St. Weiler

The St. Weiler originated from crossing a Saint Bernard with a Rottweiler. The Saint Bernard comes from Switzerland, as does the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Entlebucher Cattle Dog, the Appenzeller Cattle Dog, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. It is believed this breed descended from the Molossus, the Roman Mastiff-type dog, crossed with the native dogs in the Alps. Dogs in Switzerland were originally divided in two categories: Valley dogs, called Talhund, and Farm Dogs, called Bauernhund. The Saint Bernard began to be separated from these breeds when Archdeacon Bernard de Menthon arrived at the Saint Bernard Pass in 962 A.D. and founded a Hospice to help travellers. The Saint Bernards were used to guard the land and to protect the monks. Therefore, these dogs developed great tolerance for harsh cold weather and an ability for search and rescue. The Saint Bernards helped rescue over 2,000 people during three centuries. Saint Bernards were taken to England, where they were known as Sacred Dogs, in an attempt to improve the English Mastiff breed. Eventually, in 1880 this breed got its official name, the Saint Bernard. Due to crossbreeding, they became taller and thinner in other countries. In 1887 the first breed standard was established in the International Congress of Zurich. The American Kennel Club acknowledged the Saint Bernard in 1885. The Rottweiler is also a descendant from the Molossus, which Romans took with them to drive cattle during their journey to Germany. The Molossus mated with other dogs in Germany, creating new breeds, this being the origin of the Rottweiler. This breed got its name after a village they originated from, Rote Wil, in South Germany. The Rottweilers were used to drive cattle, and to keep money safe from robbers, as their owners would tie it around the dog’s neck. The Rottweilers also helped pulling carts of meat, until the rail appeared. After that these dogs became almost extinct, until in 1901 the first breed standard was written. The Rottweilers became highly popular for police work thanks to their great working capability. This breed was taken to America in the late 1920s by German emigrants. The Rottweiler was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931.