6. Rottweiler

(Image by Kusadasi-Guy under a CC attribution licence)

The Rottweiler is also called Rottweil Metzgerhund, which literally translates to “Butcher’s Dog”. Many people are terrified of the Rottweiler because of its massive and powerful body and the stories which they have heard concerning the breed. However, the Rottie has been a loyal and devoted pet to many families. Their loyalty and protective instincts are immensely great that in the presence of threats and danger, they will risk their lives to defend the pack.

Rottweilers are highly intelligent. Aside from being excellent house pets and guard dogs, they are one of the top choices for police, military and customs work. Rotties can grow to a height of 25-27 inches and can weight 115-130 pounds. You can keep a Rottie in an apartment as long as it is given sufficient exercise every day.

The breed is thought to have descended from the Italian Mastiff which was used as a guard dog, working dog, messenger dog, and for police work during the Middle Ages. The German Rottweiler Club (DRK) was first established in 1907 and the breed was given official recognition by the AKC in 1931.

Today a Rottweiler can cost around $2,000 – $8,000.