Rottweiler

/ˈrɒtwaɪlər/ noun

Definition

A large, powerful dog breed with black and tan markings, originally bred in Germany for herding cattle and guarding property.

Etymology

Named after the town of Rottweil in southern Germany, where these dogs were developed during the Middle Ages. The breed was used by butchers and farmers, so they became known as 'Rottweiler Metzgerhund' (Rottweil butcher's dog). The name directly references the geographic origin of the breed.

Kelly Says

Rottweilers have one of the worst reputation problems in dog history—often portrayed as aggressive in movies—but they're actually incredibly loyal and intelligent. Studies show that breed stereotypes in media create real-world discrimination against dogs, affecting their adoption rates and legal status in certain cities.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.