Red Rottweiler: Rare And Striking (Are They Real?)

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Have you heard of the red Rottweiler? Does the idea of ​​owning one of these "rare Rottweilers" (often heralded as valuable and highly prized) appeal to you? Well, before you go out and buy one, you might want to know a little more about these unusual Rottweiler varieties. There can be health problems associated with a dog of any breed that has a distinctive color.

Also, a purebred red Rottweiler is extremely rare and, while not black and tan, is a Rottweiler in every other respect. So be sure to research before committing to a dog of any breed that doesn't conform to the recognized breed standard.

A Brief Look At Red Rottweiler

A red Rottweiler may sound exotic, and there's nothing fundamentally wrong with wanting a dog that's a little "different."

But, when it comes to purebred dogs, a lot of effort and labor has gone into generations of breeding to produce a dog that looks, acts, and moves a certain way.

When talking about a red Rottweiler, it's important to note that while the Rottweiler breed standard varies a bit from country to country, you won't find any of the "rare" varieties of Rottweilers. This is because Rottweiler recognized or accepted none of them.

If you compare the German, British and American standards, for example, you will see slightly different wording or description of the color and coat of the Rottweiler.

There is no mention of red, blue, or white fur. In fact, in the AKC breed standard, these qualities appear in the disqualifications section.

red rottweiler

What Exactly Is The History Of Red Rottweiler?

To understand how a red Rottweiler (or blue Rottweiler, etc.) can be born, you have to go back to the breed's early days and also realize that a purebred dog only looks what it is supposed to look like if his ancestors are also purebred.

Although the history of the Rottweiler breed is not "set in stone", his progression from the companion of the Roman army to the versatile dog of today is well documented.

In the early days, it seems that almost two different types of dogs formed the basis of today's Rottweiler. Large, muscular dogs (of the Molossian/Mastiff type) were used as guards/weight pullers/companions for the Roman army and, a little later, as protection for shepherds/butchers (and their money) on their way to and from the market.

The smaller, faster, and more agile dogs have used to herd and "drive" cattle, as they were more suited to the job. The smaller herding dogs appeared to have more white spots on their coats, indicating that they were faster and more trainable than dogs that did not have those genes.

History indicates that it is possible that other breeds were introduced to the gene pool at this time and that these two "types" began to combine to produce a dog that could "do it all", the ancestors of the dog we know today as the Rottweiler.

red rottweiler

This is confirmed by the fact that the first breed standard for the Rottweiler allowed for a much greater variation in color/coat than the current standard. Also, if you look at photographs of some of the earliest recorded Rotties in Germany, you will notice that they appear more prolonged, "leggier" and lighter than you would expect, and you may even see some difference in length and build. 

“…black with reddish or yellow marking. Alternately black stripes on an ash gray background with yellow markings, plain red with black nose, or dark wolf gray with black head and saddle, but always with yellow markings. White markings on the chest and legs are common and are allowed if they are not too extensive.'

So it's easy to see how the genes carried by some of these dogs could give rise to today's "rare" red Rottweilers or blue Rottweilers and how the white markings and spots.

It wasn't until 1921 that the ADRK (Allegmeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub) in Germany decided to limit the Rottie's acceptable coat to "black with clearly defined markings from mahogany to yellow," with the other coat colors and variations becoming undesirable.

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red rottweiler

Is the Red Rottweiler a real Rottie?

Since these early times, generation after generation of Rottweilers have been bred to produce only black with tan/mahogany markings, and dogs of any other color were disqualified.

This means that the chances of a red Rottweiler being naturally produced by two purebred parents are extremely low. It doesn't mean it can't happen, but it is doubtful.

For purebred Rottweilers to produce a red Rottweiler puppy, they must carry this very elusive gene.

So where does a red Rottweiler come from today?

Most Rottweiler breeders and experts believe that these rare Rottweilers result from crossbreeding (breeding a Rottie with a dog of another breed). Not necessarily (and usually not) the actual parents of the "rare" pup, but definitely within their individual or collective family trees.

This is why a Red Rottweiler is not recognized or accepted by Rottweiler breed clubs or registration organizations and why dogs with more than a few white hairs are not recognized or accepted. Considered exhibition quality.

In addition to aesthetic issues, there are also other problems. For example, some breeders and experts believe that various health problems appear more frequently in rare Rottweilers, possibly due to the inbreeding that produced them or as a genetic/hereditary issue.

