Labrottie

Canis lupus familiaris

Last updated: April 12, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Schofield Images/Shutterstock.com

Labrotties will goof around clownishly to get laughs and attention.


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Labrottie Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus familiaris

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Labrottie Conservation Status

Labrottie Locations

Labrottie Locations

Labrottie Facts

Fun Fact
Labrotties will goof around clownishly to get laughs and attention.
Diet
Omnivore

Labrottie Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Black
  • Tan
  • Chocolate

Labrottie as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$600-$700 initial purchase; $950 a year to feed and maintain.
Dog group
Sporting
Male weight
70-115 lbs
Female weight
71-115 lbs

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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. While both of its parent breeds are nearly 2,000 years old, the Labrottie is a new breed, likely developed in the United States in the 1990s.

Labrotties are excellent watchdogs, cautious with strangers and alerting 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.

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Pros and Cons of Owning Labrotties

Pros!Cons!
Smart and trainable.
Both parent breeds of the Labrottie are noted for their trainability. Labrotties are highly intelligent but have a strong sense of independence. A knowledgeable and patient owner will be able to train them into an excellent working dog, guard dog, or companion.
Aggressive with strangers.
A poorly trained Labrottie may overdo it when it comes to guarding your family and property. They can be frightening to neighbor children or visiting friends and family. You can’t neglect training with this breed.
Playful and kid-friendly.
Labrotties can be very playful, especially if your dog favors its Labrador parent genetically. With training and socialization, they will be gentle, loyal, and affectionate with your children and protect them with their own lives if necessary.
Health problems.
Labrotties inherit from their parents a number of significant health problems that can be life-threatening. Owners should be aware of the risks, give the dog a healthy diet and lifestyle, and see their vets regularly.
Good exercise buddy.
Labrotties are energetic and sociable. They will love going on runs or hikes with you or trotting alongside your bike. They can do well in large families with a lot of people to play with them and get their energy out.
Separation anxiety.
The downside of a loving an energetic dog is the possibility of separation anxiety. Labrotties don’t do well if left alone a long time. They will howl and bark, chew and destroy whatever they can find.

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.

One of our top recommendations at A-Z Animals is the Blue Buffalo brand. For your Labrottie, try Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food. It is full of high-quality protein from real chicken as well as healthy grains, vegetables, and fruit. The large breed formula includes glucosamine and chondroitin to strengthen joint health and mobility for big dogs. It also has a scientific blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog’s immune system. With no poor-quality poultry by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives, it’s an excellent choice for owners concerned about the long-term health and happiness of a large breed dog.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  • Real meat is the first ingredient.
  • A formula designed specifically for large breed dogs.
  • Advertised as not containing any by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy, and no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Check Chewy Check Amazon

Labrottie Size and Weight

Labrottie 3 - Labrador and Rottweiler Mix Breed

Fully grown, Labrotties range between 70 and 115 pounds.

©Schofield Images/Shutterstock.com

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 24-27 inches tall and 70-115 pounds when full grown.

Health and Entertainment for your Labrottie

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Height (Male)24-27 inches
Height (Female)24-27 inches
Weight (male)70-115 lbs, fully grown
Weight (female)70-115 lbs, fully grown

Labrottie 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.

Labrottie 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

Labrottie 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.

Labrottie 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.

Labrottie 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 in doors 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.

Labrottie 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 60-80 pounds. Dobermans shed a lot.
  • Rottweiler – Rottweilers are about the same size and weight as Labrotties. Rottweilers are considered one of the worst-shedding breeds.
  • 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.

Popular Names for Labrotties

Here are some popular male dog names you could consider for your Labrottie:

  • Diesel
  • Bandit
  • Jake
  • Oscar
  • Chewy

Here are some popular female dog names you could consider for your Labrottie:

  • Dolly
  • Vera
  • Juno
  • Sadie
  • Xena

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Drew Wood is a writer at A-Z Animals focusing on mammals, geography, and world cultures. Drew has worked in research and writing for over 20 years and holds a Masters in Foreign Affairs (1992) and a Doctorate in Religion (2009). A resident of Nebraska, Drew enjoys Brazilian jiu-jitsu, movies, and being an emotional support human to four dogs.

Labrottie FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much does a Labrottie cost to own?

Labrottie puppies cost about $600-$700, depending on their pedigree. Annual food and maintenance is about $950.

Is a Labrottie good with kids?

Labrotties  are not recommended for homes with younger children because they are large animals that do not always realize their own size and strength. Some Labrotties can have aggression issues so they should be monitored carefully, trained, and socialized if they are going to be in a home with children. Properly trained, however, Labrotties can make devoted family pets for a home with older children.

How long does a Labrottie live?

The average lifespan of this breed is 9-12 years.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Alphapaw.com, Available here: https://www.alphapaw.com/dog-breeds/lab-rottweiler-mix-facts/
  2. Dogbible.com, Available here: https://www.dogbible.com/en/breeds/labrador-retriever-rottweiler-mix
  3. Dogzone.com, Available here: https://www.dogzone.com/crossbreeds/labrottie/
  4. Hepper.com, Available here: https://www.hepper.com/labrottie/
  5. The Labrador Site, Available here: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/rottweiler-lab-mix/
  6. Petguide.com, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/labrottie/
  7. Wag!, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/labrottie

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