The Rottweiler
ROTTWEILER BREED STANDARD (EFFECTIVE 15.2.2002)
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 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 recognised 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.
1. GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THE DOG 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.
2. 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 %.
3. DEMEANOUR AND CHARACTER 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.
4. HEAD CRANIAL REGION
4.1 SKULL Of medium length, broad between the ears. Forehead line moderately arched as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed without being conspicious. STOP Well defined.
4.2 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. Jaw / 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 Pronounced cheek bones (zygomatic arch) 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.
5. NECK Strong, of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, free from throatiness, without dewlap.
6. BODY (TRUNK) 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, alternatively, docked at the first or second joint.
7. LIMBS
7.1 FOREQUARTERS Overall 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. Shoulder Well laid back Upper arm Close fitting to the body. Forearm Strongly developed and muscular. Pasterns Slightly springy, strong, and not steep. Feet Round, tight and well arched; pads hard; nails short, black and strong.
7.2 HINDQUARTERS Overall 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. Hind Feet Slightly longer than the front feet. Toes strong, arched, as tight as front feet.
8. 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.
9. SKIN Skin on Head Overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.
10. COAT Hair The coat consists of a top coat and an 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 hindlegs. 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.
11. Size and weight Males Height at withers 61 to 68 cm 61 - 62 cm (small) 63 - 64 cm (Medium) 65 - 66 cm (Large - ideal size) 67 - 68 cm (Very Large) Weight Approx. 50 kg. Bitches Height at withers 56 to 63 cm 56 - 57 cm (small) 58 - 59 cm (Medium) 60 - 61 cm (Large - ideal size) 62 - 63 cm (Very Large) Weight Approx. 42 kg.
12. FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Overall Light, weedy, leggy appearance. Light in bone and muscle. Head Hound-type head. Narrow, light, too short, long or coarse head. Flat forehead (lack of stop or too little stop). Foreface Long or pointed muzzle; split nose; Roman nose (convex nasal bridge) or dish-faced (concave nasal bridge); aquiline nose; pale or spotted nose (butterfly nose). Lips Pendulous, pink or patchy; corner of lips visible. Jaw Narrow lower jaw. Cheeks Strongly protruding. Bite Pincer bite. Ears Set on too low, heavy, long, slack or turned backwards. Also flying ears or ears not carried symmetrically. Eyes Light, deep set. Also too full and round eyes; loose eye-lids. Neck Too long, thin, lacking muscle. Showing dewlap or throaty. Body Too long, too short or too narrow. Chest Flat ribbed or barrel shaped. Too narrow behind. Back Too long, weak; sway-back or roach back. Croup Too sloping, too short, too flat or too long. Tail Set on too high or too low. 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 steep pastern. Splayed feet. Too flat or too arched toes. Deformed toes. Light coloured nails. Hindquarters Flat thighs, hocks too close, cow hocks or barrel hocks. Joints with too little or too much angulation. Dewclaws. Skin Wrinkles on head. Coat Soft, too short or too long. Wavy coat; lack of undercoat. Colour Markings of incorrect colour, not clearly defined.. Markings which are too spread out.
13. DISQUALIFYING FAULTS General Distinct reversal of sexual type, i.e. feminine dogs or masculine bitches. Behaviour Anxious, shy, cowardly, gun-shy, vicious, excessively suspicious, nervous animals. Eyes Entropion, ectropion, yellow eyes, different coloured eyes. Tail Kink tail, ring tail, with strong lateral deviation Teeth Overshot or undershot bite, wry mouth; lack of one incisive tooth, one canine, one premolar and one molar. Testicles Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Coat Definitely long or wavy coat. Colour Dogs which do not show the typical Rottweiler colouring of black with tan markings. White markings.