The last two years have seen many of us welcome a new four-legged friend into our homes, as the Kennel Club saw dog ownership soar over the pandemic.
But with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your perfect pup.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Rottweiler – it’s a breed often mistakenly thought to be aggressive but they have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
1. A therapeutic pooch
Rottweilers can make wonderful therapy dogs. In 2015 a Rottweiler called Wynd won the American Kennel Club's Human Fund ACE Award for Best Therapy Dog - one of the organisation's highest accolades. Wynd served as a therapy dog for military family survivors and with veterans suffering from PTSD and addiction issues. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
2. An ancient breed
The Rottweiler is thought to be one of the oldest breeds of dog in the world, dating back to Ancient Rome. Rottweilers marched over the Alps with invading Roman legions, protecting both the soldiers and their livestock. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
3. Stars of screen
Other films and television programmes have sought to picture Rottweilers in a fairer and most lovable form - including buddy cop comedy Lethal Weapon 3 hit US show Entourage. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
4. What's in a name?
This Rottweiler was named after the German city of Rottweil, where is was known as the 'Rottweil butcher’s dog' due to it being used to pull the butchers' carts laden with meat. Photo: Canva/Getty Images