We have come to recognize the Rottweiler as primarily a breed that was nurtured by the Germans though it might have its origins in ancient Roman times. The Americans too developed their own standards later.
The American breed of the Rottweiler has suffered because of unscrupulous breeders who are less interested in adhering to the breed standards. But many breeders in American follow the American code of ethics and do produce an exemplary specimen of this wonderful breed.
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The German Rottweilers are much better looking than their American counterparts for one significant reason. They are bred better as the ADRK, the German Rottweiler regulatory body, strictly adheres to the standards of the traditional Rottie. The body follows strict rules for breeding Rottweilers. Only the best of the Rotties are allowed to breed. This explains the stunning looks and the perfect temperament.
The Roman Rottweiler is a misnomer because the Rottweiler might have descended from Roman times, but it was left to the Germans to nurture the breed. The dogs in use in the Roman period were descended from the Molossus, a Mastiff-type dog, and in all probability the Italian Mastiff. They went along with the Romans over the alps and served as cattle herders and protectors. They were also used as messenger dogs.
But it is the Germans who nurtured the dogs left behind by the Romans. They get their name from the German town of Rottweil, where they were used as cattle dogs and drew butchers’ carts.
The term Roman Rottweiler is a misnomer as it is not an actual Rottweiler breed. They are large dogs that have been bred with Rottweilers and are known as colossal Rottweiler or Gladiator Rottweiler.
Roman Rottweilers have some of the regular features and temperament of the Rottweilers. They are meant for protection and through cross-breeding with larger dog breeds, have resulted in some massive breed that rarely adheres to Rottweiler standards.
These Rotties are mostly bred as guard dogs and do not conform to the German standards that specifically emphasize that Rotties should be good-natured, fond of children, and placid.
The Roman Rottweiler, like its German counterpart, is apparently no less zealous when it comes to its duties as a guard dog. They can be silent and spring suddenly on their victims.
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They need a lot of exercises and if denied that regularly, can turn obese or destructive. These Rottweilers will also develop major health problems, especially of the hips and joints.
Finally, it is pertinent to note that the Roman Rottweiler is a fringe breed that concentrates on the size of the dog to resemble the original Mastiff from which the Rottweiler originated. These are mostly Rottweilers cross-bred with Mastiffs. So it is obvious that there is no Roman Rottweiler. They are mostly mixed breeds of Mastiffs and Rottweilers passed off as the real deal.