How has the breed changed over time?

[roadweed]

I was just curious as to what changes in temperament, appearance, and health have been seen in the Rottweiler breed over the past 10, 20 or 30 years by longtime Rottie people. I had one born in 1990 and now one born in 98 or 99 who are extremely different, but I see some similarities as well.

[Judi W]

I'd suggest that if you have something extremely different, something is off someplace. I have had Rottweilers for 30 years and see a high degree of consistency. The changes I see are better and more knowlegable methods of raising and training giving a more pleasing finished product.

[n2rotts]

TYPE has certainly changed, and I am not sure some times whether it has been for the better or not. Muzzles have been shortened. Head type in all areas is more extreme. More bone is also seen in dogs today than in dogs of 30 or 40 years ago, or even 20. I also think color is better than it has been in the past. We have made strides in the management of HD and ED by devising tests to determine normal dogs and to use only those for breeding.

Those are my personal observations.

:D

[Mick Trainer]

On thw hole I feel the greatest change has been the weakening of the temperament as fewer and fewer people work their dogs. They have also become heavier in the substance and bone in recent times.

Mick.

[roadweed]

When I said extremely different, I didn't mean 'something is off '. Just different personalities is all. Nothing abnormally different. Just curious is all, since I have had little experience with Rotties other than my own.

[Judi W]

Well, in the ol days, there wasn't BYB's and yes the total general stock was stronger (but there were limited numbers). I do believe however that we still have some very good dogs. As far as conformation goes, I am seeing a Mastiff type head and grosser bone rewarded now and then, but certainly not consistently and many judges do not reward those dogs. It often accompanies poor layback and no neck without reach and drive, but again - that is not the whole pool. Those who are breeding for the heavy, extreme head also are unwittingly introducing more bite problems. Anytime an attribute is carried to extremes we lose.

I do also however, remember in the 70's when some people were feeding their dogs speghetti and putting lots of salt in their diets in order to make them totally fat for the show ring and these were some top winning dogs. I don't hear of that anymore. So, = it is not all one way or the other. We do more health clearances today, we have the advantage of a larger gene pool for selection and there are some good dogs in that gene pool. Our good dogs appear to be well-balanced both physically and in character.

[hineka]

So you don't think they're generally a weaker breed now? I have some pictures from around the 20s that show a much different dog. These dogs had great endurance and a very keen intelligence. Not to suggest the Rottweiler today isn't intelligent but I also don't see them with the stamina that these old dogs had. I prefer the older look but not just with Rottweilers.

[fbkeays]

I went to a breed seminar a couple of years ago that Joan Klem was doing. She showed a video of the open class at GSRC back in the early 70's I think. Talk about ugly dogs! The whole room cringed when we saw the first one and it just got worse after that. The one that was the best looking and that was being generous, sidewinded so badly, I felt embarressed for the handler.
If that was the breeding stock back then, how did we end of with the nice dogs we have today?
When I got envolved with rottweilers seven years ago(not that long ago), the big thing was short backs. I even have a very short backed male. I think it has effected his gait as he perfers to pace and he doesn't have much rear drive. He has a nice head, but his lack of neck makes it look small.
A friend recently finished her male at 20 months, in 2 months of showing, with two five point majors. He beat out males that were older then him, dogs that have been showing longer then he has been alive. I believe the reason why he finished so quickly is because he is moderate in every detail. There is nothing extreme about him. I think he was an easy choice for judges because of that.