Show Dog

The Importance Of Structure

     Just because a Rottweiler does not have any disqualifying faults--This does not make it a "show dog." Breeders selling every puppy for show, and/or not knowing correct structure--is a reason we see what we sometimes see in the ring today.  There are those who will worry about "more bone" or "large heads". I am not saying these are not important, but they do not solely make up a show dog. The question is, are Rottweilers loosing correct structure because of only stressing bone and head type in ones breeding program.
Pedigree evaluation plus-- correct temperament and health issues are another must, but for now I will dwell only on structure.
Important Issues in the Evaluation of Structure:

      Success in evaluating Rottweilers requires knowledge in two areas: Art and Science. Art: The dog with beauty of form, proportion, symmetry and style. Science: The dog with the best structure to efficiently fulfill the dog's purpose. A show quality Rottweiler should have both: Appeal and scientifically correct structure. One is not correct without the other

Some of the problems seen in the Show Ring today:

Steep shoulders, shoulders too far forward, poor toplines, straight in stifles, excessive rear angulation, poor croups, longer hocks, and incorrect neck length.
Some tips to remember:

     Dogs with short necks or short rib cages or both usually have steep shoulder blades and lack of fore chest. Also many times you will see a "roll" over the shoulder area. This is also evident if the shoulder blade is too far forward. The most powerful muscles of the neck activate the shoulder blades.

     Dogs with long necks often have long rib cages and well laid-back shoulder blades. Please do not confuse this with a neck that is too long or ewe necked.

     To measure layback: Measure from the top of the shoulder blade to the point of the shoulder.

     Well laid-back shoulder blades on a deep chest are considered best for dogs that move smoothly at a trot. Steep shoulder blades makes the dog either move with short choppy steps--in an up and down motion at the withers. A clue to steep shoulder blades is to watch the dog trot--the back at the withers will usually bounce up and down.

The amount of separation of the shoulder blades at the withers in an indicator of being "loaded in the shoulders." This can also cause the dog to "elbow out" when moving. Another cause for this would be if the shoulder blade is too far forward on the chest.

Hollowness between the front legs--caused by lack of prosternum and forechest development.

Pasterns:

In an average built dog, the paws directly under the center of the shoulder blades. Dogs with long upper arms have their forearms extending behind the center of their shoulder blades. Dogs with weak leg muscles and bent pasterns may become "down in the pasterns".

Sickle Hocks

A sickle-hocked dog will usually stand with the rear pasterns angled slightly forward--to support weak hindquarters--when moving the dogs topline will usually bob up and down. Often this over-angulated hock cannot be flexed in action--The hock angle does not change while the leg is moving.

Topline:

Which is the head angle, curvature and carriage of the neck, level backline, arch of the loin, contour of the croup, and continuity of the tail. Remember that the coupling length of the dog is that distance from the upper scapula tips rearward to the pelvic crest. Which stands to reason that a long-bodied dog can be fairly short coupled, and short-bodied one can be long in coupling.

Level back is the withers to the loin area. The loin is part of the back above the flank.

Croup:

The croup angle is determined by the slope of the sacrum vertebrae and the first two tail vertebrae. The croup angle only determines tail set. The dog's tail at the base forms a nearly 30 degree angle with the pelvis. If the base of the dog's tail comes off the back in a straight line the croup angle is flat. If the base of the tail has a dip the croup angle is steep. A steep pelvis often indicates a short back reach. A level or flat pelvis often indicates an extended back reach.

Remember the lower end of the pelvis (ischium) extend well behind the base of the tail, which will indicate good breadth to the hindquarters and contribute to a strong topline.

Stifles

Stifle joint-the joint between the upper and lower thighs-contains the patella (kneecap) which slides in a notch in the lower end of the femur. Dogs with entirely straight stifles move with a stilted motion. A dog with well bent stifles normally has longer rear reach (drive). A dog whose purpose is heavy draft, the hocks should be moderately bent.

Rear Pastern (hock)

Remember -- Dogs with short hocks have endurance.

A dog with good backward reach of the rear legs will show pads when moving away.

Balance

A dog may be balanced- having a straight front and rear--This is not correct. Correct balance depends not only on the proportion of depth of chest to length of legs and overall length of body to height, but also on a front end that matches the rear--with correct angles. Lack of structural balance can be the reason for incorrect gaiting.

Both the novice person and Breeders should understand the importance of structure when evaluating a Rottweiler. One must study, read as many books as possible, also go to seminars on the subject when available in your area.

Structure is an important aspect of the "Rottweiler"

Remember -- Dog shows are The "showcase" of what breeders have produced.

Elaine Starry

[Hit Counter]