The Rottweiler is a domestic breed of dog considered to be medium to large in size. The dogs were known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund in German, which means Rottweiler Metzgerhunde, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts full of slaughtered meat to market. This continued until the mid-19th century, when railroads replaced motoring. Although Rottweilers are still used as herding livestock in many parts of the world, today they are also used as search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs.
ABOUT THE ROTTWEILER
TRAITS OF ROTTWEILER
Common nicknames
Rott / Rottie
Origin
Germany
Height
Dogs 61–69 cm (24–27 in)
Bitches 56–63 cm (22–25 in)
Weight
Dogs 50–60 kg (110–132 lb)
Bitches 35–48 kg (77–106 lb)
Coat
Double-coated, short, hard, and thick
Color
Black and tan or black and mahogany
Litter size
Average 8 to 12 although larger litters are known
Life span
8–10 years
Best Rottweiler Foods and Supplements
Rottweiler Photos
The Rottweiler’s ancestors were probably Roman drover dogs, responsible for driving and guarding herds of cattle as they accompanied Roman troops on long marches. At least one of these marches led to southern Germany, where some of the people and their dogs settled.
Throughout the succeeding centuries, the dogs continued to play a vital role as cattle drovers as well as provided protection from bears around what was to become the town of Rottweil (which is derived from red tile, denoting the red tile roof of the Roman baths that had been unearthed there in the eighth century). These dogs almost certainly mixed with various Sennehund (Mountain Dog) strains. Rottweil prospered and became a center of cattle commerce. Their dogs drove and guarded cattle and guarded the money earned by the cattle sales. With the advent of trains, cattle driving was outlawed, so the Rottweiler found a new job. So evolved the Rottweiler metzgerhund (butcher dog), an integral component in the town’s industry until the mid nineteenth century.
The Rottweiler was also used as a draft dog, but it was replaced by donkeys. With little need for this once vital breed, the Rottweiler fell into such decline that they were nearly lost. In 1905 there was only one female Rottweiler in Rottweil. With the realization that the breed was teetering near extinction, a club was formed in 1901 and set about to revive it. Even though the 1901 club was short-lived, it did formulate a breed standard. Two subsequent clubs were formed in 1907, one of which promoted the breed as a police dog. The two clubs merged in 1921. The breed continued to grow, and by 1931 had arrived in America and gained AKC recognition.
Rottweilers have since been used as a police, military, and even mountain rescue dog. The Rottweiler recovered from its brush with extinction to work their way to the second most popular breed in America by the early 1990s. Their popularity has since slightly decreased and they have found themselves in homes better suited to their needs.
HISTORY
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
- Head (eyes)
- Snout (teeth, tongue)
- Dewlap (throat, neck skin)
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Forefeet
- Highest Point of the Rump
- Legs (thighs and hips)
- Hock
- Hind feet
- Withers
- Stifle
- Paws
- Tail
The skull is of medium length, relatively broad between the ears. The forehead line is moderately arched as seen from the side, with the occipital bone well developed without being conspicuous. The stop is relatively strong. Frontal groove not too deep.
The Rottweiler nose is well developed, more broad than round, with relatively large nostrils and always black. The muzzle should appear neither elongated nor shortened in relation to the cranial region. The ratio between the length of the muzzle and the length of the skull is about 1 to 1.5. The nasal bridge is straight, broad at the base and moderately tapered.
The lips are black and close fitting with the corner of the mouth not visible. The gums should be black, or as dark as possible. Both the upper and lower jaws are strong and broad. According to the FCI Standard Rottweilers should have strong and complete dentition (42 teeth) with scissor bite, the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors. The zygomatic arches should be pronounced (but not exaggerated).
Upper and lower jaw strong and broad. Strong, complete dentition (42 teeth) with scissor bite, the upper incisors overlapping the lower incisors.
The eyes should be of medium size, almond-shaped and dark brown in colour. The eyelids are close fitting and should not droop. The ears are medium-sized, pendant, triangular, wide apart, and set high on the head. With the ears laid forward close to the head, the skull appears to be broadened. The skin on the head is tight fitting overall. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.
Faults:
Hound-type head. Narrow, light too short, long, coarse or excessively molossoid head; excessively broad skull, (lack of stop, too little stop or too strong stop). Very deep frontal groove.
Foreface long, pointed or too short muzzle (any muzzle shorter than 40 percent of the length of the head is too short). split nose; Roman nose (convex nasal bridge) or dish-faced (concave nasal bridge); aquiline nose, pale or spotted nose (butterfly nose).
Pincer bite. Molars of the underjaw not standing in one line.
Severe Faults:
Too molossoid type and heavy general appearance.
HEAD
NECK
The neck is strong, of fair length, well-muscled, slightly arched, clean, free from throatiness, without excessive dewlap.
The back is straight, strong and firm. The loins are short, strong and deep. The croup is broad, of medium length, and slightly rounded, neither flat nor falling away. The chest is roomy, broad and deep (approximately 50% of the shoulder height) with a well-developed forechest and well sprung ribs. The flanks are not tucked up.
BODY
TAIL
The FCI 2018 Standard states:
In natural condition, strong, level in extension of the upper line; while paying attention, when excited or while moving it can be carried upward in a light curve; at ease it may be hanging. While positioned along the leg, the tail reaches approximately to the hocks or is a bit longer.
Historically the tail was traditionally docked at the first or second joint. However, docking is now banned in most countries and this is reflected in the FCI Country of Origin Breed Standard.
