The ideal Rottweiler is a medium large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. He is a loyal and wonderful companion, but requires time and training. The Rottweiler is a powerful dog, basically calm, confident, and courageous with a self-assured aloofness, with an inherent desire to protect home and family.

The Rottweiler has a compact and substantial build, and a strong will to work. He has a powerful, well muscled, moderately long and slightly arched neck, without loose skin, denoting great strength, agility and endurance. His bone and muscle mass must be sufficient to balance his frame, giving a compact and very powerful appearance.

The outer coat is straight, coarse, dense, of medium length and lying flat. The Rottweiler does have an undercoat, it should be present on neck and thighs, but the amount is influenced by climatic conditions and should not show through outer coat. Color is always black with rust to mahogany markings. From the Rottweiler Standard, "The markings should be located as follows: a spot over each eye; on cheeks; as a strip around each side of muzzle, but not on the bridge of the nose; on throat; triangular mark on both sides of prosternum;on forelegs from carpus downward to the toes; on inside of rear legs showing down the front of the stifle and broadening out to front of rear legs from hock to toes, but not completely eliminating black from rear of pasterns; un-der tail; black penciling on toes."

The Rottweiler is a trotter, his movement should be balanced, harmonious, sure, powerful and unhindered, with strong forereach and a powerful rear drive. The motion is effortless, efficient, and ground-covering. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability.

To learn more about this calm, confident and courageous dog, please visit the American Rottweiler Club.