)LJ &DOP&RQÀGHQW
)LJ 4XLHW6HOIDVVXUHG
2: Power Power is a trait the Rottweiler must possess both in appearance and action. Th e word “powerful” is used in the Stan- dard several times to describe the overall impression of the Rottweiler and its func- tional abilities that demonstrate the form we know today. Power and strength are not necessarily the same thing. Strength can represent brute force while some see power as utilizing that strength in bursts or sustained activities that are impres- sive to the eye and awe-inspiring to the audience. To represent this powerful impression, Figure 2 shows a Rottweiler dock diving and demonstrates the type of explosive power the dog should be able to generate. Th e “form” described elsewhere in the Standard for the structure of the dog, must and will result in a dog with the power represented here. &DOP&RQÀGHQW To balance the strength and power of the Rottweiler the breed must also be calm and confident. What good in the service of mankind is a dog that is pow- erful and strong, if that cannot be chan- neled into a useable form, a form with which we can live peacefully in modern society? Th e Rottweiler’s calm, confident attitude must be on display and in equal proportion to the power and strength this breed possesses. Th e calm and con- fident nature of the dog is a job in itself and the responsibility of the breeder and owner to help instill through train- ing and socialization. From a young age these strong and powerful dogs must be
package described in the Standard? All one needs to do is witness the Breed in action to understand what functions create the form we desire! 1: Strength Th e Rottweiler Breed Standard goes into great detail using descriptive language of the dogs’ overall appearance, attitude, temperament, and function. One word repeated numerous times in the Stan- dard is “strength”. Th e impression you get when seeing a Rottweiler built for correct function will make you think, “ Th at is a strong dog!” Th e breed can even excel at weight pulling (over 2000 pounds as pic- tured in Figure 1) given the proper train- ing and motivation. Strength means the physical attributes and correct structure so that the dog can function, whatever task it is given... completing the task with- out hesitation. A dog that is too slight or too bulky in appearance certainly doesn’t give the impression of “strength” which has a great deal of emphasis in the breed Standard description.
reared first by their mother and siblings, then the breeder, in an environment of exposure to a great number of stimuli and settings. Th e Rottweiler is an inher- ently calm dog, not one prone to erratic behavior or sudden unneeded action. Growing up in a family setting with family members knowing how to care for and train these young animals provides the balance for the strength and power they inherently possess. 4XLHW6HOI$VVXUHG Quiet and self-assured? Absolutely. A quiet dog that is sure of itself makes for a great working dog and family mem- ber. Th e Breed Standard specifically describes a “quiet, self-assured” dog as being a defining trait of the Rottweiler. A dog that barks incessantly can be annoy- ing. A dog the size of the Rottweiler that barks incessantly is intolerable. A Rott- weiler with self-assurance has no need to be overly noisy or to make itself known. Th ere is a time and place to bark, and a proper Rottweiler knows when that is. Th e dog must be tolerant of other ani- mals and people in the many settings a Rottweiler will find itself during its life. Whether interacting with other dogs, working in a nursing home as a therapy animal, or just meeting new friends at home requires a dog that is tolerant of others “visiting” them. 5. Intelligent Intelligent? Without a doubt! Th e Rott- weiler Standard specifically mentions a dog of great intelligence. Considering its history
Fig. 5: Intelligent
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2014 • 231
Powered by FlippingBook