Last Updated on July 22, 2021 by
The oldest Rottweiler on record defies all expectations for the large dog’s typically short lifespan. What amazing dog made history with their feat?
We envision our dogs to be part of our lives, but we also have to accept when it is their time to go. More often than not, we outlive our pets. Because of this, we must make sure their lives are full of fun and love.
Who is the oldest Rottweiler on record, and what is their secret to long life? How much longer did they live compared to the average? Let us find out!
The Rottweiler’s Lifespan
It is a heartbreaking fact that many of our pets will live shorter lives than human owners do. It is good to be aware of the typical lifespan of a Rottweiler so you will be prepared to accept this reality when the time comes.
What Is The Typical Rottweiler Lifespan?
According to the American Kennel Club, the regular Rottweiler has an average lifespan of 9 to 10 years. This is considered a relatively short lifespan when you consider the typical life expectancy of other dogs.
Rottweilers live until the usual expectancy of large dogs. Because of several risk factors, large dogs usually live shorter lives than smaller dogs.
What Are The Typical Rottweiler Causes Of Death?
The Rottweiler is susceptible to some diseases and disorders, which affect their lifespan. One of the most common problems in Rottweilers is hip dysplasia. This is the friction that happens in the hip joints of the dog due to overuse. This could lead to immobility and paralysis for the dog. While not directly affecting the lifespan, the quality of life is significantly decreased.
Other problems include viral infections, parasites, and obesity, among other risk factors.
Who Is The Oldest Rottweiler On Record?
There are several reports on, particularly long-lived Rottweilers. Since a lot of the evidence online cannot be easily confirmed, it is difficult to find the definitive oldest living Rottweiler on record.
One 2010 article of the Purdue Research Park, a business incubation institution in Indiana, outlines an event called “The Old Grey Muzzle Tour”. The first stop of the trek is in Holliston, Massachusetts. There, a 13-year-old Rottweiler named Bort is the inaugural oldest living Rottweiler known and recorded.
13 years old for a Rottweiler is very impressive indeed – this is three years beyond the expected lifespan of the large dog. All signs point to healthy aging, showing us that while canine lives may be short, there are ways to make sure that they stay with us for longer.
How Do These Records Compare To Other Breeds?
Among large dogs, the typical lifespan of a Rottweiler is average. However, they are a far cry from the life expectancy of smaller breeds. In particular, Chihuahuas who are among the longest living dog breeds have recorded a 20-year lifespan record.
Learn more about: Rottweiler Chihuahua Mix Full Grown: A Perfect Match?
Another outlier is a 29-year-old Australian Cattle Dog that lived in Australia from the 1910s to 1930s. This impressive record has not yet been topped yet and is considered exceptional cases in their own breed.
How Can We Extend The Lifespan Of Rottweilers?
People attached to their Rottweiler buddies may be having a hard time accepting that they have such a short time to live on planet earth.
Are you worried about your old Rottweiler? The best we can do is to make the most of their time with us. We also need to treat their physical and mental needs seriously. Our responsibility as pet owners makes sure that our pets have a positive lifestyle, in turn benefitting us.
Diet
This is one of the best ways to make sure your pet is healthy. Getting them their proper nutrients, especially in the growing stage, ensures that their bodies are built to the best of their abilities. Feeding them these essential building blocks will help them gain the nutrients and energy they need to grow and be active.
Providing a poor diet has the danger of shortening their lifespans. Aside from avoiding the typical dangerous foods for dogs, you also have to be aware of the side effects of feeding your dog anything that you have on hand. Become intentional with your dog’s menu.
Exercise
While the Rottweiler may look to have an athletic body due to its muscular build, did you know this breed can become a couch potato? They do not have the same energy levels as Labs and Chihuahuas, so you need to initiate any physical exercise.
While physical activity might not be their most favorite thing, you can lure Rottweilers into exercise using their other love – puzzles! They love their mental exercise, and if you manage to put the two different activities together, you may succeed in giving your Rottweiler a good workout!
Employment Hazards
Many Rottweilers today actually have jobs. Some places that Rottweilers have excelled include the police force. They act as guards to the officers, search and rescue dogs, attack dogs, cargo-sniffing dogs, and more. There are a lot of hazards that come with this line of work.
Rottweilers may meet their untimely end in the line of duty, whether by accident or intentional. Today’s pets are mostly family dogs and not exposed to much danger, so they should be safe from such hazards.
Stress Management
Many people tend to neglect the psychology of their dogs. However, much like humans, poor mental health can affect the physical health of your pets. Some visible evidence of this is inactivity and sudden weight and appetite loss. They may no longer sleep or eat in the same manner.
These bad health habits, in turn, will affect their physical well-being. When their health habits deteriorate, for example eating and sleeping, they will no longer have the nutrients and rest required for a healthy body. In order to address this, you need to take out the potential stress-causing factors in your dog’s life, like your training schedule, family treatment, and even environment.
What do you think about the oldest Rottweiler on record? Can you think of any other record-breaking pets? Let us know in the comments.