*** Are you not familiar with Rottweilers? According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Rottie is calm, trainable, courageous, and devoted to their owner and family. The Rottweiler is probably descended from the Italian Mastiff. During the Middle Ages, it was used as a herd dog. It was bred in the German town of Rottweil in Wurttemberg. Practically extinct in the 1800's, the breed population began a comeback in the early twentieth century due to the efforts of enthusiastic breeders centered in Stuttgart. Some of the Rottweilers talents include: tracking, herding, watchdogging, guarding, police work, carting, competitive obedience, and schutzhund. They have a reliable temperament. Protective, he will defend his family fiercely. They require owners who can handle their massive size. The Rottie is a natural guard dog with a mellow temperament. They are highly intelligent and have proven their worth beyond question in police, military, and customs work over many centuries. This breed needs a lot of companionship and socialization to be truly happy. They can be aggressive with other dogs and should be kept on leashes in public places. Friends and relatives of the family are normally enthusiastically welcomed. Strangers can get no further than the sidewalk. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.