Rottweiler

February 7, 2023

1 53 4 minutes read

History

The Rottweiler is traditionally considered German, and it is true, however, it appeared on German soil only centuries after they were created. When on the territory of modern Germany, there were only settlements of semi-wild Germanic tribes. The Roman Empire, expanding its borders, seized new territories, and the lands beyond the Rhine were of great value, as were the people who inhabited them.

The Romans had fighting dogs, and they, of course, in the process of advancing troops to new lands, mated with local dogs. The same thing happened in Germany. Romans not only passed through this region but also left behind deep traces in the form of culture, settlements, cities, and roads. In the Middle Ages, during the time of the new Holy Roman Empire, the inhabitants of one of the Germanic settlements decided to build a church and began to form a foundation, they discovered the remains of an ancient Roman villa, with a red tiled roof.

That’s how Rottweilers got their name. “Rot” translates from the German language to “Red” and “Weil” is a derivative of “Weiler” and means “hamlet” or town. This became the name of the new city, as well as the breed of dogs. The Rottweiler was widely used by butchers, who, going to the capital to sell cattle and meat, always took these dogs with them as protectors.

Some even managed to attach them to small carts, and on the way back, in order to save the money they earned, they tied the money around the neck of the animal. Surprisingly, with the introduction of railways, Rottweilers almost disappeared. By the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, very few individuals remained. The reason was simple – butchers and other merchants began to ride trains, and over the years, these dogs became irrelevant.

In Heilbronn, Germany, there was only 1 Rottweiler present in the 1881 dog show. The situation changed for the better only in 1901 – enthusiasts created the first club of Rottweilers and Leonbergers, and at the same time the first breed standard was written. By the way, modern standards have not changed much since then.

The Rottweiler saw the United States at the end of the 1920s, along with emigrants from Germany – after the First World War, the country experienced an economic disaster, and people left in masses. The first dog of the Rottweiler breed in America was registered in 1931, and her name was Stina Von Felsenmeer. In 1990, the number of owners of this breed registered with the American Kennel Club was 100,000 people.

Description

Rottweiler dogs have a large, muscular physique, and a wide and deep chest. Its legs are medium length, strong, and also muscular. Their neck is thick and massive, and their head is large, with a powerful mouth. The ears hang down on the side of the head on the cheekbones. Their tail is usually docked, and the color is black with tan.

Personality

The Rottweiler can be both a ferocious and ruthless beast, as well as a best friend, or, for example, a nanny for a small child. It all depends on the situation and environment, as well as the people it interacts with. This breed has a well-developed intellect, although many people underestimate this quality in them, developing exclusively security and fighting skills.

The Rottweiler loves walking, loves being active, and needs training and physical activity, especially considering the fact that he is prone to gaining excess weight. Especially when they reach adulthood. These dogs have a strong character with a certain degree of independence and do not like unnecessary aggression and groundless punishment from their owner.

Such methods of raising and communicating with this breed are the worst you can use. It will cause the animal’s psyche to develop incorrectly, and it is not known what this will result in in the future. One thing is for sure – nothing good will come from it.

Try to earn the respect of your dog, never go too far, do not lose your temper, and be a fair owner. They treat children well and are very attached to their families. They can literally give their lives for their owner or his child.

They usually are neutral towards strangers, with some caution but without aggression. Unless the stranger shows a negative attitude/aggression towards the dog or its owner. It is best to introduce them to cats at an early age. They need early socialization in general.

Training

Since the Rottweiler is dominant and stubborn by default, training should begin at an early age. This should be done with a person who has had experience in dog training. A person who is calm and well-balanced.

The Rottweiler is excellent at fulfilling guard duties or being a protection dog. They have sufficient intelligence and memory to learn both basic and more complex commands. This breed has a strong and independent character, and therefore you need to teach it how to behave correctly, both in everyday life and in training sessions.

It is a bad idea to try to break the character of this dog by using brute force. You also shouldn’t build your relationship based on forceful domination. You should develop respect for the authority of the owner as well as focus on obedience. This breed is recommended for people with experience in dog training.

Care

The Rottweiler breed has a short coat that requires brushing once a week. You should clean the eyes every day, and the ears about 2 – 3 times a week. Bathe the animal twice a week, and cut its claws once every 10 days. This breed is prone to gaining excess weight, so you need to follow its diet carefully.

This breed loves long walks and should have at least two long walks a day and about two hours of exercise.