The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a cross between a purebred Rottweiler and a purebred German Shepherd. This is a large-sized mix is also called the Shepweiler or Rottie Shepherd. He has a height of 22 to 27 inches and weighs 75 to 115 pounds.
These are exceptional family dogs but are not ideal for apartments.
Get to learn why you should or should not get this mixed dog by reading this complete Rottie Shepherd guide.
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- The German Shepherd Border Collie mix.
- German Shepherd Pitbull mix.
- The Great Pyrenees German Shepherd mix guide.
Let us jump right into it.
About the German shepherd rottweiler mix
This is one of the most unique mixed breeds.
If you are looking for a strong, smart, loyal, and loving dog, look no further. The Rottie Shepherd mix will be well suited for you.
This mix is also known as;
- Shepweiler
- Rottweiler Shepherd
- Rotten Shepherd
- Rottie Shepherd
- Shottie
Both the German shepherd and the Rottweiler were bred to be guard dogs. However, there are some key differences while we will try to highlight so that you can have a better understanding of the Shepweiler.
Breed recognition
Shepweiler is a designer dog. Designer dogs/hybrid dogs are crosses between two pure breeds.
German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is not recognized by any of the major kennel clubs. They are however recognized by the Dog Breed registry as the Rottie Shepherd.
3 Rottie Shepherd fun facts
- Some of the traits from both the German Shepherd and Rottweiler can be genetically inherited.
- Both the Rottweiler and the German Shepherd are working dogs which males the Shepweiler a high-energy hybrid.
- The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is more likely to form stronger bonds with one member of the family more than the others.
Shepweiler general characteristics
| German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix summary table | |
|---|---|
| Height | 22 to 27 inches |
| Weight | 75 to 115 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 to 13 years |
| Breed Type | Mixes and more |
| Purpose | Companion |
| Suitable For | Experienced dog owners |
| Color Variations | Black, Black and Tan, Brown |
| Temperament | Strong, loyal, intelligent, loving, and energetic |
| Other Names | Shottie, Rottie Shepherd, Rotten Shepherd, Shepweiler |
Height and weight
The Shepweiler mix is a large dog that grows to a height of 22 to 27 inches and weighs between 75 and 115 pounds depending on the size of the parents.
Males are usually slightly larger than females.
The physical appearance
German shepherd Rottweiler mixes have dark brown eyes. Their noses are black and their ears are floppy like the Rottweiler’s.
German Shepherd Rottweiler mix dogs also have stocky and muscular bodies.
Coat appearance and shedding
The Rottie Shepherd’s coat can vary in length but in most cases, the coat will be thick and medium in length.
He is a moderate shedder with two blow out seasons where he sheds coat excessively.
This is something that you should also consider before getting the dog.
Colors
The color of the coat does not vary much but comes in different shades of brown like sable gray and fawn. In some instances, the coat can also be black, black and tan, or white.
White is a rare color on Rottweiler German Shepherd mixes.
Is the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix hypoallergenic?
No. The Shepweiler is not considered to be one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Temperament and personality
This is a loyal and loving dog that is best suited for experienced owners.
Rottie Shepherds are highly devoted to their families forming the strongest bonds with one member of the family that takes care of them.
They are also alert and have strong guarding instincts and can be aloof to strangers.
However, they are not aggressive dogs provided they get proper and consistent socialization.
They are also vocal dogs that are known to bark a lot from time to time.
Make sure that you get this hybrid from a reputable and trustworthy breeder.
Living with a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix
Shepweilers are well suited for all families, however, their traits do not make them suitable for first-time dog owners.
They get along well with children and other household pets that they have been brought up with but their enormous size can be overwhelming for your children.
The Shepweiler is also a territorial dog that will need proper training and socialization.
Other popular Rottweiler mixes
- Pitweiler is a mix between a Rottweiler and a Pitbull bringing together two strong breeds.
- Rottsky is a combination of a Husky and a Rottweiler.
- Rotterman is a mix between two breeds that hail for the same area that is a Doberman and a Rottweiler.
- Saint Weiler is a combination of a Rottweiler and a Saint Bernard.
- Weinwamarrot is a gorgeous Rottie mix combining the traits of a Rottweiler and a Weimaraner
Other popular German Shepherd mixes
- Shepkita is a mix between Akitas and German shepherds.
- Shepherdpit is a cross between a Pitbull Terrier and a German Shepherd.
- Labrashepherds is a combination of Labradors and German shepherds.
- Golden Shepherds is a hybrid that combines the qualities of German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.
- Chow Shepherd is a mix between the Chow Chow and the German Shepherd.
Shepweiler puppy
When you are buying a puppy you should always make sure that he is from a reputable breeder that can make sure that you get a dog that is high quality.
Cost:
A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix puppy will cost you anywhere between $400 and $900. The price will largely depend on the breeder and the parent breeds too.
There is also the option of adoption that will cost you around $150 in fees.
Litter size:
Any of the parent breeds can be used as the father or the mother(sire and the dam) due to the size similarities between and on average the litter size is about 8 puppies.
The mix’s puppies have floppy ears. These puppies mature within 8 months to 2 years of age.
Grooming a German Shepherd and Rottweiler hybrid
Shepweilers do not shed as much as the German Shepherd does because they often take after the Rottweiler”s coat.
If you get a puppy that is a moderate shedder you will need to brush the coat at least 3 times a week to keep the fur healthy and to minimize shedding.
Brushing also helps to evenly redistribute coat oils that are important for the skin.
The German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix will only need a bath when it is necessary with a maximum of one bath per month.
