Rottweilers are more than just loyal best friends, they are a big commitment and require a lot of patience. They need to be socialized as a puppy, as well as started on obedience training as soon as possible.
They will take a lot of work, and a lot of your time. While they may not look like it, they do require some consistent grooming and maintenance for their health. Hearing this makes a lot of people wonder, “ do rottweilers need haircuts? “
Do Rottweilers Need Haircuts?
Rottweilers will need haircuts occasionally, but not as often as dogs with longer fur. Since most Rottweilers have coats that are short, their haircut will consist mainly of just trimming.
Since Rottweilers have a double coat, it’s very thick and causes a lot of shedding. A way to cut down on the shedding is to maintain a shorter coat, but we’ll get more to that in a bit. Also, some Rottweilers have long hair! It’s not a common occurrence because they are mainly bred to have their iconic short coat, but it can happen.
In these cases, you will need to give the Rottie a more regular haircut to maintain the look you want for them. Truly, giving a Rottweiler a haircut is up to you and what you prefer.
Some areas of fur will grow out longer than others, so the trim will be needed to even out their coat and keep them looking clean. You have the option to cut more off if you’d like, but that’s completely dependent on what length you want your dog’s hair to be.
How Do You Groom a Rottweiler?
Rottweilers are a fairly simple easy breed to groom, and do not require much past general maintenance and care. The basics include brushing, clipping nails, annual vet check ups, and teeth brushing as needed.
They should be brushed with a pin comb or rubber brush when adults, but if they’re still puppies a bristle brush will be gentler and help them get used to being handled.
Before brushing, give your dog a few pets and make them feel relaxed as doing this also gives you the chance to see if they have any unusual bumps or knicks. You can clip your Rottweiler’s nails on your own, but if they don’t seem to take it well you can always have a groomer do it.
This option would be wise on your dog’s first clipping to show you how to properly do it and avoid injury. Additionally, sometimes your dog’s breath is just going to stink, and trust us, we know! This can be for a multitude of reasons, and may not necessarily mean a vet appointment.
The vet can brush their teeth along with the nail clipping if they’re a particularly jumpy dog, otherwise there are plenty of toothbrushes and pastes out there that will allow you to do this at home that are just as safe and effective to help the issue.
How Often Do Rottweilers Need Groomed?
They don’t need to be groomed often or for long periods of time. Some owners recommend doing a short routine everyday to keep them used to it and save you time.
Other owners will do a longer weekly routine. Either way, they should be brushed daily for a few minutes to avoid any matting of their fur. Along with this brushing you should check their teeth, ears, and paws for any injuries or build up that is unusual.
Bathing should be done often, but not too often as that can strip your Rottie’s skin of the essential oils it needs to protect it. Generally, every 2-8 weeks is how often you’ll want to bathe them, depending on how active they are.
If your dog is more on the active side and is often rolling or digging in the dirt, running around, or swimming in every lake and stream they can find, you’ll want to bathe them more often.
During their shedding season, which is typically in the spring and fall, they lose their winter or summer coat and prepare for the next season. This means extra hair all over the place for you, and some extra love and attention for them while brushing.
Are Rottweilers Easy to Groom?
Because Rottweilers have such a short coat in most cases, they are usually very easy to groom. This is good news for you if you don’t have a lot of time everyday to dedicate to grooming a dog.
As we mentioned earlier, a short routine everyday is usually all they require, with bathing as little as needed. Rottweiler puppies may be harder to groom. They still have a playful nature about them and may nip at any comb or brush you try to bring around them.
It’s important to get them used to being handled, even if that means you can only brush them for 20 seconds a day at first. You’ll want to give them reassurance and lots of petting to let them know that they are safe and you’re not going to harm them.
If they are wiggle worms, you can always take them to the groomer who is trained for these situations. They may even be willing to show you some tips and tricks to keep them calm.
How Do I Stop My Rottweiler From Shedding?
All of the advice we’ve given so far is a great way to cut down on shedding. While there is no way to completely eliminate their hair and prevent it from getting all over the house, you can do these things to cut down on the amount.
Consistent brushing is the number one way to cut down on how much your Rottweiler sheds. This removes any hair that is just laying on top of their skin, as well as prevents them from getting itchy and removing the hair themselves.
Bathing every few weeks will also help your shedding problem. Again, not too often as that will do more harm than good to your dog’s coat and skin. Another way to prevent shedding is keeping them healthy.
A nutritious diet with whole meats and grains is generally recommended and talk to your vet before making any major changes. They also tend to shed more when stressed out.
Keeping Rottweilers well exercised, giving them enough space and their own toys, and letting them outside will relieve their stress.
Conclusion
Rottweilers are fairly simple when it comes to grooming. There is not anything special you have to do to maintain their coat besides keeping them healthy and happy and having a short daily brushing routine.
This routine can be used as a way to bond with your dog and may even become a part of their day that you both look forward to. They will still shed, but staying consistent and being patient will benefit you both in the long run.
