The truth of the matter is this, the Rottweiler breed has changed throughout history quite noticeably.
Before there were established standards, the Rottweiler of the past was quite different from the modern Rottweiler. When the standards were established they did not remain intact, the fact is: there have been major and minor changes concerning the Rottweiler breed. Furthermore, if you have seen early photos of the Rottweiler, and compare them with the Rottweiler of today, you will see the huge differences between the two types; so much so, that some of the Rottweilers of the past look like mutts!
Therefore, the standards of the breed have changed and, also, in the breeding there have been major modifications. You find it from line to line. For instance, you cannot compare a working dog from Mr. Guy Verschatse to one of the show dog champions of nowadays. You will see differences in conformation and temperament, particularly the latter, among other factors and qualities.
Consequently, if you are an avid researcher of the history of the breed you know for a fact that the Rottweiler has changed and evolved in time; there are particular lines of Rottweilers that demonstrate so with explicit differences, which make each lineage unique.
Conclusion: the Rottweiler has gone, unequivocally, throughout a process of changes in the continuous quest for the betterment of the breed. It has never remained static in time but quite the contrary; there has been a dynamic transformation of the breed. One thing you will find obvious, the show lines are different in temperament, nerves and drives, and so forth, when compare with the minority of working lines. You also find the
diluted Rottweiler due to wanton breeding, which usually do not meet the desired modern standards. Moreover, finding a true Rottweiler is not as easy as most people want to believe; in many cases, it has been "watered-down"
So there we go, the Rottweiler of today is different from the Rottweiler of 100 years ago. You betcha!
