German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix: Dog Breed Guide
A confident breed known for its loyalty and dedication to its owners, the German shepherd rottweiler mix is a unique choice for a companion or working dog. This breed has plenty to offer potential owners in the way of affection and protectiveness, and they can easily adapt to most family lifestyles.
Our complete dog breed guide below will help you understand more about German shepherd rottweiler mixes, including basic care information and the history of this breed. We’ll also give you advice on determining whether or not this is the best breed to be adding to your lifestyle. Read on for all you need to know!
A Quick Look at German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes
The quick facts about the German shepherd rottweiler mix below will help you get started learning the basics about their appearance, temperament, and care needs.
| Weight/Height | 75 to 115 lbs/22 to 27 inches |
| Coat Type | Thick, straight, short to medium length |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Dedicated, intelligent, loyal, protective |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 7 to 11 years |
What Is the History of the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
The German shepherd and the rottweiler are popular breeds, each hailing from Germany individually, and both are known for their higher intelligence and effectiveness as working dogs. While it isn’t known exactly when the first German shepherd rottweiler mix came to be, this designer breed started gaining popularity around the 1990s as breeders worked to create a loyal dog that could fulfill both companionship and guard dog roles.
Police forces and the military often use the German shepherd rottweiler mix due to their intelligent, easily trainable nature; this nature also makes them a good choice for service dog duties. Today, many individuals and families recognize the benefits of adding this protective, watchful breed to their family, and this mix is steadily gaining popularity as a companionship dog.
What Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Look Like?
Because this dog is a designer breed and there are no breed standards for the mixed breed, the appearance of the German shepherd rottweiler mix can vary greatly. That being said, they tend to have longer snouts, strong hindquarters due to the athletic nature of both the German shepherd and the rottweiler, and either floppy or straight ears depending on their individual genetics. They are a larger breed and weigh approximately 100 pounds on average.
The coat color of the German shepherd rottweiler mix is often black or brown, but there may be traces of tan, brown, or grey. They are likely to be bi-colored and may have rottweiler or German shepherd patterning depending on which genetics win out in the breeding process. The coat of the German shepherd rottweiler mix is thicker and smooth, and it may have a short to medium length.
What Size Is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is a large-sized dog. They stand between 22 and 27 inches tall and weigh between 75 and 115 pounds. There is not much difference in size and weight between males and females of this breed.
What Is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix’s Coat Type?
Their coat is thicker and smooth and typically short, though medium-length hair sometimes occurs. If your German shepherd rottweiler mix has longer hair, they will likely require brushing more often.
What Is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix’s Temperament?
The temperament of the German shepherd rottweiler mix can only be described as loyal, protective, and dedicated. This is a breed that will be devoted to its family, and they will form strong bonds with their primary caretaker. While many individuals may perceive them as aloof or aggressive based on their appearance, they can actually be quite cuddly.
Once they’ve received their daily exercise, they are more than happy to shower their family with affection, cuddle up on the couch, or spend a more relaxed playtime with you and their toys in the evening. Oftentimes, this breed will assume they are a lap dog, following you everywhere around your home so they can spend time with you and keep an eye on you.
It’s important to note that German shepherd rottweiler mixes are intelligent and need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to be happy. Therefore, they may be prone to aggressiveness or destructive behavior if they are not properly socialized, trained, and cared for.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Affectionate?
Contrary to their appearance, the German shepherd rottweiler mix can be quite affectionate. They are protective and dedicated to their families, and they will love to spend all their time around you, whether cuddling, playing, or simply napping at your side while you go about your daily life.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Good With Kids?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix may be good with children in certain circumstances. However, because this dog is larger, it is not the best choice for them to be around very young children or children who haven’t been properly taught to interact with animals. Additionally, your German shepherd rottweiler mix will need to be properly socialized and trained to understand how to interact with children correctly.
Homes with older children are likely ok for this dog, but you should always supervise playtime between your dog and children.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Good With Other Animals?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix can be good with other animals as long as they are introduced slowly and your dog has been properly trained and socialized. This breed may have a higher prey drive than other dogs, and it’s especially important to take care when introducing smaller dogs and cats. In most cases, however, they get along with other animals easily.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Aggressive?