You will also need to clean the ears that may require you to seek professional help/advice if you are not used to doing it.
Dental hygiene and trimming the nails will also be needed. Also, take care of their paws and get rid of any debris that may be lodged between the paw pads.
Feeding a Rottie Shepherd
To keep a Rottie shepherd in great health and physique, you will need to make sure that he is fed in the right diet that meets his nutritional requirements.
Shepweilers need about 1800 calories of food in a day. That will translate to about 4 cups of kibble.
| Rottie Shepherd Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1200 to 1800 |
| Cups of Kibble | 3 to 4 |
As a puppy, a Rottie Shepherd has high energy requirements due to their fast growth, you will need to give him about 4 meals in a day to avoid overstretching the stomach.
As the puppy grows reduce this to 2 meals in a day.
Small but frequent meals can help reduce the chances of bloat which is common in large dog breeds and can be fatal to your pooch.
Nutritional needs
The diet should be made up of 20% to 25% of proteins and about 8% fat. These proteins should be mainly meat-based protein from sources such as chicken.
The diet should also contain a fair amount of glucosamine and chondroitin.
It is also important to keep carbohydrates low and avoid foods that have artificial fillers and chemical additives.
Some food ingredients tend to trigger allergies in German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes. If you notice any food-related allergies in this dog, it is recommended to change the diet with the help of your veterinarian.
If you are preparing a raw diet for this dog these are the main nutrient to consider.
You should also check the labels of commercial food products and ensure that the ingredients are not from low-quality sources or by-products.
German Shepherd Rottweiler mix exercise requirements
A Shepweiler is a high energy dog and requires a lot of exercise to stay healthy and stimulated.
To keep them in shape and their minds active you will need to exercise them for about 60 to 90 minutes daily.
These dogs love activities such as;
- Long Walks
- Hikes
- Swimming
- Agility training
- Ball games
- Mind games such as hide and seek
If you live in an apartment or have a small house that has no backyard living with a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix might prove to be hard as you may not be able to meet their daily exercise requirements.
They enjoy having a garden to run in but you should not leave them out by themselves.
Shepweilers are not sensitive to extreme weather but do not exercise them in extreme heat.
| Number of walks | 2(30 minutes each) |
| Exercise needs | 60 to 90 minutes |
Rottie Shepherd training requirements
This is a very trainable dog.
The best way to train your Rottweiler Shepherd mix is through positive reinforcement that is mainly reward-based training.
- Never use negative methods such as punishment.
- Encourage positive behaviors using rewards and lots of praise.
Start with the basic house training and obedience training session. You can enroll your Shepweiler to an obedience training class that will also help to socialize this dog.
Shepweiler health concerns
Below are some of the conditions that your Shottie could inherit from his parents:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Canine allergies
- Eye problems such as conjunctivitis and cherry eye.
- Canine Cancer
- Bloat
- Degenerative Myelopathy
Pros and cons of having a Rottie Shepherd
Pros
Here are reasons why you should get yourself a German shepherd Rottweiler mix:
- They make great companion dogs
Shepweiler aggression is a misconception that has always been exaggerated.
In contrast to what many believe the German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix is one of the best companion dogs that are out there.
One thing that you must know is that no matter how big or intimidating a dog may look if you treat them well they make great and adorable pets.
This is one of the reasons that they need early and proper socialization.
2. Shepweiler make great guard dogs
You can get a Shottie as a guard dog since both of his parents are known and proven guard dogs.
Apart from being well built and being powerful, the Rottweiler Shepherd is a very intelligent breed that capable of doing things that can protect his owner from any possible harm.
3. Training a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is fun
Rottie Shepherds are enjoyable to train thanks to their high intelligence.
Large breeds such as the German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix tend to be hard as they have problems obeying orders especially if training does not start when they are young.
They can think that they are the leader and not the follower something that you sure don’t want to deal with.
Before getting a Shepweiler, make sure that they had training while they were still young to avoid having a hard time and having problems with people and other animals.
Cons
Here are some of the reasons that may make you not a German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix:
1. They need a big home and house to grow
Generally, all large dog breeds require a lot of space for growth.
They will need a backyard where they can move freely. If you don’t have one you should consider another breed as a Shottie can develop behavior problems when they are brought up in a confined space.
One of these problems is chewing. One way you can solve it is by training your dog not to chew or getting a large cage and fill it with chew toys.
Another problem that this dog can develop is barking which is annoying even to your neighbors.
2. You will need to clean your house frequently
Although most of the time they inherit the Rottweilers coat they still need brushing once or twice every week.
It gets worse if the dog has inherited a German shepherd coat. This coat will need daily brushing as he sheds all year round.
The brushing frequency should be increased during the shedding season to minimize the shedding.
Predicting the coat of a hybrid dog is hard and so you will need to prepare yourself for whatever the coat or the amount of shedding that the dog will have.
3. They live very active lives
The German shepherd and Rottweiler mix dog is a very intelligent and high energy dog that translates to a lot of physical and mental stimulation.
Keep the dog busy by playing games and training.
Breed summary
A German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix is a designer breed. It results from the crossing of a purebred German Shepherd Dog (GSD) with a purebred rottweiler.
When well raised the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a stable, strong, and well-tempered dog.
They thrive in homes that have experienced dog owners and do well with children of all ages and even other animals.
He is an intelligent, loyal, and loving dog that is highly trainable.
Because they are high in energy you will need to meet their mental and physical stimulation requirements.
If you enjoy having large dogs and can provide the training that the Shepweiler hybrid requires, then why not go get one?
There you go WOOF!!!!
