Country of Origin: Germany
Specific Breed Suitability:
Companion, Protector and Working Dog
FCI Classification: Group II (Schnauzer & Pinscher, Molossers & Swiss
Mountain Dog varieties) Section 2.: Molosser, Mastiff type.


SHORT HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Rottweiler is believed to be among the most ancient of breeds. His origin stems from Roman times, in which era he performed the duties of guard and drover dog. When the Roman Legions traversed the Alps, the dogs accompanied them, protecting the soldiers and riving the herds. Settling in the area of Rottweil, the Roman Army dogs came into contact with dogs native to the area. The natural result was an interbreeding of the two. The principle duties of these hybrids remained the guarding and riving of large herds, the defense of their masters and the master's property. As there was a large concentration of the dogs in the vicinity of the Old German Empire City of Rottweil, the dog acquired the name: Rottweiler-Butcher Dog.

The butchers bred this type of dog solely for their working ability and their personal use. With the passage of time, as outstanding guarding and drover dog, as well as cart dog was the result. In addition, with the dawn of the 20th Century, when the police were soliciting service dogs, the Rottweiler was tested. It was readily recognized that the dog was admirably suited to this type of duty. As a result, in 1910 the Rottweiler was officially recognized as a Police Dog.

The objective in the breeding of Rottweilers is to produce a powerful yet vigorous dog, black with rust (mahogany), clearly defined markings, which despite its substance is stamped with an air of nobility and is capable of fulfilling the role of companion, guard and working dog.

1. GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THE DOG: The Rottweiler is a medium-large, robust dog, neither gross nor slight, nor spindly. In correct proportion he is compactly and powerfully built indicating great strength, maneuverability and endurance.

2. IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the body, measured from the point of the prosternum (breast-bone) to the rear edge of the pelvic edge (ischial protuberance) should not exceed the height at the highest point of the withers by 15%.

3. DEMEANOR AND CHARACTER: He is descended from friendly and peaceful stock and by nature loves children, is affectionate, obedient, trainable and enjoys working. His rough appearance belies his ancestry. His demeanor is self-reliant, with strong nerves and fearless character. He is keenly alert to, and aware of, his surroundings.

4. HEAD

4.1 Skull: Medium long, the back skull broad between the ears, the forehead line seen from the side only moderately arched. The occiput is well developed without protruding excessively.

4.2 Foreface:

Nose: The bridge of the muzzle is straight, broad at base and slightly tapering. Nose is large, rather broad than round, always black with proportionately large nostrils.

Muzzle: Must never be long or short in comparison to the back skull. Lips: Black, close-lying with the corners closed, gums should be dark. Jaw: Strong, broad upper and lower jaw.

Cheeks: Pronounced cheek-bones (Zygomatic arch).

Dentition: Complete (42 teeth), bite is strong with the upper incisors closing like scissors over those of the under jaw.

Eyes: Medium-large, almond shaped of dark brown color with tightly fitting lids.

Ears: Medium-large, pendant, triangular, set well apart and high. When brought forward, well placed ears will broaden the appearance of the back skull.

5. NECK: Powerful, moderately long, well-muscled, slightly arched, dry, without dewlap or throatiness.

6. BODY (Trunk):

Back: Straight, strong, tight. Loin is short, strong and deep.

Croup: Broad, medium-long, gently sloping, neither flat nor steep.

Chest: Roomy, broad and deep (approximately 50% of the height of the dog at the withers) with a well developed fore-chest and well arched ribs.

Abdomen: Flanks not drawn up.

Tail: Docked short so that one or two tail vertebrae remain.

7. LIMBS

7.1 FOREQUARTERS:

Overall: Seen from the front, the forelegs are straight and not set close together. Seen from the side, the lower leg is straight. The shoulder angulations approximate 45 degree.

Shoulders: Well placed.

Upper Arm: Lying correctly on the body.

Forearm: Strongly developed and muscular.

Pasterns: Somewhat springy, strong, and not steep.

Feet: Round, well closed and well knuckled, pads hard, nails short, black and strong.

