Public Eye Archives

ROTTWEILER

The Rottweiler is believed to be a descendent of the drover dogs of ancient Rome. A mastiff-type herding dog, the drover was used by the Roman army to herd live sheep – the only source of fresh meat during long marches. One particular trip led the Roman armies to Arae Flaviae, a region in what is now southern Germany. Eventually, the Romans were driven out, but many of their dogs remained.

The breed derives its name from a town in the region – Rottweil – named after the red tile ("das Rote Wil") excavated from Roman baths. As Rottweil developed a thriving meat processing industry, the dogs were used for driving cattle in the region. When cattle-driving was outlawed in the mid-19th century, the dogs' numbers dwindled almost to the point of extinction. However, in the early 20th century, the Rottweiler again found favor as a police dog and amongst breeders who sought to preserve its distinctive characteristics.

The Rottweiler's densely muscled chest and distinctive coloring – black with tan markings – make it instantly recognizable. It stands between 22 and 47 inches tall and typically weighs around 90 to 110 pounds.