In the world of purebred dogs, the term “purpose-bred dog” refers to dogs that were originally bred for a distinct purpose. While those specific purposes may not still exist in today’s modern society, the dogs retain their original traits that make them their unique breed. One dog that absolutely retains its original look and temperament is the Rottweiler. Their distinct black fur with tan markings has remained the same since the time of the Roman conquest of the world. While they may not have a job anymore, they are one-hundred-percent still under the impression that they do.
The Rottweiler is of ancient origins. Though their original date of creation can not be established, it is well accepted that they were used in the days of Rome conquering the planet as both herding and protection dogs. Traveling Roman legions needed a constant food source to feed such massive armies and thus traveled with their own herds of cows and livestock. The Rottweiler of the time was used to move the flock and also guard it from thieves and wolves. When the Romans entered what is now Germany, they settled in a market town known as Rottweil. It was here that the butchers of Rottweil began mixing their herding flock with the Roman dog, and the breed we know today was created. Originally called the Rottweiler Metzgerhund, these dogs were used to pull carts to the market, move and protect livestock. They would then wear the proceeds of the sales around their necks, where the money was safe from being stolen.
The Rottweiler is a strong, formidable, heavy-boned dog, with males weighing anywhere between 95-125 pounds and females ranging from 75-95 pounds. They are always black with distinctive tan or rust markings over each eye, around the muzzle, on the neck, at the chest, on the paws, and inside the back legs. The Romans are believed to have started the tradition of docking their tails, because they believed doing so would prevent rabies. Docking tails was also done to prevent the tail from being injured by livestock. It is not uncommon nowadays to see a Rottweiler with a tail. During the industrial revolution in Europe, the Rottweiler fell out of fashion and was in danger of extinction until Rottweilers started being used as working police dogs. The first Rottweilers registered in the American Kennel Club stud books were in 1971, leading to the formation of the American Rottweiler Club.
The Rottweiler is not for a soft person. They will need firm, yet patient, handling and someone who will be their leader. The Rottweiler Club describes them as a dog that has “a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships.” They have retained their natural guarding instincts. While they are not outwardly aggressive, they may be wary of strangers coming in and out of the house. They are also known to be extremely loyal to their owners and to not have an ounce of awareness that they are, indeed, large dogs. They are known for their signature “bump” of having to touch their owners and herd them slightly. Since they are known for their bumping, they should be watched around small children who could be knocked to the ground. They will also need brisk walks, as their natural gait is trotting.
All of the Rotties I know are wonderful, goofy dogs with big hearts for their people. That being said, they can be a tad stubborn, so being a strong leader is a definite must when getting one. One thing is for certain that you will never have to worry about a burglar when you bring one home! Learn more about the Rottweiler on The American Rottweiler Club’s home page: amrottclub.org.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
