How to Tell if You Have an American Rottweiler or German Rottweiler

Differentiate Between an American Rottweiler and A German Rottweiler

Rottweilers are a popular breed and quite distinctive even for those who are not dog aficionados. Their robust build and trademark appearance sets them apart from the other dogs with the same coloring. But, did you know that there are American Rottweilers and German Rottweilers? For most of the world, Rotties are one and the same breed but there are actually two kinds of Rottweilers. The differences are actually not so discernible to the untrained eye and some of the differences are not in the appearance of the dogs at all but in their temperament or their personalities.

German Origins

Before anything else, let us have a look at the origins of the Rottweiler. These strong and noble dogs originated from Germany as products of interbreeding of local German dogs and dogs that the Romans brought with them to watch their cattle. The Roman drover dogs were described as mastiff-like dogs that were intelligent and protective of their cattle charges. Eventually, the Romans left that part of Germany but some of their drover dogs got left behind and mated with the local dogs. The result is a sturdy dog that was used by the local butchers in the town of Rottweil as guard dogs.

As time passed, the popularity and the use of the butcher’s guard dog faded and the breed was actually in danger of losing its singularity. World War I came about and the interest in the breed was revived due to their protective nature, intelligence and strength. After the war, some of the dogs were brought out of Germany, specifically to the United States. Due to the limited dogs in the United States, care was taken in breeding them and maintaining the standards. At the same time, Rottweiler fanciers in Germany redefined their standards for the remaining Rottweiler dogs.

So, it is safe to say that all Rottweilers are from German stock. The actual defining point between a German Rottweiler and an American one is where the dogs are born. In Germany, the ADRK (Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub) is the kennel club that defines the standards of the breed nationwide. They are very strict when it comes to which dogs can be bred and whether the puppies that they produce shall be registered with the kennel club. Suffice to say that this particular kennel club is serious in maintaining the standard of the Rottweiler. Before the puppies are registered, they have to pass a test that will check their physical and mental attributes. Having parents that have passed the test, does not mean that the puppies will pass. The puppies will be judged on their own attributes and merits. Once the puppies pass, they will be registered with the ADRK and may be deemed suitable to breed with other Rotties that have also passed and are registered with the club.

On the other hand, the AKC has a very similar set of standards for their Rottweilers but the kennel club is not very discriminate when it comes to which dogs can be bred and which puppies can be registered. Herein lies the difference between the two. While the German club micromanages the selection process of the dogs, the American one is not as discriminate. As long as the American sire and the dam are registered with the club, their puppies can be registered. In some cases, breeders do not even need to bring their dogs in to be inspected by the club, registration can be done through mail.

Actual Differences

If you are still interested in the slight differences between the two, you should know that two differences lie in the height and weight of the dog. The AKC accepts Rotties which are just a few centimeters shorter than the standards written in the ADRK. The same goes for the weight standard for American registered Rottweilers; it is slightly less than those of the ADRK and even the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale). So, you should not be surprised to see Rotties which are a bit small or less bulky compared to those that you might see in movies or advertising. This may be the reason why some people prefer the so called German Rottweiler; because they appear bulkier and stronger.

Another difference is tail docking. Most, if not all Rottweilers in Germany which are registered with the ADRK, are not docked. The AKC is not as discriminate when it comes to docking even though a lot of breeders have left the practice behind. Docking is the practice of purposely removing most of the animal’s tail. This is done by surgically cutting off the tail of the puppies or applying a band on a specific area to discontinue blood flow which results in the tail eventually falling off. Many dog breeds feature docked tails and the length is often specified in some breed standards. Expect to see more Rotties with docked tails in America than in Germany. This does not mean that German breeders cannot dock the tails of their puppies if they want to.

Another aspect that may be different between dogs born in Germany and in the United States is their mental attributes. In Germany, dogs registered with ADRK are usually bred for working purposes. This means that they need to be stable enough to work with people all the time. Being calm and intelligent are among the desirable attributes that their national kennel club want to maintain. Since the Rottweiler started out as a protective, herding dog that is comfortable in the company of people and other animals, German fanciers of the breed would like the Rottweiler to stay true to its origins. Many of the Rottweilers in this country work as companions for the disabled, in the police or security forces and some are companion dogs. In the United States, some Rotties are bred purely as companion dogs and the desire to maintain their original purpose may not matter as much.

This is not to say that there is no indiscriminate breeding of Rottweilers in Germany. Not all German breeders adhere to the breed standards set by the national kennel club and they do not even have to register their puppies with the ADRK to sell them. The same thing goes for Rotties born in the United States. Not all breeders are fanciers of the breed and a few prefer to make a quick buck by selling dogs indiscriminately.

To sum it up, the differences between the American and German Rottweiler is how the official kennel clubs of their birth countries have defined the breed standards. Now you know what to say if someone asks you if your Rottie is an American or German Rottweiler. In the long run, the Rottweiler is just as good as its owner and how it has been raised.

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