The German Shepherd Rottweiler crossbreed gained popularity for its dedication and loyalty to its family or owner. They are a popular choice as a working or companion dog. This crossbreed inherits the best qualities from its popular purebred parent breeds, the Rottweiler and German Shepherd.
Many people may think that this mix breed will be highly aggressive. Still, you will be fascinated to know that they can be a wonderful, affectionate, and protective dog. Thus, a German Shepherd Rottweiler is adaptable to almost all family lives or homes.
However, considering their size, power, and energy level, this crossbreed will be better suited for homes with ample space and a yard. Below is a complete guide to the German Shepherd Rottweiler that includes the history, nature, and all other details necessary to know before deciding to add one to your family.
Keep on reading!
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix: History
Both parent breeds, the Rottweiler and the German Shepherd originated in Germany. People use them mostly as working dogs because of their high intelligence and protective nature.
The origin of the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix isn’t known. However, breeders crossed the two purebreds to develop a loyal mix that can serve as both a guard and companion dog. And such an exclusive crossbreed started becoming popular around the 1990s.
You will find this German Shepherd Rottweiler mix working for the military and police forces. They make for fantastic service dogs because of their intelligence and easy-to-train nature. However, also thanks to their affective and loyal nature, they are becoming more popular as companion dogs. Many families eagerly look forward to adding this watchful, intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dog as a member.
Interestingly, no Kennel Clubs are known to have recognized this hybrid German Shepherd Rottweiler. However, the Designer Breed Registry recognized this mixed dog breed as a Rottie Shepherd.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix: Characteristics
Those who want a strong, intelligent, smart, yet affectionate dog companion can look no further than a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix.
Let’s take a quick look at the key traits and characteristics of this designer breed before learning about its nature and care needs in detail:
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Height | 22-28 inches (males are generally taller) |
| Weight | 75-115 lbs (it varies according to their parent’s sizes) |
| Lifespan | 10-13 years |
| Breed Type | Designer or crossbreed |
| Temperament | Loving, Intelligent, Energetic, Strong, and Loyal |
| Good with other pets | Possibly |
| Good with Kids | Usually/ Possibly |
| Coat Type | Straight and thick |
| Coat Length | Short to medium |
| Coat Colour | Black, Brown, Tan and Black |
| Shedding | Average to high |
| Grooming Needs | Average |
| Easy to Train | Yes |
| Barking Nature | Won’t typically bark without reason |
| Suited For | Families |
| Common Names | Rottie Shepherd, Shepweiler, Shottie, Rotten Shepherd. |
1. Size
Being a mix of the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler, a German Shepherd Rottweiler crossbreed is usually a large dog.
Most of them stand between 22 and 28 inches tall and range in weight from 75 to 115 pounds. Although males tend to be larger than females, the difference in height and weight between the genders isn’t too great.
2. Coat Type
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix dog usually bears a smooth and thick coat of medium length. However, those with longer hair will need more brushing.
3. Temperament
You can expect a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix to be a highly devoted, protective, and loyal dog. They will be dedicated to you and your family, forming strong bonds easily. They might look aggressive in appearance, but they can be pretty cuddly, especially if socialized from an early age.
After getting proper exercise and food, you are likely to find them in their most affectionate and happy mood. Your buddy will enjoy more enjoyable playtime with his toys or with you. Moreover, they usually attest to their companion nature by following their owner everywhere and keeping an eye on them.
Well, you may find your German Shepherd Rottweiler mix buddy to be sometimes aloof. In most instances, it’s a reflection of their historic guard nature. Besides, they can even be territorial, but you can deal with this behavior through proper socialization and training exercises.
This crossbreed dog can mesh well with other pets and kids in the home if raised together from an early age and with training.
Like already said earlier, don’t go into their angry appearance, as a German Shepherd Rottweiler dog can be pretty affectionate. They love to stay closer to their owners, enjoying cuddling or playing. They will even nap beside you whenever possible. It’s all because of their innately dedicated and protective nature toward their families.
However, considering their parents, the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix dog can have an aggressive nature and express it too. But it won’t be a big deal if you give them proper socialization and behavioral training from an early age.
4. Grooming
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is likely to flaunt a mix of their parent’s coats, colours, and types. However, the common coat colours are tan, black and tan, black, cream, and red. It can range from solid colours to a mix of two or three colours.
On the other hand, the coat length can vary from medium-length like their German Shepherd parent to a short double coat like the parent Rottweiler. While both parents are prone to shedding, this crossbreed dog can be an average to high shedder.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mixed breed dog may not require excessive maintenance, but you will have to give them occasional baths using only a dog shampoo. Other grooming needs may include applying dog sunscreen to their sensitive areas, including their nose, ears, and places with less fur coverage. You can brush your teeth about three to four times per week.
Apart from these, they clean their ears and trim their nails frequently. If you are naive or aren’t confident, it’s better to take your buddy to a professional dog groomer.
Well, grooming is essential during shedding seasons. You will need to brush your buddy regularly to keep the coat untangled and control shedding.
