One is the fourth most popular dog breed in America and for good reason—they’re super-sweet,
highly intelligent, naturally athletic, gentle with kids, and to top it all off…they look
like living sunshine.
The other is the strong, quiet type—calm, courageous, and built like a muscle-bound
bouncer.
These two dogs might seem like polar opposites, but in this edition of Animal Facts, we’ll
take a closer look at the differences and similarities between the Golden Retriever
and the Rottweiler to help you decide which one is your “top dawg.”
History
The first Golden Retrievers were developed in the Victorian Era by Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley
Marjoribanks (try saying that three times).
Tweedmouth’s endgame was to create the quintessential gundog to retrieve game at his estate in the
Scottish Highlands.
Tweedmouth crossed the dog known as the “Yellow Retriever” with the Tweed Water Spaniel
and further down the line, he added the Bloodhound and Irish Setter to the mix, thus creating
the genetic foundation of the Golden Retriever we know today.
The modern-day Goldie made its debut in 1908 at a British dog show.
Soon afterward, the breed made its way to America and was the new darling of the dog
world, coveted by sport hunters, show enthusiasts, and animal-loving families.
Although the Golden Retriever was sought-after from the start, its popularity surged in the
1970s when President Gerald Ford introduced his dog, Liberty, to America.
Fun Fact: President Ronald Reagan also owned a Golden Retriever, Victory, during his presidency.
The Rottweiler is an ancient herding breed that is thought to be a descendant of the
drover dogs of ancient Rome.
Drovers were strong, reliable, Mastiff-type dogs that were used to herd and guard cattle
used by Roman soldiers for food.
Eventually, the Romans made their way into southern Germany, and the Drover dog became
an essential part of the cattle trade and remained so, even after the Romans were forced
out of the area.
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, these dogs were used by travelling butchers to guard
money pouches that were tied to their necks, and herders would use them to protect and
move cattle from pasture to market in the town of Rottweil—the town that gave them
their name.
The Industrial Age saw a decline in the breed, as railroads became the most efficient means
of getting stock to market.
The demand for police dogs during World War I spurred a resurgence of the Rottweiler.
They served as messengers, ambulance and guard dogs, as well as in search and rescue operations—a
duty that they still perform today.
In 1931, the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, and today the
Rottweiler is the eighth most popular dog breed in the U.S.
Size and Appearance
In terms of appearance, the Golden Retriever is the “beach babe” or “surfer dude”
of the canine world.
The average height and weight for male Goldies is 22 to 24 inches and 65 to 75 pounds, and
females range between 20 and 24 inches and 55 to 65 pounds.
There are three types of Golden Retriever: British, American and Canadian.
British Goldies have a broader skull and their muzzles are more defined than the other types.
They also have more muscular forequarters than the North American varieties.
The breed takes its name from the thick, wavy, double coat that comes in various shades of
yellow, from cream to gold.
Typically, the British coat is lighter in color than those of the American and Canadian.
The eyes are dark and round, while the others’ eyes are almond-shaped.
American Goldies are less muscular than the other subgroups.
They tend to have lighter eyes and darker coats that are slightly feathered, and range
from a deep yellow to a reddish gold.
Canadian Goldies usually have shorter, thinner coats and can be as much as two inches taller
than their counterparts.
If the Goldie is the “surfer dude” of the canine world, then the Rott is the “muscle
head.”
The Rottweiler is a medium to large breed dog with a large head and broad muzzle.
It is deep-chested and thickly muscled from its head to its hindquarters.
The average male stands 24 and 27 inches at the withers, and weighs between 110 and 132
pounds.
Females typically stand 22 to 25 inches at the withers and weigh anywhere from 77 to
105 pounds.
Its short, dense, double coat is black with distinct brown markings on the brow, cheeks,
snout, chest, and legs.
Fun Fact: Unlike other breeds, the colors and markings of a Rottweiler do not vary from
dog to dog.
They will always be black with brown patches that come in one of three shades—rust, mahogany
and tan.
Temperament and Family Life
Goldies never meet a stranger and are treasured for their gentle, yet confident demeanor.
They also tend to be calm, trusting, and eager to please.
All of these qualities make them the ideal family pet, especially if you have school-age
children.
On the other hand, these same attributes render them basically useless as guard dogs.
Oh well…you can’t have it all.
It takes about three to four years minimum for a Golden Retriever to mature.
Until then, they’ll have the lively, silly, playful temperament of the puppy you first
fell in love with.
Some of them never lose their youthful charm, and “suffer” from Peter Pan syndrome well
into their later years.
Fun Fact: Two Golden Retrievers have had their achievements documented in the Guinness Book
of World Records.
One holds the record for the loudest bark at 113.1 decibels and the other for the most
tennis balls held in the mouth—five.
As is typical of most “big dog” breeds, Rotties carry themselves in a quiet, confident
manner but they tend to be big softies when interacting with their people.
Although they’re known for their alertness and protective instincts, they love to let
their guard down and clown around with family.
Since Rottweilers have a natural inclination to be territorial, they make excellent guard
dogs.
They tend to be aloof with strangers, but will warm up to new people or environments
if given a little time.
It is imperative to properly train and socialize your Rottie as a pup, so that you won’t
have an exceptionally strong, aggressive bully on your hands.