Although once “preferred” in early Standards, in 2018 the FCI Standard was amended to classify the Natural Bob Tail (aka “Stumpy”) as a “Disqualifying Fault” along with “kink tail, ring-tail, with strong lateral deviation.”
When seen from the front, the front legs are straight and not placed close to each other. The forearm, seen from the side, stands straight and vertical. The slope of the shoulder blade is about 45 degrees. The shoulders are well laid back. The upper arm is close fitting to the body. The forearm is strongly developed and muscular. Pasterns are slightly springy, strong but not steep. The front feet are round, tight and well arched, the pads hard, nails are short, black and strong.
When seen from behind, the rear legs are 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 lower thigh and metatarsal. The upper thigh is moderately long, broad and strongly muscled. The lower thigh is long, strongly and broadly muscled, sinewy. The hocks are sturdy, well-angulated, not steep. The hind feet are slightly longer than the front feet. Toes are strong, arched, as tight as the front feet.
LIMBS
GAIT
According to the FCI Standard:
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.
However, “sluggish action while trotting” is considered a “Severe Fault”.
According to the American Kennel Council the traditional gait of a Rottweiler is a trot. Therefore, the Rottweiler is a trotter. Trotting in this breed is by no means a fault and is required. This movement comes naturally to the Rottweiler and should appear as such; any deviation may lead to a disqualification in the show ring. While walking, the Rottweiler’s legs, both front and hind, should move in a straight forward and backward manner. As with the straight movement of the legs, the path the Rottweiler moves in should also be straight. The Rottweiler’s gait is all about balance and effectiveness as the breed is still used as a herder today.
The coat consists of an outer coat and an undercoat. The outer coat is of medium length, coarse, dense and flat. The undercoat should be present on the neck and thighs. The undercoat must not show through the outer coat. Rottweilers living in hot climates may have acclimatised and may be missing the undercoat. Rottweiler coats tend to be low maintenance, although they experience heavy shedding before their seasons (females) or seasonally (males). According to American Kennel Club breed standards, a Rottweiler’s coat is short and straight. A coat that is long or wavy is considered a flaw to the AKC.
COAT
COLOUR AND MARKINGS
The colour and markings of a Rottweiler are very distinctive. According to the FCI Standard a Rottweiler is always “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”
The American Kennel Club calls for mahogany or rust-colored markings that do not take up more than ten percent of the dog’s body color. All Rottweilers standard to AKC specifications have one mahogany dot above each eye on the inner brow ridge, on the cheeks, one strip on each side of the snout; cheek markings do not cross over the bridge of the nose, the top of the nose should remain black. The markings on the face should move down onto the dog’s throat. On the chest, a Rottweiler will have two downward-facing triangular marks. On each front leg, the marks will stretch from the forearm to the toes. On the hind legs, the markings will begin on the inside and move outward onto the stifle, then out onto the hock stretching to the toes as well. AKC standards recognize that the black base color is not completely voided on the rear pasterns. There is a patch of rust or mahogany underneath the tail that resembles a triangle as well. A thin strip of black should be present on each of the Rottweiler’s toes.
Technically a “medium / large” breed, according to the FCI standard the Rottweiler stands 61–69 cm (24–27 in) at the withers for males, 56–63 cm (22–25 in) for females, and the weight must be between 50 and 60 kg (110 and 132 lbs) for males and 35 and 48 kg (77 and 105 lbs) for females. Weight must be relative to height.
SIZE
Most Amazing Facts about Rottweilers
Breed Specific Products For Rottweilers
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Advice For Rottweiler Puppies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rottweiler a good family dog?
Rottweilers are people dogs and are affectionate and loyal toward their families. They are great family members and are excellent guard dogs for families as well. They tend to follow their favorite person from room to room, so they are always within eyesight.
Are Rottweilers aggressive?
A 2008 study found that while Rottweilers were not particularly aggressive toward their owners, other dogs, or those familiar to them, they were particularly aggressive toward strangers. Many Rottweiler owners report that while the dogs are not a threat to family, the pets can be extremely protective of their owners.
What are the 3 types of Rottweiler?
There are several types of Rottweilers, including the Roman Rottweiler, the German Rottweiler, and the American Rottweiler. The Roman Rottweiler is bred to be larger in size and mastiff-like.
Why are Rottweilers special?
Rottweilers, also known affectionately as Rotties, are one of the most popular dogs in the United States. They are well known to be powerful, protective, and loyal, famous for their instinct for guarding. But Rottweilers are also easily trained, making them loyal, loving, and confident guardians.
Can you trust a Rottweiler?
Because of the myth perpetuated in Misconception #1, Rottweilers are often considered unsafe around children. Remember, Rottweilers are no more hazardous to a child than any other dog breed. When raised and trained properly, they are protective and loving of their family members. They make excellent guard dogs, too.
Will a Rottweiler protect you?
Rottweilers are well known to be powerful, protective, and loyal, famous for their instinct for guarding.
Are Rottweilers safer than pit bulls?
It is important to point out that since 2005, pit bulls and their mixes have inflicted fatal dog attacks at over 7 times the rate as rottweilers. It is well documented by experts3 and humane groups4 that pit bulls pose a substantial danger due to their selective breeding for dogfighting.
What should Rottweilers not do?
Not Socializing
Low Quality Food
Correct Energy
Not Exercising
Health Checkups
Give them a job
Grooming