The Rottweiler History

ORIGIN:

Germany

UTILIZATION:

Utility, service and company dog.

CLASIFICACIÓN FCI:

II Group. Dogs types: Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molosoids, Mountain dogs and Bouvier Bernois, as well as other breeds. Section 2.1 Molosoids, Alsatian type. Test work supplied.

SHORT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND SUMMARY

Rottweilers belong to one of the oldest breed to be found. Their origin can be traced back to the times of the Romans, descended from drover dogs dependable, willing to work and with a strong guarding instinct. In that period they were considered as protection dogs and as for sheep and cattle driving. These former herding dogs kept moving following the Roman military quest to conquer Europe beyond the Alps region, where they continued performing the tasks they were famous for. In the region known as Rottweil, located in what is now southern Germany, they crossed with other native breeds giving birth to the crossbreds whose tasks were mainly protective and defensive, without deserting their former assignments as sheep and cattle drivers. They were known as "Rottweil butcher´s dogs", due to the fact that they were attached to the old imperial town of Rottweil, the oldest in the State of Baden-Württemberg, which got its name from the red colour of the roof tiles and bricks typical of this area of the country. The butchers of the aforementioned city reared them only from the performance and usefulness standpoint. Hence, with the passage of time, an unbeatable protective and herding breed was created. Further utility was found for them as drover dogs. When, at the beginning of the 20th century, canine breeds were sought after to assist the police in their law enforcement mission, there was evidence from the first moment that Rottweilers were the most suitable candidates to fulfil this position. In 1910, they were officially appointed for the role of police dogs. Breeding Rottweilers entails the creation of a strong, vigorous, black short-haired breed, with well-distinctive brownish-red streaks and tan markings on the cheeks, muzzle, chest, legs, and eyebrows, that in spite of its strikingly forceful appearance shows very attractive traits of intelligence, devotion, courage, vigilance and zest for work, particularly well-suited for protection purposes and company.