German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix – breed info, characteristics and pictures

German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a cross of a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler, also known as German Shepweiler or Rottweiler Shepherd. It's a large dog at about 22 to 28 inches tall, weighing between 75 to 115 pounds. The lifespan of this crossbreed is around 10 to 13 years.

To help you understand if you’re ready to bring home such a pet, I came up with a list of things that make these dogs so special.

German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Photos

You need to have previous experience with dogs

To understand better the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, we should take a closer look at her parents. The German Shepherd is considered the strongest dog breed in the world, not just for their physical strength, but also because they’re aware of it and know how to use their bodies to attack and defend themselves.

Rottweilers are in the Top 3, according to the same list. They have powerful shoulders and leg muscles, being used in the past to pull small wagons and to guard ranches. By mixing these two great dogs, breeders have obtained a strong, very intelligent crossbreed, with great watchdog abilities.

However, crossbreeding can’t guarantee a puppy’s temperament. You can’t know from the beginning if your dog will be more like the German Shepherd, or if she’s going to inherit the Rottweiler’s potential aggression. This can be a problem if you’re a first-time dog owner, because your lack of experience will allow your large and very intelligent dog to become the pack leader in your house.

You’ll have to teach your puppy obedience training

As mentioned above a fully grown German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is usually between 22 to 28 inches tall (56-71 cm) and weighs between 75 and 115 pounds (34 – 52 kg). It’s essential that you train her before she gets close to these dimensions, in order to keep your dog out of trouble.

Usually, these dogs are loyal, affectionate, and develop a strong bond with their families. As long as they’re properly trained and socialized, they’re great with children of all ages, and can even get along well with most pets. However, when they lack training, they can have little or no respect for rules and their excellent watchdog abilities will make them overprotective and even aggressive.

You should start trying to train your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix when she’s as young as 5-6 weeks. Be patient, but firm, and use positive reinforcement only. These dogs are fast learners, as both their parents are obedient, highly intelligent, and like to please their owners. If you’re consistent, you can obtain great results without any professional help.

Take a look at this seven-month-old puppy and how well he responds to his owner’s commands:

If you’re planning to adopt an adult dog, check to see if she’s been properly trained before bringing her home. Training an older dog requires more time and patience, and there’s a chance you’ll need to take her to obedience classes if she shows signs of aggression.

You’ll have to clean your house often

Most of these dogs inherit the short coat of their Rottweiler parent and need moderate brushing, once or twice a week. But there are puppies who’ll look more like the German Shepherd, which means that their coats will need daily brushing, because they’ll shed regularly all year round, and worse during shedding season.

With mixed breeds you can’t know what your puppy’s coat will look like, and you need to be prepared for all cases: short, harsh, dense, straight, or thick. Whether you’ll have to deal with some hair, or a lot of it, you should get a pet hair vacuum cleaner just in case. This tool will be your best friend, especially during the shedding season, when you’ll be cleaning your carpets almost daily.

On the other hand, you’ll save time with grooming, as this dog has moderate needs:

• clean her ears once a month;
• bath her once every few months, unless she’s dirty;
• trim her nails when needed;
• brush her teeth almost daily.

A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix needs an active life

If you’re planning on getting such a dog and keeping her inside all afternoon, on the couch watching TV, then you should reconsider your plans. A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix needs exercise to stay in good health. Being very intelligent, this dog also needs serious mental stimulation. Keep her busy with training sessions and interesting games every day.

Your puppy should be exercised according to her age and physical abilities. Take her for several 10-minute walks during the day, keep catch sessions short, and don’t make her your jogging companion until her bone structure is strong enough.

As an adult, your dog needs to be active for about two hours a day. Split this time between one or two 30-minute walks, a trip to the dog park, and some short play sessions. They usually like playing catch or Frisbee, and can also use some time spent on their own in the yard.

It’s not uncommon to see a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix running, jogging or hiking with her owner, but not all dogs are the same. Make sure your dog is ready for such activities before putting her through such intense exercising.

If bored, your dog will mess up your house, and your life

Large breed dogs are rarely suitable for small houses, with no yard in which to move freely.

Destructive chewing is often seen in both German Shepherds and Rottweilers, so you can expect a similar response from your dog if you leave her all by herself every day. If you know you’ll have to keep her cooped up for a few hours every day, start crate training when your dog is still young. Choose a dog cage for large breeds and furnish it with resistant chew toys.

These dogs can also develop excessive barking when they get bored, which is stressful and annoying, especially for your neighbours. If you work too much, hire a pet walker or take your dog to a daycare, where she can get involved in some interesting activities in your absence.

Your dog can develop serious health issues

Despite their impressive looks and strength, almost all large breeds run the risk developing a series of medical problems. A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is no exception, even more so as both the Rottweiler and the German Shepherd are famous for their specific health issues.

Some health conditions your dog can inherit from her parents are:

• cancer;
• hip and elbow dysplasia;
• heart disease;
• hypothyroidism;
• allergies;
• autoimmune diseases;
• eye disease.

Some of these problems can be prevented or treated if you’re willing to keep a close eye on your dog. Schedule your dog for a DNA test for inherited diseases, follow all your veterinarian’s recommendations when it comes to vaccination, and make sure your dog has a balanced diet that’s adapted for her needs.

You must buy your dog from a reputable breeder

Buy your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix from a reputable breeder, as this is the only way you’ll get to know more about her parents’ health history and their temperaments. This information is essential when you have to deal with such a large dog that’s prone to the medical issues mentioned above.

You shouldn’t buy a puppy if:

• her Rottweiler parent had or has aggression problems;
• the breeder doesn’t have an OFA certification from the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals, for both of the dog’s parents;
• there are too many hereditary diseases in your dog’s family history.

Conclusion

A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a very special dog, and I think she can easily find her place within any active family. She’s loyal, likes to please her owners, and is a great play companion for kids.

However, owning such a dog is a big responsibility, as she needs proper training and might require special medical care when she gets older. I’d say she’s not the best option for people who work too much, and have little time to offer to a dog.