Dog Breeds - Rottweilers

Rottweiler

A Rottweiler is a large, robust and powerful dog breed originating from Germany.

Appearance

The breed is black with clearly defined tan or mahogany markings on the cheeks, muzzle, chest, legs, and eyebrows. The markings on the chest should form two distinct upside-down triangles, a tiny patch of white in between is not acceptable for show dogs. The cheeks should have clearly defined spots that should be separate from the muzzle tan. The muzzle tan should continue over the throat. Each eyebrow should have a spot. Markings on the legs should not be above a third of the leg. On each toe should be a black 'pencil' mark. Underneath the tail should also be tan.

Nails are black. Inside the mouth, the cheeks may have black patches, although the tongue is pink. The skull is typically massive, but without excessive jowls. The forehead is wrinkly when the Rottweiler is alert.

A Rottweiler's eyes are a warm, dark brown — any other color may not be acceptable as part of the "pure breed". The expression should be calm, intelligent, alert, and fearless. The ears are small drop ears that lie flat to the head. 'Flying' ears are considered undesirable by some breeders. The coat is medium length and consists of a waterproof undercoat and a coarse top coat. Rottweilers tend to be low maintenance, although they experience shedding during certain periods of the year.

Naturally, Rottweilers are a tailed dog. Tails were originally removed to prevent breakage and infection that would occur when the tail became covered in mud and other debris collected from pastures and livestock. Today, many owners in U.S. decide to have the tails removed soon after the puppy's birth for purely cosmetic reasons. The tail is usually docked to the first joint. In the past this was a commonly accepted practice, but it has been banned in the European Union.

The chest is deep and should reach the dog's elbows, giving tremendous lung capacity. The back should be straight; never sloping. According to FCI standard, the Rottweiler stands 61 to 68 cm (24-27 inches) at the withers for males, and 56 to 63 cm (22-25 inches) for females. Average weight is 50 kg (110 pounds) for males and 42 kg (95 pounds) for females.

Temperament

In the hands of a responsible owner, a well-trained and socialized Rottweiler can be a reliable, alert dog and a loving companion. An untrained or poorly trained Rottweiler, however, can be destructive and, if allowed to run at large, may pose a significant physical threat due to its size and strength. In general, Rottweilers are fond of children, very devoted, quick to learn, and eager to please. They thrive on mental stimulation. They can be strong-willed, however, and should thus be trained in a firm, fair, and consistent manner. Rottweilers respond readily to a clear and benevolent leader. Rottweilers are playful animals who may frequently demand attention from their owners if they are not receiving the mental stimulation they desire and will find creative and often destructive ways to elicit it if they are excessively neglected.