Hailing from the German town of Rottweil, the Swabian town that gave its name to the powerful, tenacious dog, perhaps it is little surprise to find those qualities in Joshua Kimmich.
What does take you aback, though, is the fact the Bayern Munich midfielder was virtually unknown just over 18 months ago.
His name and face are now so familiar that you have to remind yourself that if you had asked most German football fans if they had heard of Kimmich before January 2015, a firm "nein" would have been the response.
Kimmich was not, however, entirely unknown in German football circles, which he entered into aged 12, when he joined VfB Stuttgart's academy.