[dipper]

IMHO if you read the standard you have the definition of the "working" rottweiler---it's all right there.
A working Rott in this day and age should be the same as it was 25 years ago---that is, I am not aware of any change in the standard as it pertains to temperament.
Meet the standard and you should have a dog that is capable to work.
There are many ways to work your dog ---everyday--in your own back yard.
It doesn't have to be bitework all the time.
I do something with my dog everyday---retrieve training, OB, tracking etc.

we need to maintain the rott as a solid working breed and not some show only pretty dog, how is that done?
By careful and selective breeding of parents with proven temperaments.
These websites are full of litter announcements where the dogs are conformation titled,"multi v-rated" and ofa'd. Thats it.
Then you hear---we expect high drive puppies suitable for work or show---REALLY??
How does a prospective buyer know or confirm this--take the breeders word??

Point is MANY litters are out of parents that never did anything except parade around a show ring---sorry, I'm not going to take your word that your puppy out of non-titled unproven parents is going to be "high drive and suitable for work."

It's ALL about the temperament---what makes a stable, safe, biddable dog 25 years ago is the same thing that makes them that way today and the same thing that will make them that in the next 25 years.

In the desire for creating great looking conformation dogs, many breeders have overlooked temperament and have bred with little or no concern for it.

I would ask that puppy buyers support the breeders that take the time to train and test their stock ---who put in the work it takes and spend the money it costs to give potential buyers something concrete to look at and consider.

Rich