Name the breed Rottweiler and very likely you will get two reactions: people imagining a massive and vicious dog and people imagining a loyal and devoted family oriented dog.

Truth is, those imagining the vicious dog are people that never had got to know the breed well and those imagining the friendly dog very likely own a Rottweiler.

Rottweilers originated in Germany and were bred as herding dogs. Later on, they were used to pull carts full of wood and merchandise. They have been working dogs throughout history and have developed a special eagerness to please their owners.

Personality wise, the Rottweiler is a loyal, friendly dog that seeks human interaction. They tend to be fond of children and may get along even with cats if raised together.

They are a protective breed that need proper socialization to avoid becoming suspicious of strangers. During training they will need an owner with good leadership skills. Consistency is the key to overcome those subjects that are particularly obstinate. Careful research should be done before purchasing a puppy to avoid bad temperaments.

Rottweilers are pretty frugal creatures that do not require much care. Their glossy black coats mostly shed slightly at times and heavier at others and require just a brushing every now and then. Regular walks are required as with many other dogs to keep them mentally stimulated and in proper shape. Most Rottweilers may live up to 10-12 years of age. Their major weaknesses are hip displasia, bloating, parvo, heart disease and cancer. Some dogs tend to slobber and often snore and suffer from flatulence.

Once fully developed, male Rottweilers may weigh up to 130 pounds and females up to 115 pounds. They can easily take up a whole couch or your whole car. Many Rottweilers like to sleep on their owner's feet and lean their body against them as a sign of affection. Rottweilers should be always carefully monitored when around children, their bulky bodies may easily cause injuries. They should as well be taught at an early age not to jump onto owners, 130 pounds later they can easily knock anybody over!

Physically, Rottweilers are characterized by a nice black glossy coat with scattered rusty markings. Their head is broad, heavier in the German bloodlines and much lighter in the American version. Eyes are brown and very expressive. Teeth are scissor sharp. Most Rottweiler's tails are docked and rear dewclaws removed at an early age. Overall, their body structure is very sturdy and powerful.

Unfortunately, in the wrong hands Rottweilers may turn out aggressive. Irresponsible owners have been known to encourage aggressive traits and subject Rottweilers to abuse. These unfortunate events have been the cause for the negative stereotyping of the breed. More and more insurance companies have started blacklisting this breed creating unnecessary hardship for responsible owners. Muzzle laws passed in some countries such as France and Germany have as well contributed to the negative image Rottweiler pose. Just as Pitbulls, Rottweilers have been unjustly accused of bad temperament and are now considered a major liability.

Fortunately, there are many Rottweilers out there that prove all these negative believers wrong. Rottweilers have been able to prove to be trust worthy service dogs, corageous police dogs, sensitive seeing eye dogs and loyal companions particularly fond of children. It is sad that those few bad elements that were the result of improper training have been able to ruin a whole breed's reputation. More effort should be put out to properly educate people about this mellow breed's personality. Try to own a Rottweiler yourself, chances are you will very likely be amazed at how affectionate and loyal this breed can be, just a note of caution: they may lick you to death!