Last Updated on March 2, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
The German shepherd Rottweiler mix is a special kind of dog that’s known for being very loyal and dedicated to its owners. It’s a confident breed that can be a great companion or a helpful working dog. These dogs are loving and protective, and they can fit into many different kinds of families.
Our guide below has everything you need to know about German shepherd Rottweiler mixes. We’ll talk about how to take care of them and the background of this breed. Plus, we’ll help you figure out if this is the right kind of dog for you. Keep reading to learn all about it!
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Breed Overview
Here is the breed overview of German shepherd Rottweiler mix:
- Height: 22-27 inches
- German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Weight: 75-115 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-13 years
- Intelligence: Highly intelligent
- Temperament: Loyal, protective, affectionate
- Coat type: Short to medium, dense, double-coated
- Shedding: Moderate shedding, regular grooming needed
- Energy level: Energetic, requires regular exercise
History of the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
The German Shepherd and the Rottweiler are well-liked dog breeds. Both originally from Germany, they’re known for being smart and good at working.
People started mixing them together to make a new type of dog, called the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, around the 1990s. They wanted a dog that could be both a good friend and a protector.
This mixed breed is often used by police and the military because they’re clever and easy to train. That’s also why they’re picked as service dogs.
Nowadays, lots of people and families want this kind of dog because they’re protective and attentive. More and more folks are choosing them as pets.
Appearance of German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a special kind of dog that people design, they can look different from each other. There’s no set look for this mixed breed.
Usually, they have longer noses and strong back legs because their parents, the German Shepherd and Rottweiler, are athletic dogs. Their ears can be floppy or straight, depending on their genes.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a big dog. They’re usually about 22 to 27 inches tall and weigh between 75 to 115 pounds. Boys and girls of this breed are similar in German Shepherd Rottweiler mix size and weight. They’re big dogs, usually weighing about 100 pounds.
These dogs often have black or brown fur, but sometimes it’s mixed with tan, brown, or grey. They might have patterns that look like the Rottweiler or German Shepherd, depending on which genes they get. Their fur is thick and smooth, and it can be short or medium-length.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Lifespan
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes, like many big dogs, don’t live for a really long time. Usually, they live from 7 to 11 years. But how long they live can depend on how well they’re taken care of and if they have any health problems.
Temperament of a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix has a personality that’s all about loyalty, protection, and dedication. They really care about their family and become really close to their main caregiver. Even though they might look tough, they’re actually very loving.
Once they’ve had their daily exercise, they’re ready to snuggle up with you on the couch or play quietly with you and their toys. Sometimes, they think they’re small enough to be a lap dog, so they’ll follow you everywhere.
It’s important to remember that German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes are smart and need lots of things to keep them busy. If they don’t get enough attention or training, they might start acting out or being too rough. So, it’s essential to teach them well and spend time with them.
Is Grooming Necessary for a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
Yes, grooming is necessary for a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, especially during shedding season when they may require more attention to manage their fur.
Taking care of a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix isn’t too hard, but sometimes they might need a bath or a trip to the groomer. This is especially important when they’re shedding a lot of fur.
Shedding of German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes usually shed a moderate amount of fur, especially when the weather changes. Their fur is thick, so you might find a lot of hair around during shedding season.
It’s a good idea to brush them often to help with shedding and to keep their fur from getting tangled. During shedding season, you might need to bathe them more often or take them to a groomer to keep their fur in good shape.
What Kind of Coat Does a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Have?
The fur of a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is usually thick, smooth, and short. Sometimes, they might have medium-length hair. If your dog has longer hair, you’ll need to brush it more frequently.
What Food is Suitable for a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
Your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix needs about 40 to 50 calories for every pound they weigh. Usually, this means giving them one to one and a half cups of dry dog food every day, divided into two or three meals.
You might need to change this amount depending on how much your dog moves around and exercises each day. If you’re not sure how much to feed them, ask a vet for help.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Have a Lot of Energy?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a breed that has a lot of energy, so they need plenty of exercise and activities to be happy. You should plan to spend at least one or two hours each day playing and walking with them, and make sure they get two good walks daily.
It’s also important to have a safe area where they can run and play outside with their family and toys. If you’re someone who loves being active outdoors, like going for hikes or long walks, then this breed could be a good fit for you because they enjoy being active too.
