| Found a couple of interesting nuggets of info regarding Rotties and spiked collars. One source says German shepherdsmen placed spiked collars around the Rotties necks to protect them from wolves and other predators while they guarded the flocks. By the way, this source indicates that the Rotties were used more to guard the flock and less to herd the flock.
Another source says that the "predecessor" (sp) to the Rotties wore spiked collars during battle, and entire formations were sent in to bite the legs of opposing soldiers who would then be forced to drop their shields, thus exposing themselves to the Romans arrows and swords.
Also, during the Roman times, the Rottie (or its predecessor) not only guarded the cattle, but also guarded the prisoners and supply depots at night while the soldiers slept. |