Rottweilers, Did you know ??

 Home Page | Breed Standard | Breed History | Did you know ?? | Photos Gallery | Desktop Wallpapers

• The Rottweiler is one of the descendents of Roman drover dogs.
• The Rottweiler is a breed of domestic dog known for its medium to large size and its strength.
• They originate from Rottweil, Germany and were known as “Rottweil Butcher’s Dogs” (German: Rottweiler Metzgerhund) because they were used to herd livestock as well as pull carts laden with butchered meat and other products to market.
• About 700 AD the local Duke of Arae Flaviae (what is now Southern Germany) ordered a Christian church built on the site of the former Roman baths. Excavations unearthed the red tiles of Roman villas; to distinguish the town, it was then named das Rote Wil (the red tile), which is of course recognizable as the derivation of the present Rottweil.
• Some records indicate that earlier Rottweilers may have also been used for hunting although the modern Rottweiler has a relatively low hunting instinct. It is a hardy and very intelligent breed.
• As the town increased in prosperity during the uproar of industry, the Rottweiler, called the Rottweil Metzgerhund (butcher dog), decreased considerably in popularity.
• The Rottweiler was employed in these traditional roles until the mid-19th century when railroads replaced droving for getting livestock to market.
• While still used in herding, Rottweilers are now also used in search and rescue, as guide dogs for the blind, as guard or police dogs, and in other roles.
• Eventually, in the early 20th century, the reinvigorated Rottweiler remerged as a police dog.
• The breed is an ancient one, whose history stretches back to the Roman Empire. In those times, the legions traveled with their meat on the hoof and required the assistance of working dogs to herd the cattle. One route the army traveled was through Württemberg and on to the small market town of Rottweil.
• The principal ancestors of the first Rottweilers during this time are believed to be the Roman droving dog, local dogs the army met on its travels, and dogs with molosser appearance coming from England and The Netherlands.
• The skull is of medium length, broad between the ears. The forehead line is moderately arched as seen from the side. The occipital bone well developed without being conspicuous. The stop is well defined.
• The first Rottweiler club in Germany, named DRK (“Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub” — German Rottweiler Club) was created the 13 January 1907, and followed by the creation of the SDRK (“Süddeutscher Rottweiler-Klub” — South German Rottweiler Club) on the 27 April 1907 and became the IRK (International Rottweiler Club). The DRK counted around 500 Rottweiler, the SDRK 3000 Rottweilers.
• The zygomatic arches should be pronounced. The eyes should be of medium size, almond-shaped and dark brown in colour. The eyelids are close fitting.
• The ears are medium-sized, pendant, triangular, wide apart, and set high on the head. With the ears laid forward close to the head, the skull appears to be broadened.
• The skin on the head is tight fitting overall. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.
• The Rottweiler was admitted to the AKC Stud Book in 1931.
• Rottweiler breeders aim at a dog of abundant strength, black coated with clearly defined rich tan markings, whose powerful appearance does not lack nobility and which is exceptionally well suited to being a companion, service and working dog.
• The Rottweiler parent club was founded in 1971.
• Strong, of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, clean, free from throatiness, without dewlap and very long neck.
• The coat consists of a top coat and an undercoat. The top coat is of medium length, coarse, dense and flat. The undercoat must not show through the top coat. The hair is a little longer on the hind-legs.
• Technically a “medium / large” breed, according to the FCI standard the Rottweiler stands 24-27 inches at the withers for males, 22-25 inches for females, and the average weight is 110-130 pounds(weight relative to height) for males and 90-105 pounds (weight is relative to height) for females.
• Rottweilers are a relatively healthy, disease-free breed. As with most large breeds hip dysplasia can be a problem. However the various Rottweiler breed clubs have had x-ray testing regimes in place for many years. A reputable breeder will have the hips and elbows of all breeding stock x-rayed and read by a recognised specialist. They will have paperwork to prove it.