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Commonly referred to as “Shepweiler”, “Rottweiler Shepherd”, “Rotten Shepherd”, “Rottie Shepherd” or even “Shottie”!
We’re going to take a look at the important things you need to know about the German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix.
We learn what a German Shepherd Cross Rottweiler looks like, where the parents come from, common behavior, and possible health problems.
You can decide whether or not this hybrid dog is suitable for your household.
What is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a designer breed. It results from crossing a purebred German Shepherd Dog (GSD) with a purebred Rottweiler. Two of the most popular and famous dog breeds!
According to the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd is the second most popular breed. With the Rottweiler in ninth place of the most popular breed.
Before we can understand Rottweiler Shepherd mixed characteristics, however, we must first discuss their ancestry.
Where does the German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix come from?
Let’s talk about the German Shepherd Dog and the Rottweiler!
The German shepherd belongs to the breed herd group.
The breed is known for its tall stature. 24-26 inches at the shoulder. It is medium in size but with a muscular body and deep chest. GSDs can grow anywhere from 49 to 88 pounds.
Other recognizable features of the German Shepherd Dog are the sloped hips, crouched hind legs, large and alert ears. As well as extreme devotion to their human companion or handler. You can often find them as guards or service dogs.
You can find out everything about the German Shepherd Dog here in our detailed guide.
The Rottweiler is a member of the working group of breeds.
Reds are much larger in size, usually mature to 77-130 pounds and 22-27 inches tall. They are known for their powerful and sturdy physique, which some may find a little intimidating.
It is generally accepted that Rottweilers were bred to be reliable work or watch animals. Her compact but agile physique increases strength and endurance.
You can learn a lot more about Rottweilers in our full breed report here.
German shepherd Rottweiler mix temperament
One of the most common concerns when buying or adopting a large dog is temperament.
Since the German Shepherd Rottweiler hybrid is not a pure breed, its temperament can only be adopted based on the characteristic temperament of its parent breeds. Due to the nature of its parent breeds, the mixed temperament of the German Shepherd Rottweiler can be a sensitive issue.
The German Shepherd is often viewed as an aggressive dog, and this trait is used in a K-9 police position. It is important to note, however, that these service dogs will only be aggressive if directed to do so by the handler.
As a companion, the German Shepherd Dog has the potential to call other dogs or even people aggressive. The German Shepherd Dog can express aggressive behavior when it feels that its owner or home is being threatened. Especially when a strange dog or a person enters his “territory”.
Similar to the German Shepherd, the Rottweiler is considered a particularly aggressive breed. This image is not helped if Rotties attack children or other passers-by. Since this breed was founded as a guard dog, Rotties are naturally regulated to protect what “belongs” to them and their homes.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Training
The good news is that both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are very intelligent breeds that learn quickly. Rottweiler and German Shepherd puppies can be easily trained.
Therefore, it is very important to treat and socialize them with other dogs and people (including children) from a young age.
Socializing in a range of places and people, and having large and frequent visitors, will help your dog feel comfortable. Reducing the need to “protect” their property or family.
We recommend very positive training techniques for guarding dog breeds. Punishment-based training can cause dogs to mask fearful or aggressive reactions and make them prone to biting without warning in the future.
German shepherd rottweiler mix height and weight
So, will a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler mix grow up into one big dog? The answer is definitely yes.
Because of the size of its parents, a full-grown German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix weighs between 77 and 115 pounds.
You can also expect them to reach 22 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Colors
As mentioned earlier, the characteristics of a hybrid puppy can be quite difficult to predict. Thus, Rottweilers and German Shepherd puppies can be born with a mix of the characteristics of their parent breeds.
Or they may have characteristics of one breed more than the other.
Rottweiler Cross German Shepherd puppies can be one shade or a mixture of colors. Including Black, cream, red, silver, tan, blue, gray, liver, sable, or white.
