ABOUT THE BREED
Rottweiler _ breed standard
F.C.I.- Standard No.147D Rottweiler
Origin: Germany
Date of publication of the original valid standard: April 6, 2000
Utilization: companion, service, working dog.
Classification F.C.I.: group II Schnauzer and Pinscher type, Molossian type, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Section 2.1. Molossian type, Mastiff type.
With working trial.
The Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds, as its origin goes back to the Roman times.
At the time Rottweiler was kept as herding or driving dog. Rottweiler dogs marched with the Roman legions over
the Alps and were used to protect humans and drive their cattle. The main task of Rottweiler was among others
guarding and defense of their masters and their property. In the region of Rottweil these dogs met and mixed
with the native dogs in a natural crossing. In the city Rottweil people called the dogs Rottweiler _ the Rottweil
butcher's dog. The butchers bred this type of dog because of its usefulness as watch dogs, strong appearance and
defense character. Over the years the great watch and driving dog evolved and could also be used as a draught dog.
At the beginning of the 20th century various breeds were needed for police service and the Rottweiler was also tested.
Very soon it became clear that the breed was highly suitable for the police tasks and so it was officially recognized
as police dog in 1910.
Rottweiler breeders aim at a powerful dog, black coated with clearly defined rust markings, that in spite of its massive
appearance shows nobility and should be a great companion, service and working dog.
1. General appearance
The Rottweiler is a medium to large size robust dog, neither heavy nor light.
His compact, powerful and correctly proportioned build denotes his great strength, agility and endurance.
2. Primary importance (proportions)
The length of the body, measured from the point of the breast-bone to the ischiadic tuberosity,
should not exceed the height at the withers more than 15%.
3. Behavior and temperament
Generally friendly and of a peaceful nature, kid-friendly, obedient, easily biddable and eager to work.
His appearance is natural and his behavior self-confident, steady and fearless. He reacts to his surroundings with great alertness.
4. Head
4.1 Cranial region
Skull of medium length, broad between the ears. Forehead line moderately arched when seen in profile.
Occipital bone well developed, but not conspicuous. Stop well defined.
4.2 Facial region
Nose: well developed, more broad than round with relatively large nostrils, always black.
Muzzle: foreface should be proportional to the cranial region, neither too long nor too short. Straight nasal bridge, broad at base, slightly tapered.
Lips: black, corners close fitting; corners and gum preferred as dark as possible.
Jaws: upper and lower jaw strong and broad.
Teeth: strong, complete dentition (42 teeth meeting in a scissors bite).
Cheeks: zygomatic arches well pronounced.
Eyes: of medium size, almond shaped with well fitting lids. The desired color is a uniform dark brown.
Ears: of medium size, pendant, triangular in shape, set well apart and high. Ears hanging forward with the inner edge lying tightly against the head; the skull appears to be broadened.
5. Neck
Powerful, moderately long, well muscled, slightly arched and free from throatiness, without dewlap.
6. Body
Back: straight, strong and firm. Loin short, strong and deep.
Croup: broad, of medium length and slightly rounded. Neither flat no remarkably sloping.
Chest: roomy, broad and deep, (approximately 50 % of the shoulder height), with well pronounced forechest and well sprung ribs.
Belly: flanks not tucked up.
Tail: naturally hanging or set horizontally, it gives an impression of elongation of topline; at ease may be slightly hanging.
7. Limbs
7.1 Forequarters
Generally: straight and wide apart when seen from the front. The forearm stands straight and vertical when seen from the side. The slope of the shoulder blade is about 45 degrees to the horizontal.
Shoulders: well laid back
Upper arm: close fitting to the body.
Forearm: strongly developed and muscular.
Pasterns: springy, strong and not steep.
Feet: round, very compact with well arched toes. Pads hard, nails short, black and strong.
7.2 Hindquarters
Generally: straight and wide apart when seen from the rear. 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 lower thigh and metatarsal.
Upper thigh: fairly long, very broad and well muscled.
Lower thigh: long and powerful, with extensive muscling, sinewy.
Hocks: strong, well angulated, not steep.
Feet: somewhat longer than the front feet, with strong, compact and well arched toes.
8. Gait
The Rottweiler is a trotter. The back remains firm and relatively stable when moving.
Movement sure, harmonious, powerful and unhindered with strong forereach and a powerful rear drive.
9. Skin
On the head _ tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.
10. Coat
10.1 Hair
The coat consist of outer coat and undercoat. The outer count is coarse, dense, of medium length and lying flat.
The undercoat should not show through the outer coat. The hair is a little longer on the hindlegs.
10.2 Color
Black with rust to mahogany markings. The markings should be clearly defined on cheeks,
muzzle, throat, chest, legs as well as over each eye and under tail.
11. Size and weight
Height at withers for males is 61 _ 68 cm
61 do 62 cm = small
63 do 64 cm = medium height
65 do 66 cm = large (correct height)
67 do 68 cm = very large
Weight 50 kg
Height at withers for bitches is 56 _ 63 cm
56 do 57 cm = small
58 do 59 cm = medium height
60 do 61 cm = large (correct height)
62 do 63 cm = very large
Approximately 42 kg
12. Faults
Any structural fault that detract from the above points must be penalized to the extent of the deviation.
General appearance: light, weedy, leggy appearance. Light in bone and muscle.
Head: hound-type head. Narrow, light, too short, long or coarse, incorrectly built. Flat forehead (lack of stop or too little marked stop).
Foreface: narrow, long or pointed, 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, corners of lips visible.
Jaws: narrow lower jaw.
Teeth: pincer bite.
Cheeks: strongly protruding.
Eyes: yellow, deep set, too big or round eyes, loose eyelids.
Ears: too low set on, heavy, long, slack, turned backwards, held away from cheek/neck or not carried symmetrically.
Neck: too long, thin, lacking muscle, showing dewlap or throaty.
Body: too long, too short or narrow.
Back: too long, weak; sway back or roach back.
Croup: too sloping, too short, too flat or too long.
Chest: flat-ribbed or barrel-shaped. Too narrow behind.
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, not completely formed. Deformed toes. Light colored 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 long, wavy, lack of undercoat.
Color: markings of incorrect color, insufficient, sooty or excessive markings.
13. Eliminating faults
General: reversal of sex characteristics (i.e. bitchy dogs, doggy bitches).
Teeth: overshot or undershot bite, wry mouth, lack of one incisive tooth, one canine, one premolar or one molar.
Eyes: entropion, ectropion, yellow (bird of prey) eyes, eyes of different color or size.
Tail: kink tail, ring-tail, with strong lateral deviation.
Hair: definitely long or wavy coat.
Color: dogs which do not show the typical Rottweiler coloring of black with rust markings, white marking any place on dog.
Behavior: anxious, shy, cowardly, gun-shy, vicious, excessively suspicious, nervous dog.
PLEASE NOTICE: males must have two normal testicles properly descended into the scrotum.
