Rottweilers are one of the most recognizable dog breeds with their solidly muscled body, large head, and handsome tan and black markings on the fur. Rottweilers are mostly known for their strength, intelligence as well as fierce loyalty. However, Rottweiler fans fall primarily into two different categories. The first category involves those who consider these large breed dogs to be absolute love bugs. On the other hand, we have those guardians who want their dogs to be anything but.
There have been stories about Rottweilers killing which have turned a lot of people against these beautiful and fiercely loyal dogs. However, the good and reputable breeders are now picking up the pieces and restoring their reputation as an amazing dog breed. Do not underestimate the power and protectiveness of Rottweilers. However, when given proper training, love, and trust they can prove to be amazing loyal, fierce as well as gentle guardians.
If you do a Google search on Rottweilers, the second or third search would be about Rottweiler health issues. Like many large breeds, Rottweilers can face costly health problems, so it helps to budget for veterinary care from the start. There are many Rottweiler health issues that I will be discussing in this blog post. So don’t miss any of the points and read on till the end.
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| Rottweiler health issues |
Topics covered in this blog post
The most common Rottweiler health issues
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common inherited orthopedic problems in large and giant breed dogs, and it also occurs in medium-sized dogs. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint: the ball at the top of the thigh bone (femur) sits in a socket in the pelvis (acetabulum). In hip dysplasia the joint develops abnormally, so the ball fits loosely in the socket. Over time this looseness damages the cartilage and leads to arthritis and pain.
The mode of inheritance of hip dysplasia is mostly polygenic which means that it is caused due to the presence of many different genes in the dog. Scientists are yet to uncover which of the genes are involved in causing hip dysplasia as well as how many genes cause this problem.
- The excess weight of the dog
- A fast growth rate
- High-calorie diet
Chances of hip dysplasia occurring in the dog
Hip X-rays are used to screen dogs before breeding. In the US, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) grades hip X-rays into seven categories: Excellent, Good and Fair (within normal limits), Borderline, and Mild, Moderate or Severe (dysplastic). Preliminary screenings are available for dogs from 4 to 23 months of age. In the UK, the BVA/KC scheme gives a numerical hip score, where lower is better and 0 is the best possible score.
Responsible breeders screen both parents and choose dogs with good hip results so that puppies have a better chance of healthy hips. Screening lowers the risk but cannot guarantee that a puppy will never develop hip dysplasia; keeping your puppy lean and avoiding overfeeding during growth also matters.
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is another significant problem that has been identified to be occurring in many breeds. Unfortunately, this condition seems to be increasing worldwide and is found in a lot of dogs nowadays. This problem starts to rear its head during the puppy stages of the dog’s life and affects the dog for the rest of his or her life.
The term elbow dysplasia covers the spectrum of conditions that affect the elbow joints of the dog.
The conditions can be:
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial humeral condyle
- Fragmented medial coronoid process
- Ununited anconeal process, as well as an incongruent elbow
The puppy can either have one of these conditions or more than one. This disease has been observed to affect both the front legs of the dogs. This disease is again of the polygenic nature that it is caused due to the presence of multiple genes and currently the number of genes causing this disease is not known.
The environmental factors which contribute to such conditions are:
- Overfeeding
- Quick weight gain
- Quick growth
- Genetic predisposition
The diagnosis of elbow dysplasia is also done on the basis of the scoring system which depends on the x-rays of the elbows of the dog. However, in this case, the grades of each elbow are not added to receive the final score. If the grade is zero, the elbows are normal and do not have dysplasia. If the grade is three then the elbows have severe dysplasia.
Symptoms of elbow dysplasia in Rottweilers
It has been observed that dogs who have clinical elbow dysplasia become lame between the ages of 6 to 12 months. The lameness may either be confined to one of the elbows or it may affect both the elbows. If you observe a persistent forelimb lameness, you should get it inspected by a veterinarian surgeon.
The treatment for elbow dysplasia depends on the type and severity of the problem. Most dogs need weight control, a suitable exercise plan and pain relief prescribed by your vet. Never give your dog human pain medicines; many are toxic to dogs.
In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the fragments of bone and cartilage from the joint to help with the pain. However, this is not always appropriate or needed. In almost all the cases there are secondary changes observed in the joint which causes problems to the dog throughout his or her life. These also restrict the dog’s ability to exercise in a normal manner. If proper care and vigilance are kept on the dog, then the dogs will be comfortable with a fair share of exercise.
Related post: CORONAVIRUS! What you need to know as a dog guardian
Entropion
This is one of the Rottweiler health issues in which the eyelids roll inward. This causes the eyelashes and hair to rub on the surface of the eye. It is painful and can damage the cornea, causing ulcers. Entropion ranges from a slight inward rolling to more serious cases, and some dogs need surgery to correct it. Squinting, tearing or a red eye should be checked by a vet promptly.
