FCI-Standard N° 147/ 19. 06. 2000 / GB
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DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 06.04.2000. UTILIZATION : Companion, service and working dog. CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer type, Molossian type, Swiss Mountain- and BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest dog breeds. 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 was known as the « Rottweil butcher’s 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 also 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 police service and therefore they were officially recognized as police dogs in 1910. 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. GENERAL APPEARANCE : The Rottweiler is a medium to large size, stalwart dog, neither heavy nor light and neither leggy nor 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 most, 15 %. BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Good-natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children, 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 CRANIAL REGION : FACIAL REGION :
Lips : Black, close fitting, corner of the mouth not visible, gum as dark as possible. NECK : Strong, of fair length, well muscled, slightly arched, clean, free from throatiness, without dewlap. BODY : TAIL : In natural condition, level in extension of the upper line; at ease may be hanging. LIMBS 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.
Pasterns : Slightly springy, strong, not steep. 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 metatarsal. GAIT : 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. SKIN : Skin on the head : overall tight fitting. When the dog is alert, the forehead may be slightly wrinkled. COAT HAIR : 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 hindlegs. 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 AND WEIGHT :
Height at withers : For bitches is 56 - 63 cm. 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.
ELIMINATING FAULTS :
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
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