By the time your Rottie pup is weaned from his mother, he will have 28 sharp little teeth! Today we will take a look at the complete teething cycle for Rottweilers, proper dental hygiene to keep those teeth healthy and strong, and we’ll go over what to expect when your Rottie puppy begins teething.
Learn about Rottweiler Teething Stages with Timeline for reference.
Answers to Rottweiler Teething Questions
Weeks 2 to 4: Baby teeth erupt. Puppy is still with his mother at this point. There is nothing for you t be concerned about during this time, “Mother Nature” and Mother Rottweiler have it covered!
Weeks 4 to 6: Rottie pups should have all 28 baby teeth at this point. As weaning begins, soft and moist food can be offered.
Weeks 8 to 12: If you’re getting a Rottie pup, this is about the time he’ll be leaving his mother to live with you, with 28 baby teeth in his mouth.
HELPFUL TIP: Continue the diet his breeder or the pet store has him on. If you want to introduce a different diet, do it in a gradual way over a period of one week.
Begin with 75% of his old food mixed with 25% of the food you prefer. After two days, mix the foods 50/50. When two more days have passed, you’ll mix 75% of the new food with 25% old food. On the seventh day, he can have 100% of his new food.
Weeks 12 to 24: During this time frame, your Rottie will lose his baby teeth and begin cutting his adult teeth. The 28 baby teeth will be replaced with 42 adult teeth.
When do Rottweilers Begin Teething?
A Rottie pup’s baby teeth will emerge between two and four weeks of age. At this point, he is still with his mother, and there is nothing specific you’ll need to do. These baby teeth are softer and smaller than his adult teeth will be, and most pups don’t have teething issues at this point.
When do Rottweiler Puppies Start Losing Baby Teeth?
Your Rottweiler’s baby teeth will begin being pushed out by his permanent teeth emerging at about 12 weeks of age. They will be about the size of a grain of rice, and you will most likely be finding several of them on the floor or in your Rottie’s bedding.
If you’ve ever experienced a baby human teething, you already know this can be a painful process! You’ll find some helpful information further along in this article to make the teething process as easy as possible for your Rottie.
Which Teeth do Rottweilers lose first?
The Incisors are the first to come loose and begin to fall out, being replaced by the adult teeth as they do so. Within a couple of months after that, the Premolars and the Canines will usually start to push out the rest of his baby teeth.
Can A Rottweiler’s Baby Teeth Fall Out All at Once?
Although you may find more than one baby tooth at a time around your house, Rottweilers do NOT lose all their baby teeth at once. The complete process will take place from 12 to 24 weeks of age.
Beyond the 24th week, if you still see baby teeth in your Rotties mouth, you may want to schedule an appointment with his veterinarian to make sure there are no teething concerns. Sometimes a veterinarian will remove the remaining baby teeth to ensure proper spacing for his adult teeth to emerge.
Can Rotties Choke on Their Baby Teeth When They Fall Out?
Because the baby teeth are as small as a grain of rice, they pose no threat of causing your Rottie to choke, should they swallow the teeth. It is not unusual for some bleeding to occur when the teeth fall or are falling out, but the amount is minuscule. You may only be aware of it because you noticed a drop of blood on his lip or on a chew toy.
In this article, you’ll also learn about some excellent toys to help your Rottweiler during his teething months.
When Do Rottweilers Get Their Adult Teeth?
Your Rottie’s adult teeth emerging is what causes his baby teeth to begin falling out. You can expect to see the first of those adult teeth poking through his gums at about 12 weeks of age. The process will continue until your Rottie is about six months old. Around that time, 42 adult teeth will have replaced his 28 baby teeth.
Is Teething Painful for Rottweilers?
As mentioned above, the teething process can cause discomfort and even pain for your Rottweiler! The adult teeth must cut through the gums, and are much larger and harder than his baby teeth were. You may notice some swelling in his gum area, and he will certainly be inclined to chew on something as he tries to relieve his own discomfort.
At What Age Do Rottweilers Stop Teething?
At the six month mark, your Rottie should have a full set of adult teeth. This is an ideal time to schedule a wellness check-up at the veterinarian’s office. The vet will determine if all baby teeth have fallen out and if there are any concerns with your Rottweiler’s adult teeth.
Like humans, Rottweilers can have an underbite or an overbite, as well as impacted teeth or even crooked teeth. You’ll learn more about these issues further along in this article, as well as the common solutions for these kinds of dental issues.
What Kinds of Teeth will Your Adult Rottweiler Have?
Your Rottie will have four kinds of adult teeth. Each kind is designed for a specific function and will aid your Rottie in the digestion of his food. Additionally, his teeth will be his number one line of defense, should be defending himself ever become necessary. These are the categories the 42 teeth in your Rottweiler’s mouth will fall into:
Incisors: Used for cutting meat and eating smaller bits of food, incisors are the front teeth directly between the canines. There are six upper and six lower incisors. These are the front six teeth dead center.
