Rottweilers are among the most popular and lovable dog species on the planet. These medium-large robust dogs are known for their strength, loyalty, and excellent instinct for protection and guarding.
Additionally, Rottweilers have a particularly recognizable look with their dark fur colors and short hair coats.
However, you might’ve seen a Long-Haired Rottweiler that piqued your interest. If you like to bring one of these hairy pups home, this guide will have you covered with everything you need to know!
History and Where the Long-Haired Rottweiler Comes from
One of the best ways to understand the characteristics of a certain breed is to learn about its origin.
In this section, we’ll have an in-depth look at the history of the Rottweilers and where the long-haired counterpart comes from.
The Rottweiler History
The Rottweiler is a very old dog breed that has been around since Ancient Roman times, according to some historians.
Rottweilers originated in Rottweil, Germany as the result of breeding German Sheepdogs with cattle-herding mastiff dogs that were left by the Romans.
The resultant breed was used as a working dog to herd livestock and pull meat carts to and from markets, which is why they were originally named “Rottweil Butchers’ Dogs”.
Owners also noticed that these dogs had high alertness levels while being good-natured and obedient. Coupled with their brute strength and firm bodies, Rottweilers were also perfect guard dogs for protection.
The Long-Haired Rottweiler History
Although you might think that long-haired Rottweilers are relatively new, they’re actually very old. Some even may say that they’re as old as the original short-haired Rottweiler.
The exact history of the long-haired Rottweiler remains unclear. However, we know that they also originated in Germany.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Quick Facts
Now that you know more about the history of the breed in addition to its long-haired counterpart, here are some essential facts that you should keep in mind about these magnificent dogs.
They Are Not Hybrids
When people see long-hair Rottweilers, the first thing that comes to their minds is that they’re cross-bred with other long-haired breeds. However, this is not true.
Of course, breeding a Rottweiler with other long-haired dog breeds may result in a long-haired dog with Rottweiler features.
However, when we say “long-haired Rottweiler”, we’re talking about a purebred dog with no other breeds or species mixed in.
Instead, these dogs have a unique gene responsible for making their hair coats longer than usual.
It Can Happen for Various Reasons
The exact reason why some Rottweilers have longer hair can vary. In some cases, Rottweilers are born with long hair because one or both parents carry the genes that cause it.
On the other hand, some dogs are born with a unique genetic mutation that makes their hair grow longer, whether they can transfer these genes to their offspring or not.
They’re Not Recognized by the AKC
The American Kennel Club is known for its strict regulations when it comes to dog standards.
According to the AKC’s official website, Rottweilers with straight, medium-length hair coats are the only standards of the breed.
As a result, the AKC doesn’t recognize long and curly-haired Rottweilers because they don’t meet the breed standards.
In other words, unfortunately, the long-haired Rottweiler can’t participate in AKC-sponsored show rings. (This also goes for short but curly-haired Rotties)
They’re Extremely Rare Now
The genes responsible for producing long-haired Rottweilers are extremely weak. In fact, the likelihood of a litter having a single long-haired puppy is incredibly low, even if one or both parents are long-haired.
This rarity, combined with the AKC regulations, caused many reputable breeders (who deal in show-grade dogs only) to euthanize long-hair puppies, even with the high demand.
As such, long-haired Rottweilers became even harder to find nowadays, and it may take you up to several weeks to months before you can find one.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Size and Weight
Thanks to the dog’s long hair, these Rottweilers look puffier than short-hair ones. However, long-hair Rottweilers are nearly identical to standard Rottweilers in terms of bone/muscle mass and density.
In other words, long-haired Rotties may seem bigger but have the same size and weight as regular ones.
Ideally, an adult long-haired rottweiler weighs as little as 80 lbs but can reach 130 lbs or more.
As for size, the average Rottweiler measures around 24 to 28 inches tall, although males are a couple of inches taller than females.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Appearance
The primary difference between a regular and a long-hair Rottweiler is the hair coat. In addition to having longer hair, the hairs also appear coarse and shaggy.
The undercoat of the long-hair Rottweiler is essentially the same as the standard breed.
The two varieties also share the same black fur color with light to dark brown markings at the mouth and feet.
Long-haired Rottweilers have brown, almond-shaped eyes with black noses.
The ears of a long-hair Rottweiler have more hair, which makes them less distinguished when compared to the triangular ears of standard Rotties.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Behavior and Temperament
Now that you know more about long-hair Rottweiler’s physical features, you might be curious about their temperament and behavior.
One thing you should know here is that long-haired Rottweilers share almost the same behaviors as short-hair ones.
Is the Long-Haired Rottweiler Intelligent?
Rottweilers are remarkably clever, obedient, and instinctively intelligent dogs.
Throughout history, these dogs were bred to do multiple tasks including companionship, guarding, and hauling, so they were selectively bred to handle all these responsibilities and more!
Since long-hair genes don’t have a direct impact on intelligence. In other words, they’re as smart as their short-hair counterparts.
Is the Long-Haired Rottweiler Aggressive?
Rottweilers are highly affectionate dogs that love their families very much. As guard dogs, they can’t easily shake off their natural instinct to be alert, distrustful, and suspicious
For that reason, Rottweilers can be slightly aggressive towards strangers and may even attack unannounced intruders.
