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When the Roman Legions
crossed the Alps, the beef that was to feed the soldiers
accompanied them on the hoof, driven during the day and
watched over at night by strong, mastiff-type cattle dogs.
Not all the dogs completed the march into newly conquered
lands. Many were left behind to guard the outposts that
the Romans established along the route. There they remained,
adapted to their new environments and eventually became
the progenitors of several European working breeds.
One such outpost was in the small community of Rottweil,
Germany, which was to become the centre of an important
cattle-producing area. There the large working dogs seem
to have flourished and, continuing in their service to man,
came to be known as Òthe butcher's dog of Rottweil. The
dog's work consisted of accompanying the butcher on his
cattle buying trips. When the pair set out, the dog carried
his masterÕs money in a leather purse fastened to his collar.
Then, the purchase completed, on the return trip the dog
drove the cattle back to his master's place of business.
It was a unique working arrangement that protected the butcher
from thieves on the outward trip and kept his livestock
under control when he was homeward bound. But, as happened
with many of the cattle driving breeds, the Rottweiler's
usefulness came to an end when the transport of livestock
became mechanized. Although cattle dealers still used the
dogs for draught work, the Butcher's dog was almost forgotten
until late in Victorian times, when there was an upsurge
of interest in locating and re-establishing the rare and
unusual breeds. Thus the Rottweiler was rediscovered and
the breed was to prove its usefulness in other ways, first
as a police dog, and later with the out break of World War
I as a war dog.
In Germany, which is considered the Rottweiler's country
of origin, breeding is strictly controlled by the breed
society. Only the best specimens may be bred from and litters
are culled to permit the raising of no more than six puppies
per litter.
First specimens came to this continent in the early 1930s.
In 1935 the Rottweiler was accepted for registration by
the American Kennel Club, and in 1938 the first two Rottweilers
were recorded in The Canadian Kennel Club Stud Book.
Official Breed Standard
for the Rottweiler
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Origin and Purpose:
The Rottweiler was developed from the dogs used by the Roman
legions to herd and guard the cattle brought by them to
feed their legions. The butchers of Rottweil, Germany, developed
the dogs to drive cattle to marked and to protect their
money bags which were tied around the dogs' necks. It was
an arduous task to drive the cattle and a strong dog with
staying power, full of self will and physical strength was
needed. In the beginning of the 20th century these dogs
were found particularly well suited as a police dog, a function
they still fulfill especially in Europe.
General Appearance:
The ideal Rooweiler is an above medium-sized, robust, and
powerful dog, black with clearly defined rich tan markings.
His compact build denotes great strength, agility, and endurance.
Males are characteristically larger, heavier boned and more
masculine in appearance.
Temperament:
The Rottweiler should possess a fearless expression with
a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate
and indiscriminate friendships. He has a strong willingness
to work. In examining a Rottweiler, one should bear in mind
that this dog reacts with alertness to his master and his
surroundings, and in performing his function in life, the
Rottweiler is not expected to submit to excessive handling
by strangers. However, the judge shall dismiss from the
ring any shy or vicious Rottweiler. A dog shall be judged
fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination
it shrinks away from the judge; if it fears an unexpected
approach from the rear; if it shies at sudden or unusual
noises to a marked degree. A dog that attacks or attempts
to attack, without provocation, either the judge, or its
handler is definitely vicious. An aggressive or belligerent
attitude towards other dogs shall not be deemed viciousness.
Size:
Dogs 24-27 in. (60-68 cm). Bitches 22-25 in. (55-63 cm).
Proportion should always be considered rather than height
alone. The length of the body, from the breastbone (sternum)
to the rear edge of the pelvis (ischium) is slightly longer
than the height of the dog at the withers, the most desirable
proportion being as 10 to 9. Depth of chest should be fifty
per cent of the height.
