
The Rottweiler, commonly shortened to “Rottie,” is a working class breed that is a descendant of the Mastiff line. The large breed dogs are used for home and personal protection as well as a loving, playful member of the family.
Properly trained, the Rottie will be confident, protective and not overly aggressive.
Often given a bad rep because of their solid strength and powerful build, Rotties which have been socialized actually get along nicely with people and other dogs. They can be downright gentle and protective of their human family and are fairly easy to live with for such big dogs.
- Breed Overview
- Fast Facts
- Best Dog Food for Rottweiler
- 1. Ollie Pet Food (Lamb)
- 2. Supreme Source Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe
- 3. Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain Formula
- 4. Nom Nom Pork Potluck
- 5. Ziwi Peak Beef Air-Dried Dog Food
- 6. We Feed Raw Duck Patty
- 7. American Journey Duck & Sweet Potato Canned Dog Food
- 8. Farmina Natural & Delicious Prime Lamb & Blueberry
- 9. Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy
- 10. Now Fresh Grain-Free Senior Formula
- Why Quality Food Matters
- Common Health Issues
- What to Look for In Quality Dog Food?
- Ingredients to Avoid
- Dietary Considerations For Your Rottie
- Feeding Chart
- Tail End
However, your Rottie is also genetically predisposed to certain diseases like obesity, joint and bone problems, IBD, and more. It’s therefore important that you choose the best dog food for Rottweilers to ensure that he lives a long, full, and healthy life.
Let us all take a closer look on what would be the Best Dog food for Rottweilers in our detailed reviews below.
Breed Overview
Pedigree: Rottweilers are working dogs descended from the Roman Legions’ great mastiffs. They’re known for their black base coats and tan markings (chest, face, and legs).
These dogs have boxy heads, floppy triangular ears, and the second strongest bite pressure among large and giant breeds — actually, all dog breeds — second only to the pit bull. They naturally have a bulky muscle mass like many guard dogs and love physical activities.
The coats are short and flat, and Rottweilers need very little grooming.
Size: The Rottweiler can be anywhere from a medium to a large breed. An adult male Rottie normally stands 24” to 27” at the shoulder, while the female will be slightly smaller.
Weight: A fully grown adult Rottweiler male will weigh between 85 to 135 pounds, and females will often weigh around 80 to 100 pounds.
Energy Level: Rottweilers have vastly varying energy levels. Some are couch potatoes and on the extreme end, you have hyper pups. Normally, though, they’re medium to high energy dogs, so make sure to give yours a couple of 20 minute walks each day.
Lifespan: Rottweilers have a shorter lifespan than other dog breeds of the same size. Their average years range only from 8 to 11 years, and females tend to outlive the males by almost a year. Of course, the life expectancy of any pet is reliant on how well dog owners take care of them. If you want to know your Rottie’s age in human years and when he enters his senior stage, the free Pet Age Pro app works it out from his breed and birthday.
Fast Facts
Rottweilers can be quite pushy and dominant. However, properly trained by their dog owners, the Rottie will be confident, protective, and not overly aggressive. They’re extremely attentive, steadfast, and intelligent. They’re also quick to learn and to adapt to different environments.
These dogs are not for first-time canine owners. They need extensive socialization and training, so if you’re getting one, make sure that you put in enough time to do the work.
With a highly active nature, the Rottweiler can be quite a handful. They require constant attention and devoted training, but they are among the most loyal of all dog breeds. And with proper care and diet, they can live up to the fullest of their life expectancy.
Best Dog Food for Rottweiler
The best dog food for Rottweillers will depend on the dog’s age or life stage, and if there are any conditions the diet can help with, such as obesity or joint pain. Here are the best dog foods you can buy.
1. Ollie Pet Food (Lamb)
First 5 ingredients:
Lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, chickpeas, kale
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 74.0% max
Food Type: Fresh Food, Frozen
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Ollie’s fresh food is made and hand-packed in the USA. All of its foods are cooked in small batches in its USDA-regulated kitchen.
