Labrottie

The hybrid called the Labrottie is a new breed of dog without a detailed history. The two breeds that are bred to create the hybrid have long histories. Initially called the St. John’s Water Dog after the capital of Newfoundland during the 1700’s, the Labrador assisted fishermen that were fishing with their nets. Later, the dogs were called the Labrador, after the Labrador Sea, where the breed developed. In the 1820’s, according to records, the Labrador arrived in England and became popular as a result of their retrieving skills while hunting.  While strict government restrictions and tax laws led to the breed becoming extinct in Newfoundland, the breed flourished in the United States when it was brought there in the 1920’s. It is thought that the Rottweiler resulted from the cross breeding of German Shepherds with Roman drover dogs or Mastiffs around 74 AD when soldiers of the Roman Empire settled in the Wurttemberg region of Germany. Dogs of the breed were created to herd cattle and guard their camp. The particular area became known as “das Rote Wil”, ultimately becoming known as Rottweil, which resulted in the breed being called the Rottweiler. Used at first to drive and guard cattle, the breed also worked pulling carts and wagons and hunting bear. Upon railways being built, cattle driving was no longer allowed and donkeys became the preferred draft animal, leading to less work for the Rottweiler. Fans of the breed established the International Club for Leonbergers and Rottweiler dogs in 1899 and created the first breed standard by 1901. The Rottweiler started to work as a police dog, and was put to work policing and guarding during the first World War. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1931.