Rottweiler

History:

The Rottweiler traces his ancestry back to the time when Roman armies were planning their assault on other Euopean countries. Very large number of men were required for these expeditions and the logistics of feeding vast number of men became a major consideration. No means of refrigeration existed which meant that the meat for the soldiers has to be accompanied alive that is herds of animals moving with the armies. Thus the services of a dog capable of keeping the herd intact were needed. As Romans were very fond of the Molosser, they required a type that could march along with them, but great size prevented the true Molosser as their accomplice. They needed the dog strong and rugged enough to drive the cattle plus also acts as a guard.

One major Roman compaign took place in 74 A.D. The armies marched through the Alps into southern Germany. One army contingent camped on the the banks of , that became the state of Swabia afterwards. In around 700 A.D the local Duke of the town ordered a Church to be built on the site of the former Roman Baths.Digging discovered the red tiles of Roman quarters. To dignify and differentiate the town from others it was then named “das Rote Wil” (the red tile), which has changed to the present Rottweil.

Centuries later, this territory became an important cattle area because of its central position. The somewhat altered “Roman Dogs” proved their worth as cattle drovers and in pulling small carts. By then, the breed was known as Rottweiler Metzerhund (Butcher’s Dog of Rottweil). His distinct build and temperament was utilised to drive the cattle, guard them, control the bulls and protect his master. He continued in his pursuit until railroad diminished his role as a drover. Their numbers fell sharply in the middle of 19th century, and it is reported that in 1882, in a dog show at Heilbronn- Germany, only one specimen of Rottweiler was present.

A combined club for Rottweiler and and its Swabian contemporary Leonberger was formed in 1899 and drafted the first standard for the breed in 1901. On January 13th 1907, the Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (DRK), and in the same year on April 26th, another breed club by the name of Internatinaler Rottweiler Klub (IRK) was formed. Both clubs got united on August 14th, 1921 as Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (ADRK). The ADRK has set very high standards for the Rottweiler, emphasizing that first and foremost the dogs’ working capabilities are to be given due consideration and its physical beauty being second in importance to the ability to work.

Essentials of the Breed:

The Rottweiler exemplifies strength and hardness. His stocky build does not prevent him from being agile. The head is fairly broad, the muzzle powerful and the ears are triangular in shape. The neck should be of fair length, strong, round and muscular. The chest should be broad and deep with well sprung ribs. The back should be straight, strong and not too long. His gait convey an impression of supple strength and endurance. The permitted colour is black with clearly defined rich rust or mahogany markings on the cheeks, muzzle, chest and legs and little spectacle above both eyes.

Character:

The Rottweiler has proved a stout, courageous dog, and makes a very reliable guard. He had a reputation of being rather aggressive in the past, but the tendency towards aggression has carefully been erased through sensible breeding. Rottweilers are devoted and loyal companions. The breed is even tempered and never easily irritated. A prudently bred and expertly raised puppy is very adaptable. He is suitable as a simple family dog and can also be used in all areas of dog sports. He has proven his value as a great utility dog by working with the police, military, custom officials and rescue. The Rottweiler needs a firm hand from puppyhood otherwise he become independent in his nature and can get out of control due to his innate hard temperament and his physical strength. A “firm hand” however, does not mean in any way that the breed should be dominated by brute force, but making him aware of what he may and may not do, teaches him the boundaries he need to keep himself inside.

Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, dog show, dogs of war, guard dogs, herding dogs, leonberger, Molosser, molossers, rottweiler, rottweilers, war dogs