7.2 HINDQUARTERS:

Overall: As seen from the rear, the rear legs are straight and not set too close together. In a natural stance, the articulation between the upper thigh and the lower thigh forms an obtuse angle.

Upper Thigh: Moderately long, broad and very muscular.

Lower Thigh: Long, powerful and heavily muscled, sinewy with strong tendons, well angulated, not steep.

Feet: Somewhat longer than the front feet, nevertheless tight, knuckled, with strong toes, no dewclaws.

8. MOVEMENT: The Rottweiler is a trotter. The back remains firm and relatively motionless. The gait is harmonious, positive, powerful and free with long strides.

9. SKIN: Skin on the head is tight fitting but allowance is made for some wrinkling when dog is alert.

10. COAT

10.1 QUALITY: Consisting of outer coat and an under coat. The outer coat is medium long, coarse, thick and straight. The under coat must not show through the outer coat. On the back of the rear legs the hair is somewhat longer.

10.2 COLOR: Black with sharply defined dark reddish-brown markings on the cheeks, muzzle, under the neck, on the chest and legs and also over the eyes and under the tail.

11. HEIGHT AND WEIGHT:

Height of males 61 - 68 cm.

61 - 62 cm. = small

63 - 64 cm. = medium

65 - 66 cm. = large - ideal size

67 - 68 cm. = very large

Weight : about 50 kilos




Height of bitches 56 - 63 cm.

56 - 57 cm. = small

58 - 69 cm. = medium

60 - 61 cm. = large - ideal size

62 - 63 cm. =very large

Weight: about 42 kilos




12. FAULTS:

Overall: Light-boned, poorly muscled insufficient leggy appearance.

Head: Houndy, too narrow, weak, too short, too long or too coarse, shallow forehead (faulty or insufficient stop).

Foreface: Long or pointed muzzle, rams or split nose, convex or concave bridge of the muzzle, light or spotted nose.

Lips: Open pink-colored, or flecked lips, or lips with open corners.

Jaw: Narrow under jaw.

Cheeks: Overly prominent cheeks.

Bite: Level bite.

Ears: Too low set, heavy, long, leather too thin, pulled back in such a manner as to stick up and ears that are not properly carried.

Eyes: Light, protruding (lids not fitting tightly), too deep set, too big, or too round eyes.

Neck: Too long, thin poorly muscled neck, dewlap or throaty.

Body: Too long, too short, narrow.

Chest: Flat ribbed rib cage, round rib cage, shallow rib cage.

Back: Too long, weak or sway backed, roach backed.

Croup: Steep croup, too short, too flat or too long.

Tail: Too high set or too low set.

Forequarters: Narrow set or crooked fore legs. Straight shoulder, faulty or deficient elbow placement, too long, too short or too straight upper arm, weak or straight pasterns, spread toes, too flat or too arched toes. Stunted toes, light nails.

Hindquarters: Poorly muscled thighs, sicklehocked or cowhocked or bow-legged, too little or too much angulation. Dewclaws.

Skin: Wrinkled head skin.

Coat Condition: Soft, too short, too long coat, curly coat, lacking under coat.

Color: Incorrect color, poorly defined, too extensive markings.

13. DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

Overall: Obvious reversal of sex characteristics (bitchy dogs and the reverse).

Demeanor: Anxious, shy, cowardly, gun-shy, vicious, excessively suspicious (distrustful), nervous animals.

Eyes: Entropion, ectropion, yellow eyes, two eyes of different color.

Dentition: Overshot or undershot, dogs with missing premolars or molars.

Testicles: Unilateral cryptorchid or cryptorchid males, Both testicles must be well developed and properly descended into the scrotum.

Coat: Exceptionally long and curly-coated dogs.

Color: Dogs that do not have the typical black ground color in combination with correctly placed brown markings, white marks.

This Nor-Cal Rottweiler Performance Club web site and all content on this site are Copyright © Protected 2001.
Do not copy or reproduce any photos, graphics, text, this site's background or any other information from this site without permission. All Rights Reserved.