THE HERDING STANDARD IN THE USA

The Rottweiler was developed as a multi-faceted herding and guard dog that should work all kinds of livestock under various conditions, i.e. town or country. He is intensely concerned with gathering and controlling and can be very protective of "his" stock

The Rottweiler is only one of several herding breeds developed in the same general area in Germany from the same or similar base stock The others are still used in their original function and have not become known in the Americas.

TRAINABILITY
The Rottweiler is highly trainable when he can see a purpose to his actions. If bonded to his handler the desire to please is excellent. Young males especially should be started young on ducks to gain confidence and to condition them to working off the stock. Adolescent males can be difficult to start. Because of their assertive character and youthful lack of confidence, they often feel the need to exert too much force and dominance. This usually results in their total loss of control of the stock which in turn causes an even more forceful dominant reaction and eventual total frustration.

Keeping the dog off the stock initially with a long pole seems to be the most successful method as a line increases force and frustration. Once the dog realizes that he has more control working off the stock the battle is won. His great desire for control and his good natural balance will keep him working back where he is most effective.

The female Rottweiler is normally much easier to start as an adult, being more receptive to discipline and less inclined to excessive force. A large number of females are not forceful enough to work cattle initially and should be started on ducks or sheep.

Training to gather is easy since herding instinct is very high and the Rottweiler gathers naturally. There is seldom a need to punish for gripping or biting as the Rottweiler is unusually inhibited in using mouth on stock and should never be encouraged to do so. When necessary he will nip with the front teeth only not using the canines.

If possible the Rottweiler is best started as a puppy on ducks and then graduated to sheep and trained in much the same fashion as a Border Collie. They can then be moved to cattle. Some may never be able to work cattle.

The more confidence a Rottweiler has the less forceful he becomes unless it is needed and the easier he is to train.

WORKING STYLE
The Rottweiler should show a natural gathering style with a strong desire to control.

The Rottweiler generally shows a loose-eye and has a great amount of force while working well off the stock. They make much use of their ability to intimidate.

The Rottweiler will often carry the head on an even plane with the back or carry the head up but have the neck and shoulders lowered. Some females will lower the entire front end slightly when using eye. Males will also do this when working far off the stock in an open field. This is rarely seen in males when working in indoor arenas.

The Rottweiler has a reasonably good natural balance.

The Rottweiler force-barks when necessary and when he is working cattle uses a very intimidating charge. There is a natural change in forcefulness when herding sheep. When working cattle he may use his body and shoulders and for this reason should never be used on horned stock.

The Rottweiler, when working cattle, will search out the dominant animal and challenge it. Upon proving his control over that animal he will settle back and tend to his work.

The Rottweiler has little power from behind for driving cattle and therefore is best utilized as a control along the sides to turn stock and to gather strays.

If worked on the same stock for any length of time the Rottweiler tends to develop a bond with the stock and will become quite affectionate with them as long as they do as he says.

The Rottweiler shows a gathering/fetching style when working sheep and reams directions easily. He drives sheep with ease.

ENDURANCE
The Rottweiler is a natural trotter and, if built correctly, can trot for long distances. Hot weather bothers these dogs, particularly the males. His great force and control over sheep allows him to expend minimal amounts of energy when working this type of stock When working cattle (especially strange cattle) the Rottweiler will often seek out the dominant animal and establish his own dominance thereby allowing himself to relax as he works later. Since he does not use mouth he expends great amounts of energy in his intimidating charges and periodic tackles to control unruly cattle. It is therefore necessary for him to establish his control at the start.

UNDESIRABLE TRAITS
Biting without strong provocation.

A dog that cannot be taught to work off the stock, but continues to use excessive force.

Extremely hard dogs that do not learn to avoid being kicked or dogs that viciously attack stock after being kicked.

A dog that lacks the desire to control and dominate (since a large part of the Rottweiler's working ability comes from this desire).