Mix dogs are a great choice for families that don’t want the hassle and healthcare burdens of a pedigrees show breed. They are also a way of getting a cute, interesting looking pup that doesn’t cost a ridiculous amount of money.
The idea of getting a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix does always cross peoples’ minds as the ideal hybrid for a family dog.
One look at a big, female Rottweiler and a large male GSD in the police force and the first impression isn’t always of a cute, family friendly puppy.
Hopefully, we can prove that this isn’t necessarily the case, as these cross breeds are attractive pups that are good natured and family-friendly in the right hands.
In this guide to this Rottie Shepherd cross, we will look at some of the important German Shepherd Rottweiler mix info that is available on a range of subjects.
This including behavior – such as some of the misconceptions surrounding aggression – as well as different approaches to training and advice on healthcare and general care issues.
We will also look at options for getting Rottweiler German shepherd puppies.
Before that, we need to look at the parent dogs that create this hybrid and the physical traits of this cross breed.
Table of Contents
How do we get a Shepweiler?
Shepweilers, which is another name for this hybrid, are created when you breed these two big working dogs together.
There is some confusion over the origin of this hybrid. There are sure to have been natural crosses for a long time, but the deliberate designer breeding is much more modern.
There is some demand for Rottweiler German Shepherd mix puppies as potential guard dogs because of the working background of both breeds.
The idea here being that the best of the GSD and best of the Rottie will create the ideal working dog for police, military and security needs.
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German Shepherd Rottweiler mix: Physical Characteristics
These parents are quite distinctive, so what features can we expect from a German Shepherd Rottweiler cross?
If you have been looking at various German Shepherd Rottweiler mix pictures that have been posted online by owners, you will see that the build, face shape, ears and coloring can vary greatly.
All hybrids of these breed will be stocky and powerful to some degree, but they can carry it differently.
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Source: Pinterest/Haley Herr
A key question from anyone looking at these pups would be how big can a German shepherd Rottweiler hybrid get?
Generally speaking, a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix size is 22 to 27 inches tall and 77 to 115 pounds.
It all depends on the dominant genes and linage. Some take more after their GSD parent in terms of shape and coloration while others will have the build and pattern of a Rottweiler.
There are many backcrosses with tan markings, but fawn dogs will occur too.
What important information do you need to know about general German Shepherd Rottweiler mix care?
It is crucial to know precisely how to care for your Rottweiler German shepherd, in both day-to-day life and times of emergency.
The first thing to note about general live with these hybrids is that they are not suited to apartment living.
They need space to run around, preferably with a good garden. They can spend plenty of time enjoying the great outdoors because they are fine in all weathers. They have a decent tolerance of heat and cold.
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On the subject of being in the great outdoors, it is impossible to overemphasize the importance of a good exercise regimen.
These dogs have high exercise needs in order to stay fit, healthy and mentally stimulated.
Two walks a day is a great idea, with the idea of being out for at least an hour. High impact, fast paced exercise is also good here, such as taking your dog running or jogging.
Also, as with most dogs, they love to spend time in the park playing games. Ball games and fetch will help to keep the mind active and the muscles lean.
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German Shepherd Rottweiler mix Food and dietary issues
It is important to feed the right diet to a Rottweiler shepherd mix to maintain the right physique and health.
Also, it must be noted that this cross breed can put on weight a little too easily. This is another reason why that strong exercise regimen above is so important.
Find the right balance between a good diet and exercise to keep your Rottie/GSD cross in prime condition. These dogs are to beautiful to become obese.
The good news is that the recommended diets of a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler are very similar, so there are no major dietary problem to be worried about.
Both like a high-protein diet full of good meat sources. As with all dogs, the better the source and the ingredients, the healthier the dog.
The only concern with recipes is the presence of grains. Many dog owners like to go grain-free anyway now, but the potential for allergies means that this is definitely one to avoid.
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Does a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix shed?
The issue of uncertain genetics and coat types means that there is sometimes some confusion about a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix shedding. The coats vary in style, with some being shorter and thinner than others.
Those that take more after the Rottweiler parent will shed less than those that take more after the GSD parent.
A GSD coat is longer and more prone to seasonal shedding than the Rottweiler and this can affect the coat of the pup.
Each can be controlled with appropriate brushing and bathing and shedding shouldn’t become excessive.
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Are there any German Shepherd Rottweiler mix health problems to watch out for?
Like many cross breeds, this shepherd Rottweiler mix can sometimes be healthier than the parents, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t risks.
Some of the more serious issues reported in these dogs include Heart problems, bloat, hypothyroidism, degenerative myelopathy and cancer.
There is also the risk of joint dysplasia and allergies. The former is because of the GSD parentage, but the risk is reduced with hybrid genes.
