I would like to know the average life span of a rottweiler. I keep hearing conflicting stories. Does anyone know how old a Rottweiler can live to, and what medical problems one can expect as these dogs age. This dog is very much loved in my family, and I am just wondering if there are actual places to have a beloved dog buried when the time comes. I know there are pet cemeteries, but is there any in NY specifically for Rottweilers?

The eldest Rottweiler I had was 12 when he died. I currently have two nearly 10 years old and the youngest one I had that died some years back was 5 years, but she had been reared and fed on a complete commercial food before I had her. All my dogs are fed a natural diet and seem to live to a good age.

Breed (Genetics) and size/weight are the biggest factors in life expectancy, and diet as long as it is adequate will not have that much bearing.

I know a fair few border collies fed all their lives on middle of the range completes that have lived 16+ years, and the same owners Terv is 15, with the most rotten teeth, but otherwise still pottering about, albeit stiffly.

My own dogs range from 3 to 11 1/2 years, and the oldest ones Dam is 14 and her Grandmother was definately alive at nearly 16, all fed on complete foods.

The thing all the bove dogs have in common is being medium sized of similar weight (18 to 25kg). some of the small breeds live a good few years longer than that, and most dogs over 35kg are considered old at 10, whereas I am just starting to noticxe my oldest one getting a bit tired on our longer walks, and that she had lost a bit of muscle on hidquarters at 10.