They may inherit the Rottweiler rust or mahogany face and leg markings. The same applies to the German Shepherd’s black face and leg markings.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Coat
With the medium-length, thick coat of the German Shepherd and the short, thick coat of the Rotties, a Rottweiler German Shepherd will most likely have a thick coat.
However, the length of the coat depends on which puppy the puppy is taking.
German shepherd rottweiler mix grooming and shedding
Can you expect a German Shepherd mix with Rottweiler to go a long way?
If a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix puppy has the medium and shaggy coat of its German Shepherd parent, it will need to be brushed several times a week.
This is increased to daily during the shedding season.
If the puppy has the shorter coat of its Rottweiler parent, it will need brushing no more than once a week.
Grooming a dog, even if it isn’t shedding a lot, is important to get rid of excess hair and dead skin.
A tool like a furminator will help you keep this hairy problem under control.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Health
As with a purebred or hybrid dog, a Rottweiler mixed with a German Shepherd can have congenital health problems or develop ailments later in life.
Common health problems in dogs, regardless of breed, include hip dysplasia, eye diseases, allergies, and skin irritations.
However, since both the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) and the Rottweiler are prone to joint degeneration, the GSD-Rottweiler mix is particularly prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. It is estimated that nearly 70% of large breed dogs will develop this devastating condition.
To delay the onset of the elbow or hip dysplasia, or to lessen the severity of an existing case, it is very important to keep a Rottweiler GSD mix at a healthy weight.
Studies have shown that adding weight to a young dog significantly increases the risk of joint degeneration.
In addition to hip and elbow dysplasia, a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix can also inherit cancer, heart disease, hypothyroidism, and/or autoimmune diseases from their parents.
Get a healthy GSD Rottweiler Mix Puppy
If you’re working with a breeder to have a puppy, genetic tests from both the father and mother-father can determine the health problems he is bringing with him.
Make sure both parents have good hip and elbow scores.
It is also important that the German Shepherd Dog has a flat back and not walk on stools.
You can find out more about this exaggeration and the potential problems it can cause here.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Training Requirements
German Shepherd-Rottweiler mixes are prone to the elbow or hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.
Therefore, it is very important that they exercise appropriately and eat healthily in order to maintain their weight.
In addition, both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are very energetic and wild breeds, so a hybrid of the two will also have high energy and a playful demeanor.
If they don’t move around enough, their destructive tendencies can pull their ugly head back.
You could come home and find a piece of furniture or clothing that is chewed up!
To keep your house and dog happy, you should take your German Shepherd Rottweiler for at least an hour a day. You should also have enough space in the house so that they can move around on their own when you are not around.
It is not recommended to keep a GSD or Rottie if you are regularly out of the house for long periods of time.
How long does the German shepherd rottweiler mix his life?
You can assume that a mixed breed puppy will live roughly as long as its parent breeds. The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is expected to be around 10 to 13 years old.
Buying or adopting a German Shepherd-Rottweiler mix
It may be easier to find a mixed breed dog for adoption at a local shelter or rescue service than with a breeder. So it may take a bit of searching or working with a breeder to get a perfect puppy!
How much does a Shepweiler puppy or dog cost?
Is a German Shepherd and Rottweiler Mix a Good Family Dog?
Special consideration should be given before buying a Rottweiler cross.
Both parent breeds are large and energetic, so a hybrid puppy will need a lot of space to play and grow.
Also, if they have the German Shepherd’s longer coat, they may need a lot of brushing and you will have to do a lot of cleaning up your home during the spill time.
You also need to be prepared to treat elbow or hip dysplasia, a common condition that affects both parent breeds. Careful monitoring of diet and weight is mandatory.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Kid-Friendly?
Additionally, both Rottweilers and German Shepherds are known for their potentially aggressive natures. Therefore, careful handling and obedience training is a must from a young age, especially with larger breeds.
They may not be good candidates for homes with other animals or children.
However, if you have room for a large and playful dog, you should put the time and dedication into engaging with them and training them properly. And you can use your intelligence wisely. Then a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix could be your next pet! Just make sure that both parents are of excellent temperament and are fully tested for health.