There are several kinds of mixed breed dogs in the world, each with their own unique characteristics. One of them is the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix, also known as the Rottie Shepherd, ‘Shepweiler’, or Rotten Shepherd.
The German shepherd Rottweiler mix is a unique choice for a companion or working dog. If you are looking for a strong, fiercely loyal and hardworking dog, this one is certainly a perfect option!
The Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix is a cross between the German Shepherd and Rottweiler dog breeds. Its parent breeds are purebred German Shepherd and a purebred Rottweiler. These furry friends usually inherit the hard-working, intelligent, and loyal traits from each of their parents. These two parent breeds are also some of the most popular and recognized breeds around the world.
Both Rottweilers and German Shepherds hail from Germany and have strong working backgrounds as livestock herding dogs. They are both large, beautiful and highly intelligent! When combined, they give rise to a remarkable hybrid.
Naturally, the mixing of two breeds of large dogs will result in another big dog. The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a big dog that most people find to be intimidating because they come across as strong and powerful.
If you want a goofy, kid-friendly dog who loves to play as much as they love to look out for their family, the Shepweiler might be the right dog for you. In this article we will know more about the history, temperament, character, appearance and other details about this mix breed.
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History of 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. This designer breed started gaining popularity around the late 1990s, when designer breeders started intentionally mixing them. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds, both of German descent, to combine their loyalty, strength, and intelligence. Police forces and the military often use the German shepherd rottweiler mix due to their intelligent and easily trainable nature. We also need to know the history about their parent breeds.
German Shepherd History
The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899. It was originally bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep. It has since been used in many other types of work, including disability assistance, search-and-rescue, police work, and warfare.
As part of the Herding Group, German Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding and guarding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training they are often employed in police and military rolls around the world. When they were brought to America, German Shepherds quickly found a place working with law enforcement and military. In fact, thousands of German Shepherds have served bravely in the line of duty and even as search and rescue dogs. Today, German Shepherds are one of the most beloved and popular dogs in America.
Rottweiler History
The Rottweiler is a breed of domestic dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large. The dogs were known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers’ dogs, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. Rottweilers are now also used as search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs.
The Rottweiler is considered to be one of the oldest surviving dog breeds. Its origin goes back to Roman times. They marched over the Alps with the Roman legions, protecting the humans and driving their cattle. This breed acquired its name from the old free city of Rottweil and was known as the “Rottweil butcher’s dog”.
The various German Rottweiler Clubs amalgamated to form the Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub (ADRK, General German Rottweiler Club) in 1921. The ADRK is recognised worldwide as the home club of the Rottweiler. In 1931, the Rottweiler was officially recognized by the AKC In 1936. In 2017, the American Kennel Club ranked the Rottweiler as the eighth-most popular purebred dog in the United States.
Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are easy to train and eager to please. With early socialization and behavioral training sessions, this mix breed will be a a gentle, loving pet for your family.
Size and Lifespan of German Shepherd and Rottweiler Mix
The Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix is a hybrid breed so they inherit their characters from each of their parents, which also shows in their appearance and size. In order to understand their average size and lifespan of the mix breed we also need to understand about each of the parents breeds as well.
According to the AKC the average height of a male German Shepherd is between 24-26 inches and the average height of a female is ranges between 22-24 inches. However, the average weight of a male German Shepherd ranges between 65-90 pounds and the average weight of a female is ranges between 55-70 pounds.
If we talk about the Rottweiler, according to the Wikipedia the average height of a male Rottweiler is ranges between 24-27 inches and the average height of a female is ranges between 22-25 inches. However, the average weight of a male Rottweiler is ranges between 110-132 pounds and the average weight of a female Rottweiler ranges between 77-106 pounds.
If we talk about the average height and weight of Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix, then the average height of the Shepweiler ranges between 22-28 inches and the average weight of this mix breed ranges between 75-115 pounds.
The average lifespan of German shepherd will be approx. 12-14 years and the average lifespan of Rottweiler will be 8-10 years. However, the average lifespan of Rottweiler German Shepherd mix will be approx. 10-13 years.
Appearance of The German Shepherd and Rottweiler Mix
The German Shepherd and Rottweiler Mix is are large dogs as their parents are both big, muscular and solid dogs! Being a crossbred dog, 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. Their eyes are also either brown or black. Their noses, like most dogs, are black.
Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix coats are often a mix of their Rottweiler and German Shepherd parents’ coats and colors. The coat color of the German shepherd Rottweiler mix is often black or brown, but there may be traces of tan, brown, or grey. These mix breeds will likely have a short to medium length coat, and are unfortunately prone to shedding, so they’re probably not the best pick for those with dog allergies.
Temperament
Like their parent breeds, the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes are intelligent, loyal, full of energy, and love their families! They adore children and also get along well with other pets.
Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are historically trained as guard dogs and have been bred to show aggression on command. Because of their history as guard dogs, they are very protective of their humans and can sometimes be aloof and slow to warm up to strangers. Rottie Shepherds are best suited for families who have experience with the needs of big dogs.
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.
Training
Both parents of this mix breeds are famous for their protective instincts, they inherit their characters from each of their parents. For their protective instincts and aggressive nature, you should socialize your puppy at a young age so prevent their aggressive tendencies and have them get used to the presence of other animals and people.
Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers seem to have boundless energy. As a result, the Rottie Shepherd loves to run, play, fetch, and even swim! The amazing thing about Shepweilers is the very high level of intelligence they’ve inherited from their parent breeds, which means they’re very quick to learn and easy to train. The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix needs firm, respectful, consistent, and positive reinforcement training starting at an early age. The Rottie Shepherd is a powerful dog, so it is best to take responsibility and seek the advice of a professional trainer if you find yourself struggling at some point during their education.
Exercise
Just like both of its parent breeds a Shepweiler is a very energetic and playful dog that loves to stay active. The German Shepherd Rottweiler hybrid is not recommended for owners who have small homes or apartments just because of their size and their exercise requirements which will include outdoor activities that are best conducted in a spacious backyard. They need to have high physical exercise if you want them to stay fit, healthy, and mentally stimulated.
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. Always remember that your pet is prone to obesity so satisfying their exercise regimen is important.
Grooming
The German shepherd Rottweiler mix is not the most high-maintenance dog, but they will likely need occasional baths and professional grooming visits. The level of grooming and rate at which you Shepweiler will shed is dependent on the more dominant parent genes. If your pup inherits the beautiful thick coat of its German Shepherd, it will require a lot more maintenance and will need to be brushed a couple of times a week to ensure a healthy coat. If your Shepweiler has the much shorter coat of a Rottweiler then you will only need to brush them about once a week.
For their bath, the mix breed should only bath when it is necessary. Bathing them frequently may lead to complications. Brushing their teeth is another form of grooming. The recommended frequency is around three to four times a week so that they are in excellent condition and disease free. However, it is best to leave it at the hands of professional groomer because they are more used to what they are doing and it will make it less painful for your dog.
Health
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. The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix can inherit major health issues from its parent breed. Some of the more common health problems Rottweiler German Shepherd Mixes suffer from include: Cancer, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Eye Disease, Autoimmune Diseases, Allergies, Heart Disease. 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.
Unfortunately, both of the parent breeds of a Shepweiler are prone to hip dysplasia and joint problems, which means that it could be a very serious issue for your canine friend. Maintaining a healthy weight can help to reduce the effects of these conditions, so if you decide to adopt a Shepweiler be sure that they get a good amount of exercise and eat healthily.
You can ask your veterinarian to schedule your dog for a DNA test that will help in the determination of possible inherited diseases. It is also recommended that you follow your veterinarian’s recommendations when it comes to the vaccination schedules. You can also ask the dog breeder for the parents’ history and check its documents.
FAQ
Q– How Long Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Live?
A- A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix, also known as a Shepweiler, typically lives 7-13 years.
Q-Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Purebred?
A-No, German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is not a purebred dog. A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a crossbred dog cross between purebred Rottweiler and purebred German shepherd.
Q-Are Rottweiler German Shepherd Mixes good with children and other pets?
A-Rottweiler German Shepherd mixes, also known as Shepweilers, can be good with children and other pets if they are properly socialized and trained.
Q-What is the cost of Rottweiler German Shepherd mix?
A- A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix cost approx. $800-$1000.
Conclusion
German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a crossbreed between purebred Rottweiler and purebred German Shepherd. They inherit their characters from each of their parents, which also shows in their appearance and size. both are known for their higher intelligence and effectiveness as working dogs. These gentle giants are super smart, intuitive, and loyal. They love their families and are especially great with children. They need proper training and exercise for their proper growth and development. You should give them at least 1-2 hour exercise every day. Your German shepherd rottweiler mix will need proper care and socialization to ensure their health and happiness.