Labrottie

The Labrottie is a hybrid of two popular breeds: the Labrador retriever and the Rottweiler. It is known by several names, including the Rottador, Rottwador, and Labweiler. The Labrottie is a new breed, likely developed in the United States in the 1990s.

Labrotties are excellent watchdogs, cautious with strangers, and alert their owners immediately to any perceived threats. They can be aggressive with people they don’t know, so training is of the utmost importance. Eager to please and clownishly playful to try to get attention, they make entertaining pets. They do well with older children and household pets, as long as they are trained and socialized. With that, they are not recommended as pets for smaller children, as the dog might accidentally hurt them, not realizing its own size and strength. They do shed, and they can be stubborn with training, and have some potentially serious health concerns. Nevertheless, they do combine many strengths of their parents and are sure to bring lots of love and laughter to your life.

Pros and Cons of Owning Labrotties

The Best Dog Food for Labrotties

When considering the best dog food for your Labrottie, keep in mind that trying to save money by buying a cheaper kibble may cost you much more in the long run with additional health problems, vet bills, and lower quality of life and lifespan for a companion you will come to love. Because Labrotties are subject to a number of serious health concerns, owners should select a food with natural ingredients and few artificial additives, specifically formulated for your dog’s size and developmental stage.

Size and Weight

Male and female Labrotties do not differ much in their size and weight. Much can depend on how much they take after the Labrador or Rottweiler sides of their parentage. They can range from 24 to 27 inches tall and 70 to 115 pounds when full-grown.

Common Health Issues

Labrotties are subject to several health issues, some of which can be quite serious. One of these is “cold tail” in which the dog actually sprains its tail from wagging it too much! Though it might sound humorous, it is a painful condition for a dog. Labrotties can also suffer from bloat, in which painful gas builds up in the stomach and causes it to twist. This is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency veterinary intervention. Rottweilers experience high rates of bone cancer; this condition can also affect Labrotties. They might also experience Von Willebrand’s Disease, a blood-clotting problem. Like many other breeds, obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, and ear infections are common ailments.

Temperament and Behavior

Labrotties are friendly, protective, funny, and affectionate with their families, traits they inherit from both their parent breeds. They take a while to warm up to strangers, but once they get to know them will welcome them. These are alert and vocal guard dogs. They’ll warn you when anything is amiss in the neighborhood. They will want to be with you all the time and will become anxious and destructive if left alone too long. They do best in a larger home and fenced yard with someone home to talk to them and play with them most of the day.

How To Take Care of Labrotties

Maintenance and Grooming

Labrotties have a short-to-medium length smooth double coat that may be black, chocolate, black and tan, or gray. The hair may be straight or a little longer and wavy. Their dense, thick waterproof coats protect them from cold or rainy weather and also make them superior swimmers. They can get overheated in the summer, though, so be sure to provide them with plenty of water, shade, and cool air on hot days.

To maintain your Labrottie’s coat, brush them once or twice a week to help remove dead hair and control shedding. These dogs do shed moderately year-round, with heavier seasonal shedding. They are not good choices for someone with allergies. Even with regular grooming, be prepared to vacuum a lot to control the hair in your living space.

Labrotties should be bathed monthly, have their nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly, and have their ears checked for parasites or infection.

Training

Labrotties are smart and want to please their owners. Both Labradors and Rottweilers are considered easy to train. However, Labrotties do like to be in charge and can be territorial and unfriendly to strangers. They need to be corrected firmly by an owner who is knowledgeable of positive training methods and is comfortable controlling a large, independent-minded dog.

Exercise

Labrotties are large and full of energy and enthusiasm. They need a lot of exercise for their mental and physical health, including a daily walk and other activities that will challenge them. These dogs particularly enjoy interactive games, such as fetching a ball for an attentive and appreciative human. They will do some exploring and playing on their own, but left alone too long, they will become destructive to your house and yard. Try to give them a minimum of 1 hour of vigorous activity a day, but at the same time, don’t overdo it. Too much exercise can cause them to become overheated in their double-layer fur coat.

Given their size and activity level, this breed is not suitable for apartment life. They will become frustrated if kept indoors too long. Their barking and roughhousing will disturb neighbors in an apartment complex. These dogs do best in a detached home with a substantial fenced yard.

Puppies

Labrottie puppies love to chew, so you’ll want to provide them with sturdy dog toys, replacing them if your pup is succeeding in breaking any pieces off. Training should start early and be consistent with Labrotties so that they learn you are the pack leader, not them. Try training them for 15 minutes a day at first, with breaks to play every few minutes.

When feeding, follow portion guidelines recommended by your veterinarian. Labrotties will tend to gobble down any food you put in front of them, which puts them in short-term danger for bloat and a longer-term threat of obesity. Try feeding them smaller portions at a time, 3 times a day if possible.

Finally, while your puppy is small, take advantage of opportunities to introduce them to children, other people, and dogs at the dog park. This is crucial so that they become well-socialized and friendly rather than seeing everyone they don’t know as a threat.

Labrotties and Children

Because Labrotties are large dogs that don’t always realize their own strength and can potentially have aggression issues, they are not recommended for homes with small children. A home with adults and older children, with someone at home most of the time, is ideal.

Dogs Similar to Labrotties

• Doberman Pinscher: Dobermans are about the same height as Labrotties but not as heavy, usually weighing only 60 to 80 pounds. Dobermans shed a low to moderate amount year-round.
• Rottweiler: Rottweilers are about the same size and weight as Labrotties. Rottweilers are moderate shedders, with heavier shedding during seasonal changes.
• Labrador Retriever: Labrador retrievers are shorter and lighter than Labrotties. Labrador retrievers have a reputation for being extremely affectionate to their families, children, dogs, and strangers.