The Rottweiler has a strong willingness to work and can be quite independent, though always loyal to its owner. Irresponsible ownership can bring out potentially dangerous behavior in the Rottweiler. Rottweilers have a strong instinct to protect. If this instinct is not nurtured and is guided in the wrong direction, the Rottweiler can be a handful indeed. This breed is an excellent herding dog, thought to be one of the oldest herding breeds, and is known for its forceful method of herding. Rottweilers are known to be able to herd especially tough stock, but have also been known to bond and be affectionate with the sheep it may be in charge of herding as long as the sheep do as the dog commands.

It’s obvious that the Rottweiler can be a tough and independent breed to own. The Rottweiler is certainly not suited to every owner. So how much exercise do Rottweilers require to stay in their prime mental and physical condition?

A daily run, walk, and active in-yard play is the minimum amount of exercise that your Rottweiler should be getting daily. If you feed your Rottweiler too much or exercise it too little, this breed can be prone to gaining weight quickly. While many Rottweilers are known for their placid and calm demeanor, exercise is very important to maintain this temperament.

The Rottweiler is a very versatile breed and is suited for many different types of exercise and dog sports. It can handle and enjoy anything from personal protection sports like Schutzhund to Carting and, of course, Herding.

Make sure to socialize your Rottweiler from a young age with people and other dogs. They are known to be quite aloof and may not warm up to strangers easily. Socialization and play with other dogs from a young age will help you to raise a fit, balanced dog.

If you live in an apartment and are considering getting a Rottweiler, please think long and hard about whether or not you’ll be able to give this amazing, independent, active breed the exercise it needs to stay healthy and happy. Sure, your Rottweiler will survive in an apartment. But this is a breed that was born to run, herd, protect, and do a job. Beware potential behavioral and physical health problems should you fail to provide it with sufficient exercise.

Obesity can cause serious health problems in dogs. Weight gain and loss can also be caused by underlying health problems. If your Rottweiler is obese or experiences sudden weight gain or weight loss, it is always recommended to take it to a vet for a checkup.

Here are some ideas you can use to free up some time after work (assuming you work full time) to go out and run, cycle, or do another form of exercise with your dog:

Takeout night

If you’re the type who cooks for yourself or your family night, consider starting a new tradition – takeout night. One night a week, order a pizza or some other form of takeout. Sure, it may not be as healthy for you as a home cooked meal (and that even depends on how healthy your meals are), but if you and your family take your dog for a run instead you’ll get the physical benefits of exercise anyway. You can also consider having a leftover night. Cook up more food than you normally would the night before. This allows you to free up time for dog exercise by finishing off what’s left the next day.

Cut down 10 minutes of TV or computer time

You may be the kind who comes home from work and just wants to relax in front of the TV. That’s understandable – you’ve been working all day and are exhausted, all you want to do is relax. However, cutting down 10 minutes of TV or computer time after work gives you a great opportunity to go for a cycle with your dog. Cycling at a moderate to high pace for 10 minutes (remember to do a quick warmup, though!) is sure to tire your dog out at least a little.

Get your kids to exercise your dog

If you have teenage kids who you know have control of your dog and trust to take your dog out on their own, why not get them to go out for some fetch or a jog at the park? Not only will your dog get some great exercise, but your kids will also get some fresh air.

Skip the gym

You might be one of those people who go to the gym before or after work. Set aside a couple of days per week where instead of going to the gym, you use that time to go for a run with your dog. Cardio is an important aspect to being fit and working out anyway, and running outside is much more fun that running on a treadmill.

Organize dog walking sessions with your neighbors

If your neighbors or other residents of your neighborhood also have dogs, they’re likely to be in the same boat as you when it comes to finding the time for dog exercise. Organize a routine where you alternate exercising each others’ dogs before or after work. Each day a different neighbor can take up to three or so dogs and take them for a walk or run. With two dogs you can even get two bike attachments and cycle with them both running on either side simultaneously. This way everyone’s dogs get some exercise and the time requirement for each dog owner is lightened by sharing the responsibility. Make sure that you know the people you’re doing this with well and trust that they can handle your dog and walking several dogs at once .

Organize dog play sessions

Similar to the above, find some dog owners in your neighborhood who own friendly dogs. Introduce your dogs and, if they get along, make weekly dog play sessions a regular event. All the dogs in the neighborhood can meet at one owner’s house (preferably one with a large backyard) or local park where dogs are allowed off leash. Dogs can often tire each other out through play better than you can.

These are just a few ideas you can consider to free up some time to keep your dog fit. If you have any of your own ideas or techniques for freeing up some time for dog exercise, post them in the comments below.

• A leash, preferably longer than 6 feet which allows some roaming room but is still comfortable for you to hold. You can also try using a waist harness instead, to attach the leash to your hip instead of having to carry it around.
• A portable water bowl or a dog water bottle.
• Plastic bags to clean up after your dog

In addition to these two mandatory pieces of equipment, you can also consider bringing along the following:

• A toy for your dog, such as a tennis ball
• Some dog treats
• A dog backpack. This will allow your dog to carry its own water bottle and plastic bags while hiking with your dog.
• An extra collar and leash. You never know what might happen on your hike and don’t want to get stuck far away from home with no way to have total control over the situation.

Make sure that you and your dog are ready for the hiking trip. If you have a fat pooch who’s been a couch potato since he was a puppy, your dog probably won’t be ready for a day-long hike. Get your dog in shape gradually and look before you leap into a long hiking trip with your dog. Keeda and I sometimes go to the undeveloped area in the back of the neighbourhood, where there are large sand dunes and patches of trees and clearings. It isn’t as great as hiking in a proper forest, but there’s plenty of open space to run, play, and explore freely.

Many people choose to let their dog roam free off the leash on hiking trips. This is great in hiking areas where off-leash dogs are permitted. Make sure that your dog is well behaved and has a good recall if you decide to do this. This way you can avoid any potential trouble while hiking with your dog on your trip.