Yet, Rottweilers are smart and easily trained. So, with proper socialization and training from a young age, you can prevent the dog’s aggressive tendencies from taking over.
Does the Long-Haired Rottweiler Make a Good Family Dog?
The answer here varies greatly from one dog to another, as there are several factors that control the dog’s behaviors and temperament.
Generally speaking, Long-haired Rottweilers are similar to standard Rotties. They’re good-natured dogs with patient and stable demeanors.
They can bond well with all family members if they’re given proper training and daily exercise. This makes the long-haired Rottweiler a good family dog, especially around older children.
What Are the Unwanted Behaviors of the Long-Haired Rottweiler?
The downsides of a long-haired Rottweiler are the same as regular Rottweilers. As an intelligent working dog breed that needs constant mental and physical stimulation, these dogs can easily quickly get bored.
Combined with the natural curiosity and explorative nature of the breed, long-haired Rotties can also develop destructive behavior. This includes chewing on the carpet and upholstery as well as occasional loud barking.
You’ll need to devote a lot of time to your long-haired Rottweiler for games, exercises, and other activities.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Price and Expenses
Although Rottweilers are pretty common, the long-haired version is quite rare and very hard to find, as they don’t meet the breed standards.
If you’re lucky enough to find a breeder who has long-haired Rottweilers available, you should expect it to cost you around $1,500 to $2,000 or more. This is several times more expensive than standard Rottweilers.
Of course, adopting a long-haired Rottweiler from a shelter is relatively cheaper, as you’ll only pay an adoption fee of around $300 to $500.
However, many people choose to adopt them for their rarity, so you’ll have to be extra lucky to find one.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Annual Expenses
Despite being a rare dog, once you have them, they’re more or less the same as any other standard Rottweiler.
For example, all the necessary vaccinations and vet checkups for the new puppy will cost you around $400 to $500.
You’ll also need to buy your long-haired Rottie a few supplies and toys to keep it entertained and comfortable. These vary depending on your budget but they start from around $100 to $300.
As your puppy grows up, it should cost you around $600 to $700 in annual expenses, including food, grooming, and care expenses only.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Lifespan
The only difference between a long-haired Rottweiler and a short-haired one is in appearance. In other words, both of them are more or less the same when it comes to health.
As a large dog breed, Long-haired Rottweilers have a relatively short life expectancy when compared to smaller dogs, which is anywhere between 9 to 10 years.
Extra care, continuous checks, and good genes can all help in extending the life of your long-haired Rottweiler. In that case, your dog may live an extra year or two.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Common Health Issues
Rottweilers suffer from several health problems. These include hip/knee dysplasia, bloating and diarrhea, a high rate of cancer (especially bone cancer), and some allergies.
When it comes to long-haired Rotties, they seem to suffer from the same common health issues.
In other words, there aren’t any special health problems that are particularly associated with the long-hair genes.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Care Tips
As you can see, long-haired Rottweilers share a lot of similarities with regular Rotties. However, they also have some unique aspects that require a different care regimen.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the essential car tips for the long-haired dog.
How Much Exercise Does Long-Haired Rottweiler Need?
Rottweilers are very active working dogs who require a lot of exercises to stay in shape and avoid obesity.
Daily exercise is also necessary to keep your long-haired dog entertained and prevent them from developing bad behaviors due to boredom.
Ideally, you’ll need to walk your long-haired Rottweiler for a total of 60 minutes per day. However, if you’re too busy, you can get away with occasional 30-minute trips.
Remember to also mix things up by playing different games with your dog. These games include tug of war, hide and seek, fetch, catch, etc.
How Much Does a Long-Haired Rottweiler Shed?
As you might’ve expected, long-haired Rottweilers shed a lot more than their regular counterparts.
Additionally, long-haired Rotties are more likely to blow their coat more than twice a year and will shed at a higher rate during Fall and Spring.
With that being said, long-haired Rottweilers still won’t shed as heavily as naturally long-haired dogs like Huskies, German Shepherds, and Malamutes.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Long-Haired Rottweiler?
Despite being a medium shedder, you’ll still need to groom your long-haired Rottweiler more often than the short-haired one.
The reason here is that their hair coat isn’t only thick and long, but it’s also shaggy and wired. This means that they’re more prone to tangling and matting if you don’t take care of them.
For a healthy long-haired Rottweiler, you’ll need to brush your dog once or twice daily using a firm-bristle brush. This helps in distributing the natural oils on their skin and keeps their hair shiny and healthy.
You should also treat your dog to a grooming session once every 1 to 2 months, bathe it once every 2 to 3 months, and clip its nail every 3 to 4 weeks.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Mix Training
Long-haired Rotties are smart dogs who are eager to learn and please their owners. This makes them very easy to train from a young age.
In fact, training and socializing your Rottweiler from a young age is the best way to control their behavior and prevent them from developing attitude issues. For that reason, it’s best to start training them as early as 16 weeks old.
Long-Haired Rottweiler Mix Diet
To keep your Rottweiler healthy, you’ll need a balanced diet that consists of protein, carbs, and healthy fats.
Around 22% to 25% of the protein should be animal-sourced for better absorption and to avoid digestive problems.
Remember to supplement the dog’s food with minerals and vitamins for improved health and a smoother hair coat.