To sum up, here are the grooming needs of your German Shepherd Rottweiler crossbreed:
- Occasional bathing or only when dirty
- Trim nails frequently.
- Clean their ears only once every month.
- Brush teeth daily or three to four times per week.
- Brush their coat regularly during shedding seasons, generally once or twice a day.
5. Health Problems
Large-sized dogs are generally more vulnerable to some complicated health problems, no matter how strong they are. However, while the Rottweiler and the German Shepherd aren’t known to have any specific severe health issues, their cross is likely to be healthy.
Nevertheless, the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix dog is prone to certain conditions, like:
- Bloat
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Joint degeneration
- Eyelid issues
- Degenerative myelopathy congenital heart defect
- Aortic stenosis
- Heart disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies
- Autoimmune diseases.
You can schedule a DNA test after consulting with your vet to determine any possible inherited diseases. However, you can prevent or treat most of the above-mentioned problems with proper monitoring and vaccinations.
With proper care and regular vet checkups, you can help your canine buddy stay healthy and prevent them from acquiring any health problems.
6. Exercise
It’s nothing surprising or unexpected that the mix of a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd is highly energetic. The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix requires daily exercise or vigorous physical activities to keep them in a happy mood.
It’s usually recommended to make them exercise for 60 to 120 minutes daily. A minimum of 1 hour of exercise is mandatory for them. This will keep their brains active as well as maintain their shape.
If they don’t get sufficient exercise, your buddy can gain weight and waste energy doing things that annoy you, like barking and chewing. In short, consistent and regular training and exercise are must-haves for a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix.
7. Training Tips
Like other crossbreeds, positive reinforcement training and rewards will work best for the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix. However, because they are very intelligent, you won’t have to encounter too much hassle to train them.
You can follow the below tips to train this crossbreed’s puppy:
- Start training very early to help them build recognition and connection to their surroundings.
- Encourage the behaviors that you praise and want.
- Reward them with toys and treats occasionally for good behavior or activity.
- Ignore and try to redirect annoying or unnecessary behaviors.
- Never incorporate any aversive ways to train that can lead to problematic behaviors.
8. Dietary Needs
The right food and diet are absolutely necessary to maintain a good physique and health of your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix. However, you must remember that they are prone to obesity while choosing the food and setting their diet schedule. It’s recommended to follow a regular feeding routine and avoid giving too many medicines.
In general, their diet should include good quality dog foods that offer them the required nutrients. The German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix puppies’ diet should contain 22% protein and 8% fat. Interestingly, the protein and fat percentages will reduce to 18% and 5%, respectively, when they are fully mature.
While purchasing any dog food, you must read the label to know its protein and fat amounts and also ensure it does not contain much carbohydrates.
- A puppy of this crossbreed is usually recommended to eat nearly four meals each day. Overeating can overstretch their stomachs.
- Reversely, adults are said to offer two meals every day.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a large dog, and hence, they are more prone to bloating. In this condition, their stomachs can get twisted because of gas, often leading to serious conditions. So small and frequent meals are recommended to feed these canine buddies, reducing the chances of bloating.
To be on the safe side, always consult your vet to know the required amounts of nutrients and calories for your dog. They can suggest the best foods and dietary schedules to feed your strong buddy.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix: Relationship With Kids And Other Pets
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix dogs are known to be good companions for children of all ages. Their large size can seem too much for kids, but your only concern should be to:
- Firstly, teach your kids to communicate safely with your large canine buddy.
- Secondly, early training and socializing your dog will teach him not to bark unnecessarily, jump, or be aggressive when with children or other pets. Otherwise, their playful romp can end up hurting your kids.
Regarding other pets, a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix dog can tend to chase a cat but is likely to be quite amicable with other dogs. Nevertheless, you can deal with all their unwanted behaviors with consistent training and slowly introduce them to other pets.
FAQ’s
Is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix good for apartments?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix dog isn’t generally a good choice for apartments because of its size and energy level. They will need enough space to play, exercise, and sleep in a house. Apartments with small living spaces will limit their access to the outdoors, eventually resulting in destructive behaviors.
Can you train a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix dog?
Thanks to their innate intelligence and hard-working nature, a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is easier to train. While they tend to be aggressive and stubborn, positive reinforcement and consistent training are mandatory.
Does a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Dog bark a lot?
The German Shepherd-Rottweiler Mix doesn’t generally bark without reason. They will bark if they perceive danger or any threat, intending to alert or protect you from it.
Conclusion
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a strong, affectionate, and loyal dog. If properly raised and trained, they can even be even-tempered and live cordially with kids or other pets. This crossbreed dog is also supremely intelligent and, hence, easy to train.
However, a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will need daily exercise and activities to stimulate their brain and maintain health. So if you are thinking of getting one for your family, make sure that you have the time to meet their daily needs or have someone to do it for you. Proper diet and exercise will keep your buddy in his happiest mood, moving along with you everywhere for playing or getting some cuddles.