| Country of origin: | Germany |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Drover, police dog, guardian, companion |
| Size: | 41–50kg (90–110lb), 58–69cm (23–27in) |
| Longevity: | 8 to 10 years |
| Exercise: | Moderate |
| Training: | Moderate; retains training well |
| Grooming: | Easy |
| Colors: | Black and tan |
Bred in Rottweil in southern Germany as a droving and cattle dog, the Rottweiler’s closest relative is probably the Great Swiss Mountain Dog. The two breeds share a variety of mental traits, including a relative ease of obedience training combined with a formidable protection instinct. It can be difficult to read a Rottweiler’s body language, and this breed can be unreliable as a consequence – the mood can change in a second from delight to anger, with the only visible sign being dilating eyes. High incidence of malignant bone cancer accounts for the foreshortened median life expectancy of only 9.8 years.