Are you considering adopting a Rottweiler, but you are wondering just how high energy these dogs are?
Rottweilers are well known for having quite a lot of puppy energy! The truth is, however, that while Rottweiler puppies are definitely high energy, as adults, their energy level often changes to medium or even low energy. This can be affected by a number of factors, though, including your particular Rottweiler’s personality and family lineage.
The rest of this article will discuss just how high energy Rottweilers usually are when their energy levels will start to change, and what may affect their energy levels.
Are Rottweilers high energy?
Are Rottweilers high energy? Well, sometimes! These dogs typically have a range of energy levels, from low all the way to high. Rottweiler puppies tend to be more on the high-energy side of the scale, while adults are usually lower in energy from medium to even low levels. However, this is not always a guarantee.
Your Rottweiler’s energy level will ultimately end up depending on your specific dog’s personality, background, and lineage.
Why are Rottweiler puppies higher energy?
We have all heard of the famous “puppy energy”! Puppies tend to be little balls of energy, who can play all day and never seem to get tired—that is, until they collapse into a puppy nap, only to wake up ready to do it all over again.
Rottweiler puppies take this to the extreme. They have lots and lots of energy when they are babies and while they are still younger, but this will eventually fade and they will become more mellow adult dogs.
Around what age do Rottweilers’ energy levels change?
Your Rottweiler will probably begin to slow down in energy levels when they are around two years old. However, keep in mind that this is not a magic number. Some Rottweilers will not slow down in energy until they are even older, like three or four. Usually, though, the first couple of years are the “worst” when it comes to handling your high-energy puppy.
What if my Rottweiler is still high-energy?
If your Rottweiler is four years old or older and they are still very high energy, this can still be completely normal. Every dog is an individual, and sometimes, they may simply remain high energy into adulthood. There are ways that you can manage this, including making sure that your Rottweiler is getting plenty of exercises and mental stimulation.
If you are wondering why your Rottweiler is still so high energy, it may have something to do with their history or lineage. For example, if your Rottweiler comes from a long line of working dogs, they are more likely to have energy in their blood, so to speak. This can cause them to remain high energy for much longer than another Rottweiler.
What if my Rottweiler is lazy?
Just like we mentioned above, every Rottweiler is an individual dog. If your own Rottweiler does not seem to like exercise and simply wants to lay around on the couch all day, this could be a number of things. Similar to the dog’s lineage having an effect on whether they are high energy, this can also affect whether a dog is a low energy (or lazy).
If your dog comes from a long line of other low-energy dogs, this could explain it! Simply enjoy your snuggle time with your pup.
Does laziness mean my Rottweiler is sick?
Sometimes, illness or injury can indeed be the cause of a Rottweiler’s laziness. The best way to tell if this is the case is to examine your dog’s other behavior.
- Is your dog acting normal otherwise?
- Have they lost the normal desire to play?
- Have they stopped showing interest in treats?
- Are they whining or crying?
- Do they snap at you when you try to touch certain parts of their body?
If any of these factors are true for your dog, then there may be something else wrong besides normal laziness. You should seek veterinary help immediately if you believe that your Rottweiler may be sick or injured.
How can I make sure my Rottweiler gets the proper exercise?
There are a lot of different ways that you can exercise your Rottweiler. The first and most obvious option is taking them for walks, but there are several other things you can do as well. You can take your dog for runs or hikes, trips to the dog park, or simply play in the backyard.
You can also exercise your Rottweiler by training them to do different tricks or to run an agility course. These are excellent options because they not only give your pup physical exercise but mental stimulation as well.
How much physical exercise does a Rottweiler need?
Even if your Rottweiler is low energy, they still require quite a lot of physical exercise every day. In general, your Rottweiler should get about two hours of exercise per day. You should break this up into multiple smaller exercise sessions to avoid overtiring your pup.
What is mental stimulation?
Mental stimulation is a workout for your dog’s brain, just like physical exercise is a workout for their body. This is important because Rottweilers are very intelligent dogs. Without mental stimulation, they can easily become bored, which is never a good thing!
A bored dog can quickly become badly behaved or destructive as they attempt to find ways to mentally stimulate themselves. Mental stimulation for dogs is similar to how humans will do brain teasers or crossword puzzles for fun. They provide interesting ways for your dog to use their mind, tiring them out in a wholly different way from physical exercise.
How can I give my Rottweiler mental stimulation?
There are many different things you can do to provide your Rottweiler with mental stimulation. Here are a few ideas:
- Training sessions
- Agility courses
- Puzzle toys
Training sessions are a great way to exercise your dog both physically and mentally. If you teach them to do different tricks or to play games such as fetch, their bodies will be exercised at the same time as their minds! Learning what you are asking of them requires them to use their brains, and following the instructions requires physical effort.
Agility courses are a very similar activity. Firstly, you must train your Rottweiler to complete them, which of course requires both physical and mental exercise. Once your dog is trained to do the course, however, it still requires concentration and mental effort for them to learn the course and successfully complete it. This makes agility courses a good option for regular mental and physical exercise.
Lastly, puzzle toys are a more hands-off approach to mental stimulation. These toys require your dog to think to figure out how to get a treat out of the center of the toy. They will often give your dog quite a long while of being occupied!
What if my Rottweiler still won’t calm down?
Are Rottweilers high energy? Sometimes, yes! If your Rottweiler is no longer a puppy, you are giving them lots of physical and mental stimulation, yet they still will not calm down, then it is likely that you simply have a very, very high energy dog on your hands.
Although the average Rottweiler requires two hours of exercise per day, your specific dog may need more in order to get out all of their energy. If this is the case, we recommend employing techniques that highly physically and mentally stimulate your dog at the same time. Agility courses and outdoor hikes are both excellent options.
Taking your dog out for off-leash time is also a good way to physical exercise them. If you are going to do this, however, please ensure that you are doing so safely. Never allow your Rottweiler off-leash in an area that is not enclosed, and watch out for other people, dogs, wildlife, or other potential dangers for your pup.
Is my high-energy Rottweiler normal?
This question is difficult to answer without knowing exactly how high energy your dog is, but in general, we are going to say yes! Every dog is different, and energy levels can vary wildly depending on the individual pup. Most likely, your dog’s energy level is within the realm of normal.
If you are finding your high-energy dog difficult to handle, we recommend increasing the number of exercise sessions you give them per day. If this is not possible for you, consider hiring a dog walker or other sitter to come and spend some time with your dog.
You can also consider getting another dog—sometimes, having a buddy to run and play in the yard with is just what your Rottweiler needs to burn off that excess energy!
Conclusion
Are Rottweilers high energy? Well, sometimes! In general, Rottweiler puppies are very high energy, and then as they become adults, they will typically lower in energy levels to medium or even low energy. However, this is not always the case, and sometimes a Rottweiler will remain high energy well into adulthood—or the opposite, which can be to be lazy from the time they are a puppy!