These dogs can either be fierce guard dogs or cuddly companions, depending on their upbringing. Learn more about this loyal canine.
1. THEY MIGHT BE FROM ROME …
It is widely believed that these sturdy dogs are descendants of drover dogsin Ancient Rome. The mastiff-like dogs were used to pull carts, herd animals, and guard homes. Because of the need to control large animals like bulls, the dogs were bred to be strong and robust.
2. … BUT THEY WERE PERFECTED IN GERMANY.
When Roman armies headed to Germany on their way to conquer Europe, they brought the Rottweiler's ancestors with them. Because there were no refrigerators at the time, the soldiers traveled with their cattle, rather than slaughter the cows for meat before the journey. And naturally, they needed assistance keeping their cattle in line. The Rottweiler’s ancestors were the perfect dogs for the job thanks to their endurance and strength. Along the way, the dogs were also used to guard and carry supplies.
MORE FROM MENTAL FLOSS STUDIOS
Eventually, in about 73 AD, the army stopped in the Wurtemberg area of Germany. The town that sprung up there filled with villas with red tiled roofs. The quaint settlement was known as das Rote Wil—rot for the red tiles, and wil from the Roman word for "villa." Later, the town became known as Rottweil. The Roman dogs flourished there as herding and guard dogs. They eventually interbred with other local dogs to create the modern day Rottweiler.
3. THEY ALMOST
These dogs can either be fierce guard dogs or cuddly companions, depending on their upbringing. Learn more about this loyal canine.
1. THEY MIGHT BE FROM ROME …
It is widely believed that these sturdy dogs are descendants of drover dogsin Ancient Rome. The mastiff-like dogs were used to pull carts, herd animals, and guard homes. Because of the need to control large animals like bulls, the dogs were bred to be strong and robust.
2. … BUT THEY WERE PERFECTED IN GERMANY.
When Roman armies headed to Germany on their way to conquer Europe, they brought the Rottweiler's ancestors with them. Because there were no refrigerators at the time, the soldiers traveled with their cattle, rather than slaughter the cows for meat before the journey. And naturally, they needed assistance keeping their cattle in line. The Rottweiler’s ancestors were the perfect dogs for the job thanks to their endurance and strength. Along the way, the dogs were also used to guard and carry supplies.
MORE FROM MENTAL FLOSS STUDIOS
Eventually, in about 73 AD, the army stopped in the Wurtemberg area of Germany. The town that sprung up there filled with villas with red tiled roofs. The quaint settlement was known as das Rote Wil—rot for the red tiles, and wil from the Roman word for "villa." Later, the town became known as Rottweil. The Roman dogs flourished there as herding and guard dogs. They eventually interbred with other local dogs to create the modern day Rottweiler.
3. THEY ALMOST WENT EXTINCT.
Towards the middle of the 19th century, paved roads and railroads started to change how livestock was brought to market. Herding dogs were no longer needed when transporting cattle, so Rottweilers found themselves out of a job. The numbers of Rotties continued to dwindle and clubs disappeared. The breed almost vanished entirely, but a small group of breeders fought hard to keep them around. In the 20th century, the breed found a new purpose serving in the military and on police forces. Rottweilers were introduced to the United States in 1910 where their popularity continued to grow. Today, the Rottweiler is the 10th most popular breed in the United States.
4. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO PRONOUNCE THE NAME.
The Rottweiler is a German breed, so if you want to pronounce it the German way, it’s rott-vile-er. Of course, if you’re in the United States, rott-why-ler is also acceptable.
5. KEEP THEM AWAY FROM ANYTHING FRAGILE.
Thanks to the Rottie’s history as a herder, the dog has a habit of bumpinginto people, animals, and things when it wants them to fall in line. While trained Rottweilers are gentle, breeders don’t recommend the dogs for households with young children or the elderly.
ISTOCK
10 Robust Facts About the Rottweiler
These dogs can either be fierce guard dogs or cuddly companions, depending on their upbringing. Learn more about this loyal canine.
1. THEY MIGHT BE FROM ROME …
It is widely believed that these sturdy dogs are descendants of drover dogsin Ancient Rome. The mastiff-like dogs were used to pull carts, herd animals, and guard homes. Because of the need to control large animals like bulls, the dogs were bred to be strong and robust.
2. … BUT THEY WERE PERFECTED IN GERMANY.
When Roman armies headed to Germany on their way to conquer Europe, they brought the Rottweiler's ancestors with them. Because there were no refrigerators at the time, the soldiers traveled with their cattle, rather than slaughter the cows for meat before the journey. And naturally, they needed assistance keeping their cattle in line. The Rottweiler’s ancestors were the perfect dogs for the job thanks to their endurance and strength. Along the way, the dogs were also used to guard and carry supplies.
MORE FROM MENTAL FLOSS STUDIOS
Eventually, in about 73 AD, the army stopped in the Wurtemberg area of Germany. The town that sprung up there filled with villas with red tiled roofs. The quaint settlement was known as das Rote Wil—rot for the red tiles, and wil from the Roman word for "villa." Later, the town became known as Rottweil. The Roman dogs flourished there as herding and guard dogs. They eventually interbred with other local dogs to create the modern day Rottweiler.
3. THEY ALMOST WENT EXTINCT.
Towards the middle of the 19th century, paved roads and railroads started to change how livestock was brought to market. Herding dogs were no longer needed when transporting cattle, so Rottweilers found themselves out of a job. The numbers of Rotties continued to dwindle and clubs disappeared. The breed almost vanished entirely, but a small group of breeders fought hard to keep them around. In the 20th century, the breed found a new purpose serving in the military and on police forces. Rottweilers were introduced to the United States in 1910 where their popularity continued to grow. Today, the Rottweiler is the 10th most popular breed in the United States.
4. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO PRONOUNCE THE NAME.
The Rottweiler is a German breed, so if you want to pronounce it the German way, it’s rott-vile-er. Of course, if you’re in the United States, rott-why-ler is also acceptable.
5. KEEP THEM AWAY FROM ANYTHING FRAGILE.
Thanks to the Rottie’s history as a herder, the dog has a habit of bumpinginto people, animals, and things when it wants them to fall in line. While trained Rottweilers are gentle, breeders don’t recommend the dogs for households with young children or the elderly.
6. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE KIND OF MARKING.
Rottweilers are always black with the same brown markings on their chest, face, and paws. According to the American Kennel Club, the brown spots can come in three different variations: Rust, tan, and mahogany.
7. GERMAN ROTTWEILERS ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM AMERICAN ONES.
German clubs have different breed standards than the AKC's. German Rotties tend to be a little larger and have long tails. In the United States, breeders still favor the docked tail, although the trend is beginning to shift towards keeping the tail intact.
8. THEY HAVE A STRONG JAW.
Thanks to their large head, Rottweilers have an impressively strong bite. Their jaws are stronger than German shepherds and pit bulls with a bite force of 328 pounds—that’s about half of a shark’s bite force, at 669 pounds.
9. TRAINING IS A MUST.
10. THEY’RE LOYAL.
Rottweilers have been bred as guard dogs, so they are known to form strong bonds with their owners. Often they will follow their family members from room to room. These loving dogs generally do not do well spending too much time by themselves and enjoy the company of others. Fiercely loyal, they have a strong guarding instinct that makes them very protective of their pack.
Source:Mentalfloss
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