The Rottweiler Standard (N Z K C)

General Appearance: The Rottweiler is an above average sized stalwart dog. His correctly proportioned compact and powerful form permits of great strength, manoeuvrability and endurance. His bearing displays boldness and courage; his tranquil gaze manifests good nature and devotion.

It is important to note in the description ‘…bearing displays boldness and courage,…’ and ‘…tranquil gaze manifests good nature…’. The Rottweiler should be a steady dog, not flighty and nervous.

Head and Skull: The head is a medium length, the skull between the ears is broad. The forehead line is moderately arched as seen from the side. Occipital bone well developed but not conspicuous. Cheeks well muscled buy not prominent, with the zygomatic arch well formed. The skin on the head should not be loose although it is allowed to form moderate wrinkle when the dog is attentive. Muzzle fairly deep with topline level and length not longer than the length from stop to occiput.

Cheeks well muscled but not prominent, cheeks should not be too full.

We see the skin on the head should not be loose and is wrinkled when the dog is attentive.

We often see dogs with gross heads – some people think that everything about the Rottweiler including the head should be – ‘the bigger, the better’. Not so – if we go back to the description in general appearance we will find two important words being "Correctly Proportioned". Another standard states ‘The head without wrinkles is much desired’.

Nose: The nose is well developed with proportionately large nostrils and is always black.

Roman nose not desirable, not flecked or light coloured. Is always black.

Eyes: The ears should be of medium size, almond shaped and dark brown in colour, eyelids close lying.

Yellow, light, different coloured, too open, deep-set, round eyes should be regarded as definite faults.

Ears: The ears are pendant, small in proportion rather than large, set high and wide apart on the head, lying flat and close to the cheek.

Important to remember: should be small, pendant, three cornered, placed well apart, set high, close lying to cheeks. Appearance of correct ears enhances the breadth of skull.

Mouth: The teeth are strong and the incisors of the lower jaw must touch the inner surface of the upper incisors. The flews are black and firm; they fall gradually away towards the corners of the mouth, which do not protrude excessively.

Problem area in breed and needs to be examined in dogs up to 3 years of age due to head changing throughout that period.

Points to watch are Wry, Overshot, Undershot mouths and mouths that don’t meet.

Neck: The neck should be a fair length, strong, round and very muscular. It should be slightly arched and free from throatiness.

Desirable to be arched without loose skin. Free from throatiness, not too long, short or thin.

Forequarters: The shoulder should be well placed on the body, long and sloping with the elbows well let down, but not loose. The legs should be muscular with plenty of bone and substance. The pasterns should be bent slightly forward and not be completely vertical. The front legs seen from all sides must be straight and not placed too closely to one another.

Pasterns not vertical. Legs must be of good bone and substance. Lay of shoulder 45 degrees.

Body: The chest should be roomy, broad and deep with the ribs well sprung. The depth of brisket will not be more, and not much less than 50 percent of the shoulder height. The back should be straight, strong and not too long; ratio of shoulder height to length of body should be as 9 is to 10, the loins short, strong and deep, the flanks should not be tucked up. The croup should be broad, of proportionate length, and very slightly sloping.

Keys to remember: Roomy, broad chest, well sprung, straight back, back short and strong, loins short and deep, flanks not tucked up, broad croup.

Faults: Too long, too short, too small in body, roach, dippy back, croup too short or long, croup too straight or too sloping, chest not too ribbed, barrel chested.

Hindquarters: The upper thigh not too short, broad and strongly muscled. The lower thigh well muscled at the top and strongly and sinewy lower down. Stifles fairly well bent. Hocks well angulated without exaggeration and not completely vertical.

Upper thigh – good length, broad, strongly muscled.

Stifles – fairly well bent, definitely not straight.

Hocks – well angulated. Not completely vertical.

Faults: Too long in back legs, stance too wide or too close, cow hocked, weak hocked, barrel hocked.

Feet: The feet should be strong, round and compact with the toes well arched. The hind feet are somewhat longer than the front. The pads should be very hard and the toenails short, dark and strong. Rear dew claws removed.

Gait: In movement the Rottweiler should convey an impression of supple strength, endurance and purpose. While the back remains firm and stable there is a powerful hind thrust and good stride. First and foremost movement should be harmonious, positive and unrestricted.

Points to remember: Gait signifies strength, endurance, determination, and purpose. Gait is positive, unrestricted and harmonious.

Tail: Carried horizontally. It is short, strong and not set too low. It should be docked at the first joint.

Coat: The coat, which consists of top coat and undercoat, should be of medium length, coarse and flat. The undercoat, which is essential on the neck and thighs, should not show through the outer coat. The hair may also be a little longer on the back of the forelegs and breachings.

Faults: Undercoat showing, too long, too short, too soft, not lying flat, wavy, no undercoat.

Colour: The colour is black with clearly defined markings on the cheeks, muzzle, chest and legs, as well as over both eyes and the area beneath the tail. Colour of markings ranges from rich tan to mahogany brown.

Faults: Salt and peppering on back legs, white on chest.

Size: For males the height at the shoulder should be between 25 and 27 inches and for females between 23 and 25 inches. However, height should always be considered in relation to the general appearance of the dog.

Faults: Too lightly or heavily built, sway backed or roach backed, cow hocked, bow hocked or weak hocked, long or excessively wavy coat, any white markings, nervousness and viciousness are highly undesirable.

Weight: Although our official Standard makes no reference to the ideal weight for the Rottweiler, the German Standard and the American Standard mention –

Males – between 110 to 130 lbs.

Females – between 90 to 110 lbs.