The breed was developed in Germany in the 18th century as a working dog that would help farmers and ranchers with tasks such as pulling carts and hauling heavy loads.
The first Rottweilers were actually crosses between German Shepherds and Bull Terriers.
Today, there are many different varieties of Rottweilers.
There are two main types of Rottweilers: standard and miniature.
Standard Rottweilers are usually around 25-35 pounds (11-16 kg) at maturity.
They have long backs, short legs, and broad heads.
Their coats can range from medium-length to long or shaggy.
The coat colors include black, red, fawn, tan, white, and sable.
Many people think that the color “tiger” is an actual breed of Rottweiler, but this is not true.
Tiger Rottweilers are actually just a color variation of the American Pitbull Terrier.
Miniature Rottweilers are much smaller than their standard counterparts.
They generally weigh no more than 15 pounds (7 kg).
Miniature Rottweilers often have longer faces and shorter bodies than standard Rottweilers.
In addition, they tend to have shorter legs and shorter tails.
The coat of a miniature Rottweiler is typically shorter and lighter than that of a standard Rottweiler.
These dogs also tend to have a shorter lifespan than their larger counterparts.
If you own a Rottweiler, you will notice that they love to cuddle up on your lap.
It is important to remember that Rottweilers are very strong dogs and will need to be trained properly before they can become part of your family.
If you choose to get a Rottweiler, make sure that you do your research and find out all about how to care for them properly.
Rottweiler Anatomy
The Rottweiler is an elegant, powerful dog with a wide range of energy levels.
They can be aggressive or friendly depending on their mood.
The breed has been used in many countries around the world as a working dog, including police work, military service, and as a guard dog.
She is also very agile, powerful, and fast moving.
Her long legs allow her to reach great speeds when chasing after prey.
When you see a Rottweiler, she will appear to have a short coat, but this is actually a thick, dense undercoat that protects her skin while she runs around.
This type of hair is called “wool” because it resembles the natural fur of mammals like sheep.
The outer coat of the Rottweiler is a soft, smooth, and glossy coat that comes in various colors (red, black, white, etc.).
The Rottweiler’s head is large and oval shaped, which gives her a big, expressive face.
She has a broad forehead, square muzzle, and medium length ears.
The eyes of the Rottweiler are set wide apart and they have a dark appearance.
The tail is usually docked to prevent matting and to make it more manageable.
You may notice that your Rottweiler has a lot of drool hanging from her mouth.
You may ask yourself why would such a beautiful creature have drool dripping down its face?
Well, it’s all part of its unique anatomy.
The Science Of Drooling
In order to understand why Rottweilers drool so much, we need to look at their anatomy.
Rottweilers have two sets of major salivary glands that produce saliva.
The parotid gland sits on each side of the jaw bone.
These glands secrete saliva in response to stimulation from taste buds.
This secretion mixes with the tears produced by the lacrimal gland situated just above the eyes.
The submandibular gland lies below the mandible and secretes saliva as a result of chewing and swallowing.
When stimulated, these glands also release saliva into the mouth.
The third set of salivary glands are located in the tongue.
Each of these glands has two lobes, one on top and the other beneath.
Saliva flows freely through the openings between these lobes when they are stimulated.
There are three types of saliva in the human body.
They are:
Protein-rich saliva
This type of saliva is used to cleanse the teeth and gums.
Sugary saliva
This type of saliva is produced by the salivary glands during eating or drinking.
It contains sugar which helps to sweeten the food consumed.
Watery saliva
Water is added to this type of saliva as a result of drinking.
It is primarily used to moisten the throat and mouth.
Each of these types of saliva can be found in the saliva of some animals.
For example, the saliva of cats and dogs is predominantly protein rich while that of birds is mainly watery.
Why Does My Rottweiler Drool So Much?
Rottweilers are known to be drooly dogs, so it’s not unusual for them to produce a fair amount of saliva.
But, if your Rottweiler is drooling excessively, it could be a sign of a health problem and you should take them to the vet.
It’s important to understand that excessive drooling can have many causes.
Below we will discuss some of the most common reasons why your Rottweiler may be drooling, as well as what you can do about it.
Rottweilers Are Dry Dogs
In order to keep their coats in good condition, Rottweilers need to drink water regularly.
If they don’t get enough fluid, their coats become dry and flaky, which can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells on their fur (known as sebaceous hyperplasia).
This is especially true during the winter months.
If your Rottweiler isn’t getting enough water, this can cause him to lick his coat and produce more saliva.
