Labrottie Overview
- Parent Breeds:
- Labrador Retriever & Rottweiler
- Breed Nickname:
- Labrottie
- Size:
- Large
- Height:
- 24 to 27 inches
- Weight:
- 70 to 115 pounds
- Life Span:
- 10 to 12 years
- Coat Colors:
- Black, brown, tan, and gray.
Labrottie Characteristics
About The Labrottie
What Is A Rottweiler Lab Mix Called?
A mix between Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever is called a Labrottie. They are also referred to as Rottadors, Labweillers, Rott ‘n Labs, and Rottwadors.
These dogs often get a bad reputation inherited from the Rottweiler, but they are often misunderstood.
These dogs are loving, loyal, and energetic, making lovely family dogs. However, they’re not suitable for everyone. Learn more about this wonderful breed below, in our ultimate guide.
Labrottie Breed History
First bred in the 1990s in the US.
Bred to create a lovable watchdog.
Both parent breeds are working dogs.
There is limited information on the breed history of Labrotties, but we know that they were first introduced in North America during the 1990s.
Breeders most likely wanted to minimize the health concerns of the purebred parent breeds.
They also could have wanted to make the ultimate family watchdog, mixing the loving loyalty of the Labrador with the guard dog capabilities of the Rottweiler.
Both parent breeds are working dogs, with rich histories throughout the US. The Labrador was originally used as a fishing dog during the 1700s. It wasn’t until the 1820s they were used as retrievers!
Rottweilers originated around 74 AD when it is thought that German Shepherds were bred with Roman Drover Dogs by the Roman Empire.
They were used as guard dogs for centuries until they started working in the police force. During World War I, they were used as guards and police dogs.
Labrottie Personality & Temperament
Larger-than-life personalities.
Make good watchdogs.
Don’t like being left alone for too long.
Labrotties are loud and boisterous dogs, but they quickly calm down to be an affectionate loving companion when they’re around their owners. They are naturally protective, so they might jump up whenever strangers approach.
They’re good watchdogs, but not guard dogs. Once they’re familiar with the stranger, they love making friends.
While the Labrottie is a good working dog, they don’t like being left alone for too long. That hard exterior masks a sensitive soul, and these dogs like to be around their owners for the majority of the time.
They can quickly become bored and annoyed when they’re not exercising or working their brains.
Labrotties act well around children and other dogs provided that they have been early socialized and grown up around them. They can even cohabit with cats, although they might try and herd them every so often.
This dog breed works best in all sorts of environments, provided that their owners have enough time to satisfy their exercise needs and spend time with them throughout the day.
Labrottie Health
Generally considered to be healthy dogs.
Primary concerns include joints, eyes, and bloating.
Life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
As far as dog breeds are concerned, the Labrottie has considerably fewer health concerns than others.
They are widely considered a healthy breed, and there are only five main health concerns for you to be aware of when owning a Labrottie.
The main two are Gastric Torsion and Canine Hip Dysplasia. More minor concerns include Cataracts, Elbow Dysplasia, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
As you can see, Labrotties tend to suffer most with their joints and eyes. Gastric Torsion, or bloating, can often be rectified by altering their diet. However, if bloating is not treated in dogs, it can be fatal.
So, if your dog exhibits any signs of GT, contact your vet for advice.
Your Labrottie should see a vet regularly anyway, for a yearly checkup. Every dog should have this as it can diagnose symptoms quickly and get your dog treated as soon as possible.
Labrottie Training
Generally easier to train than other dog breeds.
Thrive with positive reinforcement.
Can struggle with the power dynamic if not trained properly.
This mixed breed has two working parent breeds, with the Rottweiler being a popular police and guard dog, and the Labrador being a great guide dog.
This work ethic is sure to pass down to the Labrottie, making them easier to train than other dog breeds.
If these dogs haven’t been trained early, they might struggle with the idea of you being the top dog in the house. You need to teach them that you are the owner from when they are a puppy.
This will make training much easier and keep you working as a team, rather than against each other.
Labrotties thrive when being trained with positive reinforcement. They are driven by food, so make sure you have plenty of treats for them when learning something new. Keep training sessions short and sweet to keep their attention.
Labrottie Exercise Requirements
Generally easier to train than other dog breeds.
Thrive with positive reinforcement.
Can struggle with the power dynamic if not trained properly.
The Labrottie needs plenty of exercise to keep their mind happy and body content. They tend to be calm and chilled when inside, but they’ll need plenty of outside time to burn their energy out.
As a rule of thumb, Labrotties need around 65 minutes of exercise a day. This could be in the form of a brisk walk, hike, jog, or even swimming.
Labrotties also like playing games to keep their minds working, such as fetch. Training is also a good exercise to keep them working.
Labrotties should be kept in a home with a large yard where they can run around throughout the day to tire themselves out.
Labrottie Diet & Feeding
Offer food for large dogs with high energy levels.
Feed them smaller meals throughout the day rather than one large meal.
Labrotties need food formulated for large dogs with high energy levels. They are prone to gaining weight, so keep them on a strict diet depending on their current body weight. Don’t leave food out, either, as they will eat it.
Labrotties can suffer from bloating, and this might be exacerbated by their diets. Work with your vet to determine if your dog is allergic to any ingredients in their food.
Feeding them smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can also help with bloating.
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Labrottie Cost
Costs $600 to $700.
Ongoing costs usually amount to around $950 a year.
Labrotties can cost between $600 and $700. Backyard breeders might charge less for a Labrottie, but you should always pay more for a reputable breeder.
Ongoing costs include food, toys, vet bills, and more. On average, the ongoing cost of owning a Labrottie is around $950 a year.
