Rotterman

Canis lups

Last updated: October 2, 2022
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Gregory Culley/Shutterstock.com

Rottermans are the perfect breed for search and rescue training, and they make excellent guard dogs.


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Rotterman Scientific Classification

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

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Rotterman Conservation Status

Rotterman Locations

Rotterman Locations

Rotterman Facts

Name Of Young
Puppy
Group Behavior
  • Solitary
Fun Fact
Rottermans are the perfect breed for search and rescue training, and they make excellent guard dogs.
Gestation Period
58 to 68 days
Training
Moderate
Litter Size
6 to 12 puppies
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
  • Diurnal
Common Name
Rotterman
Origin
United States

Rotterman Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Black
Skin Type
Fur
Lifespan
9 to 12 years
Height
22 to 27 inches
Age of Sexual Maturity
6 to 9 months
Age of Weaning
3 to 6 weeks
Aggression
Medium

Rotterman as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
High
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$900 to $3000
Dog group
Working
Male weight
80-130 lbs
Female weight
70-95 lbs

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The Rotterman is the result of crossbreeding a Rottweiler and a Doberman Pinscher. It is a large and powerful breed that needs a strong owner. While their parent breeds are notorious for being aggressive, the Rotterman is very affectionate, loyal, and protective.

When raised with pets and children, they are patient and very tolerant. Because of their high intellect, they are easy to train but need a firm and persistent trainer. It’s the perfect breed for search and rescue training, and they make excellent guard dogs.

Four Different Types of Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher Mixes

There are several Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher mixes, including:

Pitweiler (Pitbull x Rottweiler Mix)

Pitweiler are the result of crossbreeding a Rottweiler and American Pitbull Terrier. This breed can be strong-willed and stubborn but make up for it with its friendly and affectionate nature. They are very energetic dogs and need plenty of exercise and training to keep them healthy and stimulated.

While they make fantastic family pets, their strong prey drive makes them dangerous to smaller pets. Even if socialized from a young age, they should never be left alone with smaller dogs.

In addition, they may inherit their parent breeds’ tendency for aggression, so they must be trained and socialized properly from a young age.

Rottsky (Rottweiler x Siberian Husky Mix)

Rottskies are the result of crossbreeding a Rottweiler and a Siberian Husky. This is a large breed with an outgoing and active nature. Rottskies need plenty of exercise and stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.

In addition, they require a strict grooming routine because of their long and thick coat. If you’re lucky, the Rottsky might inherit the Husky’s piercing blue eyes, making them even more breathtaking.

Doberdane (Great Dane x Doberman Pinscher Mix)

The Doberdane is a mix between the Great Dane and Doberman Pinscher. With parents this tall, the Doberdane is one massive breed! They inherited the Doberman’s protective nature and the Great Dane’s goofy personality, making them a perfect fit for families.

Doberman Shepherd (Doberman Pinscher x German Shepherd)

Doberman Shepherds are the result of crossbreeding a German Shepherd and a Doberman Pinscher. These dogs are loyal to a fault and highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train. In addition, they are incredibly protective of their families and eager to please them.

Three Pros and Cons of Owning a Rotterman 

The Rotterman has a lot of good traits, but before purchasing one, there are a few things dog owners should know:

Pros

  • Excellent guard dogs without all the barking
  • Very affectionate and loves to play and exercise with the whole family
  • Highly intelligent and easy to train

Cons

  • They may be stubborn at times, so they require a firm hand when training
  • If not socialized properly, they can be territorial and aggressive towards other pets
  • Not hypoallergenic

The Best Dog Food for a Rotterman

Rottermans require a nutritious, high-quality diet that will give them energy. In addition, because of their size, they need dog food specifically formulated for large breeds. However, as they change through the different stages of their lives, they need a diet to accommodate their development. For example, the puppy stage, adult stage, and senior stage.

They require 4-6 cups of high-quality food split into two portions per day. However, if they receive wet food, this amount should be reduced according to the instructions on the label. Never overfeed them because they are prone to obesity, which will affect their overall health.

