ROTTWEILER Breed Standards
The Rottweiler traces its origins back to antiquity, probably descending from one of the ancient Roman drover dogs. Sources from the time indicate that these large, Mastiff-like dogs accompanied the Roman legions on campaigns throughout Europe, driving and herding cattle as well as protecting the camps at night. Around the 1st century AD, the dog was brought to the Roman territory of Arae Flaviae in modern southern Germany, where it flourished for centuries as an indispensable part of the region’s cattle trade.
During the 8th century, excavations in southern Germany revealed the existence of Roman baths built when the region was a Roman territory. The town where the baths were found was subsequently renamed das Rote Wil, “the red tile,” for the distinctive red tile roof of the baths. Rottweil, as the town is now known, was central to the development of the Rottweiler and gives the breed its name.
Beginning in the 19th century, the outlawing of cattle driving and the popularization of other cart animals (the donkey, for example) caused the Rottweiler Metzgerhund (Butcher Dog of Rottweil) to decline in importance and prominence – by the end of the century, the breed had fallen into relative obscurity and was nearly lost. In response, proponents of the Rottweiler formed a club in 1901 to restore the breed to its once prominent position. Though the club itself was short-lived, it did succeed in creating the first standard for the breed as well as generating renewed interest in the Rottweiler as a work animal. Between 1901 and 1907, Rottweilers found work as police dogs, and numerous other Rottweiler clubs were formed in Germany. Around this time the Rottweiler was brought to the United States and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931. Today, the Rottweiler is one of the most popular breeds in America, both as a watchdog and as a family pet.
SKILLS: The ideal Rottweiler is a medium large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. His compact and substantial build denotes great strength, agility and endurance. Dogs are characteristically more massive throughout with larger frame and heavier bone than bitches. Bitches are distinctly feminine, but without weakness of substance or structure.
SIZE: Dogs - 24 inches to 27 inches. Bitches - 22 inches to 25 inches, with preferred size being mid-range of each sex. Correct proportion is of primary importance, as long as size is within the standard's range.
The length of body, from prosternum to the rearmost projection of the rump, is slightly longer than the height of the dog at the withers, the most desirable proportion of the height to length being 9 to 10. The Rottweiler is neither coarse nor shelly. Depth of chest is approximately fifty percent (50%) of the height of the dog. His bone and muscle mass must be sufficient to balance his frame, giving a compact and very powerful appearance.
Serious Faults--Lack of proportion, undersized, oversized, reversal of sex characteristics (bitchy dogs, doggy bitches).
COAT: Outer coat is straight, coarse, dense, of medium length and lying flat. Undercoat should be present on neck and thighs, but the amount is influenced by climatic conditions. Undercoat should not show through outer coat. The coat is shortest on head, ears and legs, longest on breeching. The Rottweiler is to be exhibited in the natural condition with no trimming. Fault - Wavy coat. Serious Faults - Open, excessively short, or curly coat; total lack of undercoat; any trimming that alters the length of the natural coat. Disqualification -Long coat.
Color - always black with rust to mahogany markings. The demarcation between black and rust is to be clearly defined. The markings should be located as follows: a spot over each eye; on cheeks; as a strip around each side of muzzle, but not on the bridge of the nose; on throat; triangular mark on both sides of prosternum;on forelegs from carpus downward to the toes; on inside of rear legs showing down the front of the stifle and broadening out to front of rear legs from hock to toes, but not completely eliminating black from rear of pasterns; un-der tail; black penciling on toes. The undercoat is gray, tan, or black. Quantity and location of rust markings is important and should not exceed ten percent of body color. Serious Faults - Straw-colored, excessive, insufficient or sooty markings; rust marking other than described above; white marking any place on dog (a few rust or white hairs do not constitute a marking). Disqualifications -Any base color other than black; absence of all markings.
CARE REQUIRED: The smooth, glossy coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.
CHARACTER: The Rottweiler is basically a calm, confident and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment. He has an inherent desire to protect home and family, and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog.
The behavior of the Rottweiler in the show ring should be controlled, willing and adaptable, trained to submit to examination of mouth, testicles, etc. An aloof or reserved dog should not be penalized, as this reflects the accepted character of the breed. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs should not be faulted.
A judge shall excuse from the ring any shy Rottweiler. A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge. A dog that in the opinion of the judge menaces or threatens him/her, or exhibits any sign that it may not be safely approached or examined by the judge in the normal manner, shall be excused from the ring. A dog that in the opinion of the judge attacks any person in the ring shall be disqualified.
EXERCISE: The Rottweiler needs plenty of exercise. You can't give these robust dogs too much work or exercise; they thrive on it. Running in the woods and in open country makes them very happy and they have no desire to wander from you. Swimming or running beside a bicycle are perfect activities for this dog and it also loves retrieving a ball.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Rottie will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard will be sufficient.
TRAINING: They can be aggressive with other dogs and should be kept on leashes in public places. When the Rottweiler is consistently brought up and trained, it will be a good playmate for the children. It will accept cats and other household pets as long as the dog has had a positive experience with them while it was young.
