The breed is an ancient one and its history stretches back to the Roman Empire.This drover
dog has been described
by various accredited sources as having been of the Mastiff-type-a dependable, rugged,
willing worker, possessed of great intelligence, and a strong guarding instinct.
The transition from Roman herding dog to the dog we know today as the Rottweiler can be
attributed to the ambitions of the Roman Emperors to conquer Europe. Very large armies
were required for these expeditions and the logistics of feeding that number of men
became a major consideration. No means of refrigeration existed which meant that the
meat for the soldiers had to accompany the troops "on the hoof." The services of a dog
capable of keeping the herd intact during the long march were needed. The above-described
"Mastiff-type" was admirably suited to both that job and the additional responsibility of
guarding the supply dumps at night.
In those times the legions travelled with their meat on the hoof and required
the assistance of working dogs to herd the cattle. One of the routes the army travelled
was through Wüberg and on to the small market town of Rottweil.
This region eventually became an important cattle area and the descendants of the Roman cattle
dogs proved their worth in both droving and protecting the cattlemen from robbers. It would be a
brave villain who would try and remove the purse around the neck of a Rottweiler
Metzgershund (Butcher's Dog of Rottweil).
The descendants of the Roman drover dog plied their trade without interruption until the
middle of the 19th century, at which time the driving of cattle was outlawed; in addition,
the donkey and the railroad replaced the dog cart.
The Rottweiler Metzgerhund (butcher dog),then fell on hard times.
His function had been severely curtailed and in those days, dogs earned their keep or there
was no reason for their existence. The number of Rottweilers declined so radically that in 1882
the dog show in Heilbronn, Germany reported just one poor example of the breed present.
The annals of cynology make no further mention of the breed until 1901 when a combined
Rottweiler and Leonberger Club was formed. This Club was shortlived but notable because
the first Rottweiler standard appeared under its auspices. It is of value for us to know
that the general type advocated has not changed substantially and the character called for,
not at all.
But the build up to the First World War
saw a great demand for "police dogs" and that led to a revival in interest for the Rottweiler.
Its enormous strength, its intelligence, and its ability to take orders made it a natural weapon
of war
In these years (1901-07) the Rottweiler again found favor as a police dog. Several clubs
were organized as dissension was most common until 1921 when it was agreed to form the
Allegmeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (ADRK). By that time, 3,400 Rottweilers had been
registered by three or four clubs. Duplications and confusion ended when the ADRK published
its first stud book in 1924.
Since its inception, despite the difficulties encountered during and in the aftermath of
World War II, the ADRK has remained intact and through its leadership enlightened,
purposeful breeding programs have been promoted both in Germany and abroad.
