When the Roman legions made their way across Europe they utilized herding dogs to move and guard cattle.
Today’s modern Rottweiler is thought to be a descendent of the Asian mastiffs that were once used to breed herders.
Throughout the middle ages the large and sturdy dogs remained, used as herders and even for bear hunting.
This area eventually became a small town known as ‘das Rote Wil’ a name that evolved into Rottweil.
The Rottweilers we known today descended from these dogs and take their name from the town of Rottweil.
In Germany, the dogs were known as the Rottweiler Metzgerhund. This means: the Rottweil butchers’ dogs.
Industrialization may have played a part in the almost-extinction of the Rottweiler breed.
This happened around the middle of the 1800s as railroads were built and roads paved, making it easier to transport herds.
Immediately following the terror attacks of 9/11, rescue dogs were deployed with handlers to the Twin Towers site.
Rottweilers bravely searched along with other breeds like the German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers.