Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Rottweilers Live. Rottweiler Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Rottweiler Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Rottweiler, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Rottweilers
- How Old is Your Rottweiler in Human Years
- How Long Do Rottweilers Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Rottweiler Live Long
- Conclusion on Rottweiler Life Expectancy
How Long Rottweilers Live. Rottweiler Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Rottweiler is from 8 to 11 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Rottweiler. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 137 pet Rottweilers lived.
From the study, it was found that Rottweilers have a average lifespan of 8.92 years. Furthermore, the study found that Rottweilers can live for as long as 16.7 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Rottweilers.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Rottweilers are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Infectious Disease: Problem caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi.
- Hematopoietic Disease: Problems having to do with platelets, blood vessels, or clotting factors.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Rottweiler to make your Rottweiler live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Rottweiler have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Rottweiler is in human years? Then, check out our Rottweiler age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Rottweiler Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Rottweiler compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Toy Poodle Lifespan | 14.60 |
| Basenji Lifespan | 13.50 |
| Bedlington Terrier Lifespan | 13.30 |
| Parson Russell Terrier Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Whippet Lifespan | 12.70 |
| Collie Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Pointer Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Cardigan Welsh Corgi Lifespan | 12.10 |
| Miniature Schnauzer Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Basset Hound Lifespan | 11.20 |
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Airedale Terrier Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Havanese Lifespan | 10.20 |
| German Wirehaired Pointer Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Australian Shepherd Lifespan | 9.00 |
| Spinone Italiano Lifespan | 9.00 |
| Rottweiler Lifespan | 8.92 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog Lifespan | 8.00 |
| Bullmastiff Lifespan | 7.46 |
| Kooikerhondje Lifespan | 3.92 |
Common Causes of Death in Rottweiler, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Rottweiler, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Rottweiler.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Rottweilers
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 29.6 percent of all deaths in Rottweilers.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Rottweiler
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Rottweilers
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Rottweilers (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Rottweilers is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Rottweilers is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Rottweilers is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Rottweilers with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Rottweiler. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Rottweiler`s gums look pale.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Rottweilers
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 16.8 percent of all deaths in Rottweilers.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Rottweiler
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Rottweilers are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Rottweilers can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Rottweilers
One way that you can help improve your Rottweiler`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Rottweiler joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Rottweiler to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Rottweilers a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Rottweiler`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Rottweiler eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Rottweiler is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Rottweiler is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Rottweiler on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Rottweilers
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 15.2 percent of all deaths in Rottweilers.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Rottweiler
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Rottweiler eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Rottweiler stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Rottweiler is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Rottweiler has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Rottweilers
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Rottweiler`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Infectious Disease in Rottweilers
There are many types of infectious diseases: bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections. Different diseases have different causes and they affect different parts of the body. For example, E. coli causes an infection in the intestines which can cause diarrhea in humans and dogs, whereas Demodex is a parasite on dog skin.
Infectious Disease is responsible for 14.8 percent of all deaths in Rottweilers.
Causes of Infectious Disease in Rottweiler
All infectious agents fall into two categories: the ones that invade the body from the outside, and the ones that are living in or on the body that experience an overgrowth. For example, staphylococcus aureus is a normal bacteria found on the skin; however, it can cause skin infections if its growth gets out of hand. Both types of infectious agents can be stopped by the body`s immune response. Internal infectious agents can also be prevented by probiotics.
How to Prevent Infectious Disease in Rottweilers
If your Rottweiler seems like they are not doing well, you should take them to the veterinarian so they can decide if your dog needs antibiotics, fluids, a dewormer, or other therapies. When your Rottweiler is well, you can support their immune health through nutrition, probiotics like this and vitamins.
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Hematopoietic Disease in Rottweilers
Normally, the body can regulate its own blood pressure and fluid volume without outside help. However, issues in hematopoesis can cause high or low blood pressure, blood clots, edema (fluid where it`s not supposed to be, like in the lungs), and even shock.
Hematopoietic Disease is responsible for 9.7 percent of all deaths in Rottweilers.
Causes of Hematopoietic Disease in Rottweiler
The causes of hematopoietic problems usually involve inflammation and immune responses gone wrong. This can cause congestion, hemorrhage, and many more problems.
How to Prevent Hematopoietic Disease in Rottweilers
Talk to your veterinarian if your dog`s gums or skin look very pale or very red. It`s also a good idea to talk to your vet if your dog is experiencing exercise intolerance. Many parasites can cause internal bleeding, so you should have your dog on flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives all year round. Here is a good flea and tick prevention medication (buy the box associated with your pet`s weight!).
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Rottweilers
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Rottweiler is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Rottweiler`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Rottweiler`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Rottweiler offsprings by only breeding Rottweiler that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Rottweiler puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Rottweiler breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Rottweiler has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Rottweiler for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Rottweiler a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Rottweilers for:
How Old is Your Rottweiler in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Rottweiler. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Rottweiler is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Rottweiler is 8.92 years.
Rottweilers are medium-sized dogs. Rottweilers weigh 85 to 130 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Rottweiler in converting Rottweiler age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Rottweiler`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Rottweiler`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Rottweiler`s human age. If you do not know your Rottweiler`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Rottweiler is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Rottweiler`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Rottweiler`s up-to-date human age.
Rottweiler Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Rottweiler age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Rottweiler`s human age based on your Rottweiler`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Rottweiler`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Rottweiler Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 21 |
| 3 | 26 |
| 4 | 32 |
| 5 | 37 |
| 6 | 42 |
| 7 | 46 |
| 8 | 50 |
| 9 | 54 |
| 10 | 58 |
| 11 | 62 |
| 12 | 66 |
| 13 | 71 |
| 14 | 75 |
| 15 | 80 |
| 16 | 85 |
How Long Do Rottweilers Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Rottweiler is 8.92 years. In human years, the Rottweiler lives for 54 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Rottweiler in Human Years?
A 1-year old Rottweiler is 14 years old in human years.
How Old is 3-year-old Rottweiler in Human Years?
A 3-year old Rottweiler is 26 years old in human years.
How Old is 4-year-old Rottweiler in Human Years?
A 4-year old Rottweiler is 32 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Rottweiler in Human Years?
A 7-year old Rottweiler is 46 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Rottweiler Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Rottweiler live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Rottweiler fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Rottweiler does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Rottweiler will have a shorter lifespan than a Rottweiler that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Rottweiler high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Rottweiler. Check out our Rottweiler feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Rottweiler from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Rottweiler existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Rottweiler has access to clean water whenever your Rottweiler needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Rottweiler. See our Rottweiler water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Rottweiler.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Rottweiler might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Rottweiler.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Rottweiler is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Rottweiler’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Rottweiler teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Rottweiler Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Rottweiler`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.