ORIGIN: Germany.
UTILIZATION : Companion, service and working dog.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossian type, Swiss Mountain- and Cattle Dogs.
Section 2.1 Molossian type, Mastiff type.
With working trial.
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 point of 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.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Of medium length, broad between the ears. Forehead line moderately arched as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed without being conspicuous. Stop : Well defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Well developed, more broad than round with relatively large nostrils, always black.
Muzzle : The foreface should appear neither elongated nor shortened in relation to the cranial region. Straight nasal bridge, broad at base, moderately tapered.
Lips : Black, close fitting, corner of the mouth not visible, gum as dark as possible.
Jaws/Teeth : Upper and lower jaw strong and broad. Strong, complete dentition (42 teeth) with scissor bite, the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors.
Cheeks : Zygomatic arches pronounced.
Eyes : Of medium size, almond-shaped, dark brown in colour.
Eyelids close fitting.
Ears : Medium-sized, pendant, triangular, wide apart, set on high. With the ears laid forward close to the head, the skull appears o be broadened.
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.
Croup : Broad, of medium length, slightly rounded. Neither flat nor falling away.
Chest : Roomy, broad and deep (approximately 50 % of the shoulder height) with well developed forechest and well sprung ribs.
Belly : Flanks not tucked up.
TAIL : In natural condition, level in extension of the upper line; at ease may be hanging
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : 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 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.
Front feet : Round, tight and well arched; pads hard; nails short, black and strong.
HINDQUARTERS : 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 lower thigh and metatarsal.
Upper thigh : Moderately long, broad and strongly muscled.
Lower thigh : Long, strongly and broadly muscled, sinewy.
Hocks : Sturdy, well angulated hocks; not steep.
Hindfeet : Slightly longer than the front feet. Toes strong, arched, as tight as front feet.
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 :
Skin on the head : overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled.
COAT
HAIR : 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.
COLOUR : 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.
SIZE AND WEIGHT :
Height at withers : For males is 61 - 68 cm.
61 - 62 cm is small 63 - 64 cm medium height.
65 - 66 cm is large - correct height 67 - 68 cm very large.
Weight : 50 kg.
Height at withers : For bitches is 56 - 63 cm.
56 - 57 cm is small 58 - 59 cm medium height.
60 - 61 cm is large - correct height 62 - 63 cm very large.
Weight : Approximately 42 kg.