Breed Bio: Rottweiler

Descending from the Roman Cattle Dogs, the Rottweiler is one of the oldest herding breeds.

The Rottweiler was first bred to during the Roman Empire to herd and guard livestock, although they have served many purposes along their ancient and fascinating journey.

Despite its Roman heritage, the Rottweiler came to prominence primarily in Rottweil, Germany - a small town from which the breed gets its name. In Germany, the Rottweiler was primarily employed by Butchers, tasked with carrying meat to market as well as guarding money in pouches hung from their necks. Once rail became a prominent method of moving product to market, the demand for the breed diminished exponentially. By the 1880s, the Rottweiler was nearly extinct.

The buildup to World War I would serve as a comeback for the Rottweiler due in large part to the high demand for Police Dogs, a job they currently continue to serve. The breed would continue to serve a myriad of roles during the Second World War, working as a messenger dog for both the U.S. and German militaries.Post-World-War II, the Rottweiler remained popular in America, even being the American Kennel Club's most registered breed in the 1990s.

Known for their calm, stoic demeanor, the current-day Rottweiler remains a favorite breed of families everywhere, in large part to their affection and undying loyalty.