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Showing posts with label Rottweiler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rottweiler. Show all posts

Wednesday 13 June 2012

History of the Rottweiler.



History of the Breed



The origin of the breed in Germany
It is believed that the Rottweiler (pronounced Rott-vile-er) has developed from Roman cattle dogs which had accompanied the herds following in the wake of the Roman armies through Switzerland and into Southern Germany. In the years 73 or 74 AD the 11th Legion of the Roman Empire laid out a camp on the bank of the river Neckar in the Wurtemberg area of Germany.
Many years later, the area grew into a little town whose small villas had roofs made of red tiles and the area became known as ‘das Rote Wil’ – the red roof tiles gave it the first half of its name ‘rot, while its origin as a Roman city gave it ‘wil’ for villa. Therefore, the city of red-roofed Roman villas evolved into the name ‘Rottweil’.
During the Middle Ages the Rottweiler was used for bear hunting and subsequently as a cattle dog. In that role the dog had to guard the herd at night, prevent any cattle from straying and drive the herd long distances by day. The need to control cattle, including dangerous bulls, meant that the dogs were bred to be strong and sturdy, similar to the breed we know today.
At that time there were many breeds endemic to the regions around Rottweil. These would probably have been the Sennenhunds, the breeds which would include the Bernese Mountain Dog, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller and Entlebucher. These local dogs would probably have interbred with the dogs brought by the Romans and the Rottweiler’s similarity to these breeds is very evident, although the Rottweiler should carry no white on its chest.
In 1899 the International Club for Leonbergers and Rottweiler Dogs was formed in Germany and the first breed standard for the Rottweiler was produced by this club in 1901. The Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub [ADRK] followed on and was formed in August 1921. The ADRK is the governing body of Rottweilers in Germany and their motto still remains: “Rottweiler breeding is working dog breeding”.
[Logo reproduced with kind permission of the ADRK]

With the coming of the railways in the 19th century, cattle herding was forbidden by law and the Rottweiler was then without an occupation. He became used as a draught dog by butchers, and even today when he is no longer used for pulling these little carts, his name continues to be linked with that of the butcher. He became known as Rottweil Butcher’s Dog and later this was shortened to Rottweiler. The butcher used the larger dogs for pulling carts and the smaller ones for herding and driving cattle. After the driving of cattle was forbidden the Rottweiler population declined sharply and in 1905 there was only one bitch to be found in the whole of Rottweil.
[Source acknowledgement: b/w photo above with cow and butcher: Clara Hurley, Powderhorn Press from translated version of The Rottweiler in Word and Picture published by ADRK in 1926]
A club was formed in Germany in 1907 devoted to safeguarding the purity and well being of the breed; organising the keeping of breeding records, to fix the standard of the breed, and to preserve its working qualities. Planned breeding was started and efforts to improve the external appearance carried out with much care and thought.

[The winner of the Breeder Group - 'vom Kohlerwald' at the Dortmund Winners Show June 1932]
Today Rottweilers are used in Germany by the Police, Customs and Army; in Denmark mainly for Police duties; in Switzerland by the Customs and in Norway some are used for mountain rescue work; their exceptional noses and hardiness making them very suitable. They are also used as border guards, their disposition to work silently being invaluable for such work.

[Photo copyright and permission to use: Keine Zandbergen (Ter Waele Rottweilers) Holland]

The development of the Rottweiler in the UK

The first Rottweiler was imported into the UK in 1936 by Mrs Phil (Thelma) Gray of the Rozavel kennels. This bitch was called Rozavel Diana von der Amalienburg SchH I born in May 1934 but she was not successfully bred from. Mrs. Gray continued to import more dogs, but due to the outbreak of World War II in 1939 they were sent over to Ireland for safe-keeping. After the war, attempts were made to find them and return them to England but they had vanished without trace.

The first post-war Rottweilers were imported by Captain F. Roy Smith of the Royal Veterinary Corps in March 1953. They were Ajax von Fuhrenkamp and Berny von Weyher [right]. However, this breeding pair was unsuccessful in producing a litter.
After a time, many more Rottweilers were imported from Europe and a breeding pattern was gradually established. The Rottweiler was first registered by the Kennel Club as a breed in its own right in 1965 although in 1936 the breed was listed by the Kennel Club as “Any Other Breed or Variety of British, Colonial or Foreign Dog Not Classified” !!
Yearly registrations have risen steadily from about 48 in 1966 to 6,575 in 2006. The Rottweiler had been little known to the general public until 1989, when the yearly registration hit a frighteningly high figure of 10,341. The breed hit the headlines in the newspapers, suffering the most appalling persecution from the public and media alike. Thankfully today, the registrations are much much lower and the breed is once more acceptable to the public.

