People whose livelihoods have been displaced by new technology can relate to the Rottweiler. The breed found itself without a job in the mid 1800s when railways and paved roads changed how livestock was brought to market, and herding dogs became redundant. Breed clubs vanished and Rottweiler numbers dwindled. It’s said that at one point in 1905, only one female Rottweiler remained in the area. Had it not been for a small group of dedicated breeders, the breed would have gone the way of the St. John’s Water Dog, one of several now-extinct breeds.

The Rottweiler’s own versatility also saved it. This is a tremendous companion dog that works well with military and police services, and as a conservation dog (see “Fargo,” a scent detector trained Rottweiler who helps locate whale scat samples in the North Atlantic). The breed is also being rediscovered as a herding dog. Rottweilers are now working stock on farms and stations throughout Australia where the breed’s natural gathering style and strong desire to control are much appreciated. When necessary, Rotties work well off stock and physically force a stubborn animal to do what the dog wants by using his or her own body. At the same time, the dogs are remarkably inhibited in using their mouth on stock, relying instead on a nip with the front teeth (not the canines) when necessary. It’s been reported that some ranchers have found that Rottweilers are better at moving recalcitrant animals that simply ignore Kelpies, Australian Cattle Dogs, or Border Collies. For additional information on the Rottweiler as a herding dog, check out Gary Gleeson’s terrific article which appears on the National Rottweiler Council‘s website.

Below is a trailer we came across on You Tube for the documentary, “Black Beauty Breed” that shows Rottweilers herding.

Image: “Rottweiler” by Barbara Keith
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