For the most part, designer doggies are mostly mix bred for the sake of aesthetics. That is why so many of them are cute and fluffy little pooches. However, it is not uncommon to find large and often intimidating breeds mixed for use both as companions and working dogs. One of the best combinations in this case is that of the German Shepherd and Rottweiler breeds.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler is a mixed breed dog developed from the two iconic German breeds that they are named after. Due to the vast differences in aesthetics, it is difficult to pinpoint a set of features to expect from this mix. However, German Shepherds and Rottweilers are pretty similar in personality, so these traits are a bit easier to predict.
German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes are very interesting dogs with a lot to offer. They also have very specific care needs you need to be aware of in order to give them a happy and loving home. Here is a complete guide with all this information and more.
Is German Shepherd And Rottweiler A Good Mix?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix may be unusual, but it is actually a good pairing. These doggies are sometimes referred to as German Rotties or Shottie dogs.
One of the main reasons why it is such a great mix is the fact that the resulting pooches are usually very beautiful. They often take a few features from each parent forming combinations that never disappoint. Here is a bit of what you have to expect in terms of the Shottie’s appearance.
Size
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mixed dog takes more after the Rottweiler when it comes to the size. The mixed dogs can weigh 75 to 115 lbs which is way higher than the 50 to 90 lbs range that most German Shepherds stick to.
However, they do not always grow to be exactly as large as Rottweilers that are known to reach and exceed 135 lbs.
Build
For the most part, German Shepherds and Rottweilers are pretty similar in build with their large but proportional features. The Rottweiler usually appears more compact and muscular which is something you may notice in your Shottie pooch.
Face And Skull Features
The most important features to consider here are the ears. German Shepherds have large, perky ears while Rottweilers have theirs floppy. The resulting mix can take after either parent, but most have the ears floppy.
When it comes to the snout on the other hand, many German Rotties resemble the German Shepherd side with the long and narrow snout. However, it is also possible for the snout to be a bit shorter and wider.
How Long Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Live?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix has a lifespan of 9 to 13 years.
How long the dog gets to live depends on a number of factors including their lifestyle as well as their health status based on genetics and breed standards. The latter play the biggest role in not only determining the length but also the quality of the dog’s life. To best prepare yourself for the dog’s health needs, here are some of the most common problems that German Shepherd Rottweiler mixed dogs face.
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Joint dysplasia refers to conditions where the sockets in joints like the hip and elbow do not form normally. This results in an unstable joint that can barely support the dog’s weight. This not only affects their activity levels but also puts them at risk of developing arthritis later on in their lives.
Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
This mostly affects Shotties that take after the German Shepherd’s deep-chested build. The condition is triggered mainly by eating too much food too fast. As the stomach dilates, it rotates and twists in on itself resulting in blockage and serious discomfort for the dog.
Obesity
Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are very active dogs and the same applies to their mixed puppies. However, they tend to have very big appetites and can very easily overeat and grow overweight. This is worsened by conditions that affect the dog’s motility including arthritis, joint dysplasia, and spinal cord diseases.
Skin Irritation
These doggies also tend to be sensitive to various allergens with most manifesting with skin irritation. The triggers vary from one vulnerable dog to another with things like fleas, mites, pollen, and some grooming products being the most commonly implicated.
How Much Is A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
German Shepherd Rottweiler mixed dogs cost between $250 and $850 with some breeders selling them for as much as $1,500.
The price you have to pay for a Shottie mix is definitely lower than what you may have to pay for the individual contributing pure breeds. However, these mixed doggies are still pretty pricey especially for mixed dogs. Here are some of the main reasons why.
The Contributing Breeds Are Expensive
German Shepherd puppies cost between $800 and $2,000 while older and trained ones can cost upwards of $10,000. Rottweilers on the other hand range from $2,500 to $8,000 regardless of training status.
Breeding the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will require breeders to have one or both of these dogs which can be costly for them. This translates to the higher price tag on the resulting mix.
It Is A Niche Mix
Another reason why German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes may be more expensive than other mixed doggies is the fact that they have niche demand. It is not a very common pairing and those who actually want them are usually more than willing to pay the price for the few pooches out there in the market.