Rotterman Size and Weight

Rottermans are a large breed; some might even classify them as a giant breed and can weigh between 70 to 130 pounds! In addition, they are tall and measure 22 to 27 inches.

Rotterman Common Health Issues

Unfortunately, the Rotterman inherits many of its parent breed’s health issues. These include:

Rotterman Temperament

The Rotterman has a loving nature and is extremely loyal to their owners. They are natural protectors and would happily stand in the way of danger for their families. However, this protective side can also be detrimental because it can make them aggressive towards new people entering the home.

If socialized from a young age, the Rotterdam gets along well with other pets. However, they should always be supervised around smaller dogs and children because they are a large breed and can accidentally cause harm.

How to Take Care of a Rotterman

Caring for a Rotterman is relatively easy because of their short coats and good health. However, owners must meet certain requirements to keep them happy and healthy.

Grooming

Luckily, when it comes to grooming, Rottermans are a breeze. Both parent breeds are light shedders, so a quick brush once a week will do the trick! In addition, a light run over their coat with a grooming mitt daily will keep your dog’s coat shiny.

If the Rotterman has a coat similar to the Rottweiler, they will need more frequent baths than if they take after the Doberman. So, to be safe, bathe them at least once a month.

In addition, as soon as their nails touch the ground, they need a trim, approximately once every two months. Dental hygiene in dogs is very important, so brush their teeth daily with high-quality dog toothpaste.

Training

The Rotterman is incredibly intelligent and is easily trainable if done properly. However, they can be stubborn, which makes things a little trickier. It shouldn’t be a problem if you are persistent and have a firm hand. However, training them as soon as possible will help manage these behaviors and ensure an obedient dog.

Exercise

Rottermans have high energy levels and can become destructive if not stimulated properly. In addition, they are prone to obesity, so ensure that they get enough exercise each day. Rottermans need at least two hours of exercise daily; this can include hiking, long walks, and playtime in the backyard.

Puppies

The Rotterman can produce a litter of 6 to 12 pups; however, larger litters are often expected. But, for first-time mothers, it is not unusual to give birth to only two puppies.

Depending on your location and breeder of choice, Rotterdams’ price can range from $900 to $3000. However, if you can find one in a shelter, it will cost much less to adopt.

Rottermans and Children

Introducing a full-grown Rotterman into a home with young children will not be good if they have never been around kids before. However, if introduced when they are puppies, they are caring, loving, patient, and protective of kids, no matter their age.

Dogs similar to the Rotterman

There are several breeds that are similar to Rottermans in both size and behavior; they include:

Finding a name for your new puppy is one of the most exciting parts! Here are the most popular names for Rottermans:

  • Brooklyn
  • Camila
  • Bella
  • Aaliyah
  • Ruby
  • Kennedy
  • Levi
  • Mateo
  • Luke
  • Asher
  • Leo
  • Lincoln

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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

Chanel Coetzee is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily focusing on big cats, dogs, and travel. Chanel has been writing and researching about animals for over 10 years. She has also worked closely with big cats like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and tigers at a rescue and rehabilitation center in South Africa since 2009. As a resident of Cape Town, South Africa, Chanel enjoys beach walks with her Stafford bull terrier and traveling off the beaten path.

Rotterman FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Is Doberman and Rottweiler a good mix?

It is a large and powerful breed that needs a strong owner. While their parent breeds are notorious for being aggressive, the Rotterman is very affectionate, loyal, and protective.

How big is a Rotterman?

Rottermans are a large breed; some might even classify them as a giant breed and can weigh between 70 to 130 pounds! In addition, they are tall and measure 22 to 27 inches.

Are Rottermans good pets?

The Rotterman has a loving nature and is extremely loyal to their owners. They are natural protectors and would happily stand in the way of danger for their families. However, this protective side can also be detrimental because it can make them aggressive towards new people entering the home.

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

Sources

  1. Wag Walking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/rotterman
  2. Pet Guide, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/rotterman/
  3. Dog Zone, Available here: https://www.dogzone.com/crossbreeds/rotterman/
  4. God Time, Available here: https://dogtime.com/puppies/44039-rottweiler-puppies#/slide/1

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