Many individuals may believe this dog is aggressive due to their appearance and the fact that they are a mix of two of the more popular guard breeds. German shepherd rottweiler mixes can be aggressive, but this depends on their parent breeds’ temperaments and the training they receive.
As long as you properly socialize your dog (this can be done with a dog of any age if needed), commit to a consistent training schedule, and make sure that your German shepherd rottweiler mix gets plenty of exercise throughout the day, they are unlikely to be aggressive. They may still bark at perceived threats and be generally untrusting of strangers, but this is due to their protective, loyal nature more than it is aggressiveness.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Bark a Lot?
Your German shepherd rottweiler mix is unlikely to be very vocal and bark without reason. Mostly, you will hear this dog bark only when they perceive a threat, are trying to alert you to something, or feel the need to protect you. You can train proper barking habits into your dog, and part of what makes them a good watchdog is their ability to bark and alert their owners only in certain situations.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Intelligent?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is a combination of two of the more intelligent dog breeds around today, making them fairly smart. They require a higher amount of mental stimulation than other dog breeds, and they do best when presented with a consistent training routine. German shepherd rottweiler mixes are eager to please and love learning new things.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Easy to Train?
In most cases, the German shepherd rottweiler mix will be easy to train thanks to their hard-working nature and their intelligence. Depending on your specific pup’s genetics, they may be prone to stubbornness from time to time, but as long as you train consistently and you use positive reinforcement, you should be able to train this dog easily.
Never use negative reinforcement such as yelling or hitting to train this dog (or any dog), as they will likely learn to hate training sessions and distrust you, leading to destructive and aggressive behaviors.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Energetic?
German shepherd rottweiler mixes are a high-energy breed and require a lot of exercise and other physical stimulation to stay happy. You will need to give them at least an hour or two of exercise per day and make sure that they receive a minimum of two long walks each day. Additionally, they will need plenty of space to run around in safely and have outdoor time to spend with their families and toys.
This breed is a great choice if you already have an active lifestyle full of hiking, long walks, and time outside and want to add an energetic companion to it.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Good Apartment Dogs?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is not the best choice for an apartment dog. They are a large dog breed and need plenty of space to exercise, sleep, and play in around your home. Apartments with small living quarters, breed restrictions, and minimal access to the outdoors or dog park play areas are not the best living conditions for this breed. Your dog may develop destructive or aggressive behaviors due to the lack of space and exercise areas.
A larger home with plenty of outdoor access or a fenced-in backyard makes the best living choice for this dog breed.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Good Watchdogs?
German shepherd rottweiler mixes are a great choice for a watchdog. This breed is known for being loyal, protective, and watchful, and they are naturally wary around strangers due to their dedication to their family. They are also a relatively quiet breed, so when your German shepherd rottweiler mix starts barking, you know that they are doing it for a purpose.
Your dog can be trained for watchdog and guard dog duties in addition to their natural propensity for watchfulness, and their appearance alone may be enough to scare off potential threats.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Good Service Dogs?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix can be a good choice for a service dog. This breed is intelligent, skilled at learning new commands, and large enough to be an effective mobility or medical service dog. They are also quite loyal and watchful, which are great characteristics for a psychiatric service dog.
Additionally, as a combination of two working breeds, they thrive when able to perform commands for their owners, which makes them especially suited for daily service dog tasks.
How to Care for a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
Your German shepherd rottweiler mix will need proper care to ensure their health and happiness. First, make sure that your dog is getting an hour or two of exercise each day, including at least two walks per day, and that they have plenty of toys and outdoor playtime. This will help them meet their physical stimulation needs and ensure they stay happy; this also decreases destructive behaviors.
You should be feeding your dog high-quality wet or dry food based on their dietary needs and size, and you can supplement their diet with nutritional treats. Make sure to maintain a consistent training routine with your German shepherd, as this will help meet their mental stimulation needs.
Brush your German shepherd rottweiler mix a few times a week or more if they have a longer coat, and take them for professional grooming occasionally to ensure their nails, ears, and coat are all kept in top condition.
