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
