Know the dog
behind the
pedigree.
Hip scores, cardiac panels, JLPP carriers, COI percentages — explained by people who've studied fifteen generations of Rottweiler pedigrees. Pull up a chair.
What does JLPP carrier actually mean for your litter?
Juvenile Laryngeal Paralysis & Polyneuropathy is autosomal recessive — meaning a dog needs two copies of the faulty gene to be affected. One copy? They're a carrier. Perfectly healthy. But breed two carriers together and the math changes fast.
The Punnett square to the right shows a Carrier × Carrier cross. On average, 25% of puppies in each litter will be affected. That's one in four. Before you plan a mating, you need to know both parents' JLPP status — and it's a simple cheek swab.
Clear
Carrier
Carrier
Affected
The Rottweiler breed average sits around 6–8% at five generations. Breeders aiming for genetic diversity target under 5%. Above 12.5% (equivalent to half-sibling breeding) and you're compounding recessive risks significantly.
"I bought my first Rottweiler without knowing what OFA meant. By the time he was four, we were looking at bilateral hip dysplasia. Now I won't look at a litter without seeing both parents' certificates first."
The health panel every Rottweiler should have before breeding.
The ADRK (Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub) sets the gold standard. In the US, responsible breeders follow OFA guidelines. Here's what to look for — and what to ask when you're evaluating a litter.
Cardiac Screening
Required by ADRKRottweilers are a breed at elevated risk for subaortic stenosis. OFA recommends cardiac evaluation by a board-certified cardiologist — not just a general practitioner listen — before breeding. Murmurs graded 3/6 or above require echo confirmation.
Orthopedic Panels
Minimum 24 monthsOFA hip and elbow evaluations require dogs to be at least 24 months old for final certification. Preliminary radiographs at 12 months can catch severe dysplasia early. Aim for Good or Excellent hip ratings and Grade 0 elbows in your breeding stock.
Eye Certification
Annual renewalAnnual CAER (Companion Animal Eye Registry) exams screen for cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and other hereditary eye conditions. Results are valid for 12 months. A clean eye exam doesn't guarantee offspring will be clear — DNA tests for specific conditions are increasingly available.
The coffee's on.
Pull up a chair.
New guides on genetics, screening protocols, and pedigree analysis — written by people who've whelped litters and read research papers. No fluff. No sponsored content. Just the kind of knowledge that changes how you see a health certificate.
The Rottweiler Health
Screening Checklist
Eight health tests. One printable PDF. Bring it to your next breeder meeting, rescue evaluation, or vet appointment — and never wonder if you've missed something.
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What's happening in
the Rottweiler world
Upcoming health clinics, OFA submission deadlines, breed club events, and new guides — so you never miss what matters.
ADRK-Affiliated OFA Cardiac Clinic
Board-certified cardiologist on-site. Discounted cardiac evaluations for registered Rottweilers. Slots limited to 40 dogs.
OFA Spring Submission Window
Hip, elbow, and cardiac radiographs submitted before April 1 qualify for the reduced spring processing fee.
ARC National Specialty
Annual Rottweiler National Specialty. Health seminars, conformation, working trials, and breeder roundtables.
JLPP Free Testing Initiative
UC Davis offering subsidized JLPP testing for rescue organizations through end of May. Apply through your regional Rottweiler rescue coordinator.
Pacific Northwest Rottweiler Club Clinic
Hips, elbows, cardiac, and CAER eye evaluations available. Appointments required.
New Guide: Reading an OFA Certificate
Step-by-step walkthrough of every field on an OFA hip and elbow certificate. What each grade means, and what questions to ask your breeder.
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