German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Breed Guide

The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a cross between two athletic and loyal working dogs.

German Shepherds and Rottweilers are energetic and intelligent guard dogs with a high drive to please. Both of these breeds have been used for police and guide dog work, highlighting their many abilities.

This hybrid is a lesser-known mix of these two purebred parents.

This mix combines the energetic, hardworking and loyal traits of the German Shepherd, while keeping the watchful eye of a Rottweiler.

If you are interested in adopting a family guard dog then this loving mix is a great choice. Keep reading for our complete breed guide.

What Is A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?

The German Shepherd Rottweiler cross is a hybrid dog breed also known as a Shepweiler. They are registered in the Designer Breed Registry as Rottie Shepherds, but they can be called many other names like Shotties, Rottweiler Shepherds and Rotten Shepherds.

German Shepherds and Rottweilers are ranked as some of the most popular breeds in the U.S. However, this relatively new mix is more uncommon and not as well-known as their parents.

Both parent breeds have descended from German working and herding dog lines and complement each other well.

Their parents are known for their guarding ability and hardworking nature. Rottweilers have been the goto family guard dog for centuries, while German Shepherds have been herding and police dogs for over 100 years!

A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix can be used for these jobs too, however they also make excellent family dogs. They are an affectionate, strong, and loyal hybrid. Many puppies keep the loyal traits of the German Shepherd and the watchful eye of a Rottie.

Breed History

The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is the result of breeding a purebred Rottweiler with a purebred German Shepherd. This mix first became popular in 2009, but was likely first bred before then by accident.

Both of these parent breeds are of German origin.

The Rottweiler’s ancestors were originally bred by the Romans who had overtaken some German territories. They were first used in the town of Rottweil to herd sheep. Some butchers also used them to pull and guard carts loaded with meat. They are a working breed and are now commonly used as guard dogs, police dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

German Shepherds descended from sheep herding dogs. German sheepdogs were methodically bred together to create this ideal herding dog. It is believed that a military officer in Germany, Captain Max von Stephanitz, first began breeding German Shepherds in 1899. They were used by the Red Cross during World War I, not only as guard dogs, but also as messenger dogs. More recently they have been trained as guard dogs, service dogs, guide dogs and police dogs!

Reasons Why You Should Get This Dog

Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers can make excellent family guard dogs and are some of the most popular breeds in America. Their pups also make great family pets as well. They are loving, very loyal, and can be trained into good guard dogs. Around their families they can be goofy, couch-loving, cuddly pets.

German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes are very intelligent and can be a lot of fun to train. Both of their parents are working and herding dogs so they are often eager to please.

A Rottweiler German Shepherd mix tends to be pretty even-tempered. They do not let their fur get ruffled too easily, provided they have been socialized well. They have a confident and calm personality which can be good for busy households that have a lot going on.

This hybrid can be very loyal and protective of their people as they have characteristics of very good guard dogs. These traits can make them very confident, as long as they have been trained well with positive reinforcement.

They love to relax on the couch with you and can be calm when they are consistently given the right amount of physical and mental stimulation. Just make sure you have the time to exercise and train this active dog.

Temperament

The German Shepherd Rottweiler hybrid is a mixed breed so you never quite know which characteristics and traits they will pick up from each parent. It is difficult to know for sure what the exact temperament of each German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will be.

Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers have histories of being trained as guard dogs.

This means that it is likely your mix will be extremely loyal and protective of their families. It also means they may be a little aloof with strangers at first.

If not trained and socialized properly around other people the Rottweiler Shepherd mix has a chance of becoming overly aggressive or scared. Their brains are wired to protect people from hazards as they come from a long line of guard dogs.

Pups who aren’t trained properly will begin to believe that they are responsible for protecting their family. This can become more of a problem when they have reached their full size and are no longer a small puppy.

As this mixed breed is extremely intelligent pups who are trained will learn to trust their owners to protect them. With proper socialization and training from a young age they make wonderful pets.

