Are you nuts about Rotties? Or perhaps you want to learn more about this often misunderstood breed and what sort of owner they suit? Here's some info on the history of the breed and their core characteristics.
What dog breed group are Rottweilers in?
Breed group: Working dog
It's all in the name with this one, dogs of the working breed group are developed specifically for a certain job, task or activity. Strong, intelligent and agile, dogs of this kind excel at guarding property, pulling heavy items and search-and-rescue - though maybe not all at the same time.
Due to the nature of some of their roles, working dogs are thought of as some of the most heroic pooches in the world, as they help their human pals in all manner of situations - sometimes even life or death. In the case of the Rottweiler, they were tasked with pulling heavy carts for butchers and helping to drive cattle to markets, reflected in its broad chest and muscular body.
Rottweiler breed history
Rottweiler's have a history potentially dating back to the Roman Empire, thought to be descendants of the Roman drover dogs - a mastiff-type that was dependable, intelligent and showed great instinct.
As the Roman's conquered, their dogs were bred with local pooches and eventually, a breed resembling the modern Rottie was developed, being named after the German town, Rottweil. Rottweiler's pulled carts for the Roman's and drove their cattle (the army's source of food), and protected them all by night from wildlife and enemies.
Their use somewhat diminished as railroads became popular but WWI and WWII soon saw these pups becoming ever-popular again as service and police dogs. 1936 saw the first time Rottweiler's were featured in British Crufts and they have since become a sought-after dog in the UK.
Rottweiler breed characteristics
Over the year's there's been a lot of talk about the Rottweiler's traits but most pups of this breed are incredibly loving, loyal and affectionate.
At a glance, Rottweiler's are:
- Intelligent
- Obedient
- Quick learners
- Affectionate
- Child-friendly
- Independent
- Good natured
- Protective
- Loyal
- People-oriented
- Confident
- Strong
What are Rottweilers bred for?
Rottweiler's were bred for their strength, intelligence and protectiveness which made them fantastic drover dogs, guardians and service animals. Their inherent loyalty also meant they were used to carry money on their collars, trusting they would protect it from thieves.
Despite a stint of bad publicity, modern-day Rottie's are bred to be great companion dogs, more often than not making good family pets. You're also still likely to see them in the role of police or military dog given their discipline and obedience.
What sort of owner would a Rottweiler suit?
Rottweiler's would do well with an owner experienced with their breed or one similar due to the need for ongoing training, socialisation and an understanding of their needs from a young age. They love being around people and don't like being left for long periods of time, so owners who work from home or can pop back regularly would do well.
Whilst they love children, they can sometimes forget their own size and strength so if in a household with very young children, supervision and training on gentleness is key - for both dog and infant! As with most big dogs, a Rottie pup would prefer being in an active household where daily walks and regular trips to the park are part of the schedule.