Cool Rottweiler Facts You Wouldn’t Believe

Cool Rottweiler Facts

Cool Rottweiler Facts You Wouldn't Believe

So, you’re a Rottweiler fan? Read ahead, and discover some cool Rottweiler facts about the breed!

Romans Loved them!

Cool Rottweiler Facts You Wouldn't Believe

Hailing from the district of Rottweil, Germany, ancestors of the Rottweiler were believed to be larger Molosser breeds (Mastiff type dogs bred/used by the Romans). When the Romans were ousted from the area around 260 AD, many of their working dogs were left behind.

Though their true history lies obscured, Rottweilers were once used to herd and help control stock animals. Even before then, during the height of the Roman Empire, dogs were treasured as gladiators, testing their skills against great cats, bears, and even human slaves. Similar sized breeds were valued in other areas of the world for their war time contributions.

  • The dogs that traveled with the Roman 11th Legion would be unrecognizable today, but were in fact believed to be ancestors of today’s Rottweiler.

The Railway Nearly Killed them.

Cool Rottweiler Facts You Wouldn't Believe

During the mid 19th century, cattle driving was outlawed and railroads slowly replaced dog carting (both of which the Rottweiler was used for). With little need or use for this once valued breed, the Rottweiler fell into decline, nearly disappearing altogether.

Enthusiasts formed a short lived club in 1901 to protect the breed. Though that one didn’t last, two subsequent Rottweiler clubs were established in 1907, which merged in 1921.

Despite their brush with extinction, the Rottweiler has grown to become one of the most popular breeds in America!

Tail Docking is Popular.

Cool Rottweiler Facts You Wouldn't Believe

Banned in the UK, it is still common for breeders to dock (remove) a Rottweiler puppy’s tail. Not only does this diminish both communication and scenting ability (since a dog uses its’ tail for both), it is considered cruel among many veterinarians and owners; a large portion of a dog’s vertebra is removed when its’ tail is docked.

Why in the world do people still do this? Some used to dock a dog’s tail for sanitation reasons, but the vast majority simply do it for aesthetics.

  • Your local farmer will simply insert a constricting band around his farm animal’s tails, and wait for them to fall off from lack of circulation.
  • Dogs will use their tails as a kind of ‘fan’, sweeping scent particles their noses’ way!
  • Notice the dog in the video thumbnail below.

They Require Lots of Socialization!

Cool Rottweiler Facts You Wouldn't Believe

Due to their original breeding, Rottweilers are somewhat genetically predisposed toward aggression. ‘Mill’ breeders will often enhance these negative tendencies by failing to utilize any screening process whatsoever when breeding, even sometimes intentionally breeding for the trait. Responsible Rottweiler owners need to place heavy focus on good socialization!

Ignorant handlers like to automatically blame dogs for lashing out, when in fact the Rottweiler acted as nature intended it 99% of the time. The blame lies on the owner for either not properly socializing their pet, or training it poorly.

Poor Methods

‘Old School’ trainers tended to be big on punishment as a means of reinforcement. Any intelligent species is going to place self preservation over pleasure, which is why this method tends to work quickly.

These trainers also managed to install a sense of fear in their dogs. If the dog reacted defensively, injuring someone, it was probably due to the handlers’ training methods. This is one of the reasons these methods are widely frowned upon among professional trainers today.

‘When you are traveling with your Rottweiler, consider using a Tapscott K9 car seat cover . It will protect you upholstery and give your dog both a better and more comfortable trip!

  • Rottweilers are popular police breeds!