The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, is, of course, the result of breeding a German Shepherd dog with a Rottweiler. These two breeds are in fact very similar, both with German heritage, and therefore the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a fantastic crossbreed.
These dogs are intelligent, friendly and good natured, making them excellent family members. You may need some experience with large breeds before you think about purchasing a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, but read on below to see whether this pup is the right addition for your home.
History Of The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, also known as the Shepweiler, is a powerful hybrid dog that was originally bred as a companion dog. They are very strong and intelligent and the purpose of breeding them was to eliminate health issues and negative traits that their parent breeds held.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is not recognized by any Kennel Clubs due to the fact they are a mixed breed dog, including the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). However, they are recognized as a Rottie Shepherd in the Designer Breed Registry.
Breed Origin
To understand where the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix came from, we can take a look at the origins of it’s parent breeds.
The German Shepherd had a controversial past. These dogs were used in World War One and were seen as German dogs which is why they were shunned. However, these dogs regained popularity with the public in the 1960s and have been a favorite with the police and military for decades, due to their hardworking and loyal nature.
The Rottweiler also originated from Germany and were strong drover dogs. As technology advanced they were not need to herd cattle anymore, but they were known for their great work ethic. These working dogs continued to be useful members of society and, since the 1990s, have been guide dogs, guard dogs, therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs.
Characteristics Of The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
The exact characteristics and traits of the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is difficult to predict because they are not a purebred and we don’t know which parent each litter is going to inherit more traits from. Your dog may look more like their German Shepherd parent or their Rottweiler parent. However, we can make assumptions based on past litters.
These puppies are normally born in litter sizes of around eight. It does not matter which parent breed is the sire or the dam because they are both similar sizes. For a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix puppy, you can expect to pay between $250 to $800. Always make sure that you buy from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
This mix dog is a medium to large breed and is normally fully matured between 18 months and 2 years of age. Normally, these designer dogs stand between 22 to 27 inches in height and weigh between 75 to 115 lbs in weight.
These dogs normally have floppy ears, but if they take after their German Shepherd (GSD) parent more, they may become pointy as they mature.
Coat
This mix breed normally has a medium, dense coat, although they can have longer coats. Unfortunately, these dogs shed a lot! They are not hypoallergenic and are not the pet for those with allergies. The amount they shed can be helped with regular grooming, but we will go into more detail about that later on.
Color
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix almost always has a black and tan coloring, just like both their parent breeds.
Temperament
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix has a strong personality and is certainly suited to those who have experience with large dog breeds. That being said, these pups are loyal and loving, bonding to their owners and making an excellent family dog.
With the right upbringing, these dogs are extremely tolerable of everyone — adults, children and other dogs and animals. They can sometimes be aloof with strangers and other pets when they are younger, but with the right socialization this can be fixed. They’re also known to be territorial at times, but again training and socialization can help to fix this.
With both parent breeds historic working breeds, it is no surprise that the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is an active and energetic dog. This is one of the reasons they are not recommended for first time dog owners. These pups love to be outside and love to play games. They also must be kept mentally stimulated so they don’t cause any mischief!
However, after they’ve finished exercising, these pups are very happy relaxing on the couch next to you. The perfect companion, they love to be near you and like to please. With this and their intelligence, training this pup also isn’t difficult.
Lifespan
The average life expectancy of the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is 10 to 13 years.
Known Health Issues
One of the main reasons for breeding the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix was to eliminate health problems that their parent breeds face. While this certainly happened, these dogs are still prone to some health concerns.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
- Elbow Dysplasia — this is a common condition in large breed dogs. It can be caused by different growth rates and can cause lameness. It can be fixed with surgery.
- Bloat — this affects both parent breeds and is potentially fatal. You need to know the symptoms of it. Feeding your dog smaller more frequent meals instead of one big meal can help to reduce the risk.
- Degenerative Myelopathy — this is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that can result in hind leg paralysis. There is no cure but there is treatment. It can be helped with intensive physical rehabilitation.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, it is time to take a look at what life with one of these pups is really like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
It is no surprise that this large breed of dog needs a lot of food. You should be feeding the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix roughly 2000 calories a day, which equates to around 5 cups of kibble. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
Always check that the food you feed your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix meets their nutritional requirements. Due to their high energy levels, they need high-quality protein in their diet.
