Facts about Rottweilers

 

Country/Region of Origin: Germany

 Life span: 9 to 12 years

 Weight:  40 - 60 kg (88.1 – 132.2 pounds)

 Gestation:  61 - 65 days

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rottweiler Health issues:

 

Diabetes

Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia
Von Willebrands Disease
Epilepsy
Bloat and Gastric Torsion
Cataracts
Hypothyroidism

 

 

Interesting Facts about Rottweiler’s:

The Rottweiler is thought to be an ancestor of the Italian Mastiff which originated from the Roman Empire.

They were used by the Roman army for herding and guarding their cattle which was as source of food for them.

The Rottweiler was named after a small town in the southern mountainous regions of Germany called “Rottweil”. The Roman army would often leave their dogs in Rottweil and continue with their travels.

In Rottweil these dogs were bred for a number of different tasks which included pulling dairy carts for famers, herding cattle, guarding shops as well as safe-guarding and carrying money to and from the bank.

Butchers often used Rottweiler’s to protect their money when traveling through town which earned them the name ‘Metzgerhund’ (Butcher’s dog).

Rotties almost became extinct in Rottweil as they were replaced by donkeys to pull the carts around.

This particular breed of herding dog would steer cattle by leaning against them which is possibly why they have this old habit of leaning on people.

The Rottweiler was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1931.

In the 1980’s this breed was ranked as the second most popular dog by the AKC and in 2012 was ranked at #9.

Today Rottweiler’s are used as guide dogs, guard dogs and as rescue dogs by the police.

When compared, the German Rottweiler is shorter and more muscular than the American Rottweiler which has a taller and more slender build.

These beautiful dogs get a lot of negative publicity which makes people very wary of them but to contrary belief Rottweiler’s are incredibly gentle and awesome with children, which makes them very popular as family dogs.

Interesting Facts about Boston Terriers

Country/Region of Origin: United States

Life span: 13 – 15 years

Weight:  10 – 25 pounds (4.5 – 11.3 kg)

Gestation:  61 – 65 days.

Health issues in Boston Terriers:

• Brachycephalic Syndrome
• Patellar Luxation
• Hemivertebrae
• Allergic Dermatitis
• Corneal ulcers
• Juvenile cataracts
• Adult cataracts
• Cherry eye
• Dry eye
• Glucoma

Interesting Facts on Boston Terriers:

The Boston terrier was a cross breed between the English bulldog at the white English Terrier.

Boston Terriers were originally bred to be fighter dogs after the Civil War.

They are known by a variety of different names and nicknames such as Boston bulls, Round heads and the American Gentleman.

It became accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1893 and was recognised as the first American breed.

Pure bred Boston Terriers are normally black and white with equal proportions of the white and dark markings, as per the AKC.

Puppies are normally delivered by caesarean section at birth due to their large round heads.

Boston terriers are not ‘Terriers’ but instead more a Bulldog breed.

Some Boston terriers never bark at all.

Early breeds were considerably taller and were then bred down in size

 

Top 10 Most Intelligent Dogs

The intelligence of a specific dog is measured in a number of ways which is done by using a canine IQ test. The dog is tested on its’ problem-solving, train-ability, learning abilities as well as obedience.  

In order from most intelligent dog:

                                             # 1 Border Collie

                                            # 2 Poodle

                                    # 3 German Shepherd

                                  # 4 Golden Retriever

                                     # 5 Shetland Sheepdog

                                  # 6 Labrador Retriever

# 7 Papillion

                                                # 8 Doberman

                                         # 9 Rottweiler

                                   # 10 Australian Cattle Dog

Bearded Collie Information

Country/Region of Origin: Scotland

Life span: 14 – 16 years

Weight: 39.7 – 59.5 pounds (18 – 27 kg)

Gestation:  61 - 65 days

Health issues in Bearded Collies:

• Colic disease
• Hip dysplasia
• Cataracts
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Epilepsy
• von Willebrand’s disease
• Auto-immune diseases such as Haemolytic anaemia and Thrombocytopaenia 

Interesting Facts on Bearded Collies:

The word “collie” is a Scottish word meaning “herding dog”. The Bearded Collie also has very long facial hair just like a beard, hence the name Bearded Collie.

The Bearded Collie was previously known by the names Highland Collie, Mountain Collie, Hairy Mountain Dog and Scottish Bearded Collie.

One of their nicknames is “Beardie”.

As they often herded in thick vegetation and had the tendency to bouncing up to see the sheep they also earned the nickname “Bouncing Beardie”.

They were bred for herding sheep and because of this inbred skill when playing children it may try to herd them.

There are no accurate records of where and when the Bearded Collie originated but it is believed that a merchant from Poland in the 16th century traded some goods for a pair of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs. These were possibly bred with the local collies resulting in the first “Bearded Collie”.

They were almost extinct during the Second World War.

Australian Cattle Dog Facts

Country/Region of Origin: Australia

Life span: 13 to 15 years

Weight:  30 – 62 pounds (13.6 – 28.1kg)

Gestation:  61 – 65 days.

Health Issues in Australian Cattle Dogs:

• Deafness
• Elbow dysplasia
• Hip dysplasia
• Luxating patella
• Osteochondritis
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), which can cause blindness.
• Von Willebrand’s disease

Interesting Facts on Australian Cattle Dogs:

Australian Cattle Dogs were originally bred to herd cattle in Australia.

There are no clear records on the first ACD’s bred but it is thought that they were bred by crossing the Dingo with the Dalmatian and a variety of different collies by the Hall family in the early 1800’s.

Australian Cattle dogs are often used to play the roles of Dingo’s in films.

Their alternative names are Hall’s Heeler, Queensland Heeler or Blue Heeler.

When herding cattle they will often bite or nip them on the heels, hence the name “Heeler”

Many cattle farmers will train their inexperienced Australian Cattle Dogs on ducks.

The second oldest living dog ever recorded was an Australian Cattle dog named Bluey who was born in 1910 and by the ripe old age of 29 was put to sleep in 1939.

ACD puppies are born totally white and by a few weeks their coat turns into a blue or reddish colour.