Rottweiler

It is thought that the Roman army, marching north on their campaigns, took cattle with them to provide meat and so their herding dogs accompanied them. As the herd diminished, the dogs became redundant and were often left behind. The town of Rottweil in Southwest Germany was for centuries a livestock market and the breed was developed there by cattle dealers and farmers who wanted a strong drovers' dog, which could also act as a guard dog against robbers. The mastiff-type dogs inherited from the Romans, mixed with some sheepdog blood, lead to the creation of the Rottweiler. The Rottweiler proved excellent in both disciplines, combining the athletic movement and stamina of a drovers’ dog with a courageous temperament.

Farmers on their way home from market, fearful of having their money bags stolen, attached them to a collar around the dog's neck – a very safe place as the Rottweiler is territorial and protective of his owner and his property.

Sadly, the breed has often suffered from bad press: the Rottweiler became very popular, often with those seeking a macho image. The breed needs responsible and intelligent owners who can harness the Rottweiler’s intelligence and activity. A well-trained Rottweiler makes a wonderful family companion.

In modern times the Rottweiler has been used by the armed forces and by the police.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Working breed group

Over the centuries these dogs were selectively bred to become guards and search and rescue dogs. Arguably, the working group consists of some of the most heroic canines in the world, aiding humans in many walks of life, including the Boxer, Great Dane and St. Bernard. This group consists of the real specialists in their field who excel in their line of work.

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black & Tan

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed standard colours

Non-breed standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a Rottweiler puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. That's why we've teamed up with Weatherbys Scientific, a leading DNA testing lab, to create our breed specific packages.

To support your health testing journey, we provide our tailored Rottweiler Breed-Specific Package. Giving you the information you need about potential health risks, this package includes Juvenile laryngeal paralysis & polyneuropathy (JLPP), Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP-2), DNA Profile (SNP - ISAG 2020).

3 essential tests valued at £175 for just £150, that screen for multiple conditions at once, saving you time and providing vital health information.

More about health

We advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
Elbow dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS) - Find results for the pre 2020 MRD open register. This only lists dogs that were diagnosed as 'affected by MRD'. MRD results published after 31 Dec 2019 can be found in their Health Test Results Finder entry

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Bitches not to produce a litter under 2 years of age
Bitches not to produce more than one litter within a 12-month period
Check inbreeding calculators

Other health schemes and tests available

DNA test – JLPP - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs
DNA test - LEMP-2 - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs)

*The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

JLPP (Juvenile laryngeal paralysis & Polyneuropathy)
Leukoencephalomyelopathy (LEMP-2)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Health (The Kennel Club)

Breed watch

Category 2

Particular points of concern for individual breeds may include features not specifically highlighted in the breed standard including current issues. In some breeds, features may be listed which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future.