This increased production of saliva will help to moisturize his fur, but it also makes him feel thirsty.
In fact, he may even start licking his feet, which can lead to further problems down the line.
Other signs of dehydration include frequent urination, lethargy, lack of appetite, and depression.
You should always make sure your Rottweiler has plenty of water available at all times.
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Treatments For Excessive Drooling
There are several ways to treat excessive drooling.
Your vet can recommend one or a combination of treatments based on the exact cause of your dog’s drooling.
Some of the more common treatments include:
Antihistamines
These medications can reduce the effects of histamine, a chemical released by irritated tissue when the body reacts to allergens, irritants, or other substances.
Stimulants
Stimulants like caffeine and ephedrine increase blood flow to the brain, which helps to stimulate salivation and reduces the desire to lick.
They also cause the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that increases pleasure and motivation.
Corticosteroids
Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid that reduces inflammation, swelling, and pain in the body.
It also reduces the release of histamine from irritated tissue, thereby reducing the urge to lick.
Botox injections
Botox is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
It blocks nerve impulses between the brain and salivary glands, preventing the gland from producing saliva.
Surgery
There are two types of surgery that can help with excessive drooling.
The first type involves cutting the nerves that control salivary glands.
The second involves removing excess skin around the mouth.
Both surgeries require anesthesia and follow up visits to monitor healing.
Is It Normal For My Rottweiler To Drool?
Drooling by itself isn’t a bad thing.
In fact, it can be beneficial because it helps to remove toxins from the body.
However, when you have an excess amount of salivation, there’s a good chance that something might be wrong with your dog.
The most common reason behind excessive drooling in dogs is due to an underlying medical condition.
There are many different reasons why a dog may drool excessively.
They may be experiencing pain or discomfort due to some type of injury.
They may also be suffering from diabetes or another form of cancer.
The most common cause of excessive drooling in dogs is actually allergies.
It’s very easy for a dog who has been exposed to certain allergens to develop an allergy to those particular substances.
When this happens, their body will begin producing too much saliva as a way to reduce the effects of these foreign particles.
Some other causes of excessive drooling include:
Degenerative joint disease (DJD)
Excessive exercise
Oral surgery
Hypothyroidism
Cancer
Neurological conditions
Hyperadrenocorticism
Chronic kidney failure
Liver disease
Heart problems
Enlarged tonsils
If your pup drools a lot, it’s important that you take him to the vet for a check up.
Keep in mind that it’s possible for a dog to experience both excessive and insufficient amounts of drooling at any given time during his lifetime.
How Can I Control My Rottweiler’s Drooling?
If your Rottweiler is drooling more than usual, there are several things that you can do to help control it.
1. Feed Them Less Often
You may think that because they are large and strong, that they require a lot of food.
This isn’t true, however.
Just like other dogs, rotties need to eat about one meal per day.
If you feed them too often, then they will have an increased chance of having their teeth overgrown or even becoming obese.
You can encourage this by taking them on long walks in the park or simply letting them run around the yard.
This will keep them happy and active, which means they won’t be as likely to drool.
3. Exercise Them
Just like we exercise our own bodies, we should also exercise our pets.
This helps with both physical and mental health issues.>
It’s important for your dog to get plenty of fresh air and sunshine, especially during the winter months when it gets dark earlier.
If possible, walk your dog outside every day.
This will give them a great workout without making them tired.
4. Make Sure Your Rooster Has Good Dental Health
Dogs’ mouths can become dry from constant licking.
One way to avoid this issue is to make sure that your dog has good dental hygiene.
Brush their teeth regularly, and don’t let them lick their tongues.
A wet tongue is a sign of poor dental hygiene.
If you notice any changes in how much they’re licking their mouth, bring them to the veterinarian immediately.
5. Be Consistent With Their Schedule
Some dogs are naturally droolers.
While this doesn’t mean that they’re going to start drooling all of a sudden, it does mean that they’ll probably continue to do it unless something changes.
Try to be consistent with their schedule.
When they wake up in the morning, make sure that you take them out on a leash and go on a short walk.
After that, try to stick to a regular feeding schedule.
If you follow these guidelines, then you shouldn’t have to worry about excessive drooling for very long.
Conclusion
The information presented in this article is based on my own research, personal experiences, and expert opinions.
This article does not replace professional medical advice.
This article was originally published October 2009.
If you have any questions or comments about this topic, please leave a comment below!
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
