Illustrated Breed Standard
Origin : Germany
Brief Historical Summary
The Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest breeds of dog. 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 federal town 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 droving 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 recognised as police dogs in 1910.
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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, manoeuvrability and endurance. A compact, powerful build : Fürst vom Wolfert Turm |
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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 the 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, security and working dog.
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Temperament - Behaviour and Character Being good natured, placid and fond of children in basic disposition, he is 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. A good natured dog : Endy von der Kurpfalz |
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Temperament - Behaviour and Character
Being good natured, placid and fond of children in basic disposition, he is 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 and Skull
CRANIAL REGION
Of medium length, the skull broad between the ears. Forehead line moderately arched as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed without being conspicuous.
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Stop : Well defined A well defined stop and a well proportioned head : Balou vom Silberblick |
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FACIAL REGION
Nose: Straight nasal bridge broad at base, moderately tapered. 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.
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Lips: Black, close fitting, corner mouth not visible, gums as dark as possible. Black lips and gums: Endy von der Kurpfalz => |
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Jaw: Upper and lower jaw, strong and broad.
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Cheeks: Zygomatic arches pronounced. A broad skull and powerful zygomatic arches: Odo vom Fleischer => |
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Skin: Skin on the head is overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled. Aika von der Mandelburg => |
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Eyes: Of medium size, almond shaped, dark brown in colour. Eyelids close fitting.
Ears: Medium sized, pendant, triangular, wide apart, set on high. The close fitting ears, set well forward, give the impression of a broad skull.
Teeth: Strong, complete dentition (42 teeth) with scissor bite, the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower teeth.
Neck: Of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, free from throatiness, without dewlap.
Forequarters
Seen from the front, the front legs are straight and not placed too closely to each other. The forearm, seen from the side, looks straight. The slope of the shoulderblade is about 45 degrees to the horizontal.
Shoulders: Well laid back.
Upper Arm: Close fitting to the body.
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Forearm: Strongly developed and muscled. Solid forearms: Igor vom Muthmannsdorf => |
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Pasterns: Slightly springy, strong not straight.
Body
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Back: Straight, strong, sturdy. Loins short, strong and deep. A straight, strong back and an ideal croup : Janosch von der Scherau => |
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Croup: Broad, of medium length, slightly rounded. Neither flat nor falling away.
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Chest: Roomy, broad and deep (approximately 50% of the shoulder height) with well developed forechest and well sprung ribs. A broad and deep chest: Noris von der Alten Fesdtung => |
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Belly: Flanks not tucked up.
Hindquarters
Seen from the 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 well muscled.
Lower Thigh: Long, strong, broadly muscled at top and sinewy below, merging into sturdy well angulated hocks, not straight.
Feet
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Front: Round, tight and well arched: pads hard, nails short, black and strong. Round feet, tight and well arched : Gil Crni Lotos => |
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Rear: Slightly longer than the front feet. Just as tight. Arched and with strong toes. No rear dewclaws.
Tail: Docked at the first or second joint. In those countries where docking is forbidden by law, the tail may be left in its natural state.
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Mara von der Scherau displays a correct natural tail => |
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Movement
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Good angles on the hindquarters: Chan von der Bleichstrasse => |
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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.
Coat
Texture of Coat: The top consists of a top coat and an undercoat. The top coat is of medium length, course, dense and flat. The undercoat must not show through the top coat. The hair is a little longer on the buttocks.
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Colour 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. Rich mahogany markings: Thor vom Cäsarenkamp => |
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Size
Males: Shoulder height for males 61-68 cm Females : Shoulder height for bitches is 56-63 cm; 61-62 cm is small 56-57 cm is small; 63-64 cm is medium height 58-59 cm is medium height; 65-66 cm is large - correct height 60-61 cm is large - correct height; 67-68 cm is very large 62-63 cm is very large Weight is approximately 50 kg Weight is approximately 42 kg
Faults
General Appearance: Light, racy, weedy appearance. Light in bone and muscle.
Head: Hound type head. Narrow, light, too short, too long or course. Flat forehead. Lack of stop or too little.
Foreface: Long or pointed muzzle, split nose, roman or dished nose, aquiline nose, pale or spotted nose.
Jaws: Narrow lower jaw.
Lips: Pendulous, pink or patchy; corner of lips visible.
Cheeks: Strongly protruding cheeks.
Skin: Wrinkles on head.
Ears: Set too low, heavy, long, slack or turned backwards. Also flying ears or ears not carried symmetrically.
Eyes: Light, showing haw, deep set. Also round eyes.
Bite: Pincer bite.
Neck: Too long, too thin, lacking muscle. Showing dewlap or throaty.
Forequarters: Narrow or crooked front legs. Steep shoulder placement. Loose or out at elbow. Too long, too short or too straight in upper arm. Weak or straight pasterns. Splayed feet. Too flat or too arched toes. Deformed toes. Light coloured nails.
Body: Too long, weak; sway back or roach back.
Croup: Croup too sloping, too short, too flat or too long.
Hindquarters: Flat thighs, hocks too close, cow hocks or open hocked. Joints with too little or too much angulation. Dewclaws.
Tail: Set on high or too low.
Coat: Soft, too short or too long. Wavy coat, lack or undercoat.
Colour: Mismarking. Smudged, not clearly defined markings. Markings which are too spread out.
General: Marked reversal of sexual type, ie. Feminine dogs or masculine bitches.
Behaviour: Anxious, shy, cowardly, gun shy, vicious, excessively suspicious, nervous animals.
Eyes: Entropian, ectropian, yellow eyes, different coloured eyes.
Teeth: Overshot or undershot bite, missing premolars or molars.
Coat Texture: Very long or wavy coat.
Coat Colour: Dogs which do not show the typical Rottweiler colour of black with tan markings. White markings.
Note: Males must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.