About the Rottweiler
F.C.I. Standard No 147 dated 11th September 1992
Adopted
in Australia
1st January 1994
Amended
May 2001
Country
of Origin: Germany
Translated
by - Mrs C. Seidler Country of Origin – Germany
BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Rottweiler is considered to be one of
the oldest breeds of dog. Its origin goes back to Roman times. These dogs were
kept as herder or driving dogs. They marched over the Alps
with the Roman legions, protecting the humans and driving their cattle. In the
region of Rottweil, these dogs met and mixed with the native dogs 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 its name
from the old free city of Rottweil, and became known as the "Rottweil
butchers dog". The 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
beginning 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 strength, black coated with clearly defined rich tan markings, whose
powerful appearance does not lack nobility and which is exceptionally 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 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 AND SKULL
Cranial Region – Of medium length, the skull 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 mouth not visible, gums as dark as possible.
Jaw: Upper and lower
jaw strong and broad.
Cheeks: Zygomatic arches
pronounced.
Skin: Skin on the head
overall is tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly
wrinkled.
EYES
Of medium size,
almond shaped, dark brown in colour. Eyelids 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.
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.
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 fore-chest
and well sprung ribs.
Belly: Flanks not
tucked up.
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 the rear pastern (metatarsal).
Upper Thigh: Moderately long,
broad and strongly muscled.
Lower Thigh: Long, strong,
broadly muscled at top and sinewy.
Hocks: Sturdy, well
angulated, not
steep.
FEET
Front: Round, tight and well arched; pads hard, nails short,
black and strong.
Hind: Slightly longer
than the front feet. Toes strong and arched, as tight as front feet.
TAIL
Docked at the
first or second joint, or left natural. The natural tail should be level, an
extension of the upperline (top line); at ease may be hanging.
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 medium 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 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
Height at withers for males is 61-68 cm (24-26 * ins)
61-62
cm is small
63-64
cm is medium height
65-66
cm is large – correct height
67-68
cm is very large
Weight
approximately 50 kg (110lbs)
Height
at withers for bitches is 56-63 cm (22-25 ins)
56-57
cm is small
58-59
cm is medium height
60-61
cm is large – correct height
62-63
cm is very large
Weight
approximately 42 kg (95 lbs)
(Note: Imperial measurements in brackets are
approximate only)
FAULTS
Any
departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree.
General Appearance: Light , weedy,
leggy appearance. Light in bone and muscle.
Head: Hound type head. Narrow, light, too short, too long or
coarse head. Lack of stop or too little stop.
Foreface: Long or pointed
muzzle, split nose, Roman nose (convex nasal bridge) or
dished faced (concave nasal bridge); aquiline nose, pale or spotted nose
(butterfly nose).
Lips: Pendulous, pink
or patchy, corner of the lips visible.
Jaws: Narrow lower jaw
Cheeks: Strongly
protruding cheeks
Skin: Wrinkles on
head.
Ears: Set on low,
heavy, long, slack or turned backwards. Flying ears or ears not carried forward
Symmetrically
Eyes: Light, deep set.
Too full or round eyes. Loose eyelids (showing haw).
Bite: Pincer bite.
Neck: Too long, thin,
lacking muscle. Showing dewlap or throat.
Forequarters: Narrow or
crooked front legs. Steep shoulder placement. Loose or out at elbow. To long,
too short or too straight
in upper arm. Weak or steep pasterns. Splayed feet. Too flat or too arched toes. Deformed toes. Light coloured
nails.
Body: Too long, too
short or too narrow.
Chest: Flat ribbed or
barrel shaped. Too narrow behind.
Back: Too long, weak,
sway back or roach back.
Croup: Too sloping, too
short, too flat or too long.
Hindquarters: Flat thighs,
hocks too close, cow hocks or barrel hocks. Joints with too little or too much
angulation. Dewclaws.
Tail: Set on too high
or too low.
Coat: Soft, too short
or long. Wavy coat, lack of undercoat.
Colour: Markings of
incorrect colour, not clearly defined. Markings which are too spread out.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
General: Distinct
reversal of sexual type, ie. feminine dogs or masculine bitches.
Behaviour: Anxious, shy,
cowardly, gun-shy, vicious, excessively suspicious, nervous animals.
Eyes: Entropian,
ectropian, yellow eyes, different coloured eyes
Teeth: Overshot or
undershot bite, wry mouth. Missing incisors, canines, premolars or molars.
Tail: In the case of an undocked Rottweiler a kink tail,
ring tail or a tail with strong lateral deviation.
Coat Texture: Definitely long
or wavy coat.
Coat Colour: Dogs that do not
show the typical Rottweiler colouring of black with tan markings. White
markings.
NB: Male animals
should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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