Ectropion
Ectropion is the outward rolling or drooping of the lower eyelid. In some puppies it improves as the head matures. It can expose the eye and predispose the dog to conjunctivitis, so watch for redness or discharge and ask your vet about eye care. Mild cases are often managed without surgery, while severe cases may need correction. Like entropion, ectropion can be inherited.
Cruciate ligament rupture
This is one of the Rottweiler health issues involving the cruciate ligaments, which cross inside the knee (stifle) joint and help keep the thigh bone and shin bone stable. In Rottweilers these ligaments can be partially torn or completely ruptured, causing sudden or gradual hind-leg lameness. A limping dog should be examined by a vet; surgery is often recommended for large dogs. The problem is partly hereditary.
However, the other contributing factors towards this problem are:
- Size of the dog
- Obesity of the dog
- Ligament and muscular laxity
- Uncontrolled level of exercise
- Sharp turns by the dog
- Jumping fences or getting the legs stuck in rabbit holes
Related post: Herbal remedies for pain management in dogs part I
OCD (Osteochondritis dissecans)
OCD is a developmental problem of joint cartilage that affects joints such as the hocks, elbows, shoulders and knees. It is usually seen in young, fast-growing dogs, often between about 4 and 6 months of age. The cartilage does not turn into bone normally and becomes thickened and weak.
Cancer
Cancer is a leading health concern in Rottweilers. Common types in the breed include bone cancer (osteosarcoma) and lymphoma, and other organs such as the spleen and liver can also be affected. Rottweilers’ higher risk suggests an inherited component, and researchers are studying which genes are involved. Any new lump, swelling, limp or unexplained weight loss should be checked by your vet early.
Bone cancer in Rottweilers
Osteosarcoma or bone cancer is one of the most common Rottweiler health issues. Osteosarcoma is basically a malignant bone tumor which is sadly a progressive and fatal condition in most of the dogs it affects. This starts with the dogs becoming lame. The dogs also exhibit signs like painful swelling of the affected bone. The signs may be very subtle during the initial stages but can worsen as the bone becomes prone to getting fractured. Even though bone cancer in the case of Rottweilers is mostly observed on the limbs, the tumors can also occur in other regions of the dog’s body like the nasal cavity, jawbone, hip bones, or skull.
Dogs, including Rottweilers, often hide pain, so bone tumors may not be noticed until later stages. In a large or giant breed dog, a limp that lasts more than a few days or a firm swelling over a bone should be checked by your vet promptly, usually with X-rays. Do not just give pain relief and wait.
There are several other breeds that have a higher chance of being affected by sarcoma. Most of these breeds belong to giant dog breeds like Great Danes, Rottweilers, Irish wolfhound, and Saint Bernards.
Factors that influence sarcoma development in Rottweilers
- Bodyweight of the dog
- Height of the dog
- Early neutering
The genes and molecules which increase the risk of developing cancer in Rottweilers have been identified. A few of the genes have been observed to increase the pup’s risk of getting affected by this disease. These genes also influence the aggressiveness of cancer and its resistance towards treatment. A lot of research is going on to identify if there is a clear genetic disposition in Rottweilers towards cancer. If genetic susceptibility is identified, it will help to diagnose and treat the disease at the earliest stage possible. There is a lot of work that is going on to understand osteosarcoma as one of the Rottweiler health issues in USA as well as UK.
Related post: Your dog’s age in human years
Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy
Juvenile laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy (JLPP), now also called polyneuropathy with ocular abnormalities and neuronal vacuolation (POANV), is an inherited nerve disease seen in Rottweilers and Black Russian Terriers. It damages the long nerves, including the nerves that control the voice box (larynx). Laryngeal paralysis is often the first sign.
The primary symptom of JLPP is that the vocal folds of the dogs vibrate noisily. This can also cause obstruction of airflow into the lungs when the dog exercises or when the weather is too hot. The dog may also choke on water or food and regurgitate causing pneumonia.
The disease then affects the long nerves to the hind legs, causing weakness, trouble getting up and a wobbly gait, and later the front legs. Affected puppies may also have eye abnormalities such as small eyes and cataracts. Signs usually start in young puppies, around 3 months of age. A puppy with noisy breathing, gagging, coughing when eating or drinking, or breathing trouble needs a vet urgently.
JLPP/POANV is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. This means a dog must inherit two copies of the mutant gene, one from each parent, to be affected. A DNA test lets breeders identify clear dogs and carriers before mating, so that two carriers are never bred together.
