The 1935 AKC Rottweiler standard

(Approved April 9, 1935 no longer effective)

General Appearance and Character

The Rottweiler is a good-sized, strongly built, active dog. He is affectionate, intelligent, easily trained to work, naturally obedient and extremely faithful. While not quarrelsome, he possesses great courage and makes a splendid guard. His demeanor is dignified and he is not excitable.

Head

Is of medium length, the skull broad between the ears. Stop wel pronounced as is also the occiput. Muzzle is not very long. It should not be longer than the distance from the stop to the occiput. Nose is well developed, with relatively large nostrils and is always black. Flews which should not be too pronounced are also black. Jaws should be strong and muscular; teeth strong-incisors of lower jaw must touch the inner surface of the upper incisors. Eyes are medium size, dark brown in color and should express faithfulness, good humor and confidence. The ears are comparatively small, set high and wide and hang over about on a level with top of head. The skin on the head should not be loose. The neck should be a fair length, strong, round, and very muscular, slightly arched and free from throatiness.

Forequarters

Shoulders should be well placed, long and sloping, elbows well let down, but not loose. Legs muscular and with plenty of bone and substance, pasterns straight and strong. Feet strong, round and close, with toes well arched. Soles very hard, toe nails dark, short and strong.

Body

The chest is roomy, broad and deep. Ribs well sprung. Back straight, strong and rather short. Loins strong and deep, and flanks should not be tucked up. Croup short, broad, but not sloping.

Hindquarters

Upper thigh is short, broad and very muscular. Lower thigh very muscular at top and strong and sinewy at the bottom. Stifles fairly well bent, hocks strong. The hind feet are somewhat longer than the front ones, but should be close and strong with toes well arched. There should be no dewclaws. Tail should be short, placed high (on level with back) and carried horizontally. Dogs are frequently born with a short stump tail, and when tail is too long it must be docked close to body.

Coat

Hair should be short, coarse and flat. The undercoat which is absoulutly required on neck and thighs should not show through outer coat. The hair should be a little longer on the back of front and hind legs and on tail.

Color

Black, with clearly defined markings on cheeks, muzzle, chest, and legs, as well as over both eyes. Color of markings: tan to mahogany brown. A small spot of white on chest and belly is permissible but not desirable.

Height

Shoulder height for males is 23 3/4in. to 27 in., for females, 21 3/4in. to 25 3/4in., but height should always be considered in relation to the general appearance and conformation of the dog.

Faults

Too lightly built or too heavily built, sway-back, roach back, too long body, lack of spring of ribs. Head too long and narrow or too short and plump. Lack of occiput, snippy muzzle, cheekiness, top line of muzzle not straight, light or flesh colored nose, hanging flews, overshot or undershot, loose skin on head, ears set too low, or ears too heavy, long or narrow or rose ear, or ears uneven in size. Light, small or slanting eyes, or lack of expression, neck too long, thin or weak, or very noticeable throatiness. Lack of bone and muscle, short or straight shoulders, front legs too close together or not straight, weak pasterns, splay feet, light nails, weak toes. Flat ribs, sloping croup. Too heavy or plump body. Flanks drawn up. Flat thighs, cowhocks or weak hocks, dewclaws. Tail set too high or too low or that is too long or too thin. Soft, too short, too long or too open coat, wavy coat or lack of undercoat. White markings on toes, legs or other parts of body, markings not too well defined or smudgy. The one-color tan Rottweiler with either black or light mask or with black streak on back as well as other colors, such as brown or blue, are not recognized and are believed to be cross-bred, as is also a longhaired Rottweiler. Timid or stupid-appearing animals are to be positively rejected.