The brand offers holistic dog food products that are made from 100% human-grade ingredients to deliver key nutrients to your dog’s body and create a strong foundation for your pupper’s diet.
This particular recipe is one of the best dog foods out there because of its selection of whole food ingredients — like butternut squash, kale, and cranberries — and slow-cooking process that preserves as much of the nutrition and flavor in the food as possible.
Because the dog food is made in small batches and to order, you are sure that it’s as fresh and healthy as can be.
What Customers Like
- Each recipe is vet-formulated
- Made from fresh, natural ingredients
- Met AAFCO nutritional standards
- Improved oral/dental health
- You can customize your subscription
Common Complaints
- A bit pricey
- Shorter shelf life
2. Supreme Source Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Salmon Meal, Faba Beans, Lentils, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
Protein: 26.0% min
Fat: 11.0% min
Fiber: 8.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This high-quality dry dog food is made using premium ingredients that are sourced, formulated, produced and packed under the watchful eye of family-owned American Pet Nutrition.
Salmon meal, which contains even more protein than fresh salmon, is the very first ingredient, followed by real fruits and vegetables that deliver 100% complete nutrition with all the vitamins and antioxidants he needs to thrive.
Though we only included the five commonly asked for information when listing its guaranteed analysis, this formula packs a lot of nutritional value. For example, it has guaranteed levels of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, omega fatty acids, and much more.
In addition to being a 100% grain-free dog food, this formula is made without the use of corn, soy, artificial flavors or artificial colors.
Grain-free diets get suggested for dogs that suffer from allergies or skin problems, and we find that a lot of people who have tested this adult food product have said it immediately cleared up their dog’s skin and stopped them from scratching.
What Customers Like
- High-quality food
- Made in USA
- Contains real fruits and vegetables
- Grain free
- Zero soy, artificial flavors or artificial colors
Common Complaints
- Contains legumes (other consumers don’t like it)
- Small kibble size
3. Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain Formula
First 5 ingredients:
Lamb, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Lentils
Protein: 25.0% min
Fat: 15.0% min
Fiber: 5.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Adult, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This company has produced a brilliant dry dog food formula that we are not sure can be beaten at this price point. Using lamb & lamb meal as its two main animal protein sources, this dry food takes its inspiration from the ancestral diet of prehistoric canines.
It contains 25% protein and 15% fat. These numbers are brilliant and far above average. A high amount of protein and fat will do wonders for supporting the growth and maintenance of your dog’s muscles and bones. High-fat content is also necessary for your dog to maintain a healthy immune system.
To promote healthy digestion among pups, this food contains probiotics and prebiotics. It also has DHA for cognitive function; fatty acids for maintaining healthy skin and coat; and good levels of Vitamin E for overall body health.
It is worth pointing out, however, that some of the protein in this dry dog food formula is vegetable-based, with pea protein and potato protein featuring on the ingredients list. The calorie content is also a little on the high side.
What Customers Like
- Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids
- Notable difference in pet’s coat and skin health
- Contains species-specific K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics
Common Complaints
- Contains pea protein and eggs (may be a source of allergy)
4. Nom Nom Pork Potluck
First 5 ingredients:
Ground Pork, Russet Potatoes, Green Beans, Squash, Kale
Protein: 7.0% min
Fat: 5.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 75.0% max
Food Type: Gently Cooked, Frozen
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Nom Nom produces an on-demand gourmet dog food that is super premium. The brand only uses a handful of sourced ingredients right from the farm.
Each order is custom made for your pet and sent directly to you, which is customary of the super premium brands. The company adds vitamins and nutrients such as magnesium and vitamin E to help promote overall health and wellness of your dog.
This particular fresh dog food recipe uses pork as the main ingredient, which may be ideal for pups with food allergies since pork isn’t as common as beef or chicken.
