Rottweiler Mix

The Rottweiler needs no introduction; the whole world is familiar with this breed, and unfortunately, it doesn’t have the best reputation. But one should never judge a book by its cover; if you flip the page over, you might be pleasantly surprised. This breed was once a hard-working dog used to pull carts, but now their main purpose is companionship. They are strong, loyal, and friendly. There’s no surprise, then, that many reputable breeders use them to create new hybrids. Therefore, the offspring retain the Rottie’s best features but with a twist. So, if you are a Rottweiler lover looking for something new, look no further! Several Rottweiler mixes might pique your interest. This article will focus on the German Rottie (Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix), but first, look at some other popular hybrids.

Types of Rottweiler Mixes

The Rottweiler may look intimidating, but they are actually a lovable goofball. And by bringing another breed into the mix, breeders can create something even better! But decide for yourself; here are five of the most popular Rottweiler mixes.

Rottsky (Rottweiler and Husky Mix)

The Rottsky is an incredibly active dog that needs a job and plenty of exercise to keep them busy and out of mischief. This Rottweiler mix is ideal for a large family or a property with lots of space to run and play. They can come in any color that occurs in either parent breed, but usually inherit the Rottweiler’s wide head and broad snout.

Golden Rottie (Golden Retriever and Rottweiler Mix)

The Golden Rottie usually takes after the Golden retriever when it comes to its body shape and love of water. However, they generally inherit the Rottweiler’s coloring and expressive eyes. Additionally, this hybrid is incredibly friendly and loves being surrounded by people.

Boxweiler (Boxer and Rottweiler Mix)

The Boxweiler is an impressive short-haired Rottweiler that requires very little maintenance and grooming. They are a large dog breed weighing over 100 pounds and come in multiple colors, including brown, black, fawn, and white. They may be challenging to train because of their stubborn nature, but Boxweilers make terrific watchdogs and are extremely affectionate with loved ones.

Rotterman (Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher Mix)

The Rotterman is a powerful breed, which helps with its guard dog persona. However, they are also highly intelligent, making them ideal for law enforcement and rescue work. But most owners keep them as companions because their affectionate nature is intoxicating. Additionally, they are great with older children. The Rotterman falls into the large dog category, as they typically weigh between 65 and 100 pounds and come in colors such as black, brown, fawn, red, and rust.

Bullweilier (Rottweiler and Bulldog Mix)

The bullweiler is a very friendly and loving breed. They are considered large-sized dogs, typically weighing between 60 and 100 pounds. However, grooming these gentle giants is easy, as their short, stiff fur only needs a brush every other day to get rid of the loose hairs and spread the natural oils on their skin. The bullweiler is good with children and other pets as long as they are socialized from a young age.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Rottweiler Mix

The Best Dog Food for a Rottweiler Mix

It is essential to feed your German Rottie the proper diet to maintain its impeccable health and physique. Additionally, this Rottweiler mix puts on weight quickly and is prone to obesity, so keeping them on a strict exercise and diet routine is important to avoid health complications. Given that the German Rottie is a big dog, regular dry dog food won’t meet its nutritional needs. Brands have different recipes for big dogs, so ensure to buy dog food specifically formulated for large breeds. However, they have different needs at certain stages of their lives. For example, when they are pups, owners must ensure they buy high-quality dog food formulated for puppies.

As the German Rottie is the offspring of the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler, it needs a diet high in protein. So, check the ingredients if you are still unsure which food to buy for your hybrid. If meat is not the first ingredient on the list, it does not have enough protein to satisfy your Rottweiler mix. It’s always best to invest in top-quality dog foods as they provide a better source of nutrients, keeping your pup healthier and saving you money on vet bills.

Rottweiler Mix Size and Weight

The German Rottie is a large-sized dog. For example, they grow 22 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 75 and 115 pounds. Additionally, males are typically larger than females, as is common in both parent breeds.