Health Issues in German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes
Like many other breeds, German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes can have certain health problems because of their genes. Some of these issues include:
- Joint problems like degeneration
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Bloating
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Heart defects from birth
- Eye issues like entropion and ectropion
- Aortic stenosis
Taking good care of your dog and visiting the vet regularly can keep them healthy and help catch any health problems early on.
Take Care of a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
To keep your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix healthy and happy, you need to take care of them properly. Firstly, it’s essential to give them enough exercise every day, like going for walks and playing outside with toys. This keeps them physically active and prevents them from getting bored and doing bad things.
Feeding them good quality food that matches their size and dietary needs is important. You can also give them healthy treats sometimes. Training them regularly is a must, as it keeps their brains active and happy.
Brushing their fur a few times a week, especially if it’s long, and getting them groomed by a professional now and then helps keep them clean and healthy, including their nails and ears.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Tend to Be Aggressive?
Some people might think this dog is mean because of how they look and because they’re a mix of two guard dog breeds. German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes can be mean, but it depends on the temperaments of their parents and how they’re trained.
If you make sure your dog spends time with other dogs and people (even if they’re older), stick to a regular training plan, and make sure they get enough exercise every day, they’re not likely to be mean.
They might still bark at things they think are threats and not trust people they don’t know, but that’s because they’re loyal and want to protect you, not because they’re mean.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Show Affection?
Despite how they look, German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes can be really loving. They’re protective and loyal to their families. They enjoy being with you, whether it’s cuddling, playing, or just chilling by your side while you do your thing.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Get Along Well With Children?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix might get along well with kids in some situations. But because they’re big dogs, it’s not the safest idea to have them around very little kids or kids who haven’t learned how to be around dogs.Also, your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix needs to learn how to act around kids.
It’s usually fine to have them in homes with older kids, but you should always keep an eye on them when they’re playing together.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Get Along With Other Animals?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix can be friendly with other animals if you introduce them carefully and train your dog well.
This breed might like to chase smaller animals more than other dogs do, so you need to be careful when introducing them to smaller pets like cats. But usually, they can get along with other animals without any problems.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Bark Frequently?
Your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix probably won’t bark a lot for no reason. They usually bark when they think there’s something wrong, when they want to tell you something, or when they want to keep you safe.
You can teach them when it’s okay to bark and when it’s not. They’re good at barking to let you know if something’s up, which makes them great guard dogs.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Smart?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a mix of two really smart dog breeds, which makes them pretty clever. They need more mental activities to keep them busy compared to some other dogs, and they do really well with regular training. These mixes like to make their owners happy and enjoy learning new stuff.
Training of German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is usually easy to train because they’re smart and diligent. Sometimes, they might be a bit stubborn, depending on their genes, but if you train them regularly and reward them for good behavior, they should learn quickly.
It’s important never to use harsh methods like shouting or hitting to train this dog, or any dog for that matter. This could make them dislike training and lose trust in you, which might lead to them acting out or becoming aggressive.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Live Comfortably in Apartments
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix might not be the best fit for living in an apartment. They’re big dogs and need lots of room to move around, sleep, and have fun.
Apartments that are small or have rules about dog breeds, and ones where it’s hard to go outside or find a park for them to play in, aren’t the best for them. If they don’t have enough space or places to play, they might start doing things that are bad or mean.
A bigger house with lots of places for them to go outside, or a backyard that’s fenced in, is the best place for them to live.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Make Good Guard Dogs?
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes are excellent guard dogs. They’re loyal, protective, and always on the lookout. They’re cautious around people they don’t know because they’re really devoted to their family. They don’t bark a lot, so if they start barking, you know something’s up.
You can teach your dog to be even better at watching out for danger and protecting your home. Sometimes, just their looks are enough to make troublemakers think twice about bothering you.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Make Good Service Dogs?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix can make a good service dog. They’re smart, quick to learn new things, and big enough to help with moving or medical tasks. They’re also really loyal and good at keeping an eye out, which is important for dogs that help with mental health.
Because they come from two breeds that are good at working, they like having jobs to do. This makes them great for doing things every day as service dogs.
What is the Bite Force of a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
A German shepherd Rottweiler mix bite force is usually around 328 pounds per square inch (PSI). When you compare it with a German Shepherd or a pitbull, individually, the pitbull has a stronger bite, but the Rottweiler is stronger than both.
When you mix a Rottweiler with a German Shepherd, their combined bite force is between 566 and 619 PSI, which is more powerful than an American Pitbull Terrier, whose bite force ranges from 240 to 330 PSI.