AMERICAN ROTTWEILER VS. GERMAN ROTTWEILER
Whenever I’m out with Wrigley, I’m often asked “Is he a German Rottweiler?”
The next question usually is “Are his parents German Rottweilers?” to which I respond “Nope! They’re from Wisconsin too. Home of Mars Cheese Castle!”
People seem baffled by that because they believe if they see a Rottweiler with a nice blocky head and is stocky in stature then it must be a “German Rottweiler”.
The thing is ALL Rottweilers are German in a sense. That’s where the breed originated. However, that’s where it ends. There is no such thing as a “German Rottweiler” as opposed to any other Rottweiler.
This is the American Kennel Club Rottweiler breed standard in regards to size...
The ideal Rottweiler is a medium large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. His compact and substantial build denotes great strength, agility and endurance. Dogs are characteristically more massive throughout with larger frame and heavier bone than bitches. Bitches are distinctly feminine, but without weakness of substance or structure.
Dogs - 24 inches to 27 inches.
Bitches - 22 inches to 25 inches, with preferred size being mid-range of each sex.
Correct proportion is of primary importance, as long as size is within the standard’s range. The length of body, from prosternum to the rearmost projection of the rump, is slightly longer than the height of the dog at the withers, the most desirable proportion of the height to length being 9 to 10.
The Rottweiler is neither coarse nor shelly. Depth of chest is approximately fifty percent (50%) of the height of the dog. His bone and muscle mass must be sufficient to balance his frame, giving a compact and very powerful appearance.
Serious faults - Lack of proportion, undersized, oversized, reversal of sex characteristics (bitchy dogs, doggy bitches).
This is the ADRK (Allegmeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub) breed standard in regards to size...
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.
- For males is 61 - 68 cm (roughly 24-27 inches)
- For bitches is 56 - 63 cm (roughly 22-25 inches)
- For males:
- 61 - 62 cm is small (24-25 inches)
- 63 - 64 cm is medium height (24-26 inches)
- 65 - 66 cm is large - correct height (25 inches)
- 67 - 68 cm is very large (26-27 inches)
- Weight approximately 50kg (Roughly 110lbs)
- For bitches:
- Weight: approximately 42 kg (Roughly 92lbs)
- 56 - 57 cm is small (22-23 inches)
- 58 - 59 cm is medium height (22-23 inches)
- 60 - 61 cm is large - correct height (23-24 inches)
- 62 - 63 cm is very large (24-25 inches)
As you can see, the standards in regards to size and proportion are virtually the same. The main difference you’ll see in an “American” bred Rottweiler vs a “German” bred Rottweiler is a tail. Tail docking is illegal in Germany.
With that said, why do so many people believe there’s a difference in “American” or “German” Rottweilers? I really believe that when people see differences in the breed, it has nothing to do with the place of birth but more of the type of breeding. When people see what they think is a “German” Rottweiler is more than likely a responsibly well bred Rottweiler. Unfortunately, responsible breeding is not common in this country. ANYONE can breed their dogs regardless if they should be bred. It was reported that most litters registered by the AKC are done by one time breeders. This means that these people most likely bred their dogs for reasons like “I want a pup just like Fifi/Fido”, “I want the children to witness the miracle of life”, “It’s an easy way to make money”. Usually, these types of breedings are NOT done with the breed standard nor genetic health of the dogs in mind. They choose sires/dams based on being the same breed of dog and/or location. Because there’s really no sort of regulation in this country regarding dog breeding, anything goes which is why you see such a variation in different dog breeds.
Unfortunately, there are a LOT of “breeders” who use the term “German Rottweilers” as a marketing tool to sell puppies. Unless their breeding dogs and their ancestors are German born imports, I’d take their claims with a grain of salt. The term is often used by such breeders to describe oversized Rottweilers. As you can see by the German standard I posted, a “German” Rottweiler is NOT meant to be an oversized dog. A true “German” Rottweiler should look indistinguishable from a well bred “American” Rottweiler with the exception of having a tail.
Another term used to describe oversized Rottweilers is “Roman” style. I have found nothing by the Italian Kennel Club to suggest that Italy recognizes a different style of Rottweiler. As far as I know, they follow the Federation Cynologique Internationale breed standard for the Rottweiler which is the ADRK standard.
In short, do your research and be aware of marketing ploys by unscrupulous breeders. In *my* opinion, it makes no sense to pay more money for a dog that was purposely bred for disqualifying faults in the breed.
Another term used to describe oversized Rottweilers is “Roman” style. I have found nothing by the Italian Kennel Club to suggest that Italy recognizes a different style of Rottweiler. As far as I know, they follow the Federation Cynologique Internationale breed standard for the Rottweiler which is the ADRK standard.
In short, do your research and be aware of marketing ploys by unscrupulous breeders. In *my* opinion, it makes no sense to pay more money for a dog that was purposely bred for disqualifying faults in the breed.