Rottweiler Origin and History

Rottweiler Dog Breed Origin

The lineage and ancestry of the Rottweiler is not documented on
official record anywhere. Bearing this in mind, it is suspected
and theorized that the Rottweiler is from the line of drover dogs
that were native to the ancient Rome region. The drover dog
has been depicted as have Mastiff-type traits such as
dependability, ruggedness, hard working, extremely intelligent
and profoundly strong guarding instincts.

The Rottweiler breed that we know today is not the same as the original Rottweilers.
Roman Emperors had many, many conquests and invasions throughout Europe using
extremely massive armies full of thousands of men. The ability to feed these men and
protect the army supplies was of utmost importance for the success of the Roman armies.

During the time of the invasions, there was no method for refrigeration of meat to feed
the soldiers. Armies had to rely on their food sources, such as cattle, staying alive and
‘on the hoof’. As a result, the Rottweiler became a very popular and liked dog because
with it’s Mastiff-type traits it could herd and lead the ‘on the hoof’ food supplies as well
as guard and protect the herds and supply divisions of the armies during the evening
hours.

There were numerous conquests and invasions from the Roman army but one of
particular interest is the invasions during A.D.74 where the route was focused on the Alps
located in today’s Southern Germany regions. This territory was called Are Flaviae and
provided excellent climate, rich and fertile soil along with a central localized location. It
is interesting that history points to the very significant role that the awesome fearless
Roman drover dog played during this journey from Rome to the wilderness banks of the
Neckar River.

Rottweiler Dog Breed History

Historical accounts of the time period indicate that the ancestors of the initial Roman
drover dogs were used to guard herds and assist the Romans for the following two
centuries. Also, Circa A.D. 260 history reports that the Swabians defeated the Romans
from Are Flaviae and took over the city. With the resulting agriculture and cattle trading
as a primary occupation there was even further need for this dog breed.

Approximately A.D. 700 the building of a Christian church ordered by a local duke on
the former Roman baths unearthed Roman villa red tiles. In order to differentiate the
town from others in the area, the church named it das Rote Wil (meaning the red tile), a
origin of the present day word Rottweil.
Rottweil’s control as both a cultural and exchange center increased significantly and
without challenge throughout the twelfth century. The success of the Rottweil’s new
booming business led to a virtually all-new town built with intricate fortifications above
the Neckar River. This increased security from the fortifications lead to an increase in
the cattle trade as well as a larger population of butchers in the vicinity. A natural result
was that more of the Rottweiler breed was necessary for herding the cattle back and forth
between the markets.

The ancestors of the common Roman drover dog continued their successful cattle trade
until the mid-nineteenth century, ending when cattle driving were banned. Additionally,
dog carts would be replaced with the use of the donkey and the building of railroads.

The Rottweiler Metzgerhund, also known as butcher dog, encountered a struggle to

maintain its mere existence. Being replaced by donkeys and railroads caused a
tremendous decline in the numbers of Rottweiler breed. In fact during the year of 1882,
there was only one of the Rottweiler breed present at a dog show that was held in
Heilbronn, Germany.

The recordings of cynology do not even mention the Rottweiler breed again until the year
1901 during which time a Rottweiler and Leonberger Club was created. Even though the
life of the club was short-lived it formed the first standards for the breed. Important to
know is that the basic type of the breed has not through the years changed substantially
and the general character called for by the club has not changed at all.

Later the Rottweiler would emerge in its usefulness and numbers increase. Between the
years 1901 to 1907, Rottweiler dogs became the mot popular choice for a police dog. A
few organizations were put together as discord became the norm until the year 1921 when
there was an agreement to create th e Allegmeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (ADRK).
Up until this time approximately 3,400 Rottweiler dogs had been registered with different
guideline specifications and even duplications by three or four varying Rottweiler clubs.
All of this confusion and misunderstanding would be laid to rest in the year of 1924 when
the ADRK organization would publish its original stud book.

Since its beginning and despite the huge problems that arose as a result of WWII, the
ADRK continued to sustain its leadership and to encourage selective breeding programs
that have been upheld in Germany and overseas.

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