The Rottweiler is a breed from Germany, but whose origins can be traced back to the distant Roman Empire. This is an imposing dog that was long trained as a shepherd or guard, but today makes an excellent companion dog.
If you are considering adopting a specimen of this breed, you will most likely run into the controversy over the German and American varieties. Are there really different types of rottweiler or is it just a myth? Keep reading this article on our site so you know everything about the American and German Rottweiler, the differences and characteristics of each one
General Characteristics of the Rottweiler
The current appearance of the Rottweiler comes from the variety of the breed perfected during the 19th century, destined for herding and later, during the First World War, to serve as a police dog.
This is a breed with a solid, muscular and compact body, which reaches an average weight of 45 kilos. Despite looking and being heavy, it has the typical agility of herding dogs, as well as a lot of energy and love of physical exercise.
The fur is short and in shades that combine black with reddish brown. As for the personality, they are quite intelligent, which leads them to be very independent. However, this is not a problem when it comes to training them, since they develop a very strong emotional bond with family members. They are also known for being protective and loyal.
All this in terms of general characteristics. For a long time there has been a controversy about Rottweilers born and bred outside of Germany, to the point that varieties such as the American and the German are vying for the position of favorite among fans of this breed. That's why if you want to learn to distinguish them, read below about the differences and characteristics of each one.
What does the German Rottweiler look like?
The German Rottweiler is not only one born in Germanic territory, but also one that meets the strict parameters that determine purity of the race Who sets these parameters, you ask? Well, since 1921 there has been the ADRK or Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub, the German club in charge of preserving the purity of this breed.
The ADRK is very strict about Rottweiler breeding, so within Germany it only allows mating from parents whose family treehas been carefully studied, to avoid variations in the characteristics of the breed.
According to the standards established by this association, the male Rottweiler, from small to giant, must measure between 61 and 68 centimeters, with an ideal weight of 50 kilos; meanwhile, females should measure between 52 and 62 centimeters, with an ideal weight of 43 kilograms.
The tail is long and the snout short, with a robust, compact and solid body, shorter in stature than the American. For a Rottweiler to be considered pure "German", it must not only have these characteristics, but also the ADRK is in charge of carrying out its investigations to grant or not the pedigree certificate, which certifies it as a Rottweiler specimen without mixing with other breeds..
Learn more about the Rottweiler standard according to the ADRK.
What does the American Rottweiler look like?
At this point we enter the field of controversy, as many people claim that the American Rottweiler does not really exist as a separate variety, while others claim that it is a branch of the breed that has clearly defined particularities.
In this sense, the American Rottweiler would outsize the German, not only increasing its height by 68 or 69 centimeters, but also it is also known that many individuals weigh up to 80 kilos.
The American, moreover, is characterized by its short tail and elongated snout, with a body that, although strong and large, is nevertheless stylized. However, does that mean there really is a Rottweiler sub-breed?
In reality, for many experts the difference between the German and the American lies mainly in their place of birth and in the different controls (or the lack of them) that are implemented at the time of breeding. In the United States there is no club in charge of monitoring the reproduction of these dogs, which leads to crosses with other breeds and the spread of the genes of those individuals that do not meet the "standard" characteristics of the ADRK.
In addition, the short tail has to do with the fact that many breeders opt for the mutilation of it, a procedure that is already It is not practiced in Germany because, fortunately, it has been banned in many European countries as unnecessary and cruel.
In the same way, the giant size and weight of the American, which sometimes doubles the numbers of the German, would respond more to the fact that in most cases North Americans prefer to mate the largest puppies of the litters, propagating these measures that deviate from normal patterns.
If you are considering adopting a Rottweiler or if you already have one, remember that it is considered a potentially dangerous dog in different countries and that its possession requires responsibility insurance civil and the use of a muzzle in public spaces. Don't forget to check these details before your adoption.