A healthy, happy cross of this nature should live for between 10 and 13 years.
There are some great tools available to help new owners provide the best healthcare. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health from Kingdom of Pets is a great resource for information on different topics.
The Embark Breed Identification Dog DNA Test provides a more detailed look at the genes and risk factors your Shepweiler puppy may face.
What is the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix temperament like?
People unfamiliar with the parent breeds can have strong misconceptions about the temperament of a German shepherd mixed with Rottweiler.
The assumption is that this is going to be an aggressive breed that is difficult to handle.
There are some that report a little touchiness in their personality, but they are generally good natured with the right training.
Most are energetic and intelligent with a strong protective streak. This is where the threat of aggression can be controlled into a calm response as a guard dog.
They can be wary with strangers but are unlikely to be aggressive or even that vocal.
This raises questions about German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix behavior problems.
Despite all of this, this doesn’t mean that a Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix wont have behavioral issues at times.
Aggression can occur in mistreated dogs and it is crucial to remember that pups need to be socialized with other animals and children early on to understand their role as a family pet.
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German Shepherd Rottweiler mix training
The correct training methods can make all the difference with a Rottweiler mixed with German Shepherd.
There are some owners that will insist that these dogs are easy to train because of their intelligence, good nature, and working background.
Both parent breeds are used in police and military capacities, after all, and this should help with their pups.
The problem is that inexperienced owners can struggle. This is because these dogs need a firm, consistent approach where they know their place.
New owners may struggle to stay on message and get to lax with training, with negative long-term consequences.
It is also very important that all new Rottweiler/GSD Mix pups receive their training early in life so bad habits don’t form.
If you are having a real problem training your GSD Rottweiler mix and need extra help, there are resources out there.
There are sure to be times when you find that your new pup is having some issues with a certain part of their training. Perhaps there is one thing they just can’t seem to pick up.
The stress of this idea of essential early training can put extra pressure on owners of this hybrid. There is the idea that if they don’t succeed quickly then their pup is doomed.
Firstly, this isn’t necessarily true at all if you have the patience and an intelligent pup. Secondly, there are other tools that can help owners in need.
Web-based systems, such as Doggy Dan the online dog trainer and the Secrets to Dog Training online program, are full of practical advice from revered experts.
There are step-by-step instructions on a range of subjects with the chance to work at your own pace. These new approaches may hold the key to the problem where it all finally clicks for you and your pup.
Finding the right breeders with a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix
If all of this still has you interested in looking at German Shepherd Rottweiler mix puppies for a family pet, you need to start looking at reputable breeders.
There are pros and cons to this hybrid, but it is understandable that many families see the potential in training up a puppy as a family pet and guard dog.
This means finding that perfect Rottweiler German Shepherd mix for sale. The rules for finding a puppy are the same as with all cross breed.
Visit the breeder to get an idea of the health of the pups, the conditions they are living in and their parentage.
A chance to see the mother and father will give an idea of the temperament of the pup. Ask questions about the pups linage, spend time with litter and see if one chooses you.
If you do go down this route, you need to be aware that a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix cost can vary from anything from $250 to $850.
What about looking into Rottweiler German shepherd mix adoption? Is this a good idea for families?
Another way to find a Rottweiler mix with German Shepherd is through a shelter as a rescue dog.
Under normal circumstances, the idea of getting a rescue and saving an older dog is highly appealing. This is also true with these mixes, but only if you can be sure of their upbringing and temperament.
There is a good chance that these dogs were abandoned because of a behavioral issue and a lack of training, such as poor obedience, no socialization or even aggression.
As we saw above, it can be hard to train older dogs of this hybrid out of these bad habits, especially in the household with children. If you really want to change the life of mistreated Rottie Shepherd, you need to have a strong will.
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What have we learned about the Rottweiler German shepherd mix?
There is a lot to take away here.
German shepherd Rottweiler puppies may look cute, but you need to keep all of this information in mind before getting one.
In some ways, this can seem like quite a complicated breed to own because of the exercise needs, health issues and training problems. On the other, there is also the fact that they can be sweet, loyal and obedient dogs with the right handling.
They are also beautiful guard dogs that can keep the family active and provide great companionship.
It is all about perspective. Big dogs don’t have to be scary, and intelligent dogs aren’t always easy.
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Is this German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix right for your family?
It can be a handful when you get a Rottweiler mixed with German shepherd, but the potential benefits of owning this hybrid can easily outweigh the negatives.
Like many breeds, the experience of ownership depends on the effort put into loving, training and caring for the breed.
If you are not prepared to socialize this dog with children and animals, exercise it regularly and teach it from a young age, you will have problems.
However, if you are prepared to be firm, to stick to the regimen as a family unit and treat them well from day one, these GSD/Rottie hybrids can be wonderful companions for a decade or more.