The Rottweiler is a medium large, strong, healthy and powerful dog. His coat should be black with clearly defined rust markings. He should not be heavy or light and project great strength, maneuverability and endurance. The dogs are characteristically more massive throughout with a larger frame and will have heavier bones than the bitches. Bitches are distinctly feminine while still exhibiting strength and structure.
The size of the Rottweiler dog is 24” to 27” and the female 22” to 25”. Importance is placed on correct proportions as long as the size is within the standard’s range. The length of the body, from prosternum (breastbone) to the rearmost projection of the rump is slightly longer than the height of the dog at the withers. The most desirable proportion of height to length should be 9 to 10. The depth of the chest is approximately 50% of the height of the dog. His bone and muscle mass must be sufficient enough to balance his frame, giving a compact and very powerful appearance.
FAULT(S): Lack of proportion, being under or oversized or exhibiting reversal of sex characteristics (bitchy dogs, doggy bitches).
The head of the Rottweiler will have a wide skull that is moderately arched when viewed from the side and the stop (forehead) should be well developed. Upper and lower jaws should be strong and broad. The correct ratio of the backskull to muzzle should be 3 to 2 in length. The head should be well balanced with the neck and the rest of the body. Only when the dog is fully alert may there be some slight wrinkling across the forehead, wrinkles are not acceptable in the breed when the dog is relaxed.
The eyes should be medium in size and moderately deep set without protruding or receding and without drooping or hairless eyelids. The color should be uniformly medium to dark brown. Yellow or different colored eyes are a disqualification.
FAULT(S): Yellow (bird of prey) eyes, eyes of different color or size, hairless eye rim.
DISQUALIFICATION(S): Entropion and Ectropion (drooping eyelid).
The ears should be wide at the base and triangular in shape, moderate in size, and pendant. The ears should be flat against the sides of the head and should come to about the middle of the cheek. FAULT(S): Improper carriage (creased, folded or held away from cheek or head).
The nose should be broad, not round and must always be black. The muzzle bridge should be flat and broad with a slight tapering towards the tip. The bite is a strong scissor bite with no under or overshot jaws. There should be 20 teeth (upper), 22 teeth lower.
FAULT(S): Total lack of mouth pigmentation (pink mouth). DISQUALIFICATION(S): When teeth do not mesh or touch. Two or more missing teeth. Wry Mouth (jaw not proportional).
The Rottweiler neck should be strong, muscular, slightly arched and without loose skin. The neck should be moderately long to insure balance and should flow into a deep, wide and roomy chest. The topline or back should be flat and horizontal to the floor and should remain that way when the dog is in motion or standing. The back should not dip, slope or be high-in-the rear. The croup is broad and muscled as well and only slightly sloping to provide a natural stance. The tail of the Rottweiler is docked for show and should extend one or two vertebrae and should be carried slightly above horizontal when excited or moving. Underline of a mature Rottweiler has a slight tuck-up. Males must have two normal testicles properly descended into the scrotum.
DISQUALIFICATION(S): Unilateral cryptorchid or cryptorchid males
The front legs of the Rottweiler are well spaced and straight with the elbows positioned squarely under the body. Distance from withers to elbow and elbow to ground is equal. The legs are solid but not bulky, ending in rounded, compact feet that have well arched toes. The pads of the feet are thick and heavy and the nails are always pure black. The front feet should not turn in or out when the dog is standing or moving.
The angulation of the hindquarters balances that of the forequarters. The upper is fairly long, very broad and well muscled. The rear pasterns should be almost perpendicular to the ground. The back feet are longer than the front feet, less rounded in overall appearance. Like the front toes they should neither turn in or out and should be very balanced with the bone of the leg. The pads of the feet should be thick and hard. Dewclaws must be removed.
The coat is always shorter over the face, feet, ears and legs. The coat should be thickest on the neck and thighs depending on climate and season. The coat is always shown natural and not trimmed. The outer coat should completely cover the softer inner coat.
FAULT(S): Wavy coats.
DISQUALIFICATION(S): Long coats.
The color should be primarily black with markings running rust to mahogany. Small spots must be over each eye, on the cheeks and along the muzzle (never over the bridge). There are 2 triangular markings on the chest over the prosternum, on the lower part of the front legs and the high to lower inside parts of the hind legs. The markings must not completely encircle the legs. The underside of the tail must be rust to mahogany and matching in color with the rest of the markings.
FAULTS: Straw or sooty colored markings or the blending of rust and black areas.
DISQUALIFICATION(S): Any base color other than black or absence of all markings. White markings.
The gait should be balanced, sure, powerful and unhindered, with strong forereach and a powerful rear drive. The Rottweiler’s motion should be effortless and efficient. Front and rear legs should not be thrown in nor out, as the imprint of hind feet touch that of the forefeet. In a trot the forequarters and hindquarters are mutually coordinated while the back remains level, firm and with little motion. As the speed increases the legs will converge under body towards a center line.
The temperament of the Rottweiler is courageous yet calm and self-assertive. Rottweilers are not hasty and will be influenced only by their wait-and-see attitude. The intelligent Rottweiler has an inherent desire to protect home and family. They are a very adaptable breed willing and eager to work making great companions, guardians and working dogs.
When showing a Rottweiler, they must have correct temperament. Rottweilers should be willing to have their teeth and entire body examined without any signs of aggression or shyness towards the judge. A dog that is aloof or distant, but controllable, is not excused from the ring nor penalized during a show competition since this is inherent in the breed. If the dog becomes a danger to the judge or other dogs he will be dismissed from the ring.
DISQUALIFICATION(S): Entropion, ectropion. Overshot, undershot (when incisors do not touch or mesh); wry mouth; two or more missing teeth. Unilateral cryptorchid or cryptorchid males. Long coat. Any base color other than black; absence of all markings. A dog, that in the opinion of the judge may attack any person in the ring.