie knee, hip, elbow, or shoulder. This health issue can cause immobility in pets and is also highly painful.
Hip Dysplasia: This health condition is common in dogs with a genetic abnormality. Having Hip Dysplasia can cause malformed hip joints in Rottweilers. And because of that, the hip joint fails to get correctly placed into the socket. This condition will not cause death in dogs, but it can be extremely painful and promote immobility in dogs. So, this indirectly shortens the life of your Rottie.
Osteosarcoma: This condition can cause bone tumors in dogs, which further spread throughout the body parts. As cancer directly affects the musculoskeletal system of your Rottweiler, having this condition can promote immobility. The spreading rate of Osteosarcoma is fast. For that reason, early diagnosis, as well as treatment, is quite essential.

What Factors Play A Role In Affecting Rottweilers’ Life Expectancy?

A healthy male Rottweiler, on average, will grow up to 24–27 inches while weighing 110 lbs. On the other hand, female Rottweilers grow to 22–25 inches with an average weight of 92 lbs. If your Rottweiler falls under this category, they are highly likely to survive for a long time.

However, those are just general stats of an average Rottweiler. As previously mentioned, genes play a significant factor in why Rotties have a shorter lifespan. But, there are other factors, too, that play an essential role in deciding how long a Rottweiler will live. You must consider the dog’s size, gender, breeding, etc., to determine how long your Rottweiler will live.

Size

According to NIH (National Institutes of Health), a study was done on 74 dog breeds. The study concluded that large dogs like Rottweilers live for a short time because they age quickly compared to small dogs. Furthermore, the larger the dog’s size is, the more its chance of developing cancer will be.

Another study in 2013 explained the relationship between weight gain and life expectancy. According to that study, your dog’s life expectancy can get lower by one month every time they gain 4.4 pounds or 2 kg of weight.

Compared to small dogs like a chihuahua, Rottweilers will have a smaller lifespan because of the reason that they age faster. All the studies on large dogs conclude that life expectancy is inversely proportional to the dog’s size. This means the bigger the dog is, the lesser the life expectancy. On the other hand, the smaller the dog is, the more the life expectancy.

Sex & Gender

In comparison to male Rottweilers, female Rottweilers tend to live longer. Now, this is due to the fact that male Rotties are larger and weigh more compared to female Rotties. While an average Rottie male will have 110 lbs of weight, the female will weigh around 92 lbs. Also, these genders have a 2-3 inches height difference.

On average, a female Rottie lives ten months longer than a male. The weight and size factors are the biggest cause of the difference in lifespan. So, we can say the gender of the Rottweiler will play a significant role in how long they live.

Hormones

According to a 2002 study, the chances of a Rottweiler developing cancer increase by 25% if a gonadectomy (surgical removal of testes or ovaries in Rottweilers) is done before they turn the age of 1. The study found that the endogenous sex hormones in Rottweilers help prevent bone cancer. Thus, leading to increased life expectancy.

Another 2009 study mentioned that removing female ovaries before they turn four years can be a reason for a shorter lifespan. Therefore, changing the hormonal balance might lead to a shorter life expectancy in Rottweilers.

Breeding

A purebred German Rottweiler’s lifespan is around nine years. On the other hand, a mixed-breed Rottweiler can live up to 10 or more years. The reason for the longer lifespan in mixed-breed Rottweilers is the presence of genetic diversity.

Whether it is a purebred or mixed breed Rottweiler, all of them are prone to the common health issues in Rottweilers. Therefore, taking the help of a professional breeder who is AKC certified is recommended. A responsible Rottweiler breeder will ensure his puppies are healthy and that they don’t catch these health problems easily.

Some Effective Ways to increase your Rottweiler lifespan

We all want our dogs to live longer and healthy lives. As a Rottweiler owner, you’ll also like that your dog doesn’t suffer from those common genetic health problems. And for that, there are many steps you can consider in order to confirm a comfortable and healthy life for your Rottie.

Everything starts with adopting your Rottweiler puppy, as thus this will also be our first point to promote a longer lifespan in Rottweilers.

