Basically a German Rottweiler is a dog that is born in Germany while an American Rottweiler is a dog that is born in the United States. Although there are not very many differences between the two forms of Rottweiler, one of the biggest differences is that all German Rottweilers born after June 1998 have tails. However, don't be fooled by backyard breeders who claim the size, heads, bone and temperament of Rottweilers are different between the German and American breeds. Rather the breed standards between the two breeds are nearly identical aside from the tail.

The modern Rottweiler breed originally started in Germany, which came from an old breed of Roman drover dogs. Many US bred dogs are imported from Germany and today many of the Rottweilers are still bred in Germany. The biggest difference between the two forms of Rottweilers is the method of registration, tracking and breeding. However, there isn't much of a difference when it comes to the dog's appearance.

In the United States two purebred dogs can be bred and the litter registered with the American Kennel Club. However, in Germany only the breed warden can approve the breeding of two dogs. This breed warden is a representative of the national Rottweiler club known as ADRK (the official German kennel club), which personally oversees and approves litters. A litter cannot be registered without the warden's approval.

In order for a German Rottweiler to be bred they must meet specific criteria. Included in these criteria is an obedience test, hip and elbow clearances, a conformation evaluation that includes weights, measurements and proportions and a written evaluation by an ADRK judge and a temperament test.

Offspring can never be registered if a dog is still bred after failing a test. The information on every dog is kept within an annual book along with the ADRK database. The database records all registered Rottweilers in Germany from the point of their birth until their death.

A top quality dog is always a unique balance of genetics, pedigrees, knowledge, experience and a little bit of trial and error whether people are trying to breed a German Rottweiler or an American Rottweiler. How each individual person handles their breeding program is the biggest difference between the American and German Rottweiler types.

There are some breeders that focus on dogs for working ability, some for soundness and genetic health, some for temperament and yet other for structure and type. Although the best breeders to look for are those who try to breed for all of these qualities, they are not always successful.

There are a lot of breeders who claim to have German Rottweilers when in reality they are backyard breeders. This is why it is always important to ask to see certification and then check that certification before you adopt any dog from a breeder. Always consider the breeders code of ethics and makes sure you are getting a dog from a reputable breeder and not a backyard breeder.