Farah v t Elitehof photographed in the Netherlands
Where do our dogs come from?
It is taken for granted that the household dog must have evolved
from the Wolf. Most scientists are now of the opinion that the
ancestor of the dog is the Wolf.
Some research scientists, however, also believe that certain dog races have as
an ancestor a very close relative of the Wolf, the Golden Jackal, which in appearance
and behaviour is very similar to the Wolf and anatomically does not vary much
from the household dog of today. However, zoologists argue that the Jackal can
not bark and for that reason alone they are out of the question as a domestic
dog ancestor. The dog with it’s manifold breeds has inherited the decisive
characteristics and manner from his ancestor the Wolf.
Research into the Origin of the Rottweiler.
It must be remembered that the real ancestry of the Rottweiler
is based on statements which can not be substantiated with valid
scientific findings, however, the theories about the origin of
the Rottweiler are varied and numerous.
According to Strebel the Rottweiler and the German Shepherd dog belong to those
sheep dogs, which have a history of evolution going back to the dimmest ancient
times. The ancient Romans recognised three distinct types of sheep dogs, comparable
to today’s modern breeds.
The Molossers, to which, among others are related to the Russian Shepherd Dog,
the Hungarian Komondor and the Pyrenean dogs.
The Bristle Haired Drovers Dog, including the Istrian Sheep Dog, the Appenzeller
, the Entlebuchian and the Rottweiler
The Bristle Hair & Wolf Like Shepherd Dog, which is represented by the German,
the French and the Dutch Shepherd Dogs as well as the Collie. This would mean
that all of the drover dogs would have to be traced back to the old bristle haired
dogs used as cattle herders in the time when the Roman Legions were pushing North & West.
Dr Ferd Brunner of Vienna believes that the cattle herder dogs and the Pastoral
dogs are very much related to the sheep dogs and are as well descendants of the
old farm dogs that were prevalent practically across all of Europe. Rudolf Lons
, author of "The German Shepherd Dogs of the Present Times" is also
of the same opinion.
It was interesting to note in Lons’ book that he describes the tail of
the Rottweiler as "a span long stump or bushy of medium
length, hanging down and bent upward".
The Rottweiler has remained a generally known dog breed and is the only type
of butchers dog which developed into an unchanged race or was preserved as such.
BREED Characteristics and Standard
The theories put forward by Darwin "On the Origin of Species" and
the "Laws of Genetics" by Gregor Mendel bought about
a stormy development in the world of cynophilia.
At the foundation meeting of the IFR on May 16th 1969, Dr E.H. Schmidt explained
the term Standard as follows; The standard is our most important concept, but
unfortunately our most misinterpreted when considered only superficially. A standard
is the ideal, normal or master definition of a pedigree dog that is in a way
the preferred essence of the breed’s characteristics.
In his book "The German Dogs" Vol.II Richard Strebel describes the
Rottweiler Tail (very frequently a stumpy tail is inborn) as set high, starting
as an extension of the topline in a horizontal direction and then bends upwards
in sabre fashion, the hair underneath slightly lengthier.
The DRK (Deutcher Rottweiler Club) was founded on 13th January
1907 and in it’s first standard it states The Stumpy Tail
(very frequently inborn) short and set high, extends the topline
in horizontal direction.
In Sports News #29 , dated 19 April 1907 Herman Fehn said that he was the Rottweiler
Judge for the first "Beautiful" exhibition of Dogs in Stuttgart, where
there were three Rottweilers entered. These dogs were 70 - 75 cm tall and they
did not have stumpy tails but instead the tail was long and carried almost evenly
horizontally stretched.
The first Standard issued by the South German Rottweiler Club states , The Tail
(very frequently a stumpy tail is inborn) set high, extends the topline in horizontal
direction , will be docked.
The International Rottweiler Club was founded on April 26th 1907 and in it’s
standard of 1913 describes the tail as such; following the same straight line
as the topline, it must not be too thin, but neither too clumsy, always docked
to a short stump. Very often stumpy tails are inborn and very desirable.
The IRK and DRK tried to unite in 1913, but those efforts failed and the idea
was raised again in 1920. The foundation meeting of the ADRK was held on 14th
August 1921. The first standard of the ADRK of 1921 describes the tail as; The
Tail (stump tail) is carried horizontally as much as possible . It is short,
it is set high extends the top-line in horizontal direction. Often a stumpy tail
is inborn, if too long it has to be docked.
The standards described above show that the standard given for the Rottweiler
tail as we have seen of recent times is not new, and in actual fact the "set
on" of the tail has been described for us by our German forefathers since
as early as 1907, some 95 years ago!
Judging the Rottweiler tail is not a new science,many breeds
of dogs that we see each and every day have tails similar to what
is required of a Rottweiler. It must be remembered that this discussion
has only come about because many Judges are unsure of how the tail
should be carried and how it should look. We can see at a glance
by the standards that this is NOT a Terrier tail, set high and
carried upright or gaily but more in line with many of the Gundog
breeds that state that the tail flows from the topline and carried
not high over the back. Look at the Labrador tails to see good
shape and size and the Labrador and Golden Retriever tails to see
carriage.
One must remember the origins of this dog to understand his Character. Once we
have an understanding of his Character then we can better understand the tail
carriage of the Rottweiler.
During the time when the Rottweiler was a drover’s dog and later when he
was used to pull the butchers carts, he was a rough looking character. He was
a dog, not a show off but self assured and ready to take on the tasks set before
him. Today, the aim is to provide a Rottweiler with a beautiful, noble and pleasant
appearance and to keep the nobility constant. The duties of the present day dog
is that of a Service, Utility and Family Dog. Agility, endurance, strength and
a well balanced nature are important characteristics that should be considered
when judging this breed.
