It is believed that the Rottweiler has developed from Roman cattle dogs which had accompanied the herds following in the wake of the Roman armies through Switzerland and into Southern Germany. In the years 73 or 74 AD the 11th Legion of the Roman Empire laid out a camp on the bank of the river Neckar in the Wurtemberg area of Germany.
Many years later, the area grew into a little town whose small villas had roofs made of red tiles and the area became known as ‘das Rote Wil’ – the red roof tiles gave it the first half of its name ‘rot, while its origin as a Roman city gave it ‘wil’ for villa. Therefore, the city of red-roofed Roman villas evolved into the name ‘Rottweil’.
During the Middle Ages the Rottweiler was used for bear hunting and subsequently as a cattle dog. In that role the dog had to guard the herd at night, prevent any cattle from straying and drive the herd long distances by day. The need to control cattle, including dangerous bulls, meant that the dogs were bred to be strong and sturdy, similar to the breed we know today.
At that time there were many breeds endemic to the regions around Rottweil. These would probably have been the Sennenhunds, the breeds which would include the Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller and Entlebucher. These local dogs would probably have interbred with the dogs brought by the Romans and the Rottweiler’s similarity to these breeds is very evident, although the Rottweiler should carry no white on its chest.
He became known as Rottweil Butcher’s Dog and later this was shortened to Rottweiler. The butcher used the larger dogs for pulling carts and the smaller ones for herding and driving cattle. After the driving of cattle was forbidden the Rottweiler population declined sharply and in 1905 there was only one bitch to be found in all of Rottweil.
Many years later, the area grew into a little town whose small villas had roofs made of red tiles and the area became known as ‘das Rote Wil’ – the red roof tiles gave it the first half of its name ‘rot, while its origin as a Roman city gave it ‘wil’ for villa. Therefore, the city of red-roofed Roman villas evolved into the name ‘Rottweil’.
During the Middle Ages the Rottweiler was used for bear hunting and subsequently as a cattle dog. In that role the dog had to guard the herd at night, prevent any cattle from straying and drive the herd long distances by day. The need to control cattle, including dangerous bulls, meant that the dogs were bred to be strong and sturdy, similar to the breed we know today.
At that time there were many breeds endemic to the regions around Rottweil. These would probably have been the Sennenhunds, the breeds which would include the Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller and Entlebucher. These local dogs would probably have interbred with the dogs brought by the Romans and the Rottweiler’s similarity to these breeds is very evident, although the Rottweiler should carry no white on its chest.
He became known as Rottweil Butcher’s Dog and later this was shortened to Rottweiler. The butcher used the larger dogs for pulling carts and the smaller ones for herding and driving cattle. After the driving of cattle was forbidden the Rottweiler population declined sharply and in 1905 there was only one bitch to be found in all of Rottweil.
It is very important for your puppy to grow slowly. Quick growth of the joints can cause hip dysplasia and/or elbow dysplasia. Also be sure to keep your young rottweiler from jumping high, playing on slippery surfaces, and playing on stairs as dysplasia can be caused by environment also. A youth dog can get pano in the joints from growing to fast. Do not give your dog supplements to increase your dogs growth.
Weight Chart
Height Chart
Rottweiler Eye Chart
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The Rottweiler eye color is checked with a eye color chart from Germany. Rottweiler eyes with a 4B, 5 and 6 or any other color is a disqualifying fault. The darker the eye color the beter and the more favorable in the show ring. The Rottweiler eye chart to the left is what the Germans use as a guideline.
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A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WHY SOME ROTTWEILERS HAVE WHITE ON THE CHEST
Can a purebred Rottweiler have white on the chest? YES
The white spot is a trait dated back into the late 1890's to the early 1900's. The two most common molossar dogs in that era were the Bernese Mountain Dog (long coat) and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (short coat).There are several other molossar dogs from that time, however, these were the two dogs that have the known trait for the white chest. The orgin of the two dogs are from Switzerland (borders southern Germany). A white spot is not a health related issue. The type or color of fur does not indicate that the dog has a health problem. The goal is to eliminate the white trait in Rottweilers. Breeders that produce puppies with a white marking on the chest typically sell them as "pet quality" only and do not allow breeding rights. The AKC papers are given to the puppy owners but marked with "limited registration". Those who purchase a Rottweiler puppy with a white marking should have the puppy spayed/neutered when old enough. That is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do for your Rottweiler.
The white spot is a trait dated back into the late 1890's to the early 1900's. The two most common molossar dogs in that era were the Bernese Mountain Dog (long coat) and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (short coat).There are several other molossar dogs from that time, however, these were the two dogs that have the known trait for the white chest. The orgin of the two dogs are from Switzerland (borders southern Germany). A white spot is not a health related issue. The type or color of fur does not indicate that the dog has a health problem. The goal is to eliminate the white trait in Rottweilers. Breeders that produce puppies with a white marking on the chest typically sell them as "pet quality" only and do not allow breeding rights. The AKC papers are given to the puppy owners but marked with "limited registration". Those who purchase a Rottweiler puppy with a white marking should have the puppy spayed/neutered when old enough. That is the RESPONSIBLE thing to do for your Rottweiler.
