German or American? Can you tell?

[Slim]

Hi!

We are the proud owner of a beautiful and very special Rottie named Amber. I was reading about the German and American differences and wondered if anyone might be able to identify her lineage from a few pics? If so what kind of pics would be helpful? Side view? Head shots?

Thanks!

[Bucky's Mom]

You can tell by the accent when she barks! :D

Sorry - if your dog was BORN in Germany - she is German - if she was born in America - she is American.

How old is she and did you get her from her breeder?

BTW - welcome to the forums!

[Slim]

Originally Posted by Bucky's Mom

You can tell by the accent when she barks! :D

Sorry - if your dog was BORN in Germany - she is German - if she was born in America - she is American.

How old is she and did you get her from her breeder?

BTW - welcome to the forums!

She is 7 and no she did not come from a breeder rather a family friend.

[spidey]

Hi and welcome!

Where were you reading about these differences? Because truly, the difference is that a German Rottweiler is born in Germany and an American Rottweiler is born in America. There is no such thing as a "German" or "American" type.

Oops! I see Bucky's Mom beat me to it! :)

[Slim]

Originally Posted by spidey

Hi and welcome!

Where were you reading about these differences? Because truly, the difference is that a German Rottweiler is born in Germany and an American Rottweiler is born in America. There is no such thing as a "German" or "American" type.

I got this info from the Rott books we bought from the pet store. They clearly state that there are differences between the German and American breeds.

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by Slim

She is 7 and no she did not come from a breeder rather a family friend.

How NICE of you to take her into your heart and your home - but really - PLACE of birth determines designation.

Again - Welcome!!

[tilerspop]

Welcome to the forums, enjoy but beware, this site is addictive.

The rottweiler is of german ancestry, but a dog is no more german or american than people with a name of Schmidt vs. Smith unless they are a native of that land.

[spidey]

Which books, specifically? What differences do they describe? I'm interested because it's generally believed that those who talk about "German or American type" are at least somewhat uninformed about the breed (no offense to you, I'm speaking generally here), and if there are BOOKS which are perpetuating untruths, I'd like to know which they are.

There are no German or American breeds, they're all Rottweilers, and the standards from different clubs in different countries are all extremely similar with only minor variations. You hear quite a few people talk about "German style" or "German type" (or American), but a Rottweiler either meets the standard or it doesn't. You do see certain characteristics in certain lines (that's just basic genetics), but it's not "German or American", but specific lines.

[Slim]

I do not have the books here @ work so I cannot tell you which ones they are specifically but they both talk about differences between German and American breeds and even go so far as to call American AKC judges lazy and bad for the breed, lol! Anyways, no big deal.

[Bucky's Mom]

Well - it is a common question - you can do a search in the forums for further elaboration :)

There is LOTS to learn here!!

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by Slim

I got this info from the Rott books we bought from the pet store. They clearly state that there are differences between the German and American breeds.

LOL...those books obviously were written by people that do not know the breed. I can suggest some valid good books from people who do. These books are a must have for any new Rottweiler owner.

Rottweilers for Dummies - Richard Beauchamp
Dog Training for Dummies - Jack and Wendy Volhard
The Ultimate Rottweiler, 2nd Edition - Andrew Brace
Training Your Rottweiler - Barb McNinch
The Rottweiler Experience by Joan R. Klem & Susan Rademacher
The Proper Care of Rottweilers - By Joan Klem
The Complete Rottweiler - Muriel Freeman
The Culture Clash - Jean Donaldson

Spidey and Bucky's Mom have summed it up pretty well. The standard is the standard whether here or in Timbuktu...all Rottweilers must conform to the standard. The ONLY difference is that some countries now outlaw tail docking, so you will see Rottweilers with tails from some countries such as Germany. The rest of the standard is the exactly the same everywhere else.

[Bucky's Mom]

Oh - I forgot - German Rotts can YODEL and drive on the LEFT side of the road

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by Bucky's Mom

Oh - I forgot - German Rotts can YODEL and drive on the LEFT side of the road

No, no, no...they wear lederhosen, Fraulein! But that's only when they yodel! :D :D :D

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Bucky's Mom

Oh - I forgot - German Rotts can YODEL and drive on the LEFT side of the road

and dont forget when they are at gait there legs remain stiff as they gait......the ever famous goose step gait :)

[Dominey]

Originally Posted by Bucky's Mom

Oh - I forgot - German Rotts can YODEL and drive on the LEFT side of the road

I'm sorry - I just had to add to this - only us BRITS drive on the LEFT, Germans, along with the rest of Europe drive on the RIGHT!!!
So maybe thats how you can identify a British rottie!!!
Oh and I think you tell the American ones by the baseball cap ;)