And Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, The HEAD!

Now, we are going to break down the various elements of what a Rottweiler’s head is supposed to look like. Are you ready? Oh, before I forget, the two pictures on this post are there to show you what a Rottweiler head is supposed to look like. Pics are of Doc von der Teufelsbrucke and Norris von Gruntenblick. Please let me know if you think their muzzles are too long. (joke)

Head

‘Of medium length, broad between the ears; forehead line seen in profile is moderately arched; zygomatic arch and stop well developed with strong broad upper and lower jaws. The desired ratio of backskull to muzzle is 3 to 2. Forehead is preferred dry, however some wrinkling may occur when dog is alert.’

First, let’s define what a damn zygomatic arch is: a cheeckbone.

Alright, now to define the stop: The point between the eyes where the muzzle ends and the forehead starts.

And, the backskull: basically, the top of the dog’s head.

So, the length of the top of the dog’s head should be a bit longer than the length of the muzzle, like a 3 to 2 ratio. We’re not talking about a bulldog’s ratio, which is probably 3 to 1. Hopefully, this should end any discussion about wanting a Rottweiler with a ’short muzzle’. Get a bulldog.

‘Expression is noble, alert, and self-assured.’

‘Eyes of medium size, almond shaped with well fitting lids, moderately deep-set, neither protruding nor receding. The desired color is a uniform dark brown.’

The above two points are pretty easy to understand.

‘Serious Faults–Yellow (bird of prey) eyes, eyes of different color or size, hairless eye rim.’

‘Disqualification–Entropion. Ectropion.’

Entropian is defined as a condition where the eyelids fold inward.

Ectropian is defined as a condition where the lower eyelids turn outwards.

‘Ears of medium size, pendant, triangular in shape; when carried alertly the ears are level with the top of the skull and appear to broaden it. Ears are to be set well apart, hanging forward with the inner edge lying tightly against the head and terminating at approximately mid-cheek.’

‘Serious Faults–Improper carriage (creased, folded or held away from cheek/head).’

‘Muzzle–Bridge is straight, broad at base with slight tapering towards tip. The end of the muzzle is broad with well developed chin. Nose is broad rather than round and always black. Lips-Always black; corners closed; inner mouth pigment is preferred dark.’

Same as the description of the head. You don’t want a Doberman muzzle and you don’t want Spike the Bulldog, either.

‘Serious Faults–Total lack of mouth pigment (pink mouth).’

‘Bite and Dentition–Teeth 42 in number (20 upper, 22 lower), strong, correctly placed, meeting in a scissors bite–lower incisors touching inside of upper incisors.’

‘Serious Faults–Level bite; any missing tooth.’

‘Disqualifications–Overshot, undershot (when incisors do not touch or mesh); wry mouth; two or more missing teeth.’

A level bite is where the front teeth of the upper and lower jaws meet exactly edge to edge.

A wry mouth is when one side of the jaw grows more than the other.

Bob’s Summary: Before you go and euthanize your dog for not possessing the perfect headpiece, let me remind you that it is extremely rare for a single dog to have all of these points intact. Even the best of show dogs have some departure, even if slight, from this standard. Again, it is a standard and as such is the ideal from which breeders and fanciers can gauge the correctness of their individual dog. Remember, there is no such thing as the perfect dog. You just need to know what the Rottweiler should look like, so you don’t go around telling people their Black and Tan Coonhound is a good lookin’ Rottie, or ask ‘what is that’ when you actually see a Rottweiler. And stop with the requests for ’short muzzled Rottweilers’!

Best,

Bob

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