Description

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler takes his name from the little town of Rottweil in Wurtenberg, Western Germany, first of all being known as Rottweil Butcher's Dog and later this was shortened to Rottweiler.  The early dogs were of various colours, including red, wolf grey, etc., and, depending on what work he was required to perform, the butcher used larger or smaller dogs; the large massive ones being mainly utilized for pulling carts and the smaller ones for herding and driving.

After the driving of cattle was forbidden the Rottweiler population declined sharply until in 1905 there was only one, a bitch, to be found in Rottweil. However, the salvation of the breed came in 1910 when it was recognized as one of the four breeds used for police work; the others were Airedale, German Shepherd and Dobermann (a breed with Rottweiler blood in its veins). Two years later, one police dog gained much publicity for the breed by assisting to arrest fourteen drunken sailors in a Kiel pub. Admiral Prince Henry of Prussia, the brother of Emperor William 11, who sent for the policeman and dog to congratulate them, was unable to shake the hand of the former until he had removed his helmet and sat down, thus signifying to the dog that his master was now off duty.

Since that day the future of the Rottweiler has been assured. A club was formed in Germany in 1907, devoted to the interests and well being of the breed. Planned breeding was started and efforts to improve the external appearance carried out with much care and thought.

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