The Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung

What is the The Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung/Ztp? The word Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung/ZtP means Breed Suitability Test. The Breed Suitability Test is an evaluation of a dog's temperament, character and working ability.

The Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung/ZTP OBJECTIVELY and DEFINITIVLY performs an analysis of the dog. It creates quantifiable evidence that the dog is structured in accordance with the standard. Evidence can be measured over time against dogs of previous generations. Trend analysis. Compare head size to earlier ancestors.

The Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung/ZTP is designed to select those Rottweilers that are worthy of being bred and is modeled after the standards of the breed test by the German Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (ADRK), the Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung. The test evaluates the dog's conformation and character to determine if the dog is a suitable candidate in a breeding program in both type and temperament. In Germany, a litter may not be registered unless both the dam and the sire have passed the Ztp!

Only Qualified Dogs are Eligible for the Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung/ZtP

There are several prerequisites prior to taking the test:

1. The dog must have passed the BH.
2. The dog must be tattooed and registered
3. The dog must not have any disqualifying faults according to the standard of a Rottweiler.
4. The dog must have a passing hip evaluation.
5. The dog must have a 3-generation certified pedigree

Conformation & Stability: Part 1 of the Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung

In the first part, the dog is critiqued (judged on physical appearance) by a qualified international judge (usually an ADRK or FCI judge) and compared to the FCI Standard. The critique will be performed in much greater detail as compared a typical show critique. The color of the eyes are graded and the teeth are checked with an emphasis on full dentition and a scissors bite. Then everything on the dog is measured: height from the withers, body length, muzzle, chest depth, chest circumference and the skull. The judge inspects the dog's tattoo or microchip to ensure it matches with the paperwork submitted. The dog is then weighed. The dog is then required to do a short obedience routine such as heeling through a group of people, the group then converges on the dog (it must be stable) and then is heeled down the field. Gunshots are fired. If the dog shows a reaction, it must recover right away.

Character: Part 2 of the Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung

The second part of the test is similar to the SchH I protection routine. There is an attack out of the blind and a courage test. Many dogs fail the test at this point because they cannot take the threat is more ominous that in a typical SchH I routine. The helper hides in a blind, the dog is heeled towards the blind. The leash is taken off the dog. Upon the judge's signal, the helper comes out of the blind towards the dog when the dog is almost at the blind, at which point the handler releases the dog. The attack surprises the dog. The dog must bite the sleeve fully, is given two stick hits over the withers with a padded stick, the helper drives the dog until directed to stop by the judge. If the dog does not 'out' (release the sleeve) the dog fails. After outing, the dog must stay by the helper and guard him. Upon a signal from the judge, the handler returns to the dog and picks it up. The dog and handler then go into a blind.

The Courage Test: Part 3 of the Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung

The judge directs the helper to come out of the blind at the opposite end of the field (approximately 100 yards) than the dog and handler. The handler is not permitted to encourage or agitate the dog. The helper runs half way across the back of the field and then runs directly at the dog and handler, threatening with the stick. The dog is released. The dog must run at the helper at a full run and bite the sleeve. The handler is not allowed to move from the position from where the dog was released. The dog is given the command to 'out' by the handler who is still at the original position. If the dog does not 'out', the dog fails. Once the dog has outed, the dog must stay with the helper and guard him. The judge signals the handler to return to the dog. The handler returns to the dog and a leash is put on. The test is ended. The handler and dog report to the judge. The dog's performance is then critiqued to the spectators. There is no score given. It is either a pass or fail.

Objectivity and Enforcement is Critical to Breed Maintenance If the dog is not within the FCI standard (i.e. too tall or too short etc.), or has a disqualifying fault, the dog may NEVER be retested and will NEVER be bred.

If the dog fails the second part of the test, it is allowed to attempt the test once more upon the judge's discretion, however, if the judge believes the dog is of faulty character, the dog can be banned from future testing. After failing twice the dog may NEVER be retested.

These penalties may seem harsh, but they enforce the confirmation breed standard better than any subjective judging opinion and most importantly, they assert that ONLY DOGS OF SOLID CHARACTER PASS and are used in breeding.