Some of these include eye problems (most often associated with the lighter-colored eyes seen in red and blue Rottweilers), heart problems, and hip/joint problems.

Taking this information into account, it can be seen why breeding red Rottweiler is not a good idea and how it could harm the breed as a whole.

Some unscrupulous breeders are willing to jeopardize the wonderful Rottweiler breed in this way, trying to pass off these rare puppies as "special, unique, desirable", etc., while charging you more for the privilege of owning one!

While a true purebred red Rottweiler is a rarity, he (or she) is not eligible to be registered or shown. He should also never be used as a breeding dog.

If you come across one of these dogs and want a pet that is a little different, by all means, buy one, but remember that you may find yourself with a dog that needs attention and additional veterinary care.

The Rottweiler is an awesome dog, and Red Rottweilers are probably great pets and a "conversation starter" with your friends.

But if a lot of people want to buy one, we encourage a breeder to try to keep producing "red" puppies, and since they occur so rarely naturally, that leads to all sorts of problems.

red rottweiler

Behavior And Character Of The Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is known to be a very protective dog of his owners. On the other hand, contrary to popular belief, he is a very calm and affectionate animal. Like all guard dogs, he is also a good hunter. He does not like to be left alone for too long, even though he is more independent than other dog breeds.

In addition, it is a puppy that will get along perfectly well with children. He will not hesitate to put himself on the front line to defend his masters and his house. With children, he will be gentle and very calm, even with a pot of glue!

He will also get along very well with animals smaller than him. However, you should always keep an eye on him if you have other smaller animals because he is not always aware of his strength and can be clumsy.

Red Rottweiler Health

His imposing appearance explains his robustness. He is a dog with no particular health problem and is resistant. However, he is a large dog and can develop hip dysplasia or skeletal deformities as he grows.

His weak point is in the weight. Indeed, he can quickly gain weight, so it is necessary to monitor his diet and give him appropriate food.

Rottweiler Life Expectancy

Like all large dogs, the life expectancy of the adult Rottweiler is, on average, ten years. Most dogs of this breed live between 8 and 11 years.

Hygiene and maintenance of my Rottweiler

He is an easy dog ​​to maintain with his short hair. A brush stroke every day is enough to keep him clean and take care of it. It is necessary to avoid the bath, which is harmful to his hair. If your dog is filthy, you can give him a bath using shampoo adapted to his hair type and fragile skin. You can also brush your dog's teeth regularly to prevent tartar formation using a toothbrush specially designed for dogs.

Rottweiler Physical Activity

The Rottweiler puppy is a dog that is full of energy. Indeed, he is very athletic and loves to play. He needs to exert himself daily for at least one hour a day. You can alternate training work on a leash with playtime so as not to disinterest him and continue stimulating and socializing him.

They are also water-loving dogs. So swimming and running will undoubtedly be his favorite activities. On the other hand, it is better to avoid walks in the sun in the middle of summer because they are pets who are very afraid of heat and excessive temperatures.

Is it a dangerous dog?

When you want to adopt a Rottweiler, it is essential to note that it belongs to category 2, which includes guard and defense dogs. The classification by category does not reflect the dog's dangerousness but prevents these imposing dogs from being adopted by malicious people.

The Rottweiler is not a more dangerous dog than any other. It all depends on the training you will receive. If trained to attack, he can be difficult and aggressive.

red rottweiler

How do I train my Red Rottweiler puppy?

The Rottweiler is a very intelligent animal. However, he is dominant and it is sometimes difficult to impress or dominate him. He, therefore, needs a master who has character and who trains him with firmness and authority. He is not very obedient, which is why it is necessary to start his training from an early age to make him take good habits.

However, he is a very hardworking and docile dog who will enjoy learning new things. To prevent his dominant side from coming out excessively, a training  based on socialization is to be preferred.

 

The Rottweiler is an animal that does not support being alone and locked up. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a puppy of this breed when you have large indoor and outdoor spaces.

However, he will feel much more comfortable in a small garden surrounded by his masters rather than in a large outdoors alone.

It is, therefore, possible to live in a town with a Rottweiler, provided you take him out regularly and spend a lot of time with him.


The diet of a Rottweiler must be quite rich. He is an imposing dog who needs enough daily nutrients.


Do you want to adopt a Rottweiler and don't know how to go about it? You can consider adopting your new companion from a shelter like the SPA by going directly to their website or a shelter near you.

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