Rottweiler
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: The Rottweiler is among the oldest breeds. Its origin dates back to Roman times, where it was bred as a guard dog and herder. These dogs immigrated with the Roman legions across the Alps, guarding men and herding livestock. On the outskirts of Rottwell, they met up with the dogs in the area. Then there was a miscegenation. The main task of the Rottweiler was once again driving and guarding large herds, large animals and defending its owner and his property. It is named after the ancient city of Rottweil: Rottweiler Metz-gerhund (Rottweil Butcher Dog). Butchers bred this breed for pure show, with no use for it. Thus, over time, this walking dog became more used as a traction dog. At the beginning of the century, when researching different breeds for police functions, the Rottweiler was also evaluated. In a short time he proved to be extraordinarily suited to the tasks of the police service. For this reason, in the year 1910, it was officially recognized as a police dog. The creation of the Rottweiller aims at a strong, black dog with clearly defined reddish-brown markings, which, despite the massive overall appearance, should not lack nobility, being highly recommended as a companion, protection and utility dog.
GENERAL APPEARANCE : It is a robust dog, medium to large size, without being light, coarse, leggy or slender. Its structure, in correct proportions, forms a compact, strong and well-proportioned figure, revealing power, agility and endurance.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : The length of the body, measured from the tip of the sternum to the point of the ischium, is greater than the height at the withers by a maximum of 15%.
BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT : Basically friendly and peaceful, very attached, loves children, easy to get along with and eager to work. Its print reveals primitivism, it is self-confident, with courage and firm nerves. Always attentive to everything around him, he reacts with great promptness.
HEAD
Skull: Of medium length, broad between the ears. Seen in profile, the forehead line is moderately arched. Occiput is well developed without being too protruding.
Stop: Well defined.
FACIAL REGION
Nose: Well developed, more broad than round, with relatively large nostrils and always black.
Muzzle: Must not appear elongated or short in proportion to the skull. Straight nasal bridge; wide at the root, tapering moderately towards the nose.
Lips: Black, tight fitting, corners of the lips closed, gums preferably dark.
Jaws/Teeth: Strong and wide. Complete dentition (42 teeth), the incisors have a scissor bite.
Faces: Well-developed zygomatic arches.
Eyes: Medium size, almond shaped, deep brown in color with close fitting lids.
Ears: Of medium size, pendulous, triangular, set wide apart, set high. The skull appears to be wider when the ears are facing forward and lying close to the cheeks.
NECK : Strong, moderately long, well muscled, with a top line
slightly arched; dry, without dewlaps or loose skins.
TRUNK
Back: Straight, firm and strong. Loin short, strong and deep.
Croup: Broad, of medium length; Slightly rounded and of medium angulation.
Chest: Broad and deep (approximately half the height at the withers), with well developed forechest and well sprung ribs.
Belly: Underline without tucking up.
TAIL: Under natural conditions, it is horizontal as an extension of the topline; at rest can be pending.
PREVIOUS MEMBERS
General: Seen from the front, limbs straight and moderately spaced apart. Seen in profile, forearms straight and vertical. The shoulder blades form an angle close to 45o with the horizontal.
Shoulders: Well laid.
Arms: Well fitted to the body.
Forearms: Strongly developed and muscular.
Pasterns: Strong, slightly flexible and oblique.
Feet: Round, well closed and arched. Hard pads, nails short, black and strong.
HINDQUARTERS
General: Seen from behind, the limbs are straight and moderately wide apart. In stay natural, the thigh forms an obtuse angle with the croup and the leg, as does the leg with the hock.
Thighs: Relatively long, wide and strongly muscled.
Legs: Long, strong, amply muscled, powerfully commanding the powerful and well bent hocks, never at too wide an angle.
Feet: The hind feet are a little more elongated than the forefeet, but equally well closed and arched, with strong toes.
GAIT / MOVEMENT : The Rottweiler is a trotter. The back remains firm and relatively immobile. The evolution of the movements is harmonic, secure, strong and fluent, with a good stride range.
SKIN
Head leather: Well-fitting, and may, when taken care of, show light wrinkles.
COAT : Formed by hair and undercoat. Wiry coat, medium length, coarse, dense and lying. On the hindquarters the hair is a little longer. The undercoat must not exceed the length of the outer coat.
COLOR : Black, with well-defined markings in a rich brown on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest and legs, as well as above the eyes and under the base of the tail.
SIZE / WEIGHT
Height at the withers: for Males: 61 to 68 cm.
61 to 62 cm Small.
63 to 64 cm Medium.
65 to 66 cm Large = ideal height.
67 to 68 cm very large.
Weight : 50 kilos.
Height at withers: for Females: 56 to 63 cm.
56 to 57 cm Small.
58 to 59 cm Medium.
60 to 61 cm Large = ideal height.
62 to 63 cm very large.
Weight : Approximately 42 kilos.
FAULTS : Any deviation from the terms of this standard must be considered a fault and penalized in exact proportion to its severity and its effects on the health and well-being of the dog.
• General appearance: Light, slender, leggy; Weak musculature and bones.
• Head: With a “hound” expression, very narrow, light, very short, long, heavy; flat forehead (with little or no stop).
• Muzzle: Long muzzle, Roman or hare nose; concave or drooping nasal bridge; clear or spotted truffle.
• Lips: Open, pink or mottled, corners of the lips open.
• Jaws: Narrow jaw.
• Faces: Exaggeratedly pronounced.
• Denture: Level bite.
• Ears: Set too low, heavy, long, folded back, as well as falling open or badly carried.
• Eyes: Light, deep-set or round. Droopy lids.
• Neck: Too long, thin, poorly muscled, dewlap or loose skin on throat.
• Trunk: Too long, too short or too narrow.
• Chest: Narrow, flat ribs, barrel-shaped.
• Back: Too long, weak, saddled or roached.
• Croup: Too short, too flat, too sloping or too long.
• Tail: Set too high or too low.
• Forelegs: Front legs too close together or not straight. Open shoulders; elbows loose or turned out; arm too long, too short, or too straight;
Weak or straight pasterns. Open paws; flattened or excessively arched fingers, stunted fingers; clear nails.
• Hindquarters: Hindquarters with flat thighs, hocks too close together, cow hocks or barrel legs, angulations too close or too open, dewclaws.
• Leather: Wrinkled head leather.
• Coat texture: Soft, too short or too long; Wavy coat, absence of undercoat.
• Color: Wrongly colored, poorly defined, or too large markings.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
• Generalities: Clearly reversed sexual characteristics (effeminate males and vice versa).
• Teeth: Undershot, overshot, twisted jaw, dogs missing 1 molar, 1 premolar, 1 canine or 1 incisor.
• Yellow eyes; each a different color; entropion, ectropion.
• Tail: Broken, curled, strongly deviated laterally .
• Coat: Coat distinctly long or wavy.
• Color: Absence of typical Rottweiler black and tan markings; White marks.
• Behavior: Fearful, timid, cowardly, afraid of being shot, overly suspicious or nervous.
• Any dog showing any sign of physical or behavioral anomaly must be disqualified.
NOTES :
• Males must present both testicles, of normal appearance, well descended and accommodated in the scrotum.
• Only clinically and functionally healthy dogs of typical breed conformation should be used for breeding.