Greater Swiss Rottweiler

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a large, powerful breed built for strength and endurance in mountainous terrain. Males typically stand between 25.5 and 28.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 115 and 140 pounds, while females measure 23.5 to 27 inches and weigh 85 to 110 pounds. The breed displays a robust, muscular frame with heavy bone structure that reflects its heritage as a draft and drover dog capable of pulling loads up to three thousand pounds. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, maintaining a ratio of approximately ten to nine. The chest is broad and deep, extending at least to the elbows, and the well-developed hindquarters provide the power necessary for pulling heavy loads across difficult terrain. The head is broad and flat with a gentle stop, featuring expressive almond-shaped eyes that are typically dark brown and convey a warm, intelligent expression. The coat of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a distinguishing feature of the breed, perfectly adapted for the cold Alpine climate where these dogs originated. It consists of a dense double coat with a thick outer layer measuring up to two inches in length and a substantial undercoat that provides insulation against cold temperatures. The breed displays a striking tricolor pattern consisting of a jet black base coat with symmetrical rust and white markings. The rust coloring appears over each eye, on the cheeks, on each side of the chest, on all four legs, and under the tail. White markings typically form a blaze on the face, run down the chest to form an inverted cross, and appear on the feet and tail tip. Additional physical characteristics include triangular-shaped ears that are set high and hang close to the head, lying flat against the cheeks. The neck is strong and of moderate length, blending smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders. The thick tail hangs down when relaxed but may be carried higher when the dog is alert or in motion, though it should never curl over the back. The overall appearance should convey strength, agility, and confidence without appearing clumsy or overly heavy. The breed moves with a balanced, ground-covering gait that demonstrates both power and efficiency.

The Rottweiler is a medium-large to large breed that presents a powerful, compact, and substantial appearance built for strength and endurance in demanding work. Males typically stand between 24 and 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 95 and 135 pounds, while females measure 22 to 25 inches and weigh 80 to 100 pounds. The breed displays a robust, muscular frame with a body that is slightly longer than it is tall, giving them a rectangular outline when viewed from the side. The chest is broad and deep, reaching to the elbow, with well-sprung ribs that provide ample room for heart and lungs. The back is straight and strong, leading to powerful, well-muscled hindquarters that provide impressive driving power. The breed's substantial bone structure supports its considerable muscle mass. The head of the Rottweiler is medium length with a broad skull between the ears and a well-developed occipital bone. The forehead may appear slightly arched when viewed from the side, and the cheeks are well-muscled without being overly prominent. The muzzle is relatively short and strong, with the bridge of the nose being straight and broad. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and dark brown in color, conveying an alert, intelligent, and confident expression. The ears are triangular, medium-sized, and pendant, set high and wide apart on the skull, lying flat against the head and falling forward to frame the face when the dog is relaxed. The coat consists of a short to medium-length outer coat that is coarse, dense, and flat, along with an undercoat that should be present on the neck and thighs but should not show through the outer coat. The color is always black with clearly defined rust to mahogany markings located over each eye, on the cheeks, as a strip around each side of the muzzle, on the throat, in triangular patches on either side of the chest, on the forelegs from carpus to toes, on the inside of the rear legs, and beneath the tail. The tail was traditionally docked close to the body, though this practice has been banned in many countries and natural tails are now commonly seen.