Rottweiler Mix Common Health Issues

While this Rottweiler mix is strong and relatively healthy, they can inherit some of their parent breed’s health conditions. So, if you want to adopt or already have a German Rottie, be on the lookout for symptoms of the following diseases:

• Heart Disease
• Cancer
• Eye Disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Allergies
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Autoimmune Diseases

However, most of these conditions can be prevented or treated as long as owners catch them early enough. To put your mind at ease, it is possible to ask your trusted veterinarian to do a DNA test on your pup to determine if they have inherited any hereditary diseases. Furthermore, you must vaccinate your hybrid to ensure they don’t pick up conditions that could be avoided.

Life Expectancy

Your German Rottie can live a long and happy life with proper care. In fact, these massive dogs have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years!

Rottweiler Mix Temperament

The German Rottie’s temperament can only be described as protective, loyal, and dedicated. This Rottweiler mix is devoted to its loved ones and usually forms a strong bond with its primary caregiver. While many people see them as aggressive or aloof because of their intimidating appearance, they are actually really affectionate and loving.

However, if you want a well-behaved dog, you must ensure that you provide your German Rottie with plenty of exercise. Once they have gotten all their excess energy out, they are happy to cuddle up with their owners or play around with the children and their toys. You might notice that this hybrid follows you around and hardly ever leaves your side; this is their protective nature kicking into overdrive. So naturally, they want to make sure you are safe.

Due to their superior intellect, the German Rottie also needs a lot of mental stimulation. So, if they do not receive enough mental and physical stimulation, they may start to display destructive behavior to get your attention.

How to Take Care of a Rottweiler Mix

This Rottweiler mix is relatively easy to care for, as they have short fur and are generally healthy. However, they do require some care, which includes:

Grooming

The German Rottie has different grooming requirements, as some can inherit the German shepherd coat, while others take after the Rottweiler and have short fur. Therefore, German Rotties with long coats will shed more and require daily brushing. However, if they have short coats, you will only need to brush them once or twice a week.

Bathing is a different story. Dogs have natural oils on their skin that keep it vitalized and healthy. Therefore, if you wash away these oils regularly, your dog’s skin will become dry, irritated, and flaky. In addition, the loss of natural oil will reduce the luster of its fur. So, only bathe your German Rottie when absolutely necessary.

Oral health is also important and often overlooked. To keep your Rottweiler mix’s teeth and gums healthy, brush them at least three times a week with dog-friendly toothpaste.

Lastly, take your German Rottie to a professional groomer every three months to have its nails clipped and ears cleaned. It’s best not to do this at home, as dogs can get hurt if you don’t know what you are doing. For example, cutting too much of their nail off is severely painful for dogs and will cause bleeding.

Training

Thanks to the German Rottie’s hard-working nature and intellect, they are easy to train. However, some have a stubborn streak but can’t resist a delicious treat awarded for good behavior. Therefore, training this hybrid with plenty of patience and positive reinforcement will be a breeze. However, trainers must not yell or hit them (or any breed). If your dog fears you, it could result in destructive or aggressive behavior.

Exercise

The German Rottie has a lot of energy to burn. They need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day, but two hours is preferred. Therefore, an hour’s walk and a game of fetch afterward are ideal. But it doesn’t stop there; they will need a large yard where they can run around. The more time they spend on activities, the less time they have to get up to mischief.

Puppies

German Rotties can have litters of 6 to 10 puppies, though larger litters are possible. These pups are balls of energy and require tons of supervision! Ensure to use a reputable breeder when looking for one of these hybrids. Whatever you do, do not purchase a German Rottie from a backyard breeder or pet store! These pups have not been screened for any health concerns and may be sickly. If you can’t find a breeder close to you, try looking at Rottweiler or German Shepherd rescues, as they often save mixed breeds.

Rottweiler Mix and Children

Keeping the German Rottie around younger children is always a gamble. Because of their massive size, they could easily injure a small child by accident. But they are actually great with children and very affectionate. So, if you plan on adopting one of these beauties and have small kids, ensure to socialize the dog properly before it gets too big.

Rottweiler Mix Cost

When purchasing a German Rottie from a reputable breeder, the cost varies between $250 and $800, depending on the pedigree, location, and breeder.

Dogs similar to the Rottweiler Mix

• Beaucerons
• Great Swiss Mountain dog
• Boerboel