markings on rottweiler

[jamesanddecs]

a rottweiler breeder pointed out to me that my rottie had a black mark on his right paw and this was a sign of a good bloodline but i cant remember wat he said,can anyone shed any light on what he means thanks

[muffinman]

interesting, never heard about that before...

[doglady2]

Black marks/spots on feet/tongues etc have been said to mean good pedigree/bloodlines etc........but we have had dogs for 30plus years and our westie had black marks under her white coat and she was just bred within a family who didnt keep/do pedigree papers/lines etc.

Our GSDs have/had black marks on thier tongues but honestly speaking i really done think there is anything in this saying............other than it being like an old wives tale.

If i am wrong then so be it............but its the bloodlines and pedigree that will tell you what your dogs history is.There may be someone out there who may think/say differently ,im sure theres lots of versions and explanations for this.Regards.

[doglady2]

I will also add that all our GSD s were of superb lines,allbeit .English and German,with many Show/.breed champs in them and i did show them at Champion leval for many years but i really dont think it had anything to do with the odd black mark on thier tongues.Your dog is going to be special to you with or without its marks.Regards.

[lankeela]

The breed standard says:

'Black with clearly defined markings as follows: a spot over each eye, on cheeks, as a strip around each side of muzzle, but not on bridge of nose, on throat, two clear triangles on either side of the breast bone, on forelegs from carpus downward to toes, on inside of rear legs from hock to toes, but not completely eliminating black from back of legs, under tail. Colour of markings from rich tan to mahogany and should not exceed 10 per cent of body colour. White marking is highly undesirable. Black pencil markings on toes are desirable. Undercoat is grey, fawn, or black.'

The pencil markings are not always present, and some breeds have markings on the feet that can resemble thumbprints. In some breeds they are a requirement, but in others they don't have to have them. They make absolutely no difference to the bloodlines/temperament of the dog, and within a litter some may have them and others not. When judging a show dog, these would be taken into account as a minor point, although they would be preferably on both feet the same.