'The Rottweiler is a bold guardian and an intelligent, steady friend.  But he is rather aloof, owing to his history as a hardworking drover and guardian.  With his owner, though, he aims to accompany and guard with all his heart.  He loves exercise and will thrill to the challenges of any outdoor sports that include dog and owner.

Group: Working
Height: 22 to 27 inches
Coat: Straight, coarse, dense, of medium length and lying flat
Color: Black with rust to mahogany markings

The ideal Rottweiler is a medium-large, robust and powerful dog, black with clearly defined rust markings. His compact and substantial build denotes great strength, agility and endurance. Males are characteristically more massive throughout with larger frame and heavier bone than females. Females are distinctly feminine, but without weakness of substance or structure. 

The Rottweiler makes a loyal and wonderful companion, but requires time and training. The Rottweiler is a basically calm, confident, and courageous dog with a self-assured aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. A Rottweiler is self-confident and responds quietly and with a wait-and-see attitude to influences in his environment.. He is a powerful dog with an inherent desire to protect home and family and is an intelligent dog of extreme hardness and adaptability with a strong willingness to work, making him especially suited as a companion, guardian and general all-purpose dog.  The Rottweiler's strong will to work make him an especially good companion dog.