As a puppy, you should split your German Shepherd Mix’s food into four meals a day. This can be reduced to two meals a day once they are fully grown.
One thing to remember with the Shepweiler, as with other large breeds such as the Bernedoodle, is that because they are a large breed, they are more prone to bloat which can be dangerous. Smaller, more frequent meals will reduce the risk of bloat.
Best Dog Food For The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
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We recommend this adult dry dog food from Blue Buffalo for the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix. Made with high-quality protein, this food helps your dog build and maintain healthy muscles. It also helps meet the energy needs of a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix, while providing them with omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and healthy skin.
This blend of dog food supports immune system health too, keeping your pup healthy throughout their life. It doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or preservatives either, which is always a bonus.
Exercise
We have mentioned above that the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix has high exercise needs. A dog of this size should be exercising for around 60 to 120 minutes a day. You can also take them out exercising with you as a family, and they will certainly like to join in on the fun.
While the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a puppy, you should stick to the 5 minute rule. This means 5 minutes of exercise per month of age. If they are 4 months old, this will mean 20 minutes of exercise.
If you overexercise them too much at a young age then you can risk damaging their bodies and their development. It is for this reason that they also shouldn’t be going up or down stairs or jumping into cars until they are fully matured.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is an intelligent breed and so keep their mind exercised is just as important as keeping their body exercised. You should play games with them such as “fetch” and there are toys you can buy that help to challenge them mentally so they don’t become bored and destructive.
Family Compatibility
The German Shepherd Mix makes an excellent family pet, but is best suited to those who have experience with large dog breeds. Active and energetic, these pups need a lot of exercise and you must make sure you can give up time in your day to dedicate to them. They will thrive in an active family where they can join you on long walks, runs and hikes, making them a great exercise buddy.
When brought up in the right environment, these dogs get on very well with everyone — animals and children included. They can be territorial at first and a little aloof with dogs they don’t know, but with the right socialization this can be helped. However, they are known to chase squirrels relentlessly!
This loyal and loving pup will show affection towards every member of the household. They also love to play games with children but are also happy to curl up on the couch next to you! This versatile and loving dog is a great family pup.
Training
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is an intelligent dog and training is not difficult. Like all dogs, these pups respond best to positive reinforcement techniques and reward based training. This includes verbal praise and treats.
You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Socializing
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is generally a very sociable dog that gets on well with adults, children, pets and other animals. However, when they are young they can be territorial and aloof with strangers and those who they don’t know. With the right socialization this can be fixed.
You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals at a young age in a safe and controlled way. This way, they will understand that there is nothing to be afraid of and they will grow up to be a well-rounded and sociable dog.
Grooming
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is not a high maintenance dog but, unfortunately, they do shed a lot! You will certainly need a good vacuum cleaner if you have one of these dogs within your home. You should try to brush them as often as possible to remove loose hair. This will help them to shed less.
You will need to bathe them between 3 to 4 times a year, which can be done at the groomers. The groomer can also help you to cut your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix’s nails.
Try to keep on top of tooth brushing with your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix. Keeping their teeth clean will help prevent dental decay and disease.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix FAQ’s
How much does a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix cost?
A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix will set you back anywhere between $250 to $800. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can give you health clearances for both parent breeds.
If this is too far out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. There may be a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix who is looking for their forever home!
Does a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix make a good family dog?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix makes an excellent family dog for those who have experience with large dog breeds. These dogs have a big personality and require a lot of exercise, which is why they are not always recommended for first time owners.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a friendly and loveable dog who gets on very well with humans. They love to play games with children and also gets on well with animals. They can be a little aloof with strangers when they are young, but with the right socialization can learn to love everyone.
Summary
The German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a large breed dog with big exercise needs. Not recommended for first time owners, these loveable and loyal pets can take up quite a lot of your time but are certainly worth it! A great family dog, these pups get on well with all — adults, children and other pets — and, in the right environment, can learn to love strangers and other animals too. Very intelligent, these dogs have great trainability and like to be stimulated mentally too, but will also happily spend time relaxing with you on the couch. What do you think, is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix for you?