Nobody wants a smelly dog. But some dogs undoubtedly smell worse than others. We are all familiar with that doggy odor – that distinctive smell that seems to take over the room. But what about Rottweilers. Do they smell naturally, or is there anything an owner needs to be aware of to keep foul smells at bay? Here is what you must know.
So, do Rottweilers smell? Rottweilers can smell bad; due in part to their double coat. However, a well-groomed and well-taken care for Rottweiler should not smell anymore, or less, than any other dog breed. If your Rottweiler smells very bad, it’s possible that they have a health issue, such as an infection. Regular bathing, eating a high-quality diet, and brushing the teeth/coat should minimize or reduce any foul or smelly odors.
Rottweilers are one of the breeds, much like the Doberman and Pitbull, that is often misunderstood.
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the Rottweiler, such as being naturally smelly and being aggressive. These, like many other myths, are simply not true.
While many of these notions have arisen from sensational storytelling by journalists and Hollywood, many owners will often report how with proper care and attention, they make good-natured, devoted, and hygienic dogs.
I personally have experience with three Rottweilers, all of which were owned by fellow family members, and I only have good things to say about them.
While they are large dogs, sometimes they forget that and just want to be a lap dog, getting plenty of love and affection from you.
And, I have not known any of these Rottweilers to smell bad!
Let us now take a closer look at the Rottweiler breed and what you can expect in regards to their scents and smells.
We will also be covering some of the main factors that can exacerbate their natural smell and some of the best things an owner can do to prevent and minimize them.
So, be sure to keep reading to get all the information you need!
Do Rottweilers Smell Doggy?
Rottweilers can smell doggy, just as most dog breeds can. Can is the important word here and one that you need to consider.
It is true that some days a Rottweiler will smell more than on others.
This is because there are a number of different reasons and factors that can cause that infamous doggy smell. These all contribute to a dog that is smellier than usual, or than it should be.
Dogs sweat from areas that are not covered in fur, such as their paw pads, inside of their ears, and nose.
Because of this, you may notice that your Rottweiler smells worse around these parts – especially after exercising or on a hot day.
These areas are a perfect breeding ground for yeast and other bacteria, both good and bad, but they can cause odors and you are likely to smell them.
In addition, dogs have sweat glands that are attached to every hair follicle they have.
Experts believe that these sweat glands are used to secrete a scent that is unique to them so that other dogs can learn about them, recognize them and become familiar with them.
Equally, dogs, like all omnivores, have anal glands. In a Rottweiler’s case, they also contain the same kind of scent glands in their anal glands as found in their hair follicle glands.
These glands have different secretions, all of which have a strong musky odor to them.
The anal glands will secrete after defecations and they can secrete larger amounts when dogs are frightened.
The reason for the secretions are the same as the hair follicle glands of the same type, it’s to notify other dogs of who was where at any given time.
This is precisely why you see dogs sniff each other’s behinds! They are learning about and becoming familiar with each other. It sounds gross, but it makes sense.
Because of all of these glands, and the secretions they produce, there are different scents being secreted on a pretty regular basis.
This is why most if all dogs tend to have a ‘doggy smell’. It is also why dogs smell differently, naturally.
Unlike some of the more unusual odors, there is nothing really an owner can do about the doggy smell.
Thankfully, it is not always that pungent, and owners tend to become familiar with it in time.
What Can Cause A Rottweiler To Smell?
There are several reasons why your Rottweiler may smell worse than normal that don’t include their sweat and anal glands.
Some of the most common reasons why you may feel your dog smells worse or poorly could include one of, or a combination of the following:
Contact With Something Smelly
Your Rottweiler may have come in contact with something that has a strong odor to it, such as another animal’s poop, some seasoned food, or mud.
Dirty Water
Everybody has heard about ‘wet dog smell’, and for good reason.
If your dog was swimming or got caught in the rain, there’s a good chance that you’re going to smell them more as the water dries.
Poor Oral Health
Just like people, dogs get tartar on their teeth and that can cause them to have bad breath, so keeping their mouths clean is a must.
Skin Infections
Some skin infections can cause odors due to the extra bad bacteria, so if you see your dog is scratching itself more often, it might be time to call the vet.