Trainability and Intelligence
Due in part to its mild temperament, strong desire to please, and exceptional intelligence,
the Golden Retriever is one of the easiest breeds to train.
The Goldie is a working breed, so it always needs something to do, and in recent years
it has become the most popular service dog.
The combination of intelligence, agility, patience, and docility are the “perfect
storm” of qualities that are desired in an assistance, therapy, search and rescue,
or emotional support animal.
Also, Goldens are the most forgiving dog to novice trainers with their innate desire to
please their human companions.
The Rottweiler may be built like a bulldozer, but it’s more than just a “muscle head.”
According to canine psychologist, Stanley Coren, the Rott is the 10th smartest dog breed
in regards to trainability…and that’s a good thing, because its size and strength
combined with its territorial instincts can make for a rather destructive loose cannon.
Rottweilers can also be stubborn, so be sure your personality is strong enough to handle
one.
This is a dog that is best suited to someone who is assertive, and can be firm and consistent
when giving commands.
If you let your Rottie take the lead, it will be more than happy to train you.
Professional training and socialization is recommended for all Rottweilers, especially
if you are a first time Rott parent.
True to their working roots, this is a breed that needs something to do.
Since they rank highly in obedience training, they often serve in the military, law enforcement,
search and rescue and as customs inspectors.
They are also frequently used as therapy and guide dogs.
Fun (or not so fun) Fact: Rottweilers have a bite force of 328 pounds.
Exercise Needs
There’s nothing that a beach babe or surfer dude loves more than fun in the sun and true
to form, the Golden Retriever loves nothing more than an action-packed romp in the great
outdoors.
To curb boredom and weight gain, your Golden boy or girl will need at least an hour of
exercise each day, which can be split into two 30 minute sessions.
Since they were bred to retrieve shot waterfowl—they have a soft mouth that is ideal for grasping
game without damaging it—a vigorous game of fetch is always a great way for them to
stay in tip top shape.
Take your buddy for a brisk walk or jog in the park or neighborhood, or for a change
of scenery and more challenging terrain, check out a hiking trail.
Since Goldies were developed to recover aquatic birds, it’s only natural that they love
swimming.
It’s a great way for you both to stay cool in the summer, and for them to have fun in
the winter.
They’re not very sensitive to cold because their top coat is water repellent, and their
undercoat, which helps cools them off when it’s hot, also keeps them warm when it’s
chilly.
Other forms of exercise that are good for Goldies include agility training, dock diving,
tug-of-war, and “hide and go seek the treats”—a game that will not only give them a great
physical workout, but a fantastic mental workout as well.
Just like any well-sculpted bodybuilder, your Rottweiler will need a workout regimen that
will keep their muscles tight, toned, and flab free, burn excess energy, and bust boredom.
A healthy Rott requires at least 45 minutes to an hour of exercise each day.
The foundation of any dog’s exercise routine should be a daily walk or two at a brisk pace.
Your Rottweiler will be no different in this regard, but how long the walk lasts will depend
on your stamina—not theirs.
Walks should last a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes, and be supplemented by activities that build
muscle.
Stair climbing, swimming, tug-of-war and weight pulling are great for overall conditioning.
Want to kick your fetch game up a notch?
Play weighted fetch.
Instead of tossing a ball or a stick around, use a lightly weighted item like a small,
plastic dumbbell or sand-filled water bottle.
Since Rottweilers have well-developed chests and shoulders, it is important that the muscles
in their hips and hindquarters develop properly.
Doggy squats (which are very similar to human squats) are a great way to strengthen the
thighs, and having your pup walk into a narrow space and walk backward to get out of it,
will work the hip extensor muscles.
Don’t forget to work your dog’s “main muscle”—the brain.
To stimulate mental activity, add chew toys, new tricks, and puzzle, scenting, and nose
games to the mix.
Health and Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is 10 to 12 years.
We know…not long enough for these gentle pups, or any dog for that matter.
Although they are a generally healthy breed, there are certain diseases and infirmities
that Goldies are particularly susceptible to.
Hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, allergies, progressive retinal atrophy, and OCD—no,
not that OCD, but osteochondrosis dissecans, a condition caused by overgrowth of joint
cartilage are some of the chronic ailments that are manageable, but can affect the quality
of a Golden Retriever’s life.
Some life-threatening illnesses that Goldies are prone to include subvalvular aortic stenosis
(a heart condition that can cause fainting or sudden death), osteosarcoma (bone cancer),
bloat, and hemangiosarcoma (a cancer that originated in the blood vessels), and Von
Willebrand’s Disease (canine hemophilia).
The average lifespan of a Rottweiler is eight to ten years—again, not long enough.
So, it’s a good idea to focus on making sure your dog’s quality of life is the best
it can be.
A great starting point is to be aware of the health conditions associated with the breed.
Like most large-breed dogs, Rotts are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, and dilated
cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart becomes enlarged.
Osteosarcoma, an aggressive type of bone cancer, is another disease that large-breeds like
Rottweilers are susceptible to.
Treatments such as amputation and chemotherapy can substantially extend the life a dog with
this form of cancer.
Like this video, here are playlists that feature each breed.
Might wanna check them out.
Thanks for hanging with me.
And as always catch ya next time.