American and German bloodlines: What's the Difference???

[Duchess~OO7]

Hi! I have a German Rottweiler, and have heard that the American version is smaller, and generally more compact in body type. Is this true? I also read that the Germans are bigger, and have bigger heads. Is this true also?? Thanks!

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"There Is Nothing In This World Like The Noble Rottweiler"

[bearkat]

Actually, I believe the opposite is true. My two older Rotties are both from German lines, and they are stocky, chesty, have big heads. My bitch's son was bred to what is referred to as American, and one of her grandsons is abnormally tall, very leggy, not much depth in his chest, well, he basically looks very similar to a black and mahogany Great Dane. (Not quite, but the body shape is obviously different from grandmother's!) My bitch and my older male are aunt and nephew, built the same, but when they bred my female's son to the "American" bitch, they took away the beautiful body lines and build of the German bloodlines. Thankfully, the dog was neutered, so he at least, will not produce any bizarre looking offspring... I have lost track of the other members of the litter, but I am sure some of them inherited the "American" look.

[CarolineS]

If you read the ADRK, FCI, AKC and CKC standards, you won't find any difference described in the size or shape of a Rottie. It stands to reason there shouldn't be any difference in a correct dog, no matter what country it comes from, if it is correct according to the standard. I have heard a lot of people say, "Oh, my dog comes from 'fill in the country of your choice' lines", just to try and excuse conformation which falls outside of the standard.

[German Vanegas]

It is the oppossite, as Bearkat stated.

Here in the USA the tendency, already a pattern, is to bred bigger Rottweilers than in Germany. Here the most common Rottweiler puppy advertisement is: "HUGE HEADS, VERY LARGE PARENTS" sometimes it says: "UNUSUALLY LARGE".

In Germany Rottweilers are more compact-built, heavily muscled, they have to pass breed surveys and tests. Temperament, drives and conformation, are all analyzed along with the dog's lineage. While in the USA, anyone can breed indiscriminately, and the "popular" demand is for chunky heavy large dogs. Obviously, we also have some ethical professional breeders that do it right, but for the most part puppy mills and backyards make up for the largest "producers" of Rottweilers.

Bigger it's not better. It may cause serious health problems and complications, while it decreases endurance and stamina, lowering the dog's performance abilities, among other things. And again, some American breeders have excellent breeding programs, but the vast majority are "wannabes".

[Baren]

Duchess~OO7, there is only one version of the Rottweiler. There is one standard on which all breeders should base their breeding. That is the ADRK standard which was also the first and original standard. The FCI standard is exactly the same apart from the tail docking. As you can see on the pedigrees of most American dogs, all of them trace back to German dogs, most of them from the fourth or fifth generation at the most. A very well known example of a German dog which could be found in very many American pedigrees is Dingo vom Schwaiger Wappen. No doubt that Germany has the best rottweilers in the world in both work and conformation. As German said, in America, the breeders breed so much more for sise to acomplish the desire of the Americans for larger dogs. Many bad quality dogs go to America from Germany because they cannot pass their Ztp. there and therefore are not breedable. Not all of the European dogs that go America are of top quality and this has effected the breeding a lot.

[Orville Story]

Caroline, I agree the standard between the AKC and FCI are for the most part the same. But the interpertation of the standard by the judges differs. The show judges play a big role in any breed. With the format of the show being different and the Judges interpertation being different over time the dogs will be different. With the rottie the pyhiscal difference is minor between European and American dogs but there is a difference. How do you think the past Westminster Champion Rotties would have done at the ADRK Club Show? How do you think the ADRK club champion would have done at Westminster? If the there is no difference, Why could not one dog win both? The difference is not to the point that someone can say, "Oh, he looks like that because he is a Dutch Rottweiler". The difference mainly falls into how AKC judges look at dogs vs FCI judges. For example AKC judges look for showmanship, and outstanding qualitys, overlooking slight weakness. FCI judges look for weakness and then consider outstanding qualitys. The FCI judges would in general put up a more balanced dog, while the AKC judges in gereral would put up a more impressive dog. This has an effect on breeding and the type.
Another thing to consider is we have many imports contributing to our breeding stock. This has greatly keep the differences minor.
Bottom line there is a difference, but it's minor. But some rascals proganda this to explain away faults to the unknowing buyer.

[Nancy Estes]

Orville - I wish!! Re American conformation judges. My opinion only, and biased as I have a dog out being shown, but there are MANY mediocre dogs winning in AKC conformation, in the classes and as specials. But I do agree that the standards have such minor variations that American, German, etc., etc., Rottweilers should not look that different. There are many imported Rottweilers in the U.S. that are leggy, not filled out (and are not young dogs), with unattractive heads, and on and on and on. These are traits that many like to attribute to American Rottweilers only. Okay, I guess they ARE American since they now live in the U.S. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo@hotbot.com

[Orville Story]

Nancy, In comparing American vs European, I was mainly alluding to AKC Champions vs European Siegers. These are the dogs that get the breedings. All countrys have dogs that fall short of their blood lines.
You are right on, many dogs winning that are mediocre in AKC, but they often have the strong point that the judge of that day looks for. That is my point, say if a judge likes straight fronts then if the rottie with the straightest front shows well with the right handler he wins reguardless of the rest of the dog.

[Maggie]

I agree with all the comments given and would agree that there should and is only one correct standard,however there are many variations in breed type. When judging I look for a dog who I would call International type,meaning he is going to look correct no matter what country he's in. Bearkat I believe the kind of matings you did were outcrosses,using German dogs over American bred bitches,which is extremely useful for injecting a bigger gene pool,but unfortunately you can also produce the classic mis-match,which isnt a pretty site and your left wondering what happened. I personally like outcrossing but you must stick to type and have type behind you as well,outcrossing retains all those wonderful drives. I agree the all breeds system of judging is truly only beauty showing and who handles the best,which is not for me, I look for a dog who says Im a rottweiler,who displays true Rottweiler character and who best fits the standard,I love a dog with attitude and energy and will forgive faults,as where is the perfect dog,its the overall package,anyway thats my personal opinion.

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand

[Baren]

I agree with your opinion Maggie.

[German Vanegas]

So do I Maggie. But I better stop my comments right here...

[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited March 23, 1999).]