| Brief Historical Summary |
| The Rottweiler is considered to be the oldest of breeds of dog. It's origin goes back to Roman times. These dog's were kept as herding or driving dog's. They marched over the Alp's with the Roman legion's, protecting the humans and driving their cattle. In the region of Rottweil, these dogs met and mixed with the native dog 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 it's name from the old free city of Rottweil, and became known as the "Rottweil Butchers Dog". T he butchers bred this type of dog purely for performance and usefulness. In due course, a first rate watch and driving dog evolved which could be used as a draught dog. When, at the begining 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 the 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 or 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 point of the sternum (breast-bone) to the ischiatic tuberosity, should not exceed the height at the withers by, at the most 15% |
| Characteristics |
| - Rottweiler breeders aim at a dog of abundant srength, black coated with clearly defined rich tan markings, whose powerful appearance does not lack nobility and which is exeptionally well suited to being a companion, service and working dog. |
| Temperament |
| - Behaviour and Character. Being good natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children, he is very devouted, obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural and rustic, his behaviour is self assured, steady and fearless. He reacts ti his surroundings with great alertness. |
| Head and Skull |
| Cranial region - Of medium length, the skull broad betwwen the ears. Forehead line moderately arched as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed without being conspicuous. Stop - Well defined. Nose - Well developed, more broad than round with relatively large nostrils. Muzzle - The foreface should appear neither elongated nor shortened in relation to the cranial region. Straight nasal bridge, broad at base, moderately tapered. Jaw - Upper and lower jaw strong and broad. Cheeks - Zygomatic arches pronounced. Skin - Skin on the forehead is overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert the forehead may be slightly wrinkled. Eyes - Of medium size, almond shaped, dark browm in colour. Eylids close fitting. Ears - Medium size, pendant, triangular, wide apart, set on high. With the ears laid forward close to the head, the skull appears to be broadened. Mouth - Teeth strong, complete dentition (42 teeth ) with scissor bite, the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors. Neck - Strong, of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, clean, free from throatiness, without dewlap. |
| Body |
| Back - Straight, strong , firm. Loins - Short, strong and deep. Chest - Roomy, broad and deep ( approximately 50% of the shoulder height) with well developed fore-chest and well srung ribs. Belly - Flanks not tucked up. Forequarters - Seen from the front, the legs are straight and not placed to closely to each other. The forearm seen from the side , stands straight and vertical. 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 - Slightly springy, strong, not steep. Hindquarters - Seen from behind leg straight and not to close together. When standing free, obtuse angles are formed between the dogs upper thigh and the hip bone, the upper thigh and the lower thigh, and the lower thigh and the rear pasterns ( metartasal ) Upper thigh - Moderately long, broad, and strongly muscled. Lower thigh - Long, strong, broadly muscled at top and sinewy. Hocks - Sturdy, well angulated, not steep. Front feet - Round, tight and well arched, pads hard, nails short, black and stong. Hind feet - Slightly longer than the front feet. Toes strong and arched, as tight as front feet. Gait/ 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 - The coat consists of a top coat and an undercoat. The top coat is of mediun length, coarse, dense and flat. The undercoat must not show through the top coat. The hair is a little longer on the hind legs. Colour - Black with clearly defined markings of rich tan on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest and legs, as wel as over both eyes and under the base of the tail. |
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