Do You Need to Groom a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is not the most high-maintenance dog, but they will likely need occasional baths and professional grooming visits. Grooming can be especially helpful around shedding season when the fur coming off of this dog generally increases.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Shed?
German shepherd rottweiler mixes have an average shedding amount, but their thicker coat ensures that a lot of hair will come off during shedding season. You should brush your dog regularly to help with proper shedding and preventing tangles, and you may want to bathe them more regularly or take them for a professional groom during shedding season.
What Should a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Eat?
Your German shepherd rottweiler mix will need approximately 40 to 50 calories per pound of body weight as a starting point. For most dry dog foods, this equates to about a cup to a cup and a half of food per day split into two or three meals. You may need to increase or decrease this amount depending on your dog’s specific needs and how much exercise they get each day. Consult a veterinarian if you need assistance calculating how much to feed your dog.
What Health Problems Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Have?
Many dogs are prone to genetic health conditions or other specific health issues based on their breed, and the German shepherd rottweiler is no different. This breed may be prone to conditions such as:
- Joint degeneration
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Bloat
- Degenerative myelopathy congenital heart defect
- Eyelid problems, such as entropion and ectropion
- Aortic stenosis
Proper care and regular vet visits can help ensure that your dog stays healthy and that you catch any health issues before they become serious.
How Long Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Live?
Like most larger dogs, German shepherd rottweiler mixes don’t have the longest life span. You can expect this breed to live between 7 and 11 years. They may live more or less depending on the care they are provided and any health issues that occur.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Expensive?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is not the most expensive designer breed, but they can still cost quite a bit. You should expect to pay between $250 and $850 for a puppy when purchasing from a breeder. This cost will vary based on your location, the breeder, and the parental lineage of your puppy.
How to Find a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Breeder
If you want to purchase a German shepherd rottweiler mix directly from a breeder, you can start by performing an internet search of reputable breeders in your area. You may also want to ask around with local dog breeding and showing organizations. Check the certifications and conditions of your breeder’s facility to ensure that they follow ethical breeding standards and treat all dogs humanely.
Can You Adopt a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
While designer dogs are less likely to end up in shelters or local rescues, you may still be able to adopt this breed from a shelter. You can also search local or national rescue organizations dedicated to saving this breed and inquire about adopting one.
You may also consider looking at rescues specifically for German shepherds or rottweilers, as they may also take in mixes.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Purebred?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is not a purebred dog; they are a designer breed created by mixing purebred German shepherds with purebred rottweilers. As such, there are no breed standards for this pup, and their appearance or temperament may vary greatly depending on their genetics and parental lineage.
Can You Show German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes?
German shepherd rottweiler mixes are not purebred dogs, so they are ineligible to be shown in official American Kennel Club events. However, some local and national organizations dedicated to designer or mixed-breed dogs may recognize and accept them for shows.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Good for New Dog Owners?
The German shepherd rottweiler mix may not be the best choice for new dog owners due to the amount of exercise, training, and mental stimulation they need. In addition, this pup can be harder to handle, and someone with dog ownership experience might be the best choice for this breed.
However, new owners who have the proper living space and understand that they need to be properly trained and socialized and are dedicated to providing them with the physical and mental stimulation they need should have happy lives together.
Is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix the Right Dog for Me?
Trying to figure out whether or not the German shepherd rottweiler mix is the right dog for you can be difficult. Review our list below to get a concise idea of what it takes to adopt and properly care for this dog.
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is the right dog for you if:
- You have a larger home, older children, and lots of space for your dog, both outdoors and indoors.
- You lead an active lifestyle and can commit to providing this dog with all of the physical stimulation they need.
- You are prepared to properly train and socialize your dog to keep them happy and mentally stimulated.
- You want a watchdog or service dog that can be quite affectionate and loving outside of working hours.
The German shepherd rottweiler mix is not the right dog for you if:
- You cannot provide them with at least an hour of exercise each day, plus two long walks per day.
- You live in an apartment or other small space.
- You don’t have access to the outdoors or safe enclosed spaces where they can run around.
- You can’t commit to a regular, consistent training schedule for your dog.