Rottweiler History

In German, Rott means a settlement located on a steep bank; a clearing. In knowing the meaning of Rott, Rottweil, Germany – nestled between the Alps and the Black Forest, containing our prefix of Rott – is aptly named.

This prefix is derived from Old High German.

Old High German was the earliest stage in the German language, used between 500 AD and 750 AD.

Rottweil is part of Baden-Württemberg, its history, going back to Roman times. In the Roman Empire Rottweil was a territory known by the Romans as Arae Flaviae.

Rottweil’s beginning dates back to 75 AD. To long before twenty-six Prussian states joined to form Germany. To long before there was a Kingdom of Germany.

Rottweil, Germany…

In 1871, Rottweil became part of the German Empire; Rottweil is one of Germany’s original towns.

Up through 1871, Rottweil was part of the Prussian state of Wurttemberg, one of the twenty-six states which united, leading to the formation of Germany.

Eighty one years after Wurttemberg joined the German Empire – bringing Rottweil along with it – Rottweil became a Baden-Wurtemberg town; a status Rottweil holds to this day.

Rottweil is a German town. Rottweil is a German district. Rottweil too is home to one of the world’s favorite dogs: the Rottweiler.

In Germany, the Rottweiler was originally known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund. In German, Rottweiler Metzgerhund means Rottweil butcher’s dog.

During the 19th Century, Rottweilers were used by German butchers to transport meat. 

Aside from being a butcher’s helper, the Rottweiler’s job during Roman times – this, a job the Rottweiler held long after the Roman Empire was no more – was to herd and to protect livestock.

Cattle-herding extraordinaire. Pulling butchers’ carts to market – the Rottweiler.

Accompanying a butcher to market, on their way back home, a butcher would tie a belt with his money in the belt around the neck of his Rottweiler. For safe keeping. Rottweil’s most famous cultural contribution has a long and storied history.

In the days of the Roman Empire, Rottweilers traveled side-by-side with Roman soldiers. Rottweilers herded and drove cattle for Roman legions.

Roman armies were mobile, traveling from region to region. Meat was the primary food source for Roman soldiers. Protecting Roman cattle was the job of the Rottweiler.

Rottweilers protected cattle from predators; a thinned-out herd of cattle would be a death knell for a Roman legion: no food.

The Rottweiler. Roman ally. Butcher’s helper. Protector. Herder. Companion.

Rottweilers protected cattle in the Roman Empire. Rottweilers protected cattle in the Kingdom of Germany. Rottweilers protected cattle in the German Empire. Rottweilers protect cattle in Germany.

Rottweiler, “the Butcher’s Dog,” and once, a Roman soldier’s companion.