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Attack of the Amazing Colossal Rottweiler

© Wendy Smith

We hear it every day at fast food restaurants. “Would you like to super-size that?” We hear it on TV. “This truck has the biggest engine in its class!” And we hear it on playgrounds everywhere. “My dad is bigger than yours!”

Let’s face it, we are simply fascinated by the idea that bigger is better. It shouldn’t be a surprise then, to see ads in the paper all of the time for litters of puppies that are destined to be “over-sized” or “big-boned”. And how many times have you heard someone bragging about their 150lb plus Rottweiler? In the past few years, it seems as if that familiar playground taunt could be changed to “my DOG is bigger than your DAD”.

But in the case of dogs, Rottweilers in particular, does the old “bigger is better” adage hold true? Like the fast food combo, are you getting more for your money when you buy an oversized dog?

The answer is a big N-O!

According to the AKC standard, a large male Rottie should ideally stand 27 inches at the MAXIMUM. A Rottweiler's weight should only run around the 80’s to the 120’s max. The standard used by the Germans isn’t really that different, either. The Rottweiler has evolved over centuries to be a powerful, enduring working dog and, once again, responsible breeders try to preserve that .

For just a second, let’s look at the situation from a human standpoint. Is bigger usually better for us? Is a 400lb man usually more powerful than someone half that weight? Is he usually more fit? Does he have more stamina? Which of the two would have few health problems? I think you see where I’m heading.

There is an epidemic in this country of Rottweilers under the age of 5 either being put to sleep or undergoing major surgery for orthopedic problems. Families left and right are buying dogs bred to be over sized, believing that the dog is somehow special, only to be dealing with a lame pet in need of expensive vet care within a fairly short time. Puppies and half-grown dogs that should be romping are in too much pain to get out of bed. Dogs less than a year old are going in for hip replacement surgeries. Arthritis is setting in earlier. And the overall life span of the dogs is getting shorter.

To put it bluntly, the Rottweiler simply isn’t designed to carry that much weight. He is designed to be a large (not giant) dog with the stamina to trot for miles. He is designed to be agile despite his size, so that he can quickly head off any of his flock who try to make a break for it. His bones and joints can’t handle the added weight for a long period of time. In no way would an over sized dog be able to perform the tasks that his ancestors did to earn their living.