Canine teeth: These teeth hold and tear food. They are the large fangs. The canines are situated directly between the incisors and the premolars. There are exactly two upper and two lower canines, one on each side of the upper jaw and one on each side of the lower.
Premolars: Used for cutting, holding, and sharing food. The premolars are positioned behind the canines and in front of the molars. Puppies do not have all of their premolars, but when the adult teeth come in, there will be eight premolars on the top and eight premolars on the bottom, with four on each side of the upper jaw and four are on each side of the lower jaw.
Molars: Used to grind food, the molars are the teeth behind the premolars, the last teeth in the back of the mouth. There are four molars on the top, two on each side, and six molars on the bottom, three on each side.
Proper Dental Hygiene for Your Rottweiler
As your Rottie’s adult teeth begin emerging, you can begin a healthy dental hygiene regime. You’ll want to make dental care as pleasant and enjoyable as possible, as ideally, it will be a lifetime habit. Incorporate dental care into your bonding time for the best results!
Begin by cuddling him and slipping your finger into his mouth. Get him used to you messing with his mouth by massaging his gums with your finger and running it along with his teeth. Keep in mind your Rottie is just a pup and will probably want to play and nip.
When he tolerates your finger in his mouth, you may want to try a rubber “brush” that fits right on your finger. This will gently remove food particles and any plaque beginning to form. These rubber “finger brushes” are inexpensive and can be found in any pet store.
Some people like using a rubber toothbrush and some don’t. It is a great way of getting your pup used to you messing in his mouth. But, he needs to know that it needs to be done…whether he likes it or not. You can also use a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs.
Can You Use Your Toothpaste on Your Rottie’s Teeth?
NEVER USE TOOTHPASTE DESIGNED FOR HUMANS ON YOUR ROTTIE’S TEETH! Human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is extremely POISONOUS to your Rottweiler.
Instead, find a brand formulated especially for dogs. This toothpaste comes in fun flavors like Beef, Chicken, or even Banana Mint for fresh breath! You can purchase Canine Toothpaste from your veterinarian, from a pet food store, or from Amazon.
Brushing Your Rottweiler’s Teeth
At about six months of age, when all your Rottweiler’s adult teeth have emerged, you can begin using a toothbrush to clean his teeth. Hopefully, by now, dental care is routine to him, and he shouldn’t object too much about the new toothbrush. If he has no history of having his teeth cleaned, do not despair, he can learn to love it! Keep the event pleasant and gentle, using the time to advance your bonding with him.
Before you begin brushing, give your Rottie a tiny taste of the toothpaste you’ll be using (which will NEVER be human toothpaste) so he knows what to expect. Use a specially designed Canine Toothbrush or a toothbrush designed for children with soft bristles. Follow these steps for brushing:
- Lift the lip to expose the outside surfaces of your dog’s gums and teeth. Be gentle and calm, not forceful at all.
- Brush each tooth to clean the surface and brush the gums around each tooth, just as you do to your own.
- Clean the outside (cheek-facing) surfaces, as you will find your Rottie may not allow you to brush the inside surfaces of his teeth. Again, never force the toothbrush where he isn’t having it.
- Be sure to reach the back upper molars and canines, as these teeth tend to quickly build up tartar. This tarter can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
- Reward your dog after brushings with play, petting or however you reward his good behavior normally. This will positively reinforce the brushing process, making future brushings more enjoyable for you both!
UPDATE: Since writing this post, I have found something that works really well brushing my Rottweiler Max’s teeth. It’s easy to use and it really does work! Maximus doesn’t really like it when I brush his teeth and this has helped get noticeable tarter and plaque off his teeth. CHECK IT OUT HERE
Rottweiler Teething Toys
A teething Rottie will tend to chew nearly everything! This could be detrimental to both dog AND your possessions, as ‘everything” is not safe for him. This includes Beef Raw Hide, Pig Ears, Cooked Bones, etc. Some of these objects have caused gastrointestinal blockages or intestinal punctures, which could require surgery. Some of these injuries can be life-threatening! Others pose a choking threat. The better idea is to provide safe chewing toys that are designed for Large Breed dogs!
When your Rottweiler is teething, you want something that will massage his gums and help loosen his baby teeth and help with the pain of new teeth growing in.
The “Kong” brand is the BigDogDen pick for the best Rottweiler toys. Kong brand features a plethora of Teething and Chew Toys for all stages of your Rottweiler’s development. They are designed with Large Breed dogs in mind and are extremely strong and safe! Amazon offers a variety of Kong brand toys. SEE KONG VARIETIES FOR BIG DOGS HERE
Most likely, your Rottie will also enjoy gnawing on a fresh, UNCOOKED bone, as well! Choose a “knuckle-y” bone or other large bone from your butcher or local market, ensuring it will pose no choking hazard according to the size of your dog. Avoid pre-packaged bone treats from the market, as they are known to pose a danger through splintering. You won’t want to risk your Rottie choking or receiving injuries from these splinters!
