The Rottweiler Breed Standard

F.C.I. Standard No. 147 (11/9/92)

ORIGIN: Germany TRANSLATED BY: Mrs C. Seidler

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 dog. 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.

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.

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, security and working dog.

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.

[Top of Page]

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.

Stop: Well defined.

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.

Lips: Black, close fitting, corner mouth not visible, gums as dark as possible.

Jaw: Upper and lower jaw, strong and broad.

Cheeks: Zygomatic arches pronounced.

Skin: Skin on the head is overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.

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 incisors.

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.

Forearm: Strongly developed and muscled.

Pasterns: Slightly springy, strong not straight.

Body

Back: Straight, strong, sturdy. 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 fore-chest and well sprung ribs.

Belly: Flanks not tucked up.

[Top of Page]

Hindquarters

Seen from behind, legs straight and not too close together. When standing fee, 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

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

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.

Movement

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 the Coat: 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 buttocks.

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.

Size

Males: Shoulder height for males 61-68 cm.

61 - 62 cm is small

63 - 64 cm is medium height

65 - 66 cm is large - correct height

67-68 cm is very large

Weight is approximately 50 kg

Females: Shoulder height for bitches is 56-63 cm

56 - 57 cm is small

58 - 59 cm is medium height

60 - 61 cm is large - correct height

62 - 63 cm is very large

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 coarse. 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 on 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.

Disqualifying Faults

General: Marked reversal of sexual type, i.e., 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 colouring of black with tan markings. White markings.

Note: Males must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

[Top of Page]