Aside from their intimidating build and calm yet confident demeanor, Rottweilers also flaunt a great variety of coat colors and patterns that people may not know about.
Rottweilers are among the well-sought-after dog breeds. These powerful dogs are known for their loyalty and great guarding instincts, making them great family and protection dogs.
In this guide, we will talk about the breed’s colors and markings as well as answer questions about whether colors affect a dog’s behavior and health. So, keep reading to learn more!
How Many Rottweiler Colors Are There?
To date, there are seven known colors of the Rottweiler breed, regardless of their type. Three of them are the standard colors of the breed, while the other four are rare or uncommon.
The seven colors of the Rottweiler include:
- Black and mahogany
- Black and rust
- Black and tan
- White
- Solid black
- Red
- Blue
Among the list, only black and mahogany, black and rust, and black and tan colors are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the standard colors of the dog breed.
This means that only Rottweilers bearing these colors are allowed and qualified to participate in any conformation shows set by the said kennel club.
White, all-black, red, and blue Rottweilers are automatically disqualified from joining as they are not recognized as being within the standard of the Rottweiler breed.
7 Rottweiler Colors
In this part, we have included a description and photo of each Rottweiler color that exists. That way, you will have a visual representation of what a Rottweiler looks like in specific coat colors.
1. Black and Mahogany
The black and mahogany color is among the most common and most popular Rottweiler color. However, it can still be quite hard to differentiate them from the rest of the Rottweiler colors.
Rottweilers of this color will flaunt a deep red to brownish mahogany color. As compared to the other colors, black and mahogany-colored Rottweilers will have the darkest-colored markings.
The pattern of markings on a Rottweiler’s coat can differ from dog to dog. However, there must be a single mahogany-colored spot over each eye.
Meanwhile, the rest of the markings should be found on the cheeks, as a strip around each side of the muzzles except on the bridge of the nose, on the throat, and as a triangular mark on both sides of the chest.
2. Black and Rust
Rottweilers flaunting the black and rust variation are quite common. This color is so popular that you may find one of these in dog parks or anywhere you go.
To differentiate this from the previous color variation, rust markings will not be as dark and deep as mahogany markings. Likewise, it will also not be as bright and light as the tan markings.
Still, the color difference may not be very identifiable, which is why it can be quite hard to differentiate the two, especially for an untrained eye.
The marking placement, however, will be the same as the other variations. It will also have a single rust-colored spot over each eye and on its cheeks, muzzle, throat, and both sides of the chest.
3. Black and Tan
Of the three standard colors of the Rottweiler breed, the black and tan variation is the least common. Although not as common as black and mahogany Rotties, this color is actually not considered rare.
This Rottweiler color flaunts the lightest markings of them all. Its tan tones range from light brown to almost golden.
As with its markings, they too, have the same marking placements as the other Rottweiler color variation, including marks on the face, neck, chest, and over each eye.
4. White Rottweiler
The white Rottweiler is a rare color variant of the Rottweiler breed. There are three possible reasons why a Rottweiler is born white: albinism, vitiligo, or crossbreeding.
In albinism, the Rottweiler lacks the genes necessary to produce melanin, which is the pigment responsible for skin and hair coloring. That is why albino Rottweilers will have completely white coats and skin.
In most cases, these albino Rottweilers will also have a pinkish tinge around the nose, eyes, mouth, and lips.
Meanwhile, Rottweilers with vitiligo will have white spots on their bodies, mainly in the facial area, including the nose, eyes, and neck. Note, however, that Rotties with vitiligo may look different from each other.
White Rottweilers may also be a result of crossbreeding. This happens when a purebred Rottweiler is paired with a white dog.
In such circumstances, a puppy may have all the physical traits of a typical Rottweiler but an entirely distinct coat. This is especially true if the other breed has fewer dominant genes.
5. Solid Black
The solid black Rottweiler is yet another rare color of the Rottweiler breed. This color is produced when two copies of a rare recessive gene are present.
Despite having all of the characteristics of a typical Rottweiler, black Rottweilers are not recognized by the AKC due to their lack of markings.
It is essential to note that solid black Rottweilers are mostly a result of inbreeding.
That is why they may either carry the strong quality bloodlines of their parents or may also inherit unfavorable features and related illnesses.
6. Red
More often than not, red Rottweilers are the result of crossbreeding. However, it is still very likely to produce a purebred red Rottweiler since the genes that generate the color are both rare and recessive.
Since most red Rottweilers are mixed-breed dogs, their physical appearance may not be just like the typical Rottweiler.
In some cases, the red color appears as a base color alone. However, some red Rottweilers may have light brown markings and a nose that is often dark brown.
Many would find a red Rottweiler’s color interesting as it is unique and rare. However, it is important to remember that most of these dogs are bred unethically.
That said, these red-colored Rottweilers may be predisposed to health problems such as hereditary eye conditions, heart issues, and, in most cases, hip or joint problems.
7. Blue
Contrary to what you might imagine, blue Rottweilers aren’t blue. These dogs’ coat color appears to be grayish or silver rather than blue as a result of a gene mutation that typically results in a black coat.
In other words, the reason their coat is gray is that the black coat that Rottweilers normally have has been diluted.
Many people may find blue Rottweilers stunning because of their color; however, it is believed that blue-coated dogs are also prone to color-dilution alopecia, which is a hereditary skin condition.
As with their markings, blue Rottweilers often have the same marking placements as the standard Rottweiler colors. The shade of these markings, however, may vary.
Rottweiler Markings and Patterns
The AKC is just as particular about the Rottweiler’s markings and patterns as it is about its color. For a standard-colored Rottweiler to be registered, it must have clearly defined markings in the correct areas.