Behavior & Temperament of the Rottweiler.
The current ANKC breed standard calls for; Behavior / Temperament
Good natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children,
very devoted, obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance
is natural and rustic, his behavior self assured, steady and fearless.
He reacts to his surroundings with great alertness.
The above description calls for a dog that is self assured and fearless, this
is a dog that will react to his surroundings with his tail held high when extremely
alert, but as can be seen from what has been required of the standard since 1907,
the tail should not curl over and down onto the back. From the drawing below
you can see that the forehead is moderately wrinkled, showing that this dog is
alert and his tail is slightly raised, showing his self assuredness. If he was
confronted by another male Rottweiler or Aggressor, we could expect the tail
to raise higher again as per the following photos , but not curl over the back.
The photo above is of the German Klubseiger 2002 Eddy v Hammerbachtal.
| If he was confronted by another male Rottweiler
or Aggressor, we could expect the tail to raise higher again
as per the photo right. This bitch placed V3 in a Bitch Working
Class in Germany in 2002. |
|
A Rottweiler under control in the show ring, without experiencing
any outside stimuli or aggression from other exhibits would stand
calmly in the show ring with the tail hanging down , slightly raised
towards the tip, as shown in the diagram above , but not curled.
This same tail will raise as the dog begins to move around the ring
and with stimuli such as the excitement of being shown , cheering
or clapping from outside the ring or perhaps upon hearing a grumble
from another exhibit this same tail may raise above the top line
but should not curl over and drop down to the side of the dog.
A high set tail that does not follow as an extension of the top
line will possibly curl over when excited but must not touch the
top of the dogs back or fall below the topline to the side of the
dog. This type of tail is also considered correct. See diagram below
The diagram below shows the tail as a major fault , this is a kink
tail , carried over the back and falling to the side of the dog.
This tail is NOT what has been called for since 1907 , this tail
is not carried horizontally as an extension of the top-line
When judging the tail one must consider if the dog is under stress,
if he is excited or if he is relaxed before considering how it is
carried. Consideration must also be given to the projection of the
tail, the length, the thickness & the fur (colour and furnishing).
When considering the short tails in a class we must ask of ourselves
, would this tail fall as described above if it were a full length
tail? , only then can both lengths of tails be judged evenly in
the same class. Rottweiler exhibitors have been used to this comparison
at Specialty Shows in Australia since 1999.
There are various aspects to Canine behaviour which occur separately
or together in a combination. These components will tell the handler
or judge everything he requires to ascertain the animal’s
demeanour and what it means in any given situation. This is particularly
important during judging. If you misread the dogs physical signs
you may unknowingly, incorrectly judge his tail set and other aspects
of the Rottweiler.
- The first of these components is the dog's eyesight. It is
a common belief that the dog has poor and limited vision. On
the contrary, although they may see differently than you or
I, tests have shown that dogs can in fact focus very clearly
on objects in excess of over one hundred meters.
- The second component is the animal's keen sense of smell. The
size of the olfactory system on a human being is approximately
one inch in area as compared to that of a dog which can be close
to one yard in area. The dog also has a powerful ability to
store and recall scents from memory
- The sense of hearing is the next aspect of behaviour language
we must be aware of. The dog can utilise his ears like a directional
antennae system. He focuses towards the sound with each ear
and has the ability to sense, localise, and discriminate sound
with extreme accuracy. The hearing capabilities of a dog are
much greater than the capacity of human hearing.
- The next component of communication is the dog's use of barks,
whines, yelps and growls. The position of his jowls, and stances
which he assumes when voicing all combine to indicate some form
of instinctive message.
- Physical posture also plays an important role in reading the
animal. A submissive animal will cower, ears back , tail between
its legs. A dominant dog will hold his tail high sometimes above
his topline and carry his ears forward and erect. His hackles
may go up and the forehead may furrow when he is being dominant.
The animals tail, when held high above his topline, shows complete
domination. When it is held half way out from the body this is
a ready signal. A tail which is held down is showing a non aggressive
or relaxed state, whereas the tail which is held down between
the legs expresses fear or anxiety.
Below are more "tails" seen at the 2002 Klubseiger show
in Germany. At this stage tail set is more important than the furnishings.
I hope that you have enjoyed this insight on "Rottweiler
Tails" and I am sure there will be many more discussions on
judging the tail. However, this discussion is to guide you on what
I perceive is required by the ADRK Germany , which is the FCI standard
that we follow.
I sincerely believe that it is the democratic right for individuals
to choose if they wish to have a dog with or with out a tail and
the above discussion paper in not intended in any way to campaign
for dogs with tails or without , but to assist you in Judging tailed
dogs with non tailed dogs and considering them evenly.
References;
Der unverstandene Hund - Ferd Brunner
Der Deutschen Schaferhunde der Gegenwart - Rudolf Lons
Die Deutchen Hunde und ihre Abstammung - Richard Strebel
Dog Training for Law Enforcement RS Eden
Know your Rottweiler - Dick Chardet
Our Friend the Rottweiler - Yrjola & Tikka
Rottweiler , Adolf Pienkoss
Sports News #29 , Herman Fehn
The German Dogs Vol.II , Richard Strebell
50 Years Rottweiler Club _ADRK (Powderhorn Press)
Paul Fleige
Anton Spindler
This article was researched and written in 2002 in response to
a call from Western Australian Rottweiler owners who wanted an article
for their magazine.
Ramona Crni Lotos (Denmark)
......................................................................................................................................................................
 
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