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Pet Insurance for Rottweiler

Find out all about Rottweilers and their common health conditions, and then compare pet insurance options from some of Australia’s leading insurers.

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, updated on October 4th, 2023       

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Price range

$500 –$3,000

Height

61cm–70cm

Weight

38kg - 60kg

Personality

Loyal, confident, protective

Coat length

Short

Exercise needs

High

Kid-friendly?

No

Life expectancy

8 - 10 years

Rottweiler

Overview

The Rottweiler, often called the ‘Rottie,’ is a large, powerful working dog originating from Germany. They are known for their strength, loyalty, and intelligence. Rottweilers are descended from Mastiffs that were brought to Germany by the Roman legions over 2,000 years ago. These dogs were used to drive cattle and pull carts laden with produce to market. In the 19th century, Rottweilers began to be used as police dogs and guard dogs. They were also used in the military during both World Wars. Today, Rottweilers are still popular working dogs, but they are also popular family pets. 

Rottweilers are large dogs with a muscular build. They have a broad head and a powerful jaw. Their coat is short and dense, and it comes in a black and rust colour. Rottweilers are known for being intelligent, loyal, and courageous dogs. They are also known for being protective of their family and territory. Rottweilers can be stubborn at times, but they are generally good with children and other pets when properly trained and socialised. Rottweilers are suitable for active owners who can provide them with regular strenuous exercise and lots of attention and socialisation. They are not suitable for first-time dog owners or people who live in small apartments. 

Common diseases and conditions of Rottweilers

  • Hip Dysplasia: This is a common orthopaedic condition affecting the joint's development. It can lead to discomfort and mobility issues.  
  • Elbow Dysplasia: Another common orthopaedic condition that affects the elbow joints and can lead to lameness and mobility issues. 
  • Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat): A serious condition where the stomach twists, potentially causing a life-threatening emergency. 
  • Degenerative myelopathy (DM): This is a disease that affects the spinal cord in dogs, causing progressive muscle weakness and loss of coordination.   

Breed-specific issues: 

Rottweilers have a very high prey drive, so they will often run and chase after anything that moves. Therefore, they should always be supervised around smaller animals, and should never be left alone with children. Strong, tall, reliable fencing is required to keep a Rottweiler secured in a backyard to protect the postman and other visitors to the house.

How much does pet insurance cost for a Rottweiler?

Most Australians can expect to pay between $20 and $60 a month for pet insurance. There are many factors that can influence the cost of pet insurance for your dog, which is why it's important to compare pet insurance policies. Factors affecting the cost of your insurance include: 

  • Age: The older your dog is, the more pet insurance is likely to cost. This is because senior dogs tend to have more physical health conditions and illnesses due to age, and so present a higher insurance risk.    
  • Type of insurance you choose:  There are three basic types of pet insurance available in Australia; accident-only, accident and illness, and comprehensive insurance. An accident-only policy is the cheapest type of insurance available, with comprehensive coverage costing the most.  
  • The policy annual limit: Each pet insurance policy has an annual limit, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out on the policy in one financial year. Annual limits range from around $10,000 up to $25,000 or more.   
  • Sub-limits: In addition to an annual limit, there may also be sub-limits that apply to the policy, for example, a $300 sub-limit for consultation fees, or a $5,000 limit for cruciate ligament conditions.   
  • Benefit percentage: Pet insurance does not cover 100% of the cost of your vet bill. Instead, it may pay a percentage of the total bill. This can range from 50% for cheaper policies, up to 90% for the best policies available.   
  • Excess amount: This is the amount you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each time you make a claim on your policy. Some pet insurance policies do not come with an excess amount, whilst others do.  
  • Any add-ons you choose: It’s possible to add on more cover options to a basic policy, such as emergency boarding fees, routine care and dental care. These add-ons extend the scope of your pet insurance, but do increase the overall cost of the policy.  
  • Discounts: some insurers offer discounts of between 5% and 15% if you have multiple pets insured together, if you pay your premium annually, or if you bundle your pet insurance with other forms of insurance with the same company.
  • Gap-only insurance options: Some insurance companies offer a gap-only insurance option, which means when you go to the vet you'll only be required to pay the gap amount, not the cost of the whole bill. This is similar to the Medicare system of health insurance for humans in Australia, where gap payments can be made at HICAPS terminals at the time of treatment. 

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Why compare pet insurance with Savvy?

Common questions about Rottweilers

Are Rottweilers aggressive? 

No, Rottweilers are not inherently aggressive. However, like any dog, they can be trained to become aggressive if they are required to perform guard dog duties or to protect people or property. They are naturally protective of their family and territory, so they will bark or growl at strangers or people they perceive as a threat. However, no large dog should ever be left alone with babies or children, and Rottweilers are no exception to this rule.  

Do Rottweilers respond well to ‘alpha male’ training?

No. Alpha male training is a controversial method of dog training that is based on the idea that dogs are pack animals and that the owner must be the dominant alpha male in the pack. This type of training can involve physical punishment and dominance exercises. There is no scientific evidence to support the use of alpha male training. In fact, this type of training can actually make dogs more aggressive. Rottweilers are intelligent and independent dogs, and they respond best to positive reinforcement training. 

How much exercise do Rottweilers need?

Rottweilers are medium to very large dogs, and they need a lot of regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. A daily walk of at least 60 minutes is ideal, but Rottweilers also enjoy playing fetch and other activity games to provide mental stimulation.  

Do Rottweilers bark a lot?

Rottweilers are generally moderate barkers. They may bark to alert their owners of something, or simply if they are excited or bored. However, they are not typically known for excessive barking. Overall, Rottweilers are loving and loyal companions that make great pets for highly active families. However, it is important to remember that they are large dogs that require proper training and socialisation from an early age if they are to be successful family pets.  

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Whether you're buying for your dog or cat and whether they're big or small, you can compare pet insurance policies tailored to your furry friend's needs from Savvy's panel of trusted Australian insurers. Grab a free, no-obligation quote today!
Rottweiler

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