Let $\mathbf{D}$ be a matrix representing a dilation with scale factor $k > 0,$ and let $\mathbf{R}$ be a matrix representing a rotation about the origin by an angle of $\theta$ counter-clockwise.  If
\[\mathbf{D} \mathbf{R} = \begin{pmatrix} -7 & 1 \\ -1 & -7 \end{pmatrix},\]then find $k.$
We have that $\mathbf{D} = \begin{pmatrix} k & 0 \\ 0 & k \end{pmatrix}$ and $\mathbf{R} = \begin{pmatrix} \cos \theta & -\sin \theta \\ \sin \theta & \cos \theta \end{pmatrix},$ so
\[\mathbf{D} \mathbf{R} = \begin{pmatrix} k & 0 \\ 0 & k \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} \cos \theta & -\sin \theta \\ \sin \theta & \cos \theta \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} k \cos \theta & -k \sin \theta \\ k \sin \theta & k \cos \theta \end{pmatrix}.\]Thus, $k \cos \theta = -7$ and $k \sin \theta = -1.$  Then
\[k^2 \cos^2 \theta + k^2 \sin^2 \theta = 49 + 1 = 50,\]which simplifies to $k^2 = 50.$  Since $k > 0,$ $k = \sqrt{50} = \boxed{5 \sqrt{2}}.$