The German Shepherd is well-known for its intelligence and loyalty, while the American Rottweiler is known for its silly antics and unique goofy poses. You can expect some of these traits in your German Shepherd Rottweiler mix too!

Both parents aren’t known for barking much, however they are known to bark when they spot something they feel is a threat.

Are They Good With Families?

The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix can make a very good family pet. Like their Rottweiler parent they can quickly form strong bonds with their family and be very cuddly and affectionate. Many even believe that they are lap dogs!

This mix can do very well in families with kids, especially when brought up from an early age around them. They stay unruffled by bustling and activity. Their gentle nature around kids makes them a good choice, although because of their larger size they should always be supervised around children.

These dogs do best in an active family that has experience with smart, large dog breeds.

They are often extremely loyal and protective of their family, although often will have one person within the family that they are most loyal to.

Rottweiler German Shepherd mixes can also be very good with other dogs when properly introduced, but not so much cats or other small pets.

Don’t forget that their German Shepherd parent was used for herding sheep and loves to chase things. They do tend to have a strong prey drive so they may not get along very well with cats or smaller pets. They also like attention and may become jealous of another pet if they feel you are paying more attention to them.

Size

A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix can vary quite a bit in size and weight. A full grown German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is between 22 to 27 inches and 75 to 115 pounds. They can be anywhere from a large dog all the way to a giant breed!

As this dog is a mix it makes sense that their average size is somewhere in the middle of their parents.

The size of a Rottweiler is also between 22 to 27 inches tall, but their weight is a bit heavier at about 100 to 120 pounds. The average size of a German Shepherd is a bit smaller at between 22 to 26 inches tall and weighing in at about 50 to 90 pounds.

These dogs tend to become fully grown and matured when they are between 18 months to two years old.

They have large paws and a muscular build because they are descended from working and herding dogs. They have strong shoulder and leg muscles like their Rottweiler siblings and usually have the very strong German Shepherd bite.

Males and females are very similar, but there can be slight differences in their sizes as males tend to be slightly larger and females tend to be slightly smaller.

Coat Color

German Shepherd Rottweilers can inherit different coats depending on which parent they take after more. Some may have a shorter coat like Rottweilers, while other pups might inherit the thick, long coats of German Shepherds.

The most common coat type is medium and thick. They tend to shed moderately and they do have a shedding season when they shed even more than normal. Shedding can be made a bit more manageable with regular grooming and brushing.

Their coats can also range in color, including black, brown, tan, white, or gray sable.

Most pups usually tend to be a mix of two of these colors. The most common color is black and tan that is closer to a German Shepherd’s color. Their eyes can be brown or black in color. They also have long snouts with a black-nose.

They usually have long floppy ears like their Rottweiler ancestors, although they can occasionally have the straighter, stuck-up ears of the German Shepherd.

Who Should Own This Mix?

If you are looking for a dog that combines the loyalty and confidence of the German Shepherd with the goofy energy and affection of a Rottweiler then this is the mix for you!

Shepweilers are not a dog for people who have never owned a large breed before. They do best with owners who have had experience with large dogs that have aloof and guarding traits.

German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes can make great family dogs as they can be very tolerable of a busy home with active kids due to their calm and confident nature. This also means that they can make great companion dogs as they can be very loving and loyal.

They like to cuddle up on the couch and do best in larger houses that have a yard or space outdoors for them to exercise. They are very active and energetic and they do very well with families who are active and will take them on hikes.

These dogs do best with someone who is willing to take on the training and socialization they will need. Ongoing training and mental stimulation will be needed throughout their lifetime.

Some people say they are okay being left alone as they have guard dog characteristics and will be happy to guard your house. However, they should not be left alone for too long as they can get bored and will also get lonely as they crave affection just like Rottweilers.

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Owning A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix

Walks

These dogs are very energetic and need lots of exercise and activity to keep them busy. Both of their parents were guard dogs which also means that they are very intelligent. It is important to keep their mind busy as well as their body.

