Breed Information

Brief historical summary:

The Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds. Its origin goes back to Roman times. These dogs were kept as herder or driving dogs. They marched over the Alps with the Roman legions, protecting the humans and driving their cattle. In the region of Rottweil, these dogs met and mixed with the native dogs in a natural crossing. The main task of the Rottweiler now became the driving and guarding of the herds of cattle and the defence of their masters and their property. This breed acquired its name from the old free city of Rottweil and was known as the 'Rottweil butcher’s dog'.

The butchers bred this type of dog purely for performance and usefulness. In due course, a first rate watch and driving dog evolved which could also be used as a draught dog. When, at the beginning of the twentieth century, various breeds were needed for police service, the Rottweiler was amongst those tested. It soon became evident that the breed was highly suitable for the tasks set by police service and therefore they were officially recognized as police dogs in 1910.

Rottweiler breeders aim at a dog of abundant strength, black coated with clearly defined rich tan markings, whose powerful appearance does not lack nobility and which is exceptionally well suited to being a companion, service and working dog.

General Appearance

The Rottweiler is a medium to large size, stalwart dog, neither heavy nor light and neither leggy nor weedy. His correctly proportioned, compact and powerful build leads to the conclusion of great strength, agility and endurance.

Important Proportions

The length of the body, measured from the sternum (breast-bone) to the ischiatic tuberosity, should not exceed the height at the withers by, at most, 15 %.

Characteristics

Rottweiler breeders aim at a dog of abundant strength, black coated with clearly defined rich tan markings, whose powerful appearance does not lack nobility and which is exceptionally well suited to being a companion, Service and Working dog

Behaviour / Temperament

Good natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children, very devoted, obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural and rustic, his behaviour self assured, steady and fearless. He reacts to his surroundings with great alertness.

Head :

Cranial Region :

Skull :

Of medium length, broad between the ears. Forehead line moderately arched as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed without being conspicuous.

Stop :

Well defined.

Facial Region :

Nose :

Nose well developed, more broad than round with relatively large nostrils, always black.

Muzzle :

The foreface should appear neither elongated nor shortened in relation to the cranial region. Straight nasal bridge, broad at base, moderately tapered.

Lips :

Black, close fitting, corner of the mouth not visible, gum as dark as possible.

Jaws / Teeth :

Upper and lower jaw strong and broad. Strong complete dentition (42 teeth) with scissor bite, the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors.

Cheeks :

Zygomatic arches pronounced.

Eyes :

Of medium size, almond shaped, dark brown in colour. Eyelids close fitting.

Ears :

Medium-sized, pendant, triangular, wide apart, set on high. With the ears laid forward close to the head the skull appears to be broadened.

Neck :

Strong, of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, free from throatiness, without dewlap.

Body

Back :

Straight, strong, firm.

Loins :

Short, strong and deep.

Croup :

Broad, of medium length, slightly rounded. Neither flat nor falling away.

Chest :

Roomy, broad and deep (approximately 50 % of the shoulder height) with well developed forechest and well sprung ribs.

Belly :

Flanks not tucked up.

Tail :

In natural condition, level in extension of the upper line; at ease may be hanging.

Limbs

Forequarters :

Seen from the front, the front legs are straight and not placed too closely to each other. The forearm, seen from the side, stands straight. The slope of the shoulder blade is about 45 degrees to the horizontal.

Shoulders :

Well laid back.

Upper arm :

Close fitting to the body.

Forearm :

Strongly developed and muscular.

Pasterns :

Slightly springy, strong, not steep.

Front feet :

Round, tight and well arched; pads hard; nails short, black and strong.

Hindquarters :

Seen from behind, legs straight and not too close together. When standing free, obtuse angles are formed between the dog’s upper thigh and the hip bone, the upper thigh and the lower thigh and the metatarsal.

Upper thigh :

Moderately long, broad and strongly muscled.

Lower thigh :

Long, strongly and broadly muscled at top, sinewy.

Hocks :

Sturdy well angulated hocks; not steep.

Hindfeet :

Slightly longer than the front feet. Toes strong, arched, as tight as front feet.

Gait

The Rottweiler is a trotting dog. In movement the back remains firm and relatively stable. Movement harmonious, steady, full of energy and unrestricted, with good stride.

Skin

Skin on the head :

Coat

Colour

Size

Overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.

The coat consists of a top coat and un undercoat. The top coat is of medium length, coarse, dense and flat. The undercoat must not show through the top coat. The hair is a little longer on the hind legs.

Black with clearly defined markings of a rich tan on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest and legs, as well as over both eyes and under the base of the tail.

Height at withers for males is 61 –68cm (24-26  ? ins)

61-62cm is small

63-64 cm is medium height

65-66 cm is large – correct height

67-68 cm is very large

Weight approximately 50kg (110lbs)

Height at withers for bitches is 56-63 cm (22-25 ins)

56-57 cm is small

58-59 cm is medium height

60-61 cm large – correct height

62-63 cm is very large

Weight approximately 42kg (95 lbs)