These are not my Dad's own words, so he can't take credit for it. The article is from the Rottweiler Club.

This article is carrying on from the Dogue de Bordeaux one to help people better understand my breed.

Saturday 19 May 2012

My Life Story part 2. By Sheba the dog.

When i was only three weeks old my mum died & i had to be bottle fed until i went on solids. According to my previous owner i was born the smallest in the litter but I'm now the biggest, that's probably all down to my Mum & Dad getting me off Bakers & onto a healthy diet of James Wellbeloved dry mixed with either Natures Menu or Natures Diet.

I've overheard Mum & Dad talking & apparently i wasn't planned they only went to the local pet shop for cat litter, when they saw an advert in the shop window 8 week old Dogue de Bordeaux X Rottweiler free to good home, i think he got a good deal there as the other pups where advertised for £ 200 each. But because there other dog was a bit of a grump they wanted a good home for me so i wouldn't be left on my own. They certainly done that.

When they came to see me there was only me & my brother left & a gentlemen was picking up my brother which would of left me all alone at 8 weeks of age with no Mum & Siblings for company. So i really had to turn on the charm offensive & it worked like a charm.

My Dad likes his big dogs, German Shepherds, Dogue de Bordeaux & Rottweilers. He's had experience with them before so having 2 of his favourite breeds in one made things a little easier for me. I could tell straight away that they wouldn't be able to resist them puppy dog eyes. I was probably a little over affectionate giving them licks & fetching my favourite toy for them to play with me. It's something I've not grown out of yet I'm still over affectionate & will do anything to get noticed so i can have a stroke & some affection, i love children as well & calm right down around them. My dad always says it's my best qualities & he wouldn't have me any other way. Better being like that than aggressive.

Sheba aged 10 weeks


How could you not resist that face. Mission accomplished they took me home that day & there was no looking back.

Thursday 17 May 2012

My Life Story. By Sheba the dog.

Right then where do i start. I suppose a little introduction about my self will be a good start.

I'm a 3 year old Dogue de Bordeaux X Rottweiler. AKA gentle giant, well that's what they call me to my face any way.

I live in Southport, Merseyside UK.  With my Mum & Dad who i refer to as my Servants, Well they are I've never cooked a meal in my life, it's always prepared for me, put in my bowl & placed on the floor for me. My bed always gets made & washed for me. If we go for days out or on holiday my Dad always does the driving how cool is that it's just like having my own personal chauffeur. And every time i do my business there always there with the poo bags. I've got to admit it I've got them well trained.

Now you know where the saying comes from it's a dogs life, and i wouldn't have it any other way.

And last but not least my Brother Cody, he's a cat you know. He's not a bad lad but forgot to read the script, someone forgot to tell him cats are supposed to be scared of dogs. He's a hard faced so & so & wont move for me. I love him to bits really but don't tell anyone it wont do my street cred any good.

He's learning quick though & also got the servants wrapped around his little paw.

Well this should of been started 3 years ago when i was still a pup. But my Dad kept putting it off in favour of other stuff like DIY which reminds me he still hasn't built that kennel for me or the cat run for Cody how selfish is that. He's going to be an indoor cat so as to avoid any accidents.

Well seeing as i can't get the staff nowadays, i thought i would have ago at this blogging lark my self. How hard can it be.


Photo Gallery.

.

Sheba lying in the garden with Sam
Me with my mate Sam the Rottweiler.

Sheba looking proud

I'll smile for the camera if you give me a treat.
Sheba lying by the lillies






I'll look after the plants for you Dad.

Sheba with her trophies

Me with my Dad, picking up my award for most improved dog at training.
It's ok he's not trying to strangle me, i just wanted to get to the photographer for a stroke.

Award evening Kennel Club Bronze
Me with my Dad.
Kennel club good citizen Bronze award.
Sheba playing in the snow.

If you throw snow at me, i'll throw it back.

Sheba standing

Do i look good.
Sheba  playing in the snow

I love all this snow.

Sheba having a cuddle

I'm a Daddys girl.

Giving Dad a kiss
Give me a kiss Dad.

Sheba sleeping on the couch

All that walking has tired me out.

Sitting in the park with Mum.
Me with my Mum.
Sheba  Dad and motorcycle

I think my Dad wanted this motor bike.

Playing with dogit mind gama
I like this new game.
Tara  and Rosco

Two of my mates, Tara & Rosco.

Sheba playing in the puddle
I love playing in puddles.

Award evening Kennel Club Silver

Me & my Dad.
Kennel club good citizen Silver award.
I think Gypsy the Lab took a liking to Dads treats
typical Labrador.
Sheba in the woods

My favourite place, out in the woods.
Sheba by the river.

Why can't i go & play in the water Dad.