Make Sure You Adopt From A Reputable Rottweiler Breeder

You want your puppy to be healthy and free of genetic issues from birth. Adopting from a good Rottweiler breeder can guarantee that the puppy is raised right and has been wormed as well as vaccinated. Look for the one with AKC certification, which proves that they’re genuine breeders.

Give Your Rottie High-Quality Food

The right food for your Rottweiler will play a significant role in keeping them healthy. When your Rottweiler is in its growing stage, it will need the proper amount of nutrients. Your Rottweiler food should have meat as its primary ingredient while also containing fruits & veggies, raw eggs, crud, etc.

A raw diet is your way to give a proper diet to your pet. If you’re considering preparing homemade food for your furry companion, make sure you consider taking advice from a veterinary nutritionist. They will help you design a well-balanced nutritional diet for your dog.

You should take precautions regarding your Rottie food as it becomes an adult. Consider opting for a diet with less calcium for your adult Rottweiler. Too much calcium can lead to an increase in bone growth, causing joint issues in your pet.

Take The Help Of Your Vet To Prepare A Diet That Helps Manage Your Dog’s Weight

Giving your dog the perfect diet is not as easy as you may think. You need to consider your dog’s weight, height, gender, and other factors to prepare a diet that can actually help them to stay healthy. While there isn’t any perfect food diet, it is important to note that maintaining your dog’s weight is essential.

Obesity, without a doubt, can shorten the lifespan of a Rottweiler. Therefore, you should trust your vet when they advise you on what will be the best diet for your dog. We know that you want to give your Rottie the best food. However, best doesn’t mean it will be good for your dog.

The needs can vary, and you should trust an expert on the matter. Learn the best diet for your Rottweiler from a professional nutritionist and adjust it accordingly to maintain your pet’s weight.

Offer Regular Exercise To Your Dogs

You may already know that exercise is essential for Rotties in their adolescence or adulthood stage. Regular exercise can reduce the problem of obesity in dogs significantly. Furthermore, daily exercise promotes mobility in dogs. You can stick with swimming and daily walks for your Rottie, which will not strain their joints excessively.

Go With Preventive Measures, Go With Regular Vet Visits

Taking your Rottweiler for his regular vet visits can help you prevent diseases in your pet. Furthermore, you can go for an early treatment plan if there is some health issue. You should not skip these vet visits, as preventive care is the best way to keep your Rottie health in check. Also, by following this procedure, you can significantly reduce your dog’s medical expenses.

Vaccination, Spaying, And Neutering

For your dog’s safety, regular vaccination should be your priority. When your Rottweiler is vaccinated, you can prevent health issues such as rabies, canine influenza, distemper, etc. The first vaccination dose for your Rottweiler should be before they turn four months old. After that, you should continue renewing their vaccines each year.

You should consider neutering and spaying your Rottweiler as it is related to increasing your Rottie lifespan. You should visit the vet before you decide to do this, as they can guide you on the best time and practices for it. Also, before proceeding with it, you should know whether you will breed them.

Conclusion

The Rottweiler lifespan of 8 to 10 years might sound like a short period. However, all the large dog breeds live up to this long only, whether we talk about Labradors or German shepherds.

Rottweilers are prone to numerous health conditions and may not live as long as small dog breeds. These health conditions can cause immobility, a further cause of short lifespan.

However, having a Rottweiler as a companion can bring you many sweet memories and life moments. They’re loyal and will love your children and your family unconditionally. All they ask for is your love, and that much is enough to give them a great life.

Start by adopting a Rottweiler from a reputable breeder, giving them a proper nutritious, well-balanced diet, daily exercise and activities to lower obesity chances, and finally, your love to guarantee a long lifespan for your Rottie.

Let Vom Hause Stan breeders help you give you a healthy, purebred Rottweiler puppy. Our AKC-certified breeders have a decade of experience in breeding, raising, and training Rottweilers. We have a dedicated veterinarian team that ensures our puppies get proper care and are vaccinated and wormed. Connect with our reputable breeder by calling us at (425) 329-9996. You can drop an email to VomHauseStan@yahoo.com.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Rottweiler And How To Increase It?