They Are Versatile Dogs
German Rotties are also expensive because of all that they have to offer their new owners. They are very flexible and adaptable dogs that can fit in pretty much anywhere from apartments to open country estates.
German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes are also very intelligent and therefore easy to train for different working dog tasks including guarding, hunting, law enforcement and much more.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Hard To Train? Temperaments Of German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes
As earlier mentioned, German Shepherds and Rottweilers have pretty similar personalities that the Shottie mix will take after. These are, for the most part, positive traits that make the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix easy to train while also making them easy and fun to live with. Let’s take a look at some of these features.
Intelligent
According to Stanely Coren’s “The Intelligence of Dogs”, both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are ranked among the top 10 brightest dog breeds. This is an amazing trait that the mix between these two breeds inherits.
In addition to their intelligence, their obedient nature makes German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes very easy to train for many different purposes.
Affectionate
German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes have a reputation for being giant lap dogs. They love attention and spending time with their favorite humans and will not hesitate to grab a snuggle every once in a while.
Suspicious Of Strangers
Both Rottweilers and German Shepherds have long histories of use as guard dogs. The German Rottie mix inherits this inclination which includes a very alert nature and an innate mistrust of strangers.
Unless you are planning on raising and training the mixed pooch as a guard dog, it is best to start socialization from an early age.
Energetic And Active
German Shepherd Rottweiler dogs are very active. They may adapt to apartment settings, but they need at least 1 to 2 hours of outdoor time to run around and work out all their physical and mental energy.
Dominant And Confident
This is a potentially problematic trait that often results in displays of aggression especially towards other pets. Obedience training and socialization are two ways to exercise control over German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes by establishing dominance and teaching the pooch to get along with others.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Shed? Grooming Tips For German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes
One of the most important considerations to make when coming up with a grooming routine for your German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is the coat type. These dogs may take after either parent’s traits including the German Shepherd’s long, thick coat or the Rottweiler’s short and sleek one.
Unfortunately, both German Shepherds and Rottweilers shed pretty heavily which means regular brushing is something that needs to be a permanent part of your grooming routine for your German Shepherd Rottweiler mix.
To help you out, here are some grooming tips not only on how to take care of the dog’s coat but also all their other maintenance needs.
Brush The Coat 2 To 4 Times A Week
When the dog is shedding heavily, regular brushing with a high quality sleeker will help you get rid of loose fur to keep their coats beautiful and your home clean.
Do it 4 times a week if they are shedding heavily and twice if it is only moderate.
You also have to invest in a good grooming tool in which case we recommend the Furminator Undercoat Tool that is easy to use and even easier to clean after.
Wash The Dog Every 6 To 8 Weeks
German Shepherd Rottweilers do not tend to stink unless they have skin issues, you can therefore stick to a routine where you wash them once every 2 months. This works especially if you are using high quality products like the Paws & Pals 6-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo. This shampoo not only cleans the dog but also conditions the fur, helps with soothing and healing of irritated skin, and does a great job of controlling odors.
Keep Their Surfaces And Accessories Clean
It is crucial that you keep surfaces like floors and dog beds as well as different accessories that your pooch uses just as clean as the dog itself. This is because of the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix’s often sensitive skin that can very easily be triggered by dust and parasites like fleas that take advantage of the mess. The iRobot Roomba i3+ will come in very handy in these efforts by automating the floor cleaning part of your job.
Related Questions
Can A Rottweiler Kill A German Shepherd? It is possible for a Rottweiler to kill a German Shepherd. The Rottweiler’s larger and more muscular form definitely gives the breed an advantage over the Shepherds. There is also the fact that Rottweilers are more volatile and aggressive than German Shepherds. They are therefore more likely to launch more violent attacks.
Can Rottweiler And German Shepherd Live Together? A German Shepherd and Rottweiler can live together but it is not always a good idea to have this pairing in one home. This is because they are both dominant dogs and will want to establish authority over the other especially if both are male. If you really want them in the same house, it is best to start with both as puppies so they can grow up together but even this may not always be enough.
Should I Get A Rottweiler Or German Shepherd? All factors considered, German Shepherd dogs are by far better to have as pets than Rottweilers. This is because German shepherds are easier to maintain and generally more laid back. They also get along very well with children and even with visitors especially if they are socialized from an early age.
