"Placid"

[TrishB]

According to the FCI http://www.usrcweb.org/fcistand.html , the description of the Rottweiler's temperament is:

Good natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children, very devoted, obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural and rustic, his behavior self assured, steady and fearless. He reacts to his surroundings with great alertness.

What does the word 'placid' mean to you? It's been a hot topic of discussion lately - as to if it truly applies to our dogs or not.

The definition of 'placid' is: Undisturbed by tumult or disorder; calm or quiet.

In keeping within the context of the FULL DESCRIPTION of the Rottweiler temperament as post above, what do you think?

There seems to be an issue of what it actually MEANS (and how that applies to Rotties) to what people PERCEIVE it means (and how that applies to Rotties).

[Joanne in NJ]

I wonder if "placid" and "eager to work" can sound like the same dog? Perhaps a different word maybe. How about Even Tempered?

Your definition of Placid certainly applies to my Ceelie Rottapotamus. She lives with a house full of dobermans.....

[Wookie'sMom]

The way I read it is that when they aren't working they are placid, but they are eager to work hard when it is called for.

Or maybe it just means that they take everything, including work and relaxation, in stride? No real fuss.

[LavenderRott]

I like Wookie's Mom's definition.

However, Chase does take your definition to a whole new level.

[Carina43]

Originally posted by LavenderRott
I like Wookie's Mom's definition.

However, Chase does take your definition to a whole new level.

Yes, she does! I know this dog. She is the most sweet, darling, calm dog!

Placid (as I stated in the Canadian Standards thread) implies some passivity to me. Which is a little at odds with the dictionary definition. I think the word mellow, or unflappable would be better. But neither word is suited for such serious stuff as describing Rottweiler temperament. :)

[flyballmom]

Hmmm. The definition given has 2 parts. My Rott fits the 1st half-"undisturbed by tumult or disorder." She does take most things in stride unless there is just major chaos. The "calm and quiet" part? Nuh uh, even at the age of 6 she can be a major pain in the the you-know where. I like the term Even Tempered much better!

[moondog]

Placid to me implies "steady", as in "of sound mind". :)

[poohbearsmom]

Personally, I think the word "placid" denotes a dead calm (like a lake surface on a windless day), whereas, in my opinion, I think the word "calm" would be a better description denoting an inner confidence, and calm demeanor.

All I have to do is look at the dog in front of me.... he is strong in temperament, he is calm and self assured. He is confident. He is friendly and social. He is high in drive and a regular fun dummy. He is intelligent. He is eager to do things that get him the "paycheck". He is quick to learn, and slow to forget.He is even serene at times. He shows great affection for his loved ones. But lest I not forget... he is a powerful animal, and he shows me this on a daily basis. He would not be a dog for just anyone, but he is the dog for me. I strive to reproduce dogs like him. He is a wonderful specimen of the breed.

I do believe that a dog that is well bred for temperament will assess the situation before reacting, but I do not think that words like "placid" are a true indicator of proper rottweiler temperament. A word like "placid" is too easily misconstrued.

When we use words like this, (and I'm borrowing this sentiment from my friend, but I agree wholeheartedly), are we then not changing the standard for the dogs we are breeding, rather than breeding to an already more than acceptable standard?

Are the breed clubs falling into the same old PC line of pooh pooh that the rest of our society has fallen into? What's wrong with a rottweiler NOT being a dog for any Tom, Dick or Harry?

There are many breeds of dogs available today, as are many mixes of many breeds of dogs... not every owner desires to take the time out of their lives to keep a dog like this content.

Words like "placid"... well, IMHO, they tend to hybridize a temperament like the rottweiler has, and turn them into Golden Retrievers.

My 2 cents.

[Judi W]

It might be remembered that this is a translation of the German and "placid" might be the closest word to describe what they intend.

[TrishB]

Whoops - getting my two threads crossed.

I agree with WookiesMom - that our dogs are placid, until asked or required to do otherwise. When at ease, our dogs are calm and quiet (meaning, placid). When at attention, our dogs are alert, biddable and eager to please. That doesn't describe a Golden Ret. to me. It describes a Rottweiler. Our dogs can go from seemingly comatose to lightening reaction when required.

Our dogs don't fluster easily (i.e. do a temperament test with our dogs, a solid Rottie will alert at the gunshot rather than shy from it). However then turn and are ready to jump to work. But up until that point, were happy just walking on the leash and sniffing; i.e. placid.

Again - I think it's more of a problem with the perceived meaning of the word and the actual meaning. What I like about placid is the implied scerenity until faced with a task. Calm would seem to me to be something that would be tougher to 'stir' into action or in need of ramping up, which is hardly the case. ;)

[Carina43]

Originally posted by Judi W
It might be remembered that this is a translation of the German and "placid" might be the closest word to describe what they intend.

Yep - that is what I said in the other thread.

"Reacting to surroundings with great alertness" and "placid in basic disposition" seem like incongruous statements.

[roscoe]

Originally posted by TrishB
According to the FCI http://www.usrcweb.org/fcistand.html , the description of the Rottweiler's temperament is:
What does the word 'placid' mean to you? It's been a hot topic of discussion lately - as to if it truly applies to our dogs or not.

The definition of 'placid' is: Undisturbed by tumult or disorder; calm or quiet.

In keeping within the context of the FULL DESCRIPTION of the Rottweiler temperament as post above, what do you think?

There seems to be an issue of what it actually MEANS (and how that applies to Rotties) to what people PERCEIVE it means (and how that applies to Rotties).

I believe Mrs. Chris Seidler possibly mispelled the word confident. I found quite a few spelling errors on the page.

[Judi W]

Whether the word "placid" is the best translation from the original, I do not know. However, although ours/yours/the dog down the street might not meet what we believe the word "placid" means, it does not follow that the word itself is incorrect. The standards describe what is to be considered the ideal characteristics for the breed and not our individual dogs. I know most of us would like to say our dogs are the ideal, but there are variations. I personally do not find alert (watchful) to be contradictory to a placid or unruffled and peaceful nature.

[poohbearsmom]

So, I guess this is why people can also take one word or phrase out of a book like the Bible and interpret it a million different ways.... :D

This has been fun!

[Trezara]

The Cambridge on-line dictionary definition of 'placid' (including a contextual example when used in the contect of a living thing (a child in this case)) equates placid to being 'calm and not easily excited'. In this context, I would say 'placid' is not an accurate description of the rottweiler temprement. Would working rotts with a high pray drive be seen as being 'not easily excited'?

As a lawyer yes I probably am picky over words, but I think placid is misleading in the normal use of the word in the English language.