IFC STANDARD NUMBER 147 / 19.06.2000 / E

Rottweiler

ORIGIN: Germany

PUBLICATION DATE OF THE VALID ORIGINAL STANDARD: 06.04.2000

UTILIZATION: Utility, service and company dog

IFC CLASSIFICATIONS: II Group. Dogs types: Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molosoids, Mountain dogs and Bouvier Bernois, as well as other breeds. Section 2.1 Molosoids, Alsatian type. Test work supplied.

SHORT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND SUMMARY: Rottweilers belong to one of the oldest breed to be found. Their origin can be traced back to the times of the Romans, descended from drover dogs dependable, willing to work and with a strong guarding instinct. In that period they were considered as protection dogs and as for sheep and cattle driving. These former herding dogs kept moving following the Roman military quest to conquer Europe beyond the Alps region, where they continued performing the tasks they were famous for. In the region known as Rottweil, located in what is now southern Germany, they crossed with other native breeds giving birth to the crossbreds whose tasks were mainly protective and defensive, without deserting their former assignments as sheep and cattle drivers. They were known as "Rottweil butcher´s dogs", due to the fact that they were attached to the old imperial town of Rottweil, the oldest in the State of Baden-Württemberg, which got its name from the red colour of the roof tiles and bricks typical of this area of the country. The butchers of the aforementioned city reared them only from the performance and usefulness standpoint. Hence, with the passage of time, an unbeatable protective and herding breed was created. Further utility was found for them as drover dogs. When, at the beginning of the 20th century, canine breeds were sought after to assist the police in their law enforcement mission, there was evidence from the first moment that Rottweilers were the most suitable candidates to fulfil this position. In 1910, they were officially appointed for the role of police dogs. Breeding Rottweilers entails the creation of a strong, vigorous, black short-haired breed, with well-distinctive brownish-red streaks, that in spite of its strikingly forceful appearance shows very attractive traits of intelligence, devotion, courage, vigilance and zest for work, particularly well-suited for protection purposes and company.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The average Rottweiler is a dog of medium to large size, robust, but neither coarse nor fragile or lightweight. Its limbs are not too tall, either. Its stature shows strength, flexibility and resistance. Its appearance gives it an original sturdiness. It has got a compact conformation and a well-shaped figure; all these traits lead to the same conclusion: we are talking about a very powerful, agile and highly resilient dog.

SIGNIFICANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the trunk, measured from the scapulohumeral joint to the buttock or rump, should only surpass the height of the 15% cross at the most.

CHARACTER / BEHAVIOUR: Rottweilers are well-known by their friendliness and pacific temperament, besides having a very obedient, docile and affectionate nature as well as zest for work. Its physical appearance reveals its original robustness. The breed standard stands for self-confidence and fearlessness, together with a quick reaction to its environment. The breed is self-assured, careful and watchful.

HEAD:
CRANIAL REGION:
Cranium: Of medium length, wide skull between the ears. Seen sideways, the forehead shows a moderate bulge; the occipital protuberance must be well developed without becoming too marked. Very notorious naso-frontal depression.
FACIAL REGION:
Truffle: Well developed, rather broad than round-shaped, with relatively large windows of a solid black colour. There must be the same length from the truffle to the eye´s internal angle as from the eye to the occipital bone. It should be smooth, since the presence of wrinkles can denote that the dog is on the alert. Snout: Taking the cranial region as the point of reference, it must not present a shortish or longish look. Straight nasal cavity, of wide insertion, whose width diminishes sensibly going from the back side to the front one. Lips: Black and well defined; the angle of the lips is sealed and the gums are usually dark.
Jaws / Teeth: Both the upper and the lower jaws are powerful and broad. The set of teeth is healthy, strong and complete (42 pieces). The upper incisors and the lower ones close scissors-like, the top closing in on the inside of the bottom.
Cheeks: Fairly marked zygomatic arch.
Eyes: Of medium size, almond-shaped and dark brownish colour, with well-adjusted eyelids. When it comes to the eyes, yellow eyes are the worst defects, alongside with different colours, inequality in dimensions or shape or hairless eyelids.
Ears: Of medium size, hanging, triangular-shaped and very separate, they are set very high on the head. When the ears are well placed on the skull and heading forwards, the cranial region looks broader.

NECK: Robust, of medium size and fairly muscular. It forms a slightly arched dorsal line. No traces of a double chin or loose skin on the throat.

TRUNK:
Back: Strong and upright. The upper line is firm and horizontal going in a straight line from the cross to the hindquarters.
The lumbar region is short, strong and deep.
Hindquarters: of medium length, broad, slightly rounded or arched and with a downward tendency.
Chest: Deep fore-chest, spacious and wide, reaching the elbow (approx. 50% of the cross height), and well arched ribs.
Abdomen: Short, deep and well-muscled flanks.

TAIL: Short and robust. Normally kept in horizontal position, the tail looks like a continuation of the trunk´s upper line. When the dog is excited, the tail is slightly raised; when at rest, it can naturally hang a little.

EXTREMITIES:
FRONT EXTREMITIES:
As a whole and seen from the front, extremities are straight and not set very close together but in a parallel fashion. The forearms, when seen laterally, must look straight. The angle of inclination of the scapulas in connection with the horizontal section is of 45º.
Shoulders: Well formed and placed regarding the trunk.
Arms: Well attached to the trunk.
Forearms: Powerfully developed and muscular.
Metacarpus: Flexible and robust, though slightly oblique.
Front feet: Round, with close and protuberant toes. The bottom of the foot is hard; short, black and strong nails.
BACK EXTREMITIES:
As a whole and seen from the back side, extremities are straight and parallel. In a natural position, obtuse angles get formed between the thigh and the iliac bone, between the thigh and the knee, and between the leg and the metatarsus bone.
Thighs: Moderately long, broad and amply muscular.
Leg: Long and strong, very muscular and sinewy.
Hamstring: Powerful and muscular finishing off at the hock with a strong articulation and a good angle.
Back feet: Slightly longer than the front feet, but equally closed and convex with a big first toe but no spurs.

MOVEMENT:: The Rottweiler is a born trotter, remaining its back steady and remarkably firm while trotting. Its movements are harmonious and determined, showing an admirable self-assurance, as well as an unrestrained freedom of movement. Its well-balanced body allows it to take long steps.

SKIN: The skin that protects the head is well stretched and tight all over that area. Small creases and wrinkles may appear when the dog makes an extreme effort at being alert.

COAT:
HAIR: It is made up of an outer layer of hard hair and thin fleece undercoat. The outer layer hair is of medium length, thick, tough and compact; the undercoat fleece must not pass up the hard hair. The hair is usually longer at the top of the back extremities.
COLOUR: Black, with well marked tan spots -the colour of fire flames on the cheeks, snout, throat, chest and limbs, along with the part of the head over the eyes and under the root of the tail.

SIZE AND WEIGHT:
machos measure 61 to 68 cm.
The small ones reach a maximum height of 61 to 62 cm.
while the medium-sized ones the average height of 63 to 64 cm.
If you are looking for the large one, the preferred size should be 65 to 66 cm being 67 to 68 cm too big to be advisable.
Their weight is about 50 kg.
Females measure 56 to 63 cm.
The small ones reach a maximum height of 56 to 57 cm, while the medium-sized ones the average height of 58 to 59 cm.
If you are looking for the large one, the preferred size should be 60 to 61 cm being 62 to 63 cm too big to be advisable.
Their weight is about 42 kg.