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Website Last updated on
11th November, 2008 |
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Breed Standards |
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 Roma n
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 free city of Rottweil and was known as the "Rottweil butcher`s dog".
The butchers breed 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 recognized 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. |
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, agility 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
%.
Behaviour / Temperament
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.
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Head
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Cranial Region:
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Skull
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Of medium length, broad between the ears. Forehead line moderately arched as seen
from the side. Occipital bone well developed without being conspicious.
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Stop
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Well defined.
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Facial Region
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Nose
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Nose well developed, more broad than round with relatively large nostrils, always
black.
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Muzzle
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The foreface should appear neither elongated nor shortened in relation to the cranial
region. Straight nasal bridge, broad at base, moderately tapered.
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Lips
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Black, close fitting, corner of the mouth not visible, gum as dark as possible.
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Jaws / Teeth
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Upper and lower jaw strong and broad. Strong complete dentition (42 teeth) with
scissor bite, the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors.
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Cheeks
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Zygomatic arches pronounced.
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Eyes
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Of medium size, almond shaped, dark brown in colour. Eyelids close fitting.
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Ears
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Medium-sized, pendant, triangular, wide apart, set on high. With the ears laid forward
close to the head the skull appears to be broadened.
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Neck
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Strong, of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, free from throatiness, without
dewlap.
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Body
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Back
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Straight, strong, firm.
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Loins
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Short, strong and deep.
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Croup
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Broad, of medium length, slightly rounded. Neither flat nor falling away.
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Chest
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Roomy, broad and deep (approximately 50 % of the shoulder height) with well developed
forechest and well sprung ribs.
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Belly
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Flanks not tucked up.
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Tail
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In natural condition, level in extension of the upper line; at ease may be hanging
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Limbs
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Fore quarters
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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.
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Shoulders
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Well laid back.
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Upper arm
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Close fitting to the body.
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Forearm
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Strongly developed and muscular.
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Pasterns
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Slightly springy, strong, not steep.
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Front feet
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Round, tight and well arched; pads hard; nails short, black and strong.
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Hind quarters
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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.
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Upper thigh
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Moderately long, broad and strongly muscled.
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Lower thigh
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Long, strongly and broadly muscled at top, sinewy.
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Hocks
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Sturdy well angulated hocks; not steep.
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Hindfeet
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Slightly longer than the front feet. Toes strong, arched, as tight as front feet.
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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. |
Skin
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Skin on the head
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Overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.
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Coat
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Hair
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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.
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Colour
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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.
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Size and Weight
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Heigtht
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For males is 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
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Weight
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approximately 50 kg
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Heigtht at Withers
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Heigtht
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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
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Weight
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approximately 42 kg
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