A Rottweiler must have a single spot marking over each eye. It must have a strip around each side of the muzzle except on the bridge of the nose and a triangular mark on both sides of the Rottweiler’s chest.
Meanwhile, on your Rottweiler’s legs, markings should be from the carpus downward to the toes and on the inside of the back legs, from the stifle to the front of the legs.
Additionally, the markings should broaden out to the front of the rear legs from the hock to the toes, but not completely eliminating black from the rear of the pasterns.
Markings should also be found under the tail, and there should be black penciling on the toes.
Likewise, a Rottweiler’s undercoat should either be gray, tan, or black.
On top of the marking’s location, the AKC is also very strict about the quantity of the markings. A standard Rottweiler’s markings should not exceed ten percent of the dog’s body color.
Rottweiler Breed Standards & Disqualifications
For a Rottweiler to be accepted and recognized by the AKC, it must adhere to the breed standard. This means that these dogs must only have a black base color and either rust, mahogany, or tan-colored markings.
Likewise, straw-colored rottweilers and those with excessive, insufficient, or sooty markings are also not recognized by the organization.
To make it simple, Rottweilers bearing the standard coat color but with incorrect markings are still not recognized by the AKC.
White-colored markings on any part of a Rottweiler’s body also constitute disqualification of the breed. The same is true for the absence of all markings specified above.
Moreover, both docked and undocked Rottweilers are accepted by the AKC. This is provided that docked tails are short and close to the body, leaving one or two tail vertebrae.
As for undocked Rottweilers, the tail must be carried straight or upwardly curved and may hang at rest.
Any coat base color other than black is considered disqualified. This is why, regardless of how appealing red, blue, white, and solid black Rottweilers are, they are not recognized by the AKC.
Do Rottweiler Colors Affect Behavior and Health?
A Rottweiler’s color and markings don’t really matter unless you want to enter the dog in AKC-sponsored shows. However, a rare colored coat may have an effect on the Rottweiler’s health and behavior.
Rottweilers live for about 9 to 10 years. Unfortunately, because of diseases associated with specific coat colors, this lifespan may drop dramatically.
This is especially true if you own a blue, white, or red Rottweiler. Blue Rottweilers are likely to develop skin-related health problems, just like many blue-coated dogs.
White Rottweilers have a generally shorter lifespan compared to those of other coat colors, especially those affected by albinism. Further, they may also experience skin problems, heart diseases, and eye defects.
In the case of red Rottweilers, these dogs are prone to heart diseases, joint problems, and eye conditions as well. This is believed to be because they are heavily crossbred to produce the red color.
While there may not always be a difference in temperament and behavior in most rare-colored Rottweilers, this isn’t always the case, especially in dogs that are a result of inbreeding and crossbreeding.
Abnormalities, shyness, aggression, and similar traits have been linked to the practice of inbreeding, which is why there is a possibility of temperamental differences.
Meanwhile, in crossbred Rottweilers, the other parent’s temperament may have an effect on the dog’s overall traits.
That is why it is important that you know about the Rottweiler’s background before you consider purchasing it. It is strongly advised that you check its parents so that you can set realistic expectations.
Do Rottweiler Puppies Change Colors as They Grow?
Rottweiler puppies may change their coat colors as they grow. This change is totally normal and expected, which is why you should not worry about it.
As your dog matures, your Rottweiler’s coat color may lighten or darken. In most cases, the true coat color of a Rottweiler is only revealed in adulthood or when they reach between 1 and 2 years.
Similarly, expect your Rottweiler to have gray or white hair as it ages. This is because, over time, the hairs lose their pigment, causing the hair to turn white.
What Color Will My Rottweiler Puppy Be?
Rottweiler puppies are usually born with their coat color and markings already intact. Some Rotties, however, start out as solid black only to have their markings emerge after a few weeks.
However, the puppy’s color should not be deemed final, as it is bound to change over time. As previously stated, it may darken or lighten as it matures and will only reveal its true color when it’s fully grown.
My friend who breeds Rottweilers encourages clients who are looking for very specific colors of Rottweilers always to visit the breeder’s location and ask to see the parents of the puppy you are interested in.
Aside from DNA results, doing so will give you an idea of what they could possibly look like in the future. He advises this to set proper expectations with the clients who think that the color of the puppies will continue to be the same until they grow into adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Rarest Rottweiler Color?
Although white, solid black, and blue Rottweilers are quite hard to find, the red Rottweiler is the rarest of them all. In fact, due to their rarity, red Rottweilers are often believed to be another dog breed.
The main reason for this color’s rarity is that it requires two recessive genes to produce a red Rottweiler. This means that a puppy must get this rare recessive gene from both parents to be born red.
What Is the Most Common Rottweiler Color?
The black and mahogany Rottweiler is the most common Rottweiler color. These dogs have the darkest coloring among all the other Rottweiler color variations.
That said, you have a very high chance of coming across a Rottweiler of this color in a dog park. Similarly, you won’t have problems looking for breeders if you want to take home this color.
Final Thoughts
Needless to say, each Rottweiler color is unique and stunning in its own way. These dogs, regardless of color, have been proven to be devoted and protective of their homes, making them excellent guard dogs.
It is crucial to remember, however, that rare-colored Rottweilers are prone to a variety of health and behavioral issues. That being said, you must understand and consider your options before purchasing one.
Above all else, regardless of the color you choose, you must consider whether or not you can take care of them and maintain their needs in the long run.
Which Rottweiler color are you planning to get? Let us know in the comments.
