The Rottweiler is a unique dog breed that originated in Germany. Known as “Rottie”, this dog has a strong protective spirit. This breed is very common in America. Learning how to identify a purebred or mixed Rottweiler can be a fun experience. To the untrained eye, several dog breeds may appear similar. However, with enough practice, one can distinguish a purebred rottweiler from other dogs.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Recognizing Dogs Based on Their Physical and Personality Traits
Step 1. Pay attention to the dog's conformation
The conformation in question is the dog's physical form. The Rottweiler has a rather rigid shape due to its broad chest, long back, and thick legs. Typically, these dogs are about 0.6 to 0.8 meters tall, although some are taller than that. Rottweiler dogs are very strong, muscular, and have a look that looks both stocky and agile.
- These dogs have large, heavy paws with high knuckles and are often well-legged.
- The legs of the rottweiler are straight, not curved outward. These dogs also usually stand with their shoulders parallel to or even higher than their hind legs.
- The rottweiler's neck is thick and almost the same diameter as the head
- This dog's tail usually appears stiff (short cut), but this is not an absolute trait. In other words, a long tail does not necessarily indicate that a rottweiler is not a purebred.
Step 2. Pay attention to the head
The head of the rottweiler is square and about the same height as it is wide, and slightly longer from the nose to the back of the head. Rottweilers have a slight wrinkling effect around the eyes, but this sign is not as obvious.
The Rottweiler's ears will always be folded down and triangular in shape, similar in shape to the Labrador Retriever, but smaller. Nor will its ears stand up straight like a German Shepherd or hang down like a Basset Hound
Step 3. Pay attention to the strength of the jaw
It is important to note that the Rottweiler is known as the second strongest bite of the dog breeds, only losing out to the pitbull when measured in pounds per square inch. This is due to the large and stocky jaws, and the wide head shape that can accommodate the large muscles needed to produce maximum strength.
Rottweiler dogs do not have fangs at the bottom of the mouth like the English Bulldog
Step 4. Recognize variations in individual dogs
Not all rottweilers have the exact same build, some may be stockier, longer, taller, more direct, or have differences than dogs of the same breed. Remember, although dog breeds have their own characteristics, there are still small variations in each dog based on their environment even though they come from the same breed.
In addition, it is important to note that, like humans, some Rottweilers are so obese that their bodies appear rounded rather than stocky. This does not mean that the dog is not part of the Rottweiler breed, but simply that it is overfed
Step 5. Pay attention to the general personality traits of the Rottweiler
Rottweiler dogs were originally bred as protectors and guards. This means they are dominant, even aggressive in some situations. Rottweilers are very smart and active and enjoy playing and completing various tasks.
- Rottweilers can be gentle and loving, but they need lots of training and guidance from an early age.
- Without proper training as a child, the rottweiler can become an aggressive pet who likes to bark and chew on furniture in the house or make holes in the yard.
Method 2 of 3: Paying Attention to the Right Color Traits
Step 1. Pay attention to the color
All Rottweilers have a black base coat on their body with a brownish tinge to the chest, legs, and face. The brown color varies greatly, from dark mahogany to reddish brown or "rust" colors. However, the black color will be clearly visible, not looking like gray or merle (mixed colors). Brown color usually appears on the tread area, the inside of the legs, chest, neck and muzzle, as well as the two points above the eyes.
- This pattern is so unique that it is called the "rottweiler coloration" even though it is found in other dog breeds.
- The only other dog breed that has a naturally similar pattern is the Doberman Pinscher, both of which are from Germany. However, Doberman Pinscher dogs are slimmer, longer and taller because they were bred as runners, not for fighting or intimidation.
- The Australian Kelpie has similar characteristics, but, like the Doberman Pinscher, it is longer and more athletic, making it appear more agile on the move.
Step 2. Pay attention to variations in the dog's pattern
The size and shape of these patterns vary greatly in each dog. For example, some dogs have a brown pattern with an inverted forkbone on their chest, while others have a butterfly pattern, two separate dots on each pectoral (pectoral muscle), or an abstract pattern. The most important thing to remember is the overall position of the pattern.
- Some dogs may also have a white streak. This is considered to be out of breed standards, but in fact there are some purebred Rottweilers that have white markings on the chest, between the shoulders, on the face, and on the soles of the feet.
- Sometimes, older dogs may also have white streaks in the area. In this case, the white color is not considered a disability, but simply an effect of aging. However, the white markings on older Rottweilers usually appear paler than bright whites.
Step 3. Acknowledge the existence of rare color hues
In rare circumstances, Rottweilers can also be born albino, completely red-skinned, or "bluish" in color. This is considered a racial handicap, but is unpredictable. Albino rottweiler dogs have white fur with pink skin and red eyes, but their physical characteristics are generally the same as other rottweiler dogs. Keep in mind that this is due to a rare mutation. Red or blue Rottweilers are usually mixed breeds.
- Red Rottweilers have a body shape according to breed standards, except that their fur is brown or red, not black and red.
- A Rottweiler is considered "blue" when its top coat is a lighter shade than its undercoat, resulting in a bleaching effect that fades the entire colour.
Method 3 of 3: Identifying Mixed Rottweilers
Step 1. Look for the characteristics of a rottweiler dog
Just because a dog has the distinctive color of a rottweiler and is well built, doesn't mean the dog is a rottweiler. Other dog breeds, such as the British Mastiff, American Mastiff, Bullmastiff, or Pit Bull sometimes appear to be rottweilers, and produce offspring similar to those of purebred rottweilers. Mixed breeds usually have a body shape or color similar to that of a Rottweiler, but not both.
The combination of a mastiff with a rottweiler often results in dogs with cheeks or wattles that hang under the chin when their mouths are closed. This dog also has excess skin and wrinkles around the face and head area
Step 2. Pay attention to the dog's fur
Mixed breed dogs often have longer coats than pure Rottweilers. Other blends will also produce longer coats than purebreds; One of the most common breed combinations is the Rottweiler with the German Shepherd. This mix sometimes produces dogs of the color and size of a rottweiler, but with the coat and tail of a German Shepherd.
A skinny dog with a long, thin snout and the color of a rottweiler usually comes from a Labrador Retriever or Doberman Pinscher mix
Step 3. Notice how it stands
Because of their athletic build and strong bite, Rottweilers are often bred with Pit Bulls to produce fighting dogs. These crossbreeds usually appear smaller than a purebred Rottweiler, and have wider legs, like a bulldog.
In addition, a rottweiler with a curved tail can certainly be the result of mating with another dog breed
Step 4. Get to know mixed breeds through good documentation
To make sure you're buying a purebred Rottweiler and not a mixed-breed dog, try searching for dog breeding registration documents. Most purebred dogs have documents certifying their authenticity when transferred from breeder to new owner.
The document is most likely from the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC), the two largest purebred dog registration organizations in the United States
Step 5. Do a DNA test
There are many companies that sell dog-specific DNA test kits. Purchase the kit and follow the instructions to sample the dog's DNA. After that, you can send a sample to the company to find out if your dog is a purebred or mixed breed.