Bad Diet
A bad diet can cause bad breath, in addition to tartar, and can also cause your Rottweiler to have extra gas, causing an increase in flatulence.
Rottweilers are known for their excessive flatulence; even being known to clear rooms at the worst of times.
Corn, grain, and high fiber in dog foods can make the problem worse, so, if the flatulence becomes a problem for you, try switching your Rottweiler’s food to something that is high protein and grain-free and you could possibly notice a world of difference.
Also, be mindful of tidbits offered or treats.
Poor Grooming
Rottweiler who isn’t groomed every so often can produce bad odors for several reasons, some of which we have included in this list already.
Rottweilers are low maintenance overall but still require brushing and washing at times.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections are common in dogs, usually found on their paws or in their ears, dogs with floppy ears tend to be more susceptible.
Health Problems
There are a number of more serious health problems that can be the cause of your Rottweiler’s bad smell. If in doubt, contact your vet.
How Do I Stop My Rottweiler from Smelling?
Luckily, if you find your Rottweiler is a little smellier than usual there are plenty of solutions you can try at home unless the cause is an infection. In that case, you will need to see your veterinarian for the best course of action.
Sometimes getting rid of your Rottweiler’s smell could be as easy as drying them off when they are wet or giving them dental teeth cleaning treats, like these best sellers on Amazon.
If you notice your dog has bad breath but does not have tartar, then you may want to look at changing your Rottweiler’s diet if it’s too much for you to handle.
Regular washing and grooming of your Rottweiler will help keep odors at bay.
While not a lot of maintenance is required for the breed, weekly brushing, as well as cleaning of teeth and ears regularly, should be scheduled to keep on top of issues, such as odor.
If your Rottweiler has come in contact with something that smells or is just dirty, you should give them a bath.
There are several shampoos on the market that you can buy to help with irritated skin, bad odors, and other mild issues that may cause odors.
You will need to make sure you only ever clean your dog with a shampoo designed for them.
This will prevent inflammation, irritation, and damage to the skin/coat that unsuitable products can cause.
This all-natural dog shampoo is my go-to, and that I get for a great price over at Amazon.
If you notice your dog scratching more often, a dry patch on their skin that looks irritated, or a patch where the fur has disappeared or stopped growing, then you should contact your veterinarian.
Ensuring that you dry your Rottweiler off well when they are wet, especially in places such as the ears, can help reduce issues such as yeast and other infections from ravaging their body, again keeping down the odor.
One area to pay special attention to are your dog’s ears. This is especially important for any dog breed that has floppy ears, as moisture can hide in there, causing an increase in yeast or infection.
In Summary
All dogs smell somewhat, and Rottweilers are no different. However, they do not smell any worse than any other breed if their owners take appropriate care of them.
If you find your Rottweiler smells worse than it should then you might want to consider a few things, one of which could be an infection.
As a recap, some of the issues that cause extra bad odor can include:
- Contact with Something Smelly
- Water
- Oral Health
- Skin Infections
- Bad Diet
- Poor Grooming
- Yeast Infections
- Health Problems
Before jumping to the conclusion that your Rottweiler has something wrong with them, know that there are plenty of innocent, and easily fixed, issues going on that could be the cause of the extra smell.
If you find that Rottweiler has issues with their breath or teeth, a dental bone or change in diet may be all that you need to do.
A change in diet could also be required if your dog tends to fart a lot. Higher protein and less grain and fiber can help with this issue.
Regular brushing and grooming can also stay on top of odors by ensuring that any dead skin and debris is wiped off them, preventing continued odor, or from other issues arising, such as a variety of infections.
Another way to stay on top of preventing infections in your dog is to ensure that they are dried completely after getting wet, especially inside their ears.
In addition to an added odor, most dogs have a doggy smell, which is caused by various glands throughout their bodies that secrete different materials for different reasons such as sweat, fear, and recognition.
So, if the fear of Rottweilers smelling bad was keeping you from getting one of these affectionate giants, rest assured that you have nothing to worry about.
At least nothing that you wouldn’t have to worry about with any other breed of dog.
Wondering what other breeds may smell? My other guides may be of help:
- Do Corgis Smell?
- Do Poodles Smell?
- Do Beagles Smell?
- Do Dobermans Smell?
- Do Bulldogs Smell?
- Do German Shepherds Smell?
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.