The wolf with all its varieties is considered to

be the founder of all our pet dogs.

Hereby it ́s hard to believe that the little

Chihuahua and the huge Mastiff have the

same ancestor. But if we think of the great

diversity which occurred only in the last

one hundred years within the organized

dog breeding, the imagination that big and

small dogs are all originating from the wolf

becomes somewhat easier.

It ́s common sense today, that man and wolf live together since about 15.000 years. There are different opinions about the origin of the Rottweiler. Considering the fact that the special ability of the Rottweiler was driving herds, which was obviously the primary activity in former times, the founders of the Rottweiler came from the Roman legions. The Romans used dogs as herder and driving dogs. These dogs protected the people and the herds. The ways of the Roman legions are still known, since the net of the streets of the Roman Empire is very well examined. One of these streets led to the Bodensee in the region where nowadays Rottweil is situated, the town which gave our dog its name.

In the further course of the 19th century the Roman dogs were cross bred with different types of native herder dogs. During several decades these dogs were selected for vitality, intelligence, endurance and driving ability. This way they became irreplaceable helpers of the animal dealers and butchers. As said before, this dog was mostly found in and around the former Reichsstadt Rottweil, and therefore in the Middle Ages it was called Rottweiler.

The reason the dogs in Rottweil were so highly appreciated was probably that they proved themselves many times as herder and driving dogs. In the 19th century Rotteil was an explicit animal trading centre, where from cattle and sheeps were mainly driven to the Breisgau, the Elsass and in the Neckar River Valley. In times where robbers or wolves existed and far regions were unsettled such herd drivings required strong, tenacious, placid and smart dogs. Who called himself a real butcher in or around Rottweil usually had several Rottweilers at a time, because the butchers were those who mainly used to trade in animals.

As time went by the animals were transported by train and other vehicles, and the Rottweiler lost its helpful job. Only in the beginning of the twentieth century the outstanding character abilities of the Rottweiler were recalled. The high suitability of this breed was tested in the police service, and in 1910 the Rottweiler was recognized as a police dog.

In that time as well as today man is fascinated by this breed.

Its faithfulness, diligence, manoeuvrability and calmness make the value of this breed evident. As a family dog the Rottweiler is a faithful and reliable friend, as long as it is bred, raised and socialized within the family according to expert rules. Just as in man the education and socialization of the dog starts during childhood.

As a puppy each Rottweiler is willing to learn and to take its place, means to adapt itself to the pack. It ́s mostly determined by the environment. A correct education leads to friendship. Wrong training with lack of love will spoil the dog forever, as well as the living together of man and dog.

So man primary is responsible, of what our Rottweiler will be like! Herein breeding, education, health and living together are included!

For the Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK) e.V., the only association for Rottweiler breeding which is accepted by the Verband fuer das Deutsche Hundewesen (VDH) e.V., more than 100 years of controlling the breeding show competence and commitment at the same time to preserve and improve the Rottweiler, which is a German dog breed and cultural assets. By strict selection, which all the time is adapted to new challenges and environmental influences, the ADRK e.V. tries to improve the quality of our Rottweiler. The highest purpose of our breeding has to be the health. Psychological and physical strength of our dogs are the expression of health.

More than ever before the breeding objective is "the healthy, self confident and good natured working and family dog, with best form and performance at the same time".

All the time people were fascinated by the Rottweiler. I hope the Rottweiler will get more friends and the already existing friends will become enthusiastic anew.

Written by - Hans Jürgen Eberbach 1st president of the ADRK e.V.