A long time ago, when men were alone and afraid on this new earth, the Great Being looked over all the dogs that had been created.  He wanted that one special one, the one who would forever be the perfect companion for mankind.

There were fast dogs, long and sleek, there were massive dogs, slow but sure, dogs with keen noses, dogs with keen hearing and dogs who could hunt down lions.  Dogs who could retrieve and dogs who could herd sheep.  All of these were good dogs, but not what the creator had in mind.

Finally there was one dog.  He looked rather plain.  Medium to large sized and all black, with a head like a bear and no tail. The dog was to be tested to see if he was the one to be at man's side forever.  And so the plain, black "bearlike" dog was sent to man's fire.  At first the men feared him.  But the dog looked down...

"I am sent to be at your side, to be part of all the man does".  "You are black and strong like a bear!  What if you eat our children? they spoke.  "I wold not do that", said the dog, "forI love man".

For three days and two nights the dog went with man while he hunted, and helped track down game, he protected their flocks and chased away the wild animals who sought to harm them.  He pulled their loads and supplies and guarded their valuables.  On the third night, a small girl came to him.  She was frightened by dreams she had.  So the plain black dog laid with her and his head rested gently upon her.  As she dreamed of scary creatures, the dog entered her dreams and fought them off.  If she dreamed she was lost in the darkest quicksand, the dog would run to pull her out.  All night long the dog nevered from the little girls side.  All night long he battled the demons in her sleep.  When she awoke she hugged tightly her new friend and kissed him once on each cheek and above each eye.  Her hands stroked his feet where she had waded in the quicksand, her arms hugged tightly his chest and stroked his powerful muzzle and throat.  Giggling and playing with her new friend and protector, she even patted his behind.  The child and dog became inseparable and the dog felt only undying love for the child.

The Great Being whispered in the dogs ear then. "You have passed your test, for many dogs can hunt and guard and herd, but you were not only willing to give your life, you went into the world of man and entered his darkest dreams and fears.  YOu did not run, but stayed by his side.  You have earned the love of even the youngest child, as it should be".  When the Great Beings voice faded like a gentle breeze, the plain black tailless dog shivered with happiness and all the places the little girl had touched an hugged him became a wonderful mahogany colour.  And the Rottweiler was sent to be a the side of man, where is his place,  But always in his noble heart is a special place of love, for the little ones, the children.

(Submitted by: Trojan Reg'd Rottweilers.  Reproduced from an article at The Pet Professor website:

http://www.thepetprofessor.com/secTrivia/Rottweiler.asp)

Once upon a time, long, long ago, before Mankind and Dogdom learned to love one another, the Grand Canine Council of Eight, which govern the fate of all dogs, called an important meeting.  It had been decided that the governing of dogs would be more easily accomplished if each dog was designated by the name of his choice and each breed could then select a prototype to portray breed characteristics.  This action was deemed necessary because Mankind and Dogdom were to soon unite, hopefully to the benefit of each.

On the appointed day, the representatives gathered and one by one, in an orderly fashion, each made his selection from a series of catalogues depicting body parts available.  As the day wore on, it became clear that there was not enough material on hand to satisfy all breed requirements.  Shortages were beginning to develop, especially in the ear and tail categories.  A few of the breed representatives began to show signs of anxiety.  A Greyhound crowded near a large dog at the front of the line.

"Please, friend Rottweiler," whined the Greyhound, "let me take your place in line.  If I stay at the end of the line there won't be any long tails to act as a rudder, Greyhounds will run crookedly."

"Well, Okay," said the Rottweiler and he moved back a step for the grateful Greyhound.

The line began inching forward again.

"Pardon me, sir," rumbled a deep voice at the Rottweiler's shoulder.  "Would you  mind if  I went ahead of you?"

"Well," said the Rottweiler, "I really don't think..."

"You see," the deep voice went on, "we St. Bernard's must have great size to perform our rescue work in the snow.  It's extremely difficult for small dogs to rescue people.  Just think of all those lost children."

"Oh, all right," sighed the Rottweiler and again he moved back in line.

And so it went...a little prototype dog for whom a long body was essential so he could wriggle into badger holdes edged in; a Terrier type needed agility and speed to catch rats; another needed a dense coat to be comfortable while guarding sheep in winter; a tiny prototype needed a silky coat to please those upon whose lap she sat.  Finally, all that remained was the tired canine who had patiently yielded his place to the others. Sadly, he looked through the catalogues.  Most of the items had black lines drawn through them...all of the good stock was gone.  The Rottweiler sighed deeply.

"HURRY UP", yapped the Eighth Fate, without looking up.

"Well." said the Rottweiler, very alert now that his turn had come.  "I guess a big deep chest won't look bad with small ears that stand up sharply".

"Sorry", said the Eighth Fate.  "All out of stand-up ears."

"NO STAND-UP EARS!?" howled the Rottweiler.

"That's what I said.  We can give you rosettes, long or medium-short, but they all flop."

"I'll take the medium-short," said the Rottweiler with disappointment.  "they won't be too noticeable with a nice bright colour combination."

"NO BRIGHT COLOURS," yipped the Second Fate.  "Only black".

"BLACK?" snarled the Rottweiler.

"Wait, Wait" whimpered the Foruth Fate, in an attempt to placate, "Here are a few tan markings you can scatter on the face and legs."

"I have three white hairs here," said the Fifth Fate.  Not enough for everyone, but occassionally you can sprinkle two or three on a chest."

"It's not really what we had in mind," said the Rottweiler.
Then he brightened, "However a big plume of a tail will make up for everything."

"SORRY," barked the Sixth Fate, 'NO TAILS."

"DAMM!" roared the Rottweiler, "You expect me to report back to my breed chairman in BLACK  with a FEW TAN MARKINGS, DROP EARS and NO TAIL?"

"Sorry," said the others.  "You should have gotten here sooner."

"One moment," the Chief Fate interceded.  "This prototype was one of the first to arrive."  "I can't help that," said the Eighth Fate crankily (he was getting very tired).

"Besides," added the Third Fate.  "All of the catalogues are closed.  There are no more supplies to be had."

"I realize that," answered the Chief Fate, "but we can do what all goods dogs should do...give something of ourselves.

From each of us, Rottweiler, you will receive one gift to bestow upon your breed: COURAGE, GENTLENESS, INTELLIGENCE, STRENGTH, LOYALTY, PLACIDITY, HANDSOMENESS and VIGILANCE.  However, the greatest attribute of any breed you already possess in abundance...

" A GENEROUS HEART".

(Submitted by: Trojan Reg'd Rottweilers.  Reproduces from an article at The Pet Professor website:  http://www.thepetprofessor.com/secTrivia/Rottweiler.asp)