About Us

In Gratitude

The flags of South Africa and Germany joined beneath the seal of the Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK)

Honouring the Guardians of Our Breed, and the Breeders Who Shaped Our Legacy

With profound gratitude to the ADRK and to the German Rottweiler breeders whose dedication, trust and extraordinary bloodlines have become part of the Craffenheim story.

The ADRK — Guardians of the Rottweiler

There are some debts of gratitude that can never truly be repaid. They can only be honoured through respect, remembrance, and an unwavering commitment to the legacy entrusted to us.

For Craffenheim Rottweilers, one such debt belongs to the Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK) in Germany — the custodian of the Rottweiler breed in its country of origin, and the authority responsible for preserving and defining the breed standard.

The history of the ADRK reaches back to 1921, when the organisation was established through the unification of German Rottweiler clubs. Its first official studbook followed in 1924, bringing greater consistency to the recording and development of the breed. Since then, the ADRK has played an essential role in safeguarding the Rottweiler's conformation, temperament, health and working ability.

The Rottweiler is so much more than a powerful silhouette or an impressive head. He is a working dog of substance, courage, intelligence and composure; a devoted companion whose strength must always be matched by a sound mind and stable character. Preserving that complete picture requires knowledge, discipline, responsibility and generations of careful selection.

We deeply respect the ADRK's enduring commitment to these principles. Its breed standard is not simply a description of the ideal Rottweiler; it is a guiding responsibility for every breeder who genuinely loves this magnificent German breed.

Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub e.V.

A Living Connection to History

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Rottweiler's heritage is the continuity preserved through its pedigrees.

Behind the great German kennels of today stand generations of carefully recorded dogs, their ancestry documented through the studbooks and pedigrees that preserve the breed's history. The earliest registered Rottweilers represent the foundations upon which subsequent generations of breeding have been built. Through these ancestral connections, the work of the earliest breed custodians continues to influence the Rottweilers we know and admire today.

At Craffenheim, we have always believed that understanding a pedigree means understanding far more than names on a page. It means recognising the generations of breeders, the decisions they made, the qualities they sought to preserve, and the dogs whose influence continues to be felt long after their own lifetimes.

Our entire breeding programme has been founded upon respect for the ADRK standard, the working heritage of the Rottweiler, and the distinguished German bloodlines developed and preserved by breeders who share these ideals.

We do not regard this heritage as something to exploit or take for granted. We regard it as something entrusted to us — a living legacy that we are privileged to protect, nurture and carry forward.

In Loving Memory of Xaver Meixner

Zwinger vom Schwaiger Rathaus

Some breeders leave their mark on a breed. Others leave a legacy that reaches far beyond their own kennel, living on through the dogs they produced and the generations that follow them.

The late Xaver Meixner of Zwinger vom Schwaiger Rathaus holds an especially treasured place in the history of Craffenheim.

Remembered as the father of the modern Rottweiler, Xaver Meixner devoted his life to the breed and established a legacy through his breeding that has touched Rottweiler enthusiasts far beyond Germany's borders.

For Craffenheim, his name is not merely one to admire in a pedigree. It is part of our own history, our own memories, and the foundation of dogs we have had the extraordinary privilege of loving, owning and breeding.

Xaver Meixner and Chris vom Schwaiger Rathaus

We were honoured to own and breed with three Rottweilers from vom Schwaiger Rathaus:

Yaris vom Schwaiger Rathaus

A dog whose achievements and legacy remain woven into the fabric of Craffenheim.

Yaris attained his BH, ZTP and IPO 3 qualifications, achieved Körung and a lifelong breeding licence, and earned both ADRK and VDH Champion titles. He was also Bundessieger 2014.

His accomplishments represent the dedication to working ability, breed type and temperament that we strive to preserve. Yet beyond every title and qualification was a dog whose place in our lives could never be measured by a show result or a working score alone.

CH Yaris vom Schwaiger Rathaus of Craffenheim

Yaris with the vom Schwaiger Rathaus kennel topline

Chris vom Schwaiger Rathaus

Chris carried the same distinguished heritage, achieving his BH, ZTP and IPO 3 qualifications, including a remarkable 100/100 tracking score.

His achievement in tracking stands as a proud testament to working ability, concentration and the qualities that make the Rottweiler such an exceptional working breed.

We remember Chris with immense pride and gratitude, not only for what he achieved, but for the legacy he contributed to our kennel.

Chris vom Schwaiger Rathaus of Craffenheim

Evi vom Schwaiger Rathaus

Evi, too, became part of the Craffenheim story, carrying the treasured vom Schwaiger Rathaus heritage into our home and breeding history.