The Gene type of the parents can be divided into three categories
Clear (N/N)
The dog has two normal copies of the gene. It will not develop the disease and cannot pass this variant to its puppies.
The dog has one normal and one mutant copy. It stays healthy but passes the variant to about 50% of its puppies. A carrier bred to a clear dog produces no affected puppies, although about half of the puppies will be carriers. Two carriers should not be bred together, because about 25% of their puppies are expected to be affected.
The dog has two mutant copies and will develop this fatal polyneuropathy. According to the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, signs start around 3 months of age, and affected dogs die or are euthanized because of declining quality of life by about 1 year of age.
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Wet eczema
Wet eczema, also called a hot spot (acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis), is common in dogs with thick undercoats. It often starts with an itch from a flea bite, allergy, ear infection or a nip from another dog, and the dog’s licking and scratching turn it into a raw, oozing sore that can grow very quickly. Hot spots are painful, so see your vet. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, treatment includes clipping the hair around the sore (sedation may be needed because it hurts), cleaning it with a chlorhexidine solution, stopping the licking with a cone or barrier, and treating the itch and the underlying cause; some dogs need oral antibiotics or anti-itch medication. Do not scrub the sore, and do not trim the hair with scissors, because it is easy to cut the skin.
Cold-water tail
Cold-water tail, also called limber tail or acute caudal myopathy, is a painful strain of the tail muscles. It is seen in working and sporting dogs and in other breeds after hard exercise, swimming in cold water, cold weather or long periods in a crate. The tail hangs limp, or is held out stiffly for a few inches at the base and then hangs down. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) advises a vet exam because a limp tail can also be caused by a fracture, disc disease, anal gland problems or other conditions. It usually improves with rest and vet-prescribed anti-inflammatory medication within days to about a week; ask your vet before using warm or cold packs, and never give human pain relievers.
Bloat (GDV): a Rottweiler emergency
Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), happens when the stomach fills with gas and can twist on itself. The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine lists Rottweilers among the large, deep-chested breeds most commonly affected and calls GDV a rapidly progressive, life-threatening condition that needs emergency stabilization and surgery.
Go to an emergency vet immediately if your dog is retching or trying to vomit without bringing anything up, is restless or pacing, drooling, has a swollen or tight belly, or collapses. Do not wait to see if it passes and do not try home remedies. With prompt surgery, most dogs survive (UF reports more than 80% when treated quickly). Ask your vet whether a preventive gastropexy makes sense for your Rottweiler, for example at the time of spay or neuter.
Heart disease: subaortic stenosis
Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is an inherited narrowing below the aortic valve. The Merck Veterinary Manual (reviewed May 2025) lists Rottweilers among the predisposed breeds. Some dogs show tiredness, exercise intolerance or fainting, while others have no signs; SAS is usually first suspected when a vet hears a heart murmur and is diagnosed with an echocardiogram. Affected dogs should not be bred. Ask your vet to listen to your puppy’s heart at every visit, and ask breeders for heart screening results on both parents.
What can you do as a dog guardian to deal with the Rottweiler health issues?
If you are planning to get a Rottweiler, find a breeder who is a member and is in good standing of the American Rottweiler Club. Make sure that your breed abides by all the mandatory practices which include a screening of all the dogs who are mated for genetic diseases and selling the pup with a written contract guaranteeing a home for the dog in case the owners are unable to keep the dog.
You should go for a breeder who is not only willing but actually insists on helping you train and care for your pup. You can also check out the ARC guidelines on how to interview and select a good breeder for yourself. Ask for the results of the genetic testing before you purchase a puppy.
Before you buy a puppy, ask the breeder for the parents’ hip and elbow results (OFA or another recognized scheme), heart and eye examination results, and a JLPP/POANV DNA test result. A good breeder will be happy to show you these.
Alternatively, you can also adopt a dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Rottweilers can live for a period of 10 years or longer, therefore if you get an adult dog, he or she will be a part of your family for a long time.
The moment you get your dog, puppy or adult, take him or her to the veterinarian immediately after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot any visible problems that may have escaped your eye and can work to set up a regime that would help you avoid Rottweiler health issues. You can also set up a regime specifically to keep a check on the joint problems which are most commonly seen in Rottweilers.
Conclusion
Are you a Rottweiler guardian? How old is your puppy? Have you noticed any of these health issues in your pup? If yes, how did you deal with it? The best strategy that you can use as a dog guardian is to get good pet insurance for your part as well as take him or her for annual health check-ups to the veterinarian so that any problem can be diagnosed at the earliest stages and the treatment can begin as soon as possible.
If you have any queries pertaining to this blog post or any other blog post, feel free to mention your queries in the comment section below. You can also reach me on any of my social media channels. I will be happy to help.
See you in my next blog post
Shruti