Other Good Things for Your Rottweiler to Chew On
Toys and Raw Bones aren’t the only things beneficial to your teething Rottweiler! Experiment with these things to learn what your Rottweiler loves and provide him with variety, and who doesn’t love variety?!?
- Fresh Produce like seedless apple slices and raw carrots provide both vitamins and chewing entertainment.
- Pressed Pork Hide chews are high in protein, low-fat, easily digestible and softer than cow rawhide.
- Bully Sticks are a great chew treat for your Rottie. All-natural and digestible.
- Dental Treats infused with medication to keep the pet’s teeth clean are a bonus. Most veterinarians suggest products with 10 percent Chlorhexidine Gluconate, which provides an antimicrobial action. Please note: Dental treats are not a substitute for regular tooth-brushing. Rather, they are a supplement to it.
What is NOT Good for Your Rottweiler’s Teeth
We’ve already discussed the importance of never using human toothpaste to care for your Rottie’s teeth, but it is worth repeating! Human toothpaste ingredients are POISONOUS for your Rottweiler. Additionally, not all bones and chew toys are created equal — some are bad for your Rottie’s teeth!
Do not give him metal, hard plastic or other extremely firm objects, as these are most likely to result in a painful, broken tooth. Animal chews like hooves and antlers are rigid and may lead to chipped or broken teeth. Tennis balls have nylon fuzz on them, which is abrasive and can wear down tooth enamel. In addition, the fuzz can harbor grit and tiny pebbles when outdoors, creating an even more abrasive texture.
Rawhide bones are chemically processed and pose a risk for bacterial contamination. Additionally, compressed forms of rawhide are very hard and can cause tooth fractures. Corn Starch Chews are also not ideal to offer your Rottie. Not only is corn a common dog allergy, but these chews also are extremely hard and have been known to break teeth and pose a choking hazard as small pieces break off.
You may be surprised to learn that Ice Cubes are not good for your Rottweiler’s teeth, either. They cause the teeth to become brittle, leaving them susceptible to fractures!
Does Dry Kibble Keep Your Rottie’s Teeth Clean?
Many Dry Kibble companies claim to help keep your Rottie’s teeth clean. This is NOT ACCURATE. While Kibble can help keep plaque particles off the visible part of your dog’s teeth, it is ineffective within the critical zone near the gum line, where plaque and tartar cause the most harm.
Neglecting this crucial area will lead to tooth decay and gum disease. There is nothing wrong with Dry Kibble if that is your food of choice, but it does not negate the need for proper dental hygiene! To learn more about feeding your Rottie, read this Age by Age Feeding Guide
Teething Problems in Rottweilers 
Like humans, your Rottie could be plagued with misaligned teeth. A correct Rottweiler bite is the ‘scissor bite’, which is when the top incisors overlap the lower incisors very closely. A Rottweiler who has an overbite, under-bite or ‘wry mouth’ (uneven or crooked teeth) cannot be a show dog as these are disqualifiers.
These dental issues have no bearing on the dog being an awesome pet, though! These kinds of conditions affecting your Rottie’s health in an adverse way is very unlikely. Rather, they are a cosmetic issue. Bear in mind that your Rottweiler ’s jaws will be growing and changing until he’s about a year old.
A pup who seems to have an over or under-bite may experience a natural adjustment to a scissor bite as he matures. In any worst-case scenario regarding your Rottie’s teeth, a veterinarian can extract teeth if necessary.
What To Do if Your Rottweiler Hurts a Tooth
Cautiously examine your Rottie’s mouth. Pain can make your dog, no matter how gentle his demeanor, snap at you. Applying a cold compress to the outer cheek nearest the injury can minimize swelling and pain. It is safe to give your pet aspirin on occasion, dosing according to their weight.
If the tooth is loose or bleeding, get immediate veterinary intervention! Always call your Veterinarian and ask their advice for your Rottweiler.
Your Rottweiler’s healthy smile is your responsibility! Check your Rottweiler’s teeth periodically during brushing time, looking for anything unusual like blood, chipped or broken teeth, excessive wear or discoloration. Dogs should go to the vet for a dental exam twice a year and may need their teeth cleaned annually.
If your Rottie’s breath is extra foul, go ahead and schedule an examination with his veterinarian. Excessively bad breath can be an indicator of a bigger problem.
I hope this has helped you learn about the Rottweiler teething stages with a timeline for you to reference.
We did some research for you and found some great dental chews that will help keep your Rottweiler’s teeth healthy and clean RIGHT HERE
Your Rottweiler has a natural instinct to chew. Especially so before, during and after teething. Give him appropriate things to chew…not the couch! We did the research for you…Learn all about Tough Toys for your Rottie’s right HERE.
*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
