ROTTWEILER HISTORY

The origin of the Rottweiler is not a documented record.

Once this is recognized, actual history tempered by reasonable

supposition indicates the likelihood he is descended from

one of the drover dogs indigenous to ancient Rome.

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.

Campaigns of the Roman army varied in scope,

but the one of concern to us took place

approximately A.D. 74. Its route was across the

Alps terminating in what is now southern Germany.

Arae Flaviae, as the new territory was called, had

natural advantages of climate, soil, and central location.

There is much evidence pointing to the vital

role of the fearless Roman drover dog on this trek from

Rome to the banks of the Neckar River.

We have no reason to doubt that descendants

of the original Roman drover dogs continued

to guard the herds through the next two centuries.

Circa A.D. 260 the Swabians ousted the Romans

from Arae Flaviae, taking over the city. Agriculture

and the trading of cattle remained their prime

occupations, insuring the further need for the dogs.

About A.D. 700 the local Duke ordered a Christian

church built on the site of the former Roman baths.

Excavations unearthed the red tiles of Roman villas.

To distinguish the town from others, it was then

named das Rote Wil (the red tile), which of course

is recognizable as the derivation of the present Rottweil.

Rottweil's dominance as a cultural and trade

center increased unabated, and in the middle

 of the 12th century further fame and fortune

came to it. An all-new town with elaborate

fortifications was built on the heights above

the river. The security thus provided increased

commerce in cattle. Butchers concentrated in

the area and inevitably more dogs were needed

to drive the cattle to and from the markets.

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),

as he came to be called, 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.

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.

The First Documented Rottweilers

Lord Remo vom Schifferstadt (around 1911)

Lord von der Teck (Around 1913)

Ralph von Neckar

Max von der Strahlenburg

Leo von Cannstatt (1908)

Leo von Plattenhardt (1905)

Ido vom Köhlerwad Reichssieger

Hackel vom Köhlerwad Reichssieger

Alex vom Zabergäu

Odo vom Ellernbrook SchH III Sieger 1948, 1949