Xaver Meixner taking Evi vom Schwaiger Rathaus to the airport in Germany on her way to Craffenheim

Together, Yaris, Chris and Evi represent something deeply meaningful to us: the trust of a breeder who dedicated himself to the breed, and the privilege of continuing a legacy that began long before these three dogs entered our lives.

Left: Chris vom Schwaiger Rathaus on the cover of the ADRK’s magazine 2014. Right: the head of the VDH with Evi and Yaris vom Schwaiger Rathaus

Xaver Meixner with CH Yaris vom Schwaiger Rathaus in Germany

We will forever be grateful that the work of Xaver Meixner reached our corner of the world.

Although he is no longer with us, the influence of his breeding lives on. It lives in the pedigrees we preserve, in the dogs who carry his kennel's name in their ancestry, and in every generation in which we strive to honour the qualities he worked so diligently to establish.

The vom Schwaiger Rathaus legacy lives on at Craffenheim.
And for that, our gratitude will never fade.

To the German Kennels Who Trusted Us

Our journey would not be what it is today without the generosity, confidence and extraordinary breeding achievements of the German kennel owners who entrusted us with their dogs and bloodlines.

To be trusted with a Rottweiler bred by another dedicated breeder is a privilege. To be permitted to bring that dog into your family, to love and cherish them, and to incorporate their qualities into a carefully considered breeding programme is an even greater responsibility.

We understand that every dog entrusted to us represents years of thought, experience, sacrifice and hope. Behind every exceptional Rottweiler stands a breeder who cared enough to make difficult decisions, preserve valuable qualities and work towards the future of the breed.

We are profoundly grateful to the following kennels for the trust they placed in Craffenheim and for the opportunity to work with the fruits of their dedication.

Our heartfelt gratitude to:

Zwingervom Hause Anin
Zwingervom Schwaiger Wappen
Zwingervon der Crossener Ranch
Zwingervom Rheiderland
Zwingervom Pfeifholz
Zwingervom Weissen Schwan
Zwingervon der Tonberger Höhe
Zwingervon der Mühlbachstraße

Your contribution to our journey is something we acknowledge with genuine respect and appreciation.

The dogs and bloodlines we have been privileged to work with have helped shape our kennel, broaden our understanding and strengthen our determination to breed with purpose. Their influence is reflected not only in pedigrees, but in the lives of the dogs we have loved and in the generations we hope to produce.

To each breeder who placed their trust in us, thank you. Thank you for the dogs, for the confidence, for the shared commitment to the Rottweiler, and for allowing a part of your life's work to become part of ours.

We will never regard that trust as something ordinary.

Our Promise to the Future

At Craffenheim Rottweilers, we recognise that we are one small part of a much greater history.

We stand upon the work of the early breed custodians, the dedication of the ADRK, the knowledge preserved in German pedigrees, and the commitment of breeders who have devoted their lives to maintaining the integrity of this extraordinary breed.

Our responsibility is to honour that history through our own decisions — to respect the breed standard, to value health and stable temperament, to preserve working ability, and to approach every generation with thoughtfulness and integrity.

Titles may be earned, champions may be celebrated, and generations may pass. But the true measure of a breeding legacy lies in what endures: the soundness of the dogs, the strength of their character, the qualities they pass on, and the dedication of those who continue the work.

We hope that the dogs bred at Craffenheim will, in their own way, honour those who came before them. We hope that the bloodlines entrusted to us will continue to flourish, and that future generations will reflect the same devotion to the Rottweiler that inspired the breeders whose names we honour here.

We do not forget where our dogs came from.
We do not forget the people behind their pedigrees.
And we do not forget the trust that made our journey possible.

With Eternal Gratitude

To the ADRK in Germany, for guarding the heritage and standard of our beloved Rottweiler.

To the late Xaver Meixner, whose vom Schwaiger Rathaus legacy will forever hold a special place in our hearts and our kennel.

To every German breeder who trusted Craffenheim with their dogs, their bloodlines and a part of their life's work.

You have given us far more than exceptional Rottweilers. You have given us history, opportunity, friendship, memories and a legacy we are honoured to carry forward.

From Germany to Craffenheim, across generations and across continents, the Rottweiler unites us in a shared passion and a common responsibility.

We are proud of the bloodlines that have shaped us, grateful to the people who entrusted them to us, and committed to preserving the qualities that make the Rottweiler so extraordinary.

With the deepest respect, heartfelt appreciation and eternal gratitude,

Craffenheim Rottweilers

Honouring the past. Cherishing the present. Preserving the legacy for generations to come.

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