Rottie Shepherd Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- German Shepherd & Rottweiler
- Breed Nickname:
- Rottie Shepherd
- Size:
- Large
- Height:
- 22 to 28 inches
- Weight:
- 75 to 115 pounds
- Life Span:
- 9 to 13 years
- Coat Colors:
- White, black, gray, sable, tan, red, and cream
Rottie Shepherd Characteristics
About The Rottie Shepherd
What Is A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Called?
The result of breeding a German Shepherd with a Rottweiler is the Rottie Shepherd. They are also sometimes referred to as Rotten Shepherd, although this is a disservice to how lovely this dog is.
Rottweilers are often given a bad reputation for being boisterous and assertive, but this is mostly down to their size and muscle mass. They are friendly giants, undeserving of the flack they get from the dog community.
German Shepherds are also assertive and energetic, but there’s much more to the Rottie Shepherd than just its energy levels. Is this the right breed to welcome into your family? Let’s find out.
Rottie Shepherd Breed History
Bred in the 90s in North America.
Bred to combine strength and intelligence.
Great working dogs.
The Rottie Shepherd was first intentionally bred in the late 1990s in North America. Breeders were attempting to create a loyal, intelligent, and strong dog breed – and what better parent breeds to use than the German Shepherd and Rottweiler?
The puppies were incredibly popular thanks to their cute button noses and loving eyes, so more were bred to meet the demand.
The German Shepherd and the Rottweiler have a lot in common. They were both originally bred in Germany, and they’re both excellent working dogs.
The Rottweiler is thought to have descended from drover dogs, otherwise known as cattle-driving dogs, that were left by the Romans in Rottweil, Germany.
This would have happened as early as the 2nd century CE.
German Shepherds were bred in 1899 using various herding dogs. They were originally bred to herd sheep but were quickly put into the workforce thanks to their intelligence.
They have worked for the police, military, and disability assistance.
Rottie Shepherd Personality & Temperament
These dogs have plenty of energy.
They can be cheeky and keep their owners on their toes!
Love a cuddle.
If there’s one word to describe a Rottie Shepherd, it’s energetic. This is unsurprising, considering its parent breeds are both working dogs and are known for always moving.
The Rottie Shepherd likes to be challenged constantly, both mentally and physically.
Rottie Shepherds can be rambunctious, but plenty of training will help you keep this under control. Unwanted behaviors, such as jumping and digging, can be fixed through positive reinforcement and patience.
Perhaps the most endearing quality of Rottie Shepherds is that, despite their large size and heavy weight, they believe they are lap dogs.
They love a cuddle at the end of the day and create a strong bond with their main caretaker.
They might be too protective of their owners if they feel a threat near them. However, this can be prevented by early socialization and plenty of training.
These dogs love big families and an active lifestyle. They’re good with children and are gentle around everyone, provided they’ve been properly socialized.
They’ll do best in a large house, although they can work in an urban setting with plenty of outdoor time.
Rottie Shepherd Health
Predisposed to some of the same health issues as their parent breeds.
Eye issues are a concern.
Regular vet appointments are important.
The Rottie Shepherd can suffer from some of the same health conditions that the German Shepherd and Rottweiler deal with. Most Rottie Shepherds are healthy dogs, but there are a few health issues to look out for, including:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Osteochondritis Dessecans
- Aortic Stenosis
- Degenerative Myelopathy Congenital Heart Defect
Rottie Shepherds can also suffer from eyelid concerns such as Ectropion and Entropion. Considering eyesight is vital for dogs and this breed is predisposed to issues surrounding them, you need to constantly be on top of your veterinarian check-ups.
You should also make sure that you’re looking out for any changes in your dog that might be symptoms of something concerning.
Contact a professional as soon as you notice anything out of the ordinary with your Rottie Shepherd so you can get them treated quickly.
Rottie Shepherd Training
Very clever dogs.
Easy to train with positive reinforcement.
Prefer one owner to train them over lots of them.
Rottie Shepherds are highly intelligent animals thanks to their parent breeds, so training them shouldn’t be too difficult.
However, they are prone to inheriting Rottweiler’s boisterous streak, which can make them less willing to listen to you when they’re not in the mood for training.
Rottie Shepherds must be properly socialized as puppies. This avoids assertive behaviors as adults and keeps them friendly with other dogs and children.
Rottie Shepherds don’t take kindly to negative reinforcement, so keep everything positive. Offer treats and words of affirmation for positive behaviors, and ignore negative behavior.
As Rottie Shepherds tend to become more attached to one caregiver than the rest of the family, this person should do all of the training.
If someone else were to try, the Rottie Shepherd might ignore them or begin playing up.
Rottie Shepherd Exercise Requirements
Very clever dogs.
Easy to train with positive reinforcement.
Prefer one owner to train them over lots of them.
Rottie Shepherds need a lot of exercise to keep them happy and content throughout the day. They’ll need at least one to two hours of exercise, and a minimum of two walks a day.
They definitely need an active owner who can keep up with their active requirements. They’ll also thrive in a house with a large yard where they can run and get their energy out between their walks, too.
While they can live in urban areas, you’ll need to consider how much they’ll need to go out on walks. You might find yourself taking them out on three or four walks every day!
Rottie Shepherds love being mentally stimulated to avoid boredom. Their ideal owner will have enough time to satisfy both their physical and mental needs. To do this, play lots of games with them like fetch, tug of war, and find the treat.
Rottie Shepherd Diet & Feeding
Use a food formulated for large dogs with lots of energy.
Avoid overfeeding.
Choose a high-quality food formulated for large dogs with high energy.
Rottie Shepherds need plenty of protein to keep their muscles strong and recovering after each long day of exercise, as well as some healthy fats and carbs to keep their energy levels up.
Rottie Shepherds are known for gaining weight quickly, so keep an eye on their appetite and only feed them the recommended amount.
Some dogs will need more food due to higher activity levels, while others will require less due to a more static lifestyle.
Consult a vet if you’re concerned about overfeeding your Rottie Shepherd.
You may also be interested in:
Rottie Shepherd Cost
Costs between $250 and $800.
Ongoing costs include food, toys, vet checkups, and more.
This designer dog will cost between $250 to $800. The higher end of the spectrum will be more trusted thanks to the breeder being reputable. Always opt for a responsible breeder as they can give you clearance on both parent breeds.
Ongoing costs for Rottie Shepherds will consist of food, sturdy toys, and exercise equipment. You might also need a crate for crate training. Bear in mind that these dogs eat more due to their size, so food costs will be higher.
You might also choose to hire a professional trainer for your Rottie Shepherd puppy.
