IS THE ROTTWEILER THE BREED FOR YOU?
Honestly ask
yourself these questions – you may be surprised by the answers:
1. What do you know about the breed?
2. Why have you decided on a Rottweiler?
3. Have you any experience controlling a large, powerful dog?
4. Have you any experience owning and training a “guard” breed?
5. Have you ever owned a dog before?
6. Is everyone in your family happy about a Rottweiler joining the family?
7. Do you intend to obedience train your puppy?
8. Who will train and socialise your puppy?
9. Is your property fully fenced?
10. Will you purchase a male or a female?
11. Why?
12. If purchasing a female, do you have a secure area for when she comes
into season?
13. If purchasing a male, do you realise they are larger, more powerful and
harder to control than a female?
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Thank you for
taking the time to contact our Club. We hope the information provided in the
next few sheets will help you make an informative decision when purchasing your
Rottweiler. If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact us.
The Rottweiler (whose origin dates back to
Roman times), is considered to be one of the oldest breeds of dog. The Roman
Legions marched over the Alps, using the ancestors of the Rottweiler to drive,
herd and guard their cattle from marauders. During their stay in Germany the
Romans built a settlement, das Rote Wil, (which later became Rotwil, and still
later Rottweil). In the third century AD, the Romans were defeated by a
Germanic tribe, (the Alemanni) and so returned to Rome, leaving many of these
dogs behind.
Their name, Rottweiler, was derived from the
German town of Rottweil, (having previously been the Roman settlement) which was
an important trade centre during the Middle Ages. Here the Breed became firmly
established, being bred and used mainly by butchers, and thus first acquiring
the name of the Rottweil Butcher’s Dog. Dogs during this time were not kept
purely as pets, they had specific duties to perform in order to earn their
keep. The Rottweiler was no exception to this, they were bred for their working
ability, courage and stamina. In due course a first rate droving, guard and
draught dog evolved, whose devotion to work and master was unsurpassed.
The Rottweiler began to fall into decline by
the nineteenth century; the modern world had lost its use for this wonderful
dog. Droving was forbidden, due to the coming of the railways, the Rottweiler
was therefore only used as a draught dog, pulling the small carts of various
traders around outlying villages. Sadly, by 1905, only one Rottweiler bitch was
reported to be registered in Rottweil.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the
Rottweiler, (together with other breeds) was tested by the Police for it’s
suitability as a Service Dog. It was soon evident that the breed’s courage,
devotion, alertness, intelligence and flexibility, made it easily suited to the
tasks set for Police Dogs. In 1910 the Rottweiler became officially recognised
as a Police Service Dog, here began the resurgence of the Breed!
The Rottweiler
should be very obedient, biddable, calm and eager to work. He should have a
strong devotion to his owners and home, and defend both with courage and
fearlessness when the need arises. His intelligence is high, with a willingness
to retrieve, good tracking ability and considerable endurance. He has a keen
fondness for children, and has been used successfully as a Guide Dog for the
Blind, Search and Rescue Dog and a Police Service Dog.
His appearance should radiate an impression of
great strength, agility and endurance. He is a medium to large, sturdy dog of
compact powerful build. Both males and females should be robust and well
muscled, with strong, thick bones. He should not be too leggy, weedy or too
lightly built.
The colour is black with well-defined markings
of mahogany to tan. His coat consists of a topcoat and an undercoat. The top
coat is course, dense and flat.
The height (according to the standard) at
shoulder is: dogs 61 – 68 cm (24” – 27” approx), and females 56 – 63 cm (22” –
25” approx). Height should always be considered in relation to the proportion
of the dog.
A fair estimate of weight for males is
approximately 48 – 55 kg: bitches 38 – 42 kg. This is a guide, ideal weight
varies in accordance to size and substance. The Rottweiler is a working dog and
should therefore be trim, they should have a visible waistline behind the ribs.
Rottweilers should appear to be athletic, not overweight lazy dogs.