Mini Rottweiler: The Smalest Guard Dog ( A Complete Guide)

 Does the idea of ​​a Mini Rottweiler intrigue you? Many people like the look and personality of large dogs like the Rottweiler but wish they came in smaller sizes.

However, it is crucial to recognize that the Miniature Rottweiler is not a true breed.

 

What is a Mini Rottweiler?

A dog labeled Mini Rottweiler is the offspring of a Rottie crossed with a smaller breed dog, a dog with dwarfism, or an unusually small pedigree Rottweiler.

In this article, we will take a look at the Rottweiler breed and explain how a Rottie bred to an abnormally small size could have serious chronic health problems.

Do you have your heart set on a miniature Rottweiler?

Don't despair just yet, because we'll also be talking about some of the more popular small-size Rottweiler mixes and looking at some small-breed alternatives to the full-size Rottweiler.

But first, how big is a standard-sized Rottweiler? Let's take a closer look.

 

Downsizing, miniature, dwarf…

Small dogs are big businesses, with many confusing terminologies to understand. Dwarfism is a defined medical condition formally known as achondroplasia. It is caused by a gene that gives dogs short limbs. Dachshunds and Basset Hounds carry the gene for dwarfism.

Rottweilers do not typically carry the dwarfism gene, but we have heard anecdotally of Rottweilers with achondroplasia. A miniature Rottweiler with dwarfism will have short, misshapen limbs and often an overly large head. Prospective Miniature Rottweiler owners should be aware of the chronic health problems associated with dwarfism in dogs, including the pain associated with skeletal disorders and the financial cost of ongoing treatment and orthopedic surgery.

Dwarfism causes serious spinal problems and eye disorders in many dogs. Most reputable breeders only breed dogs in the standard size range to ensure optimal health and fitness.

Sometimes an unusually small dog is born to normal-sized parents. Breeders interested in selling mini Rotties can use these small dogs to create offspring that are also small. Most responsible breeders will not do this due to the health risks.

So how small is it safe?

 

Mini Rottweiler Size

The size and weight range of the Miniature Rottweiler can vary quite a bit.

The size and weight of the Miniature Rottweiler will depend on whether the dog is a midget or a midget.

In the wild, many dwarfs do not survive.

With proper care, a house dwarf (such as a puppy) can survive to adulthood, although he will be smaller than normal when fully grown.

In addition to their small size, it's important to note that runts can have lifelong health problems stemming from weak bones and a compromised immune system.

The Rottweiler Breed Detailed Information

The rottweiler is a large, molossoid-type dog breed that originated in Germany. His initial function was to herd cattle and pull carts full of meat for the butcher shops of the time, which is why it began to be named as we know it now, Rottweiler Metzgerhund, which means 'Rottweil butcher dog'. He maintained these functions until the arrival of the train in the mid-nineteenth century, when it was no longer necessary to walk cattle to market, and then he was assigned to other tasks, among which were the search and rescue of people, the guide or guard, although he was also used as a police dog.

But the time of his actual appearance remains a mystery, as is the case with most current races. It is believed that the ancestors of these animals may have been the dogs that the Romans carried when they invaded Germany since these animals possessed qualities that fit the description of the Rottweiler today, such as herding skills and a strong protective instinct. The Romans founded a town there called Rote Wil, which later gave rise to the breed's name, so this theory seems to be entirely correct.

The crosses between the Roman dogs, and the native dogs of the area during those centuries, could lay the foundations of the Rottweiler breed as we know him today, and more so considering that the Romans always looked for Molossian or Mastiff-type dogs, which used for protection and for work as war dogs, characteristics that the Rottweiler undoubtedly possesses.

Centuries later, approximately in the 8th century AD, the city of Rottweil was founded in Germany, a place built with the same stones as the ruins of the Roman occupations. The main characteristic of the locals of this city was that they appreciated their dogs much more than anywhere else in Germany, where they were only considered work tools. That is why they prospered in this city as pets and helpers, and it was here that the current Rottweiler began to define himself. These ancestors of the Rottweiler were strong and very tough dogs, which were even used in dog fights and could even fight bulls, although they continued to fulfill their main function as herding dogs.

Years later, the government prohibited the traditional grazing of cattle due to the arrival of industrialization, which caused the specimens of this breed to begin to decrease, until they almost disappeared gradually. The old Rottweiler no longer had any job function to fulfill, and there was also no need to protect homes from wild animals, so the breed suffered a significant decline to almost disappeared.

The rescue of the breed occurred around the year 1907 when the first German Rottweiler club was founded. Lovers of these animals set to work to safeguard their characteristics and prevent them from becoming extinct, and they succeeded in 1921, when they came to define the breed after years of breeding and specimens that did not meet the characteristics they were looking for.

