The modern Rottweiler dog breed was developed in Rottweil, Germany and is named after that city. The breed had experienced a decline in popularity in the 1800s, so much so that only one Rottweiler was shown at the dog show in Heilbronn, Germany in 1882. In 1901, a Rottweiler Club was formed in Germany and by 1935 the breed had been recognized. by the American Kennel Club as a purebred member of the working dog group.
The Rottweiler has an illustrious though unconfirmed history. The breed is believed to have descended from Roman Mastiffs nearly two thousand years ago. These dogs were a viable part of the conquering Roman army. They were used to herding cattle to feed the army and also as guard dogs. For the year 700 AD. C., the Romans had been expelled from the city of “das Rote Wil” (the red tile), but the ancestors of their dogs remained and were used as beasts of burden and for herding in the city, which later became Rottweil, Germany.
The personality and appearance of the Rottweiler dog breed make it unique.
Surprisingly, one of the first adjectives used to describe the Rottweiler’s personality is calm. The breed is known to make an excellent, laid-back family pet. In fact, a calm, courageous, and confident temperament is the breed standard according to the American Kennel Club, which registered the Rottweiler in 1935. Other personality traits include loyalty to family but distance from strangers, intelligence, work ethic and self-confidence. All of these traits help the Rottweiler dog perform the tasks it does best, such as herding, guarding, tracking, racing, and doing police and military work.
The strong physical traits of the Rottweiler also define the breed. All purebred Rottweilers have distinctive coloration with a short, all-black coat with brown markings on specific areas of the cheeks, muzzle, paws, and feet. A strong and large dog, the Rottweiler is muscular with a broad head and chest. Its tail is usually docked to give its body a longer, streamlined appearance. Rottweilers are easily differentiated from other dog breeds by their physical and personality traits.
There is no guarantee that an abused Rottweiler dog will not become aggressive in the future. Even if the dog has been rescued and resocialized by a rescue center, the potential for violence will always be there. It is typically recommended that prospective dog owners look to adopt or foster rescued purebred puppies from shelters rather than purchase purebred puppies. However, this is not a good option with the Rottweiler dog due to its size and potential for aggressive behavior if threatened.
When buying a purebred Rottweiler, it’s a good idea for the buyer to visit the kennel and see how the puppies are raised. If Rottweilers are given love and training from an early age, they will have a good foundation on which the buyer can build. It’s also important to research breeders to make sure they’re ethical. Buyers should be familiar with the breed standard for Rottweiler dogs and should look for the calm temperament, specific black and tan markings, and other characteristics unique to the breed. Most importantly, the buyer’s home must meet the Rottweiler’s social and activity needs in order for the dog and owner to lead a healthy and happy life together.