The Rottweiler

The Rottweiler originated from Germany where one of their uses was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. It is one of the oldest herding breeds, with a history possibly dating back to the Roman Empire. It may be a descendant of ancient Roman drover dogs — a mastiff-type dog that was a dependable, rugged animal with great intelligence and guarding instincts.

During their quest to conquer Europe, the Roman legion travelled in large numbers across the continent. The non-existence of refrigeration meant the soldiers had to bring herds of cattle with them for food. These drover dogs were not only used to keep the herds together, but to guard the supply stock at night. Around A.D. 74 the Roman army travelled across the Alps and into what is now Southern Germany.

A town in this region was eventually given the name Rottweil. It became an important trade centre and the descendants of the Roman cattle dogs proved their worth by driving the cattle to market and protecting them from robbers and wild animals. The dogs are said to have been used by travelling butchers at markets during the Middle Ages to guard money pouches tied around their necks.

The dogs eventually came to be called Rottweiler Metzgerhunds — meaning Rottweil butcher's dogs.

Rottweilers are now used as search and rescue dogs, as guide dogs for the blind, as guard dogs and police dogs. At NMF Kennels we breed Rottweilers for guard and protection purposes.