Ever see a Rottweiler photo in the press? Unfortunately these lovely dogs have been associated with a violent temperament and bad behaviour. The truth is, Rottweilers are not violent; more often than not, their behaviour stems from abuse or inadequate training, sometimes both. It is therefore necessary to take a look into the origins and finer qualities of these dogs to ensure that those Rottweiler photos in the press take a turn for the better to do these majestic animals some credit.

It is of course necessary to begin at the very beginning to see how these dogs came to be a part of modern day society. To start with, it is important to note that the ancestors of Rottweilers, most commonly believed to be some mastiff-type dog, have been around for centuries since the time of the Romans. They were primarily used to herd and look after the cattle that accompanied the Roman armies on their long journeys and conquests. Rottweilers proved excellent for the job and were as such bred through the ages.

The history of the Rottweiler suggests that, at some stage, they ended up at a German town called ‘das rote Wil’, which in English meant ‘The Red Tile’. The town was so named because of the red tiles on the roofs of all the houses; it later became known as Rottweil. It was around the First World War that the breed almost died out, with only one female remaining. However, thanks to the efforts of a number of dedicated individuals, the Rottweiler is again flourishing today.

Looking at the Rottweiler of today and the data available, especially on its personality, we see a dog that is smart, affectionate and extremely loyal. Rottweilers make excellent guard dogs and are highly intelligent with their ideal training periods between six weeks and six months.

For all these reasons and more, we see an animal that adapts to its owners needs and one that is certainly not done justice through the Rottweiler photos that are so often seen in newspapers and other magazines.