Coat and Colour:
Outer coat is straight, coarse, dense, medium length, lying
flat. Undercoat must be present on neck and thighs. The
Rottweiler should be exhibited in a natural condition without
trimming, except to remove whiskers, if desired. The colour
is always black with rich tan to mahogany markings. The
borderline between the black and the colour should be clearly
defined. The markings should be located as follows: a spot
over each eye; on cheeks; as a strip around each side of
the muzzle, but not on the bridge of the nose; on throat;
a proportionate triangular mark on either side of the breastbone
not to exceed 25 per cent of the forechest; on forelegs
from carpus downward to toes; on inside of rear legs showing
down the front of the stifle and broadening out to front
of rear legs from the back of the legs; under tail. Black
pencilling markings on the toes. The undercoat is grey or
black. Quantity and location of markings are important.
Insufficient of excessive markings should be penalized.
Head:
Of medium length, broad between the ears; forehead line
seen in profile is moderately arched. The cheekbones and
stop are well developed. The length of the muzzle should
not exceed the distance between the stop and the occiput.
The skull is preferred dry; however, some wrinkling may
occur when the dog is alert. The bridge of the muzzle is
straight. The muzzle is broad at the base with slight tapering
towards the tip but not snipey. The nose is broad rather
than round, with black nostrils. The lips are always black
with the corners tightly closed. The flews should not be
too pronounced. The inner mouth pigment is dark. A pink
mouth is to be penalized. The teeth are 42 in number (20
upper and 22 lower). They are strong and should be correctly
placed meeting in a scissors bite-lower incisors touching
the inside of the upper incisors. Eyes should be of medium
size, moderately deep set, almond shaped with well-fitting
lids. The iris should be of uniform colour, from medium
to dark brown, the darker shade always preferred. Ears should
be pendant, proportionately small, triangular in shape,
set well apart and placed on skull so as to make it appear
broader when the dog is alert. The ear should terminate
at approximately midcheek level. When correctly held, the
inner edge will lie tightly against the cheek.
Neck:
Powerful, well muscled, moderately long with slight arch
and without loose skin.
Forequarters:
The shoulder blade should be long and well laid back at
a 45 degree angle. The elbows are tight and under the body.
The distance from the withers to the elbow and the elbow
to the ground is equal. The legs are strongly developed
with straight, heavy bone. They are not set close together.
The pasterns are strong, springy and almost perpendicular
to the ground. Feet are round, compact with well arched
toes, turning neither in nor out. Pads are thick and hard.
Nails are short, strong and black. Dewclaws may be removed.
Body:
The topline is firm and level, extending in a straight line
from the withers to the croup. The brisket should be deep,
reaching to the elbow. The chest is roomy and broad with
a well-developed fore chest. The ribs are well sprung. The
loins short, deep and well muscled. The flank should not
be tucked up. The croup is broad, of medium length and slightly
sloping.
Hindquarters:
The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the
forequarters. The slope of the pelvis from the horizontal
is between 20-30 degrees. The bone of the upper thigh is
fairly long and the thigh is broad and well muscled. The
stifle joint is moderately angulated. The lower thigh is
long, powerfully muscled leading to a strong hock joint.
The metatarsus is perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from
the rear, the hind legs are straight and perpendicular to
the ground. The feet are somewhat longer than the front
feet, with well arched toes turning neither in nor out.
Dewclaws must be removed.
Tail:
The tail is normally carried in an horizontal position giving
the appearance of an elongated topline. It is carried above
the horizontal when the dog is excited. The tail is normally
docked short close to the body. The set of the tail is more
important than length.
Gait:
The Rottweiler is a trotter; the motion is harmonious, sure,
powerful and unhindered, with a strong fore-reach and a
powerful rear drive. Front and rear legs are not thrown
either in or out, as the imprint of the hind feet should
touch that of the forefeet. In a trot, the forequarters
and hindquarters are mutually co-ordinated while the back
remains firm. As speed increases the legs will converge
under the body towards the centre line.
Faults:
The foregoing is a description of the ideal Rottweiler.
Any structural fault that detracts from the ideal must be
penalized to the extent of the deviation. Included as faults
are: Pink mouth, wavy coat, insufficient markings, undercoat
showing through outercoat. Faults considered serious are:
lack of proportion, undersize, oversize, level bite, yellow
eyes not of same colour, eyes unequal in size or shape,
hairless eyelids, excessively short coat, curly or open
coat, lack of undercoat, white markings any place on dog
(a few white hairs do not constitute a marking), excessive
markings, light-coloured markings, up to four missing pre-molars.
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