Rottweilers were initially bred to drive cattle to market. Later, they pulled carts for butchers. Among the earliest police dogs, they serve with honour in the military.
More importantly, Rotties are popular family guardians and friends. Novice pet parents should be cautious, as these dogs are strong and intense. It is essential to provide them with skilled care and training. A Rottie is a loving, faithful, and intelligent lifelong companion for consistent, energetic pet owners!
Famous Rottweilers:
Ferris Bueller’s Day off (1986)
The Omen (1976)
Show Dogs (2018)
Famous Owners
Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, Bruno Mars, Stephen Marley (son of Bob Marley), Robbie Williams
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History
Rottweilers are descendants of the Molossus, a mastiff-type dog. During the Roman conquest, their ancestors drove cattle to Germany. During the army’s travels, the big dogs mated with native dogs and laid the foundation for new breeds.
They passed through Southern Germany, where the Romans established colonies to take advantage of the climate and soil. Red tiles were used for roofing their villas. The red-tiled villa was discovered by town residents when they excavated the ancient Roman baths and built a new church more than 600 years later. Das Rote Wil (the red tile) became the town’s new name after the discovery.
Rottweilers flourished as a cattle market area, the German equivalent of a Texas cowtown, and Roman Molossus dogs drove cattle to town for slaughter. When they returned home after selling their livestock, the cattlemen placed their purses around their Rottweilers’ necks to secure their money. Butchers also used dogs in the area to pull carts loaded with meat.
Cattle drives were eventually replaced by rail transport. Rottweilers nearly went extinct. One Rottweiler was exhibited at a dog show in Heilbronn, Germany, in 1882. It was only in 1901 that the Rottweiler and Leonberger Club was founded, and the first Rottweiler breed standard was written. Not much has changed in the description of the Rottweiler’s appearance and character.
Rottweilers were used in police work, where they were well suited. ADRK (Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub) was founded in 1921 and has been around ever since. The ADRK continues to promote good breeding programs in Germany and throughout the world. Its goal is to preserve Rottweiler’s working ability.
In the late 1920s, a German emigrant brought the first Rottweiler to the U.S. By 1931; the first Rottweiler dog had been registered in the American Kennel Club.
The popularity of the breed increased after World War II. During that time, it was primarily known for its excellent obedience skills. At its peak, more than 100,000 Rottweilers were registered with the American Kennel Club in the mid-1990s.
Traits
Like Hercules, the Rottweiler is strong, faithful, and loving. In Germany, Rotties and Rotts drove cattle and pulled carts for farmers and butchers. Rottie’s muscled body and broad chest reflect that heritage. Despite his strength and stamina, his eyes reveal a mellow, intelligent, alert, and fearless expression when you look into them.
Well-bred Rottweilers are calm and confident. Typically, he is aloof toward strangers, but he is never timid or fearful. When confronted with new situations or people, Rottweilers exhibit a “wait-and-see” attitude. These characteristics make the Rottweiler a natural guard dog with a mellow disposition. They are successful not only in police, military, and customs work but also as a family friend.
Rotties have an instinct to defend their families and can be fierce in their defence. Early socialization, firm, fair, consistent training, and a regular job are essential to channel their power and protectiveness. Unlike companionable guardians, Rottweilers can become dangerous bullies if this doesn’t happen.
There’s a fine line between aggression and protectiveness in Rottweilers. A dog that is not properly socialized and trained can become overly protective if it isn’t properly bred for a calm, intelligent temperament. A Rottie who cannot discriminate is dangerous to everyone he encounters, not just the bad guys.
Your Rottweiler needs a leader he can trust and respect without resorting to anger or physical force. If not, he will assume the role of top dog for himself. The Rottweiler is a powerful and intelligent dog, a recipe for disaster.
Despite what you may have heard, Rottweilers are not temperamentally or inherently vicious. Rotties, well-bred and well-socialized, are playful, gentle, and loving to their families. They make great companions and are easy to train if treated with respect.
Rottweilers can be fantastic dogs, but they aren’t for everyone. Besides training and socializing your Rottie, you must also deal with people who misunderstand and prejudge the breed. It has been banned in some cities due to bad or tragic experiences with Rottweilers or other large breeds. If you own a Rottweiler, you will have to deal with the reality of judging a whole species by the actions of a few.
You can help redeem the breed’s reputation by training your Rottweiler to obey and respect others. Don’t leave your Rottie in the backyard unattended. Rotties are loyal to their people and want to be with them. With the proper guidance and structure, you will have one of the finest companions in the world.
Health
This breed is typically healthy, but like all breeds, they may experience specific health conditions. Not every dog of this breed will get these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware of them. Some common health problems include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Aortic Stenosis/Sub-Aortic Stenosis (AS/SAS)
- Osteosarcoma
- Gastric Torsion (Bloat)
- Pan Osteitis (Pano)
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies