One common question that often comes to mind when petting a dog is: How long will it live? Here, we will walk you through the lifespan of a Rottweiler and what you can do to keep it in the healthiest condition.
What is the Average Lifespan of a Rottweiler Dog?
The worst nightmare you will have as a rottweiler owner is losing your pet. What is the lifespan of a rottweiler? This is one of the pressing questions you may have in mind from the day you brought your furry friend.
On average, a rottweiler dog is expected to live between 8 to 10 years. We can even say that a rottweiler’s life is shorter than other dog breeds of comparable size and weight.
If you have a female rottweiler as a pet, she is expected to live longer than a male. A female rottweiler can live two years more than a male rottweiler. Are you looking to bring a rottweiler dog to your home? Then, you may want to have a female dog who will live around 8 to 12 years.
Health problems like arthritis, heart failure, breathing problems, and reproductive problems are common in rottweilers. But, you can avoid these problems by providing proper nourishment and plenty of exercise for your routine.
Life Cycle of a Rottweiler
Like every dog breed, the life cycle of a rottweiler goes through 4 stages. Here is an explanation of these life stages that you should know as an owner:
Puppy Stage
Generally, the rottweiler’s puppy stage starts when they are born and lasts till they are 18 months of age.
Like all other breeds, rottweilers are blind and deaf as they are born. In the earliest eight weeks of the dog’s life, they must spend most of the time with their mother. They cannot control their body temperature. So, their mother plays a big role in the growth and development phase.
Adolescent Stage
As the rottweiler reaches adolescence, they are at the start of their teenage years. The training that you give them during the adolescent stage is essential. This dog breed is very obedient but may even disobey you if you do not train them well.
When your rottweiler is ready to get trained during this stage, it ensures they already have the necessary knowledge to be great family dogs.
Adulthood
The rottweiler becomes much simpler to handle when it reaches the adulthood stage. As they complete the proper training, adulthood is the right time to discover the hobbies and activities they like. Rottweilers enjoy the outdoors and will have the most energy at this time of its life. The outdoor activities can be swimming or trekking.
Rottweilers thrive on mental stimulation and physical activity. They’ll develop a profound trust in their capability to protect you and your loved ones.
Senior
As your adult rottweiler reaches this age, it will likely be less energetic. It won’t be as interested in running as it once was. But your pet might like a quiet stroll.
When your rottie turns senior, you should consider routine vet visits to ensure the best health of your pet.
Make changes in your rottweiler’s diet, which can help increase their lifespan. You can also prefer supplements as certain foods might be hard on their stomach as they age.
Also Read: Are Rottweilers Hypoallergenic? Here is the answer
What Factors Affect the Lifespan of your Rottweiler?
For years, rottweilers have been the best guard dogs, guide dogs, and rescue dogs. As discussed above, rottweiler dogs have a shorter lifespan than other dog breeds. The following factors are also responsible for a rottweiler dog’s lifespan:
Health
A Rottweiler’s fast development is considered a disadvantage since a large-sized dog is more likely to suffer health problems. Rottweilers are prone to numerous ailments, including cancer, because of their young age. Also, orthopedic issues, a deep chest, and bloating are common in this breed.
Cancer is common, occurring as a result of unusual cell proliferation due to rapid aging. As a result, a Rottweiler with a slew of ailments will have a shorter lifetime than a healthy Rottweiler.
Genes
Genes are another crucial factor that determines the lifespan of a rottweiler dog. In this situation, the role of good breeders becomes crucial. When a Rottweiler is properly bred using specimens with few or no inherited abnormalities, the ensuing rottweiler will be healthier than those produced by careless breeding.
Gender
Compared to females, male Rottweilers are bigger. Therefore, female Rotties live longer than male rottweilers. A fully grown male Rottweiler would weigh around 135 pounds. This means that every 4.4 pounds of rottweiler lost equals one month of life expectancy. A female Rottweiler weighing around 100 pounds lives longer than a male who weighs 135 pounds.
Environment
The environment also plays a role in increasing or decreasing the life of your rottie. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and a well-balanced diet help your dog live longer. When there is an active and healthy environment, it lets your dog reduce some extra pounds. This leads to less pressure on the dog’s heart.
What are the Best Ways to Raise the Lifespan of Your Rottweiler?
There are many tips that you, as an owner, can consider to lessen the chances of your rottweiler becoming ill. This will eventually extend your dog’s life. Some of the most common ways to keep your dog healthy and ensure a longer lifespan are:
- Go to a trustworthy breeder
- Give your pet high-quality food
- Begin with large-breed puppy food
- Safeguard their joints
- Introduce regular exercises
- Keep up a healthy weight for the dog
- Take your Rottie to the veterinarian regularly
Conclusion
The life of a rottweiler dog is merely 9 to 10 years. It may seem shorter than dog breeds like Labrador retrievers and German shepherds. Bigger dogs tend to have a shorter life expectancy than small ones. A rottweiler dog is susceptible to many health issues, such as heart failure, breathing problems, and arthritis. This ultimately results in a shorter lifespan. But, you can prevent all these by getting the dog from a reputed breeder, feeding them quality food, and keeping a healthy weight.
Are you seeking a trustworthy breeder to buy a good-looking and healthy rottweiler? Vom Hause Stan is here for you. We let you adopt the best purebred and vaccinated Rottweilers for your home. You can choose from a variety of options, including Sires or Dames. Call now at (425) 329-9996 for more information.