And since the recipe uses a single animal protein, has only 6 main ingredients, and is personalized for each individual pup, the risk of irritating sensitive stomachs is quite low.
Instead of grains, this fresh food uses russet potatoes and squash to provide the carbohydrates your dog needs for quick energy and the fiber to aid in his digestion and keep his bowel movements regular.
The nutrients here are mostly naturally-sourced but there are also added ones, such as vitamin E supplement.
What Customers Like
- Made fresh and in small batches
- Fresh produce with no additives or preservatives
- Easy to order and customize for your particular breed
- Various recipes to choose from
- Low in calories; good for weight management
Common Complaints
- Can be difficult to store for longer periods
- More expensive than store-bought dog food
5. Ziwi Peak Beef Air-Dried Dog Food
First 5 ingredients:
Beef, Beef Tripe, Beef Heart, Beef Lung, Beef Liver
Protein: 38.0% min
Fat: 30.0% min
Fiber: 3.0% max
Moisture: 14.0% max
Food Type: Air-Dried, Dehydrated
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Ziwi Peak, straight from New Zealand, offers an all-natural farm sourced dog food free of grain and soy. Each flavor is all natural from that animal (beef, lamb, chicken, etc.) and contains no additives or preservatives.
The brand uses a two-stage air drying process that prevents bacteria and maintains nutrients. All meat sources are grass-fed (except fowl, of course) and free-range.
This dry dog food, in particular, is a single animal protein recipe that contains whole-prey ratios of 96% meat, bones, organs, and green mussels. Because of its nutrient-dense formulation, the dry food packs more power into a smaller serving size than regular kibble.
What Customers Like
- All natural, free-range meat sources from farms in New Zealand
- No carbohydrates
- Made of 96% meat, bones, organs, and green mussels
- Air-dried (minimal processing)
- Contains guaranteed levels of chondroitin for joints
Common Complaints
- Concerns for recipe change
- Young teeth may have problems with the larger kibble
6. We Feed Raw Duck Patty
First 5 ingredients:
Duck, Turkey Gizzards, Turkey Tails, Turkey Liver, WFR vitamin + mineral mix
Protein: 12.6% min
Fat: 10.6% min
Fiber: 1.0% max
Moisture: 71.5% max
Food Type: Raw
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
This meal is a completely natural food that’s designed for adult dogs from small to large breeds.
This is a fan-favorite meal crafted for optimal canine health, featuring cage-free duck as the primary ingredient. This high-quality protein source is complemented by a nutrient-dense blend of turkey ingredients, ensuring a well-rounded and biologically appropriate diet.
Each patty is expertly formulated by a PhD nutritionist, guaranteeing a balanced profile of essential vitamins and minerals to support overall well-being.
Made with zero hormones or antibiotics, this premium raw formula prioritizes purity and nutrition, making it a wholesome choice for pet parents who want only the best for their dogs.
Whether fed as a complete meal or incorporated into a rotational diet, the it delivers exceptional taste and nourishment in every bite.
What Customers Like
- Easy to digest
- Great source of amino acids
- Rich source of B vitamins
- Nutrient-dense poultry recipe
Common Complaints
- Quite pricey
- Requires cold storage
7. American Journey Duck & Sweet Potato Canned Dog Food
First 5 ingredients:
Duck, Duck Broth, Sweet Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed Meal
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 6.0% min
Fiber: 1.5% max
Moisture: 78.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Pâté
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
American Journey has created a wet food for all life stages and for large breed puppies like your Rottie, the benefits are quite noticeable.
Besides having proteins from a single meat source (duck), it’s also grain-free and features only a limited number of main ingredients to make it suitable for pups with sensitive tummies and food allergies.
Sweet potatoes provide the needed carbohydrates and fiber your dog needs. Sunflower oil and fish oil supply the fat for energy and the fatty acids that are responsible for keeping your Rottie’s skin healthy.
What Customers Like
- Packed in BPA-free cans for safety
- Contains omega








