The ZTP test. What is it?

ZTP is an abbreviation for “Zuchttauglichkeitsprüfung,” a test designed to select dogs worthy of being bred. In short, it’s a “breed suitability test.”

The test evaluates a dog’s conformation, character, and courage to determine if the dog is a suitable candidate in a breeding program in both type and temperament; most tests require a passing hip and elbow rating. In Germany, a litter may not be registered unless both the dam and the sire have passed the ZTP.  Germany also takes blood samples from every participating dog in order to establish a DNA-based identity profile, and as of January, 2022, only dogs from parents who have German ZTPs are admitted to the ZTP in Germany.  Interestingly, and with regards to Rottweilers, a Schutzhund degree, as well as the mandatory ZTP, is required on at least one parent before a breeding is allowed. This requirement is believed to promote correct working drives in the Rottweiler, thus eliminating unsatisfactory temperaments from being bred.

ZTP tested dogs tend to be Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Belgian Malinois – the breeds one would associate with Schutzhund.  Most ZTP tests that are in compliance with the German model are held in various IDC member countries such as Italy, South Africa, etc. That said, the acquisition of a ZTP is not prerequisite for breeding in some of those countries, so clubs bear some responsibility to ensure that only robust, sound, and stable dogs are used for breeding.

Per the Rottweiler Club of Canada, if a dog isn’t within the FCI standard or has a disqualifying fault, he may never be retested. If the dog fails the test twice under USRC and ADRK rules,  she may never be retested.

Here’s a rough idea of a ZTP test, and it might vary between countries: A dog’s weight and height is measured first, followed by a conformation critique.

Next, the dog is to perform a light obedience pattern during which a gun is fired twice to test the dog’s stability around unexpected noise. The dog has to heel through a crowd and allow different people to get close without displaying fear or unwarranted aggression. In the courage test, the dog must take the threat of being hit with a stick, bite the padded sleeve of the agitator’s arm, then release the sleeve upon command. The dog is rated on the characteristics of self sufficiency, temperament, tractability, courage, protection drive, excitability, fearlessness, attentiveness, mistrust, fighting drive, and hardness, and all of this is noted on the dog’s ZTP form which is kept on record and entered into a database.

In the view of some, the ZTP is the test of choice for many breeds, and Rottie owners may want to read this opinion piece by Laurie Boutzetis.

Needless to say, having a ZTP title at the end of a dog’s name is well earned.

Image: Rottweiler/Adobe Stock Photo