Rottweillers : A Guide To The Breed

While the true history of the Rottweiller is a little unclear it is thought that it is an ancient breed whose history stretches back to the Roman Empire. In those times the ancestors of the Rottweiller were used by the Roman Legions to herd and drive their cattle across the Alps. It is probable that early Rottweillers are connected to the Greater Swiss Mountain dog and Entelbuchers which also have Roman connections.

One route travelled by the Romans was thorough Wurttemberg, Germany and on to the small market town of Rottweil which became an important cattle area and was where these dogs were crossed with local sheepdogs to create the 'Rottweiller Metzgerhund' or the Rottweil Butcher's Dog. These Rottweillers were used by Butchers to guard their livestock.

By the end of the 19th century the breed had declined a great deal due to the outlawing of cattle driving in Germany and in 1900 there was only one female Rottweiller in the town of Rottweil. The beginning of the First World War in 1914 saw the return to favour of the breed as there was a great demand for them as police dogs. During this period they proved their great physical and mental abilities.

After this period the Rottweiller breed became popular with dogs owners and they entered the United States in the 1930's and were accepted in their kennel club in 1935 and into the British kennel club and exhibited at Crufts the following year. In 1966 a separate register was opened for the breed.

The Rottweiller is an intelligent dog but also very dominant, it is a must for any owner to encourage socialisation and provide firm and consistent training at a young age by a calm handler. They grow to become very loyal to their handlers and people they are familiar with and will defend them to the end. The breed is very sensitive to the human voice so this can be used to some advantage when praising the dog.

When choosing a puppy, owners should be careful as temperaments can vary, some will be independent and aloof and therefore less friendly while others are outgoing and friendly with everyone. Remember that this breed can be aggressive so are unsuitable for the timid owner. The breed is not really a barker; the male is generally a silent watcher who notices everything, while the female can bark when protecting the den. An experience owner will know when the dog feels under threat but barking is usually as a result of annoyance rather than feeling under threat.

There have been examples in recent years where unscrupulous breeders have encouraged Rottweillers to become vicious and aggressive guard dogs, or have neglected to train the dog at all resulting in a dangerous and unpredictable dog. The result of this is that Rottweillers were the second most common dogs involved in human attacks. The bad publicity of the breed has also not been helped by its appearance in several feature films and TV shows where the Rottweiller has been portrayed as a dangerous attacking breed.

Despite this bad press, those who have had contact with properly raised Rottweillers will attest to the good nature and friendliness. But it must be remembered that these dogs are for experienced and involved owners who have the time and physical strength to train the dog properly. In general though, the breed is devoted, quick to learn and eager to please. They need frequent attention and mental stimulation to avoid becoming destructive and they will become a good working dog which is also good for the protection of children and for guard duties.

Rottweillers have appeared in many feature films and have not always been portrayed as aggressive, some of the titles they have starred in are: Lethal Weapon 3 and Lethal Weapon 4, Dumb and Dumber, Star Trek: Enterprise, Conan the Barbarian, Pet Cemetery, Catch That Kid and The Omen.
Apparently the song Supersonic" by Britpop band Oasis has a line about the studio engineers Rottweiller who kept farting all the time. Band member Noel Gallagher repeatedly commented on this saying she'd been filling up on Alka-Seltzer. The line from the song goes: I know a girl called Elsa, she's into Alka-Seltzer"