Rottweiler Puppies: Pictures, Adoption Tips, and More!

Strong. Loving. Protective. 

That’s right, we’re talking about Rottweilers (or Rotties). 

The working breed that descended from mastiff warrior dogs in the Roman legions thousands of years ago is a unique dog. They remain sweet, playful, and gentle around family but can turn on a dime to protect from intruders. 

When born, Rotties rank as one of the cutest puppy breeds. Their sweet black and brown faces pant, smile, and yawn the day away as they learn how to become socialized into a helpful companion and guardian. Couple that with their big puppy-dog eyes and you have a heart-melting pup on your hands.

Learn more about Rottweiler puppies below, including how much they cost, where to find a breeder, and how long your Rottie’s life expectancy is.

Rottweiler Puppy Pictures

How Much Do Rottweiler Puppies Cost?

On average across the United States, a Rottweiler puppy costs between $850 on the low end to $3,000+ for champion lineage. This varies by state and from where you obtain your Rottweiler puppy. For example, a shelter or rescue might have a purebred Rottweiler puppy for as little as $50, or they might price their puppy adoptions at $350. Usually, breeders will break into the thousands for a healthy Rottweiler puppy.

According to Prudent Pet Insurance, the Rottweiler ranks as one of the most expensive breeds. While the initial cost of a puppy isn’t as astronomical as rarer breeds, the breed remains open to a plethora of health issues that incur hefty vet bills, including diseases and problems like:

• Hip dysplasia.
• Joint issues.
• Every cancer that affects dogs.

Rottweilers are so susceptible to disease and cancer that they almost always have the highest claims on pet insurance across all breeds.

What Affects the Cost of a Rottweiler Puppy?

The cost of a Rottweiler puppy comes down to a few different factors:

• Lineage. Championship and pedigree bloodlines fetch a higher price regardless of breed. Rottweilers are no different; a Rottie pup from a champion bloodline could cost over $5,000 for its stellar genetics.
• Season, region, location. Buying a Rottie as a Christmas present? Litters can cost more around holidays, depending on the demand of the breeder’s region, and how far away the breeder’s location is from the buyer.
• Health. Unfortunately, Rottweilers aren’t the healthiest breed to get. Many breeders choose to give their litters tests that certify their health — which costs money that buyers pay for in the initial investment. 

All in all, Rottweiler puppies are mid-range expensive dogs — but how could you walk away from those sad puppy eyes?

Where to Find a Rottweiler Puppy

If you’ve decided to purchase a Rottweiler puppy for your family, several different options exist when it comes to picking where you’ll find your furry best friend.

Shelters, rescues, and Humane Societies. Rottweilers can become unruly if not properly trained at a young age. As such, some people decide to surrender their dog. Other times, animals get left behind when a family moves or an owner dies and doesn’t have a next-of-kin to care for the pup. Many sad situations can lead a Rottweiler to spend some of its life in a shelter. 

Breeders. The most common place to find a Rottweiler puppy is a breeder. Rottweiler breeders exist internationally and advertise their upcoming litters online. Finding a reputable breeder takes some patience and research, but pays off when you have your new little Rottie in your arms.

Other options. While their numbers wax and wane, puppy mills still exist in the U.S. Rottweilers remain one of the top 10 breeds produced by puppy mills, along with American bulldogs, Labrador retrievers, and dachshunds. When adopting a Rottweiler puppy, check to see how reputable your breeder is.

Outside of puppy mills, you might come by your Rottweiler puppy if a friend’s dog has an unexpected litter. Other ways include a friend who can’t handle the training it needs, or if someone you know passes away and leaves their puppy in your care.

Finding a Reputable Rottweiler Breeder

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), finding a reputable Rottweiler breeder comes down to a few different factors. They include their club affiliation, their commitment to the traditional look of the breed, the way they raise the litter after birth, the application process, and the contract.

Reputable breeders usually — if not always — have a club affiliation. It might be the AKC, or a breed-specific club (like the American Rottweiler Club, United States Rottweiler Club, or the Rottweiler Club of North America). This backing means that the breeder is serious about their craft; they have a passion for the breed and want to see it flourish.

In addition, reputable breeders will prioritize the traditional look of a Rottweiler over the “trends” that might be on social media. Similar to a breeder of a Yorkie who advertises “teacup Yorkies,” breeders who attempt to make their litters sound unique probably aren’t breeding with the best intentions for the dog.

Litter Care and Breeder Professionalism

A great way to evaluate your potential Rottweiler breeder is how they care for the litter and the parents after birth. Are the puppies up to date on their vet appointments and shots? What sort of food do they eat when they transition to solid food? Do they get the puppies tested for diseases and disorders? Do they have a process for socializing the litter? Any of these questions that have a clear answer from your breeder are green flags that they’re doing something right.

Finally, the application process and the contract of the breeder will indicate its professionalism. Reputable breeders will ask families or adopters to visit the kennel or attend a video conference as part of the screening process. The application and interview process should be a two-way street: it needs to be a fit for both parties to ensure the puppy goes to a loving home.

Rottweiler Breeder Red Flags

Just as breeders have “green flags” to indicate their reputability, red flags exist as signs to stay far away from a breeder who doesn’t have their dogs’ best interest at heart.

They’re Not Knowledgeable About the Breed.

A sure-fire way to know the breeder you’re working with is less-than-reputable is if they know nothing about the breed. Even amateur and beginner Rottweiler breeders have a deep knowledge of the breed because they love the breed. For someone just “in it to make money,” they won’t care enough about the dog’s background or temperament to learn about what makes it such a unique dog.

They Don’t Communicate Well with You.

The interview process is a two-way street meaning you can interview the breeder as well. If they refuse to talk on the phone, meet over video chat, or host an in-person visit, it should send up some alarms. Similarly, if you’ve met them but they don’t respond to your messages about the puppy or litter, they may be someone you shouldn’t work with.

They Sell Puppies Before They’re Eight Weeks Old.

Recent studies have found that dogs do better leaving their mother after the eight to 10 week milestone. Because Rottweilers have so many health problems as well, reputable breeders like to conduct health tests, get them their shots, and keep them with their mother for as long as is necessary for their development. Adopters can and should question the integrity of breeders who sell Rottweiler puppies at six or seven weeks old.

They Refuse to Have a Return Policy.

No one — even reputable breeders — wants to see a puppy returned. However, situations do arise where a current pet in the home doesn’t adjust well to the new addition and poses significant harm to it. Reputable breeders will always take back one of their own pups to ensure it has the best chance of finding a beautiful life with a great family. If you ask a breeder about their return policy and they refuse to give you one, that’s a big red flag.

They Have Many Dogs Available.

While well-established breeders may have several females (dams) under their care that get pregnant around the same time, it’s not likely that they have all their litter-producing dogs carrying at once. Reputable breeders will only have a few litters a year to ensure the health of their dogs. If a breeder has dozens upon dozens of Rottweiler puppies available, there’s a chance they’re overworking the dams to an unhealthy level or buying and reselling from a puppy mill.

Their Club or Certification Backing Seems Sketchy.

With the advent of the internet and Photoshop, people can twist websites, social media profiles, and more to look professional. Even if your breeder has an AKC badge or certification from another club, it’s best to double-check by cross-referencing the number on the club’s directory. If you can’t find it, the breeder might have lied about their credentials. 

They Don’t Do Health Tests.

This may be the most significant red flag. As mentioned above several times, the Rottweiler breed is susceptible to many diseases and disorders. Genetic and DNA testing remains vital to ensure the health and longevity of your Rottie pup, so the breeder should absolutely conduct tests — or at the very least, show proof of a health screening and the most recent vet visits.

They Add Superfluous Fees.

Even if they’re traveling across the country, the best breeders won’t nickel-and-dime you for the travel costs, like temperature-controlled crates or a travel nanny for the dog. 

Growth Milestones For Your Rottweiler Puppy

Every dog is different — as such, they grow up at different rates. Growth milestones for a Rottweiler puppy include:

• Weight. Your small, cuddly Rottie pup won’t be small for long. At the time of adoption, a male Rottweiler will weigh around 15 pounds, while a female will weigh around 12. Only a month later, the male Rottweiler will weigh between 34 and 39 pounds, with the female close between 30 to 35 pounds!
• Socialization. Puppies need to learn communication and bite inhibition early. Because Rottweilers are a large, stocky breed, it’s vital during a puppy’s first six months of life to learn how to play, how to communicate their needs, and what proper manners in the dog world are.
• Training. Rottweilers’ size and strength also make it imperative to establish control early in a puppy’s life. This means having good leash manners, great recall, and command words that halt a negative behavior in its tracks.

Life Expectancy of a Rottweiler

Rottweilers aren’t the hardiest breed of dog, so the average that most experts give for a Rottweiler puppy’s life expectancy hovers between seven and 10 years. This decreased number, as compared to other dogs who live between 10 and 14 years, is due to the health issues Rottweilers contract. For example, cancers like Lymphoma or Lymphosarcoma tend to affect Rottweilers more than other breeds.

Rottweiler Puppy Fun Facts

Rottweiler puppies are silly, wonderful little bundles of fun. Their unique and affable temperament, due in part to their upbringing, makes them a great family dog. Discover some other interesting Rottweiler facts below.

• Once full-grown, Rottweilers can eat between five and 10 pounds of food in a week!
• Early socialization remains critical to a Rottweiler’s temperament.
• Living up to their breed classification, Rottweilers happily complete the tasks or jobs assigned to them.

Dr. Bethany Hsia, DVM and co-founder of CodaPet, has over 12 years of experience with dogs. During her time across vet clinics and her own business, she’s noticed how attached Rottweilers become to their families. 

“Rottweilers are often referred to as velcro dogs because they like to stay close to their owners,” she said. “The “velcro dog” nickname highlights the breed’s tendency to stick close to their human companions, following them around and seeking constant physical contact. Historically, they were used for herding dogs, guarding livestock, and tasked with driving cattle to the market. This working background has influenced their behavior and temperament over generations.”

Rottweiler: Big Eyes, Full Hearts

Rottweiler puppies are the picture of cutest for the first several months of their lives. They’re adorable, floppy, fun little creatures who don’t know their own strength and want to play with their humans until they tire. Between the silliness they share with their family and the alertness they display when faced with a stranger, Rottweilers remain an incredibly unique dog that many families enjoy.