The Rottweiler is, and always has been, a true working dog in every sense of the world. In looking at a modern member of the breed, it is not difficult to envision the similarity between him and the bristle-coated, mastiff type drover dog, one of several types found in the early Roman Empire and believed to have been his progenitors. His substance and power denote strength. His massive head, with its broad skull and strong jaws, is a symbol of intelligence and capability. His medium-large size, everything compact and in perfect balance, free of exaggeration, and his general attitude of fearlessness indicate that he is a dog not only willing but able to accomplish whatever may be required of him. He is indeed a handsome, useful dog that has come down through the ages unspoiled by the whims of man.

The area of Germany where the Rottweiler's story begins is in the south-western section, around the productive farm area of Wurttemberg-the district of Rottweil, to be specific, its principle city and district seat bearing the same name.

Around 260 A.D., the Romans were ousted from this area. Left behind were some of their dogs for which work was provided since cattle raising and agriculture remained the prime occupations. It was about 700 A.D. that a Christian church was built where formerly had stood the Roman Baths. As excavation began, the red tiles of former Roman villas came to light, and thus the city was named Rottweil, suggested by the appearance of these red tiles.

Rottweil became a prosperous marketplace and cultural center in time, attracting cattlemen, farmers and other traders from considerable distance to do business there. These men soon noticed the excellence of the "butcher's dogs" as the breed was then known, and started purchasing them. Here again, a capable dog or two was a necessity, not only in bringing in one's stock safely but also in making the return trip with their money bags, for which no safer place could possibly be found than fastened to the collars of these dogs!

All of this led to increasing respect for the "butcher's dog" and local owners began selectively breeding them. Since they were considered far superior to others of their type to be found in that area, the name "Rottweiler" was bestowed upon them to distinguish them from the rest. This name has remained until the present day.

The dogs were also proficient at pulling carts and in demand for bringing in the milk cans by this mode of transportation. So it continued until, in the middle 1800s, the arrival of the railroads took over transportation of cattle, and donkeys took over from dogs on the milk carts. Sadly, with this decrease in their usefulness, the popularity of Rottweilers waned except with a few loyal owners who retained their dogs as pets for companionship. This was not nearly enough, however, to carry on the breed, and there came a time in the early 1900s when only one member of the breed, a bitch, could be located anywhere in the entire district of Rottweil.