Rottweilers are very popular dogs that make for wonderful pets, and part of the appeal is their energy and enthusiasm for life. These are large, fit, and athletic animals so you might be wondering, do Rottweilers need a lot of exercise?
Rottweilers do need a lot of activity throughout the day, both mental and physical, and they should be kept occupied in different ways to keep them healthy. At a minimum, these dogs should be getting between 1 and 2 hours of dedicated physical exercise per day and they should be entertained and stimulated in other ways as well.
Everybody wants their dog to be happy and healthy, and getting the right amount of exercise is a really important part of making sure that happens. This article will go into detail about how active Rottweilers should be, why exercise is so important for them, and what you can do as an owner to make sure your Rottie is staying fit both mentally and physically.
Do Rottweilers Need a Lot of Exercises Compared to Other Dog Breeds?
All dogs need to be kept active and should be getting out and about for exercise daily. With that being said, some breeds need a lot more exercise than others. Some smaller dogs, like Pugs, might be happy with just 30 minutes of physical activity per day, but dogs that are bigger and more athletic are certainly going to want much more.
Many of the breeds that benefit the most from large amounts of daily exercise come from working backgrounds, so they love to stay fit and active. Labradors, Collies, and Retrievers are among those high energy dogs, and Rottweilers should be considered in that category as well.
Rottweilers were originally bred to herd cattle and they have strong, powerful bodies that need to stay active. Without regular exercise, Rotties can experience health and behavioral problems – and their happiness will certainly suffer as well.
How Much Exercise Does a Rottweiler Need in a Day?
Your Rottweiler should be getting at least an hour of dedicated physical exercise every day, and up to two hours daily will be beneficial to keep them in good health. This may consist of walks and dedicated training sessions alongside other activities.
It might sound like a considerable time commitment, but daily exercise with your dog is one of the most joyful parts of dog ownership. Walks are great for your dog’s health and mental wellbeing, but they are also fantastic for your own health, as well as strengthening the bond between you and your canine companion.
A lot of the additional exercise that your Rottweiler can enjoy is also very easy to provide as an owner. Games like fetch and activities like interactive toys take very little effort from you but provide hours of entertainment for your pup.
What Are the Benefits of Regular Exercise for Rottweilers?
We all know that staying active is good for your dog’s health, but what are the exact benefits of keeping your Rottweiler exercised and active?
Weight Maintenance
The first, and most obvious, benefit to your dog staying active is that it helps to keep them at a healthy weight and maintain good muscle mass. If your Rottweiler gains too much weight they can become obese and are at greater risk for many different health problems such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
Mental Health
Keeping your dog stimulated is also really important for keeping them mentally healthy. We all want our dogs to be happy and exercise will help them to reduce stress and anxiety, allows them to socialise with other dogs, and simply gives them more joy.
Joint Health
Dogs that don’t stay active enough can suffer from a lot of pain in their joints, particularly as they get older. Struggling with arthritis and joint degeneration can have a really debilitating impact on your dog, so you want to avoid it as much as possible.
Behavior
If you keep your Rottweiler active, you will notice that they are much less likely to act out and behave poorly. Many behavioral problems arise from stress, boredom, or pent-up energy that they simply need to release somehow. Dogs that are tired out from a fun day are much calmer and more relaxed.
What Sort of Exercise Should I Do With My Rottweiler?
If you are wondering about the different ways to occupy your Rottie, there are many different options that you could try. A few of the most common things to do with your dog include:
- Walks. Walking is probably the easiest and most straightforward exercise for any dog, and your Rottweiler should be getting out for at least 1 or 2 every day.
- Running. Your Rottie may well enjoy running alongside you to give you both a bit of extra cardio. Make sure that your dog is able to safely run on a leash by starting with a slow jog first. Rottweilers are generally better suited to short sprints or gentle jogs than endurance running.
- Agility. Many dogs absolutely love agility training and making your own obstacle courses can be a lot of fun. If you can set up some tunnels, ramps, jumps and hurdles in your own outdoor space there is no limit to how much your Rottie could get out of it.
- Throwing and catching. Almost all dogs love to play catching games like fetch or running after balls and frisbees. Your Rottweiler may take a little training to bring it back every time, but it’s a very easy way to get them moving without tiring yourself out.
- Training. Training with your dog should be a big part of your daily routine- and not just to manage their behavior. Training is how you and your dog develop strong communication, and it keeps them active and mentally stimulated as well.
- Toys. There are so many toys out there that you can use to play games with your dog, or even that they can use to occupy themselves. Interactive toys that deliver treats or make noise are particularly stimulating for your Rottie.
How Long Can a Rottweiler Walk For?
When it comes to those daily walks you should be expecting to be out for at least half an hour at a time, and your Rottweiler certainly won’t turn their nose up at two or even three walks throughout the day. When they are puppies, they will tire out quickly and 30 minutes may be the limit, but once they are fully grown, they can go for hours.
If you want to get out for some real hikes and long excursions, an adult Rottweiler will likely be able to handle up to six hours of walking. It is very important that you keep a close eye on your dog during longer trips, and make sure that they are getting a lot of water along the way.
Taking your Rottie out for a big long walk can be a wonderful day out, but you do need to plan ahead. If your dog gets tired, you need to know that you can get them home and you’re not going to end up carrying them for three hours back down the trail!
Are Rottweilers Naturally Lazy or Hyperactive?
There are misconceptions held by some people either that Rottweilers can be prone to laziness, or that they are naturally hyperactive and boisterous. More often than not, extremely high or low energy levels in your dog are a result of insufficient amounts of exercise.
If a Rottweiler gets too little exercise, they can gain weight and lose muscle mass, making them lethargic and inactive during the day. On the other hand, they can also become bored and understimulated, leading to them having too much energy and becoming hyperactive at home.
Throughout the day, your Rottweiler’s energy levels will naturally change, but they should generally be calm and relaxed most of the time. They should also, however, be excited and enthusiastic about getting out of the house and playing.
If you are worried about the amount of energy that your Rottweiler has, or you have any concerns about their exercise needs, you should get in touch with your vet and start asking questions.
The Verdict – Do Rottweilers Need a Lot of Exercise?
So, do Rottweilers need a lot of exercise? The answer is yes, they want to be kept active and occupied throughout the day and need a good amount of exercise to stay mentally and physically healthy.
Exercising with your Rottweiler is one of the most rewarding parts of raising these wonderful animals, and it can be a great benefit to you as well as your dog. A couple of long walks every day, combined with training, play and other stimulating activities will make sure that your Rottie is both happy and healthy.
If you are looking to bring any dog into your family, you need to make sure that you are ready to commit time and energy to their wellbeing. Rottweilers need a bit more energy from you than other breeds, which makes them the perfect companion for anyone who wants to have an active lifestyle.