Muscular and powerful, these are easily among the many typical qualities of a Rottweiler. But did you know that this breed originated in two different countries? There’s one from Germany and another from the USA, and our German Rottweiler Vs American Rottweiler comparison explains which is which!
The biggest telltale sign that you’re looking at a German Rottie and not an American is the tail. Rottweilers that originated in Germany don’t have docked tails unlike their American counterparts. German Rottweilers also have a larger, broader head, and these canines cost slightly more than Rotties born in the USA.
If you are curious to learn more about these differences, our German Rottweiler Vs American Rottweiler side by side comparison will interest you. Check out these little-known facts about these doggos.
7. Country Of Origins
For the most part, the biggest difference between a German Rottweiler and an American Rottweiler is their country of origin. So, that is a clear sign of what type of Rottie you have.
American Rottweilers are born in the United States while German Rottweilers are from Germany. And based on their origin country, they follow standards set by each place of origin.
6. Breed Standard
The American Kennel Club or AKC sets strict standards when it comes to a Rottweiler’s appearance and temperament. For instance, tail docking is a must to ensure that the dog abides by the AKC’s breed standards.
On the other hand, the Allegemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub or ADRK does not allow this practice of tail docking. They also want Rottweilers to have a calm and mellow personality to adapt well with their human companions.
5. Appearance: Body Shape
German Rottweilers have a broader body. Their ribs are well-sprung and their chests are wider and more solid. They also have a leggy appearance.
American Rotties also have a pronounced forechest that also appears broad and deep. However, their bodies are more oval and less stocky than the German ones.
4. Appearance: Coat Colors
When it comes to coat colors, there are more varieties with American Rottweilers. They come in the same color combinations as German Rotties but with a few more color options including solid black, blue, and red.
With German Rottweilers, however, they are limited to black and tan, black and rust, as well as black and mahogany. These are the only colors recognized by the ADRK.
3. Price
A German Rottweiler puppy typically costs a lot more than those that originated from the United States. The average cost of a Rottie pup with a German origin is between $2,000 and $4,000. It may even be more expensive than that, depending on the dog’s bloodline.
American Rottweilers are a bit cheaper in price. You can expect reputable breeders to charge you about $1,500 per pup, although dogs from a puppy mill cost much cheaper at $850.
2. Appearance: Head Size
Because American Rottweilers have leaner bodies, their head is also significantly smaller than a German Rottweiler. They have a moderately-arched forehead, which is easy to see when you look at it from the side.
But German Rottweilers have broader and bigger heads. When viewed from the top, their heads are larger between the ears.
1. Appearance: Tail
As mentioned previously, the ADRK does not promote docking of tails while the AKC considered docked tails as a breed standard. With this in mind, German Rotties have moderately long tails in their natural state.
American Rottweilers have docked tails to comply with AKC breed standard. This is one of the most striking differences between these two dogs.
Related Questions
What Is The Best Rottweiler Bloodline? This is a subjective question, yet professional breeders place high regard on the Orlandos line. This line has been quite successful in producing the finest Rottweilers in the world.
Why Do They Cut The Tails Off Of Rottweilers? The practice of docking a Rottweiler’s tail has been around in history for functional purposes. It prevents tail injuries when the dog is engaged in intense physical activities. As Rotties were designed as fighting dogs in the past, tail docking naturally was perceived to minimize the canine’s weak points.
What Is The Heaviest Rottweiler On Record? The heaviest Rottweiler on record weighs over 130 lbs. Internet sensation, Blondie, is a male Rottweiler that weighs a whopping 195 lbs, making him the heaviest Rottweiler on record at this time of writing.
