Rottweiler

The Rottweiler may be one of the world's most versatile breeds. Originally from Germany, where it was bred to herd livestock and pull carts, it has often been used as a guard dog, police dog or service dog. This is a medium large breed, standing 22 to 27 inches tall at the withers. It is stocky, square and very muscular. The double coat of the Rottweiler is medium length, flat, coarse and sleek, black in color with rust to mahogany markings; in warmer climates the breed may lose its undercoat over time. Unlike many of its herding cousins, the Rottweiler has some ancestry in the Molosser or mastiff type of dog, giving it the characteristic large head and prominent jowls, as well as the tendency to guard. Rottweilers have a gathering style of herding, with a loose eye. They will commonly pick out the leader of the herd, and bully that individual, thereby establishing eventual control over the rest of the herd. The Rottie is one of the world's oldest herding breeds. In ancient times, the a Rottweiler-type dog traveled with the Roman legions when they invaded Europe. These armies moved with herds of livestock that provided food during the long months or years the army was at war. Their large herding dogs drove the herd, hauled equipment and protected the camp. The Roman army often passed southward over the Alps to a market town there which over time became known as das Rot Wile in the native tongue "red tile"�, a description of the red tile roofs which were prominent in the area. It is from this feature that the breed gets its name. Farmers in this area recognized the valuable herding and guard dog potential in the Rottweiler and consequently bred to emphasize those characteristics. By the 12th century the town was a well-used center of commerce, particularly for cattle farmers and butchers. The Rottweiler was used to drive herds of cattle to market, and also by the merchants to guard their safety as they walked the streets with a purse of money around their necks. For centuries, given its many aptitudes, the breed was indispensable. Still, the Rottweiler fell out of favor over the centuries, and by the dawn of the 20th century was rare. Then starting in 1901, the Rottie became a popular choice as a police dog. A breed club was formed in Germany to establish a standard and promote the breed. During the first and second world wars, the Rottweiler became a familiar sight; it was used as a guard dog, a courier, and to haul equipment. The Rottweiler's coat is an easy-care one, requiring little brushing and occasional baths. This breed will shed moderately in the spring and fall, and the female will shed before coming into season. The Rottweiler needs plenty of mental stimulation: it is an intelligent, mentally busy dog. Physical exercise must also be given daily in the form of hard play sessions and/or a few long walks. Neglect of the these needs can result in a dog who is destructive or aggressive. The owner should take care not to allow over-feeding of the Rottie; this breed has a tendency to become easily overweight. Allowing the Rottweiler to be overweight encourages harmful and expensive physical issues such as diabetes, heart disease, skin ailments, and joint problems. The Rottweiler is not a breed for the inexperienced dog owner. It is strong-willed, has pronounced guarding tendencies and is well-muscled and physically powerful. Training must begin in puppyhood and be ongoing and consistent. The pup should be exposed to many people, various situations and other dogs, early and often, in order to discourage any propensity to aggression. That being said, the emotionally healthy and well-trained Rottweiler is placid, obedient, devoted and playful with family and friends. Fanciers of the breed point to its tendency to wait in alert mode and think through a situation before approaching; it is fearless but never rash. It is certain that the breed has been unfairly maligned during the latter half of the 20th century, when the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the U.S. named it the most likely breed after the Pit Bull Terrier to be involved in a fatal attack on a human. There are likely several factors as work with this statistic: first, it is a common and popular breed and so would be counted in numbers; secondly, many people get a Rottweiler puppy and find that the training it requires to be a safe dog is way beyond their abilities and knowledge; thirdly and saddest of all, the breed is exploited by owners who associate it with machismo and encourage aggression. Added to these problems is the tendency of the media to present the breed in films as a ferocious breed. Fanciers insist that the truth is that the Rottweiler is a formidable guard dog with strong territorial tendencies and a strong personality, and it must be adequately trained and efficiently handled from an early age. When these elements are in place, they say, it is an excellent family pet, good with children, trainable and devoted. However, it is interesting that the American Kennel Club standard, when speaking about behaviors in the ring which are grounds for elimination, states that ". . . an aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs should not be faulted"�. And thus the controversy and confusion continue, to the detriment of the breed's reputation. Today, the Rottweiler is used as a service dog, a police dog, a guard dog, or an all-around farm work dog. When bred responsibly, trained faithfully and appreciated for its many good qualities, the Rottweiler can be an excellent companion and family dog. A well-trained Rottie is indeed gentle and protective toward children in the family, and tolerant of other pets. Owners of the Rottweiler will find that is in an excellent breed to involve in formal obedience competitions and will also enjoy herding and competitive cart-pulling.

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