Over time, the Rottweiler became a uniform breed with a robust and consistent constitution, always maintaining the original characteristics of herding dogs. They also improved in temperament and work skills, which is why they gained popularity again over the years. Although herding no longer existed by then, new ways were found for the Rottweiler to show all its abilities, creating the well-known Schutzhund working test for guard dogs in 1930. Thanks to this test, the Rottweiler began to be taken into account by their protective abilities, intelligence, and ease in training.

Already at the beginning of the 20th century, it was when the breed standard was defined in Germany, and since then, he has remained practically unchanged, a guarantee that the characteristics of the Rottweiler have not been modified over the years.

It was his popularity in Germany during these years that made other countries take an interest in this breed, England being one of the first to import him. Although the first ones arrived in 1936, it was not until the end of the war that they were able to focus on raising their own Rottweiler puppies. The greatest popularity of the breed in this country took place in the 1950s and 60s, and it was precisely in 1960 that the United Kingdom Rottweiler Club was created, originally made up of 25 people who adored the breed.

The first Rottweiler specimens also arrived in the United States in the 1930s, and in September of that same year, the first litter raised in that country was born. Although by 1931, there were still very few Rottweilers in the United States, the breed quickly gained popularity, reaching dog show champions in just two decades due to his characteristics and beauty. In the 1990s, the Rottweiler was one of the most popular breeds in the country, second only to the Labrador Retriever and topping American Kennel Club records.

 

Rottweiler Characteristics

The Rottweiler is a large dog breed, which is mainly characterized by the way he keeps his proportions. He is a powerful and resistant dog, which, however, is not at all rough since at the same time, he is agile and quite fast. Their strength, bravery, and courage are perhaps the qualities that have made the breed one of the most popular in the world, in addition to their proud presence that never goes unnoticed.

Although he has similar characteristics to the other molossoids, the Rottweiler stands out above all of them, since he keeps his proportions much better, is physically more balanced and balanced, which results in a healthier and stronger dog, with a longer average life than that of other breeds of the same size.

His physical characteristics include a medium-length, wide and deep trunk, very strong and not too long legs, and a square head, quite large compared to the rest of the body. The muzzle is also of medium length, showing very powerful square jaws, a broad black nose, and deep dark eyes.

In the first standard of the breed, most of the puppies saw their tails cut until only one or two vertebrae were left, a practice that has now been prohibited in many countries, although in some countries, such as Canada or the United States, this amputation is still allowed for aesthetic.

It is also possible to find two different breeding lines within the breed, the European and the American. The difference between both lines lies in height, the American being higher, with more stylized bodies, while in the European case, the body is more compact and robust. The European line is maintained as original, although both are equally considered within the breed standard.

Products For Mini Rottweiler

 

Rottweiler Size

The standard marks an approximate measurement of 65 centimeters for males and 60 for females, and a weight of approximately 50 kilos in the former and 42 kilos in the latter. 

Rottweiler Coat

The coat is another characteristic that undoubtedly helps define the Rottweiler. It has primarily black hair, smooth and soft to the touch but also hard. The fire-colored spots spread over the legs, chest, and over eyes stand out, a detail that does not go unnoticed and is an important part of the definition of the breed. 

Rottweiler Behavior

The temperament of the Rottweiler is undoubtedly very special. He has a very good character, is generally calm, obedient, and docile, always ready to do his job and follow the orders of his owner. He is also a very intelligent animal, which learns quickly and all kinds of commands, one of the great qualities of the breed.

It shows great self-confidence and has a high protective instinct, so care must be taken with his education and training to prevent him from attacking, something very dangerous due to his power and strength. At the same time, he is a sociable and friendly dog ​​in most situations, but he can be suspicious of strangers on his property.

He is never restless, he is balanced and knows how to make his own decisions. Judge people and decide whether to be friendly or suspicious. He does not accept a caress without more, but he keeps and protects him forever when he makes a friend. All these qualities make him a perfect animal as a family pet; he is always protective of each of the members and does not usually show preferences for any except on rare occasions.

On the other hand, their intelligence makes them easily bored of repeating the same patterns, so they need activities representing new and exciting challenges. The walks will not be enough to keep a Rottweiler balanced and happy; they require a lot of exercise and also mental challenges, so you will have to understand it and dedicate all the time and effort to stimulate him correctly.

The Rottweiler dog breed is generally easy to deal with, although its strength and power require a trained person to deal with it if necessary, as well as someone trained to educate it correctly. The time spent in the company of a specimen of this breed must always be of quality, and be made up of outings and activities of all kinds, because in this way an unbreakable relationship will be created between the two.