You should aim to give this breed between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise each day. Twice daily walks or jogs are best for them. These dogs will also enjoy games like fetch, which will also help to keep them mentally stimulated. Regular exercise will also help them maintain a healthy weight.

A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix may turn to destructive behaviors such as chewing and destroying things around the house when not given enough ways to burn their energy off. They do best when kept in a home that has a yard or garden that they can run around in and explore.

Training

Training a Rottweiler German Shepherd mix puppy can be very fun as most are eager to please and very smart. These pups will also benefit from lots of training as it will let them know what you expect from them, keep their minds engaged and help you to build a strong bond.

Rottweiler German Shepherd mix training should begin from a young age if possible.

Their Rottweiler parents were originally bred to protect and guard. Their job made them naturally wary of strangers or new experiences. You pup can also inherit these aloof, guarding traits so getting them used to new people, places, and other animals from a young age is very important.

Feeding

German Shepherd Rottweilers can be prone to obesity so it is important to feed them a balanced diet in the correct quantity. They should only be fed a kibble that has been formulated for large breed dogs. It is best for you to stick to diets that have been formulated specifically for either German Shepherds or Rottweilers.

Depending on the size of your mix you will be feeding anywhere from three to five cups of kibble each day, split into breakfast and dinner. Feeding them two meals throughout the day can reduce the chance of them getting bloat.

Males tend to eat more than females, and larger mixes closer to 115lbs will eat more than those at 75lbs.

Grooming

Grooming a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will be somewhat dependent on which of its parents’ coats it inherits. They will need to be brushed a few times a week, but if the coat is thicker and longer they may need to be brushed daily to keep tangles to a minimum.

Shedding is also based on their coat type. If they have a shorter coat like a Rottweiler, they may not shed as much. If their coat takes after the German Shepherd there will be increased shedding.

Daily toothbrushing is best for adult dogs to maintain their oral health. They may also need their nails trimmed about once monthly depending on how much they wear their nails down on walks.

Health Issues

Many people ask how long German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes live.

Their average lifespan is about 10 to 13 years, which when converting from dog years to human years is 79 to 100 years old!

However, large breed dogs are prone to several health issues. Both the German Shepherd and Rottweiler are genetically pre-disposed to some health issues too.

It should come as no surprise that their puppies will also be prone to these health conditions.

One of the most common health issues is hip dysplasia. This happens when the thigh bone doesn’t fit quite right into the hip joint. It can be very painful in some dogs, but it depends on the severity. Maintaining a healthy weight for your pup can help keep the symptoms of hip dysplasia to a minimum.

Weight management will also help other joint issues like elbow dysplasia which is also common. Elbow dysplasia happens when the legs have different growth rates and needs to be corrected surgically.

Another health issue that is common in large dogs and that owners need to be aware of is gastric torsion, or bloat. This happens when the stomach becomes full of gas and gets twisted.

Shepherd and Rottweiler mix dogs can be also prone to some autoimmune disorders, degenerative myelopathy, heart disease and eye issues. These health problems are much less common than those discussed above.

Key Takeaways

• A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a fun loving and active hybrid bred from two powerful and intelligent breeds.
• Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers have histories of being trained as guard dogs. This means that it is likely your mix will be extremely loyal and protective of their families. It can also mean they may be a little wary of strangers at first.
• They are registered in the Designer Breed Registry as Rottie Shepherds.
• A full grown German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is between 22 to 27 inches and 75 to 115 pounds. They will need quite a bit of exercise and mental stimulation, but with proper training and time devoted to them they are wonderful dogs!
• Shepweilers make wonderful pets for active people or families with kids. Their calm and affectionate nature makes it easy for them to deal with overexuberant children. Around their families they can be goofy, couch-loving, cuddly pets.
• They can have a confident presence, can be trained to be good guard dogs and will love you their whole life. Pups have the energetic and loyal traits of the German Shepherd, while keeping the watchful eye of a Rottweiler.