75-113 lbs
20-23"
United States
The Rottie Shepherd is a smart, confident and powerful dog who with proper training will make an excellent family pet. They are designer dogs and a mix between a purebred German Shepherd and a purebred Rottweiler, both extremely popular dogs. They are also referred to as Shepweilers, Rottweiler Shepherds, Shotties or even Rotten Shepherds. These dogs are large weighing up to 115 pounds with a height of up to 27 inches. Common colors include black, brown, fawn, red, and sable. The coat is likely to be thick and can be short or medium in length. Both parent breeds have a reputation for aggression but with the correct training and early socialization, these dogs can be a great addition to the family, preferably one that will give them a lot of attention. The Rottie Shepherd is very protective and makes a great guard dog. They do shed quite a bit but brushing once or twice a week should be enough to keep your pet looking good.
The Rottie Shepherd is a combination of two very popular breeds, the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler. The German Shepherd originated in Germany and is referred to as an Alsatian in Britain and Ireland. The breed, which is prized for its intelligence and athleticism, dates back to 1899. Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German military officer is credited with developing the breed and was partly responsible for them be used as working dogs in World War I. They were used by the Red Cross, as messenger dogs and guard dogs. His dog Horand von Grafrath was one of the foundation dogs for the breed. Nowadays they are commonly used for their search-and-rescue skills, for narcotics detection and for detecting human remains on land and water. The first German Shepherd Dog registered in the United States was Queen of Switzerland. But poor breeding led to several defects and the dogs declined in popularity in the late 1920s. Numbers further dwindled after World War ll because of anti-German sentiment but the tide later turned and the breed regained popularity. They are now among the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United States. Rottweillers are also working dogs which originated in Germany and are believed to be descended from the Molossus, a Mastiff-type dog. They were known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers' dogs, because they used to pull carts with butchered meat to the market. They are regarded as one of the oldest of the herding breeds and are thought to be descended from ancient Roman drover dogs. These dogs nearly became extinct when rail transport made them redundant. But in 1901, the Rottweiler and Leonberger Club was founded and a breed standard was established. They first appeared in the US in the 1920s and were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931. Today they are popular dogs but have a reputation for aggression due in part to poor breeding.
These dogs are large and powerful, weighing between up to 115 pounds with a height of up to 27 inches. Common colors include black, brown, fawn, red, and sable. The coat is likely to be thick and can be short or medium in length depending on which parent breed he most takes after. The Rottie Shepherd is likely to have a powerful jaw and a muzzle that is longer than a Rottweiler’s and not as long as a German Shepherd. Their ears usually hang down onto the face although can be erect occasionally. The eyes are brown and almond shaped. Rottweilers are known to have one brown eye and one blue eye but this is not common.
A Rottie Shepherd is likely to shed quite a bit so will need brushing at least once or twice a week to get rid of loose hair and keep the coat shiny and healthy. If the coat is more like the German Shepherd parent breed, your dog may shed more and need a bit of extra brushing compared to a hybrid with the short Rottweiler coat which does not need as much. It is always a good idea to check your dog’s ears thoroughly and wipe them clean when necessary. Dental hygiene is also important and with a big breed like a Rottie Shepherd you will need to start early. If the nails aren’t worn down with exercise then trim them when needed.
The Rottie Shepherd can be an intimidating dog with its large build and reputation for aggression. But with the correct training these dogs make fabulous pets who will be very protective of their family. Early socialization will also make them suitable for households with children and other pets. Small children will need to be taught to respect animals and will need to be supervised when playing with a Rottie Shepherd. These dogs are very intelligent and will respond well to training. They will need a firm, confident trainer to bring out the best in the dog. They are best suited to people who have some experience with dogs and who can devote a lot of time and energy to them. These are not dogs to keep for protection and leave out in the back yard. If they get bored they may become destructive and develop bad habits such as barking and digging. The Rottie Shepherd has a lot of energy and is extremely alert.
A Rottie Shepherd is a high-energy dog who will need a lot of exercise to be happy. These are not dogs that do well for long periods on their own. They can suffer from separation anxiety and need a great deal of mental and physical stimulation to be content. These dogs are very intelligent and will love going for long walks, swimming and playing ball games. They will love activities like hide and seek that challenge them as well as dog sports like agility training. These dogs are not suited to apartment living because of their size. They will enjoy having a garden to run around in but don’t leave them out by themselves for too long. They are not that sensitive to extreme weather conditions but don’t exercise your dog when it gets too hot.
Written by hannah hollinger
Published: 11/27/2017, edited: 09/01/2021
More articles by hannah hollinger
Hi, I'm fostering a 9 week old puppy the rescue organization says is a rottweiler-shepherd mix. (they assume german shepherd) They estimated she would be 50-60 pounds, but I've read several articles saying this mix ends up 75-115 pounds. Is there any way to gauge how big she will be? I'm trying to decide whether I should adopt her but live in a 1400 square foot house with a small yard. Thank you!
