Rottweiler Facts – History &
Origins
Although the Rottweiler breed we recognize today originated in
Germany in the early part of the 20th century, it has a history that goes much
further back and crosses Europe.
There is no documented history for the very early beginnings of the
Rottweiler, but it’s believed to have be descended from the dogs that traveled
across Europe with the Roman army.
These early dogs are usually described as being of ‘mastiff type’ and
probably bear only a passing resemblence to todays Rottie.
The name ‘Rottweiler’ comes from the name of a town in Germany, Rottweil, which was built on the site of Roman baths. The red tiles that were excavated there gave the town it’s name – ‘das Rot Wil’ which translates as the
red tile’.
These early ancestors of todays dogs were working dogs, and were usually used
for droving cattle or protecting people and property.
The first official Breed Standard for the Rottweiler was compiled in 1901.
The first Rottweiler Breed Clubs were formed in 1907, in Heidelberg, Germany.
This town is now often referred to as the ‘true birthplace of the Rottweiler’.
The first Rottweiler was imported from Germany into the USA in 1928, and into
the UK in 1936.
The breed had a surge in popularity during the 1980′s and 90′s and reached
the Number 4 on the AKC List of Popular Breeds in 1998. The latest figures
available show a slump since then, and in 2008 the Rottie placed at Number 14.
Rottweiler Facts – Breed Standard and Character
Although a very
early breed standard was written by Albert Kull in 1883, the official Rottweiler
Breed Standard was established in 1921 and has remained largely unchanged since
then.
Today many people think of the Rottweiler breed as a ‘giant breed’ and some
breeders strive (unwisely in my opinion) to breed extra-large dogs. However, the
Rottweiler Breed Standard usually describes them as being a ‘medium to large
sized dog’.
A male Rottie should measure between 24 and 27 inches (at the shoulder), and
a female between 22 and 23 inches. Weight should fall somewhere between 75 and
130 lbs. Females being toward the lower end of the range.
The coat should be black, with tan, rust or mahogany ‘points’. It’s a double
coat, strong coarse top coat which is black, often with a grey or red undercoat.
Black lips, gums and paw pads and nails. Dark brown eyes.
The Rottweiler temperament isn’t that of an aggressive, vicious dog (as so
many people mistakenly believe’. The breed standard calls for a ‘calm,
confident and courageous dog’, and some of the words I would use to describe
my Rotties are….. brave, strong, intelligent, reserved, hardworking, devoted,
loyal (need I say more?)