Which health problems are common in the Rottweiler?
Rottweilers are prone to joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia and cruciate ligament tears, and cancer is the leading cause of death in UK vet records. Keeping them lean and having any limp checked are what owners can do.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Rottweiler owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Cruciate ligament tear. A knee ligament can tear, with a sudden limp on a back leg or not putting weight on it.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia. Joints that form loosely and wear early. Stiffness after rest or a limp in a young dog is worth a vet visit.
- Bone cancer. Osteosarcoma is more common in large, fast-growing breeds. A sudden, severe limp in an older Rottweiler needs a prompt vet visit.
- Weight gain. Common in the breed, more so after neutering. Regular weighing helps catch it early.
- Ear infections. Head shaking, scratching or a smell from the ears can mean an infection, one of the breed's common problems.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray | X-ray of the hips, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Elbow X-ray | X-ray of the elbows, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Heart exam by a cardiologist | A vet listens to the heart, and a heart specialist may add an ultrasound. Programmes certify it from 1 year of age and suggest it every year. | From 1 year · Every year |
| Eye exam by an ophthalmologist | A specialist checks the eyes for inherited problems. Screening programmes suggest repeating it every year. | Every year |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Rottweiler health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Rottweilers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2017
- Working group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme for dogs, British Veterinary Association
- BVA Elbow Dysplasia Scheme for dogs, British Veterinary Association
- Cardiac disease, OFA
- Eye certification, OFA
Start a record for your pet.
Add your pet, log the last vaccine, and you're set up. Use it in your browser, on iPhone or on Android.