Discover These 7 Amazing Rottweiler Mixes (Crossbreeds)
The Rottweiler is a much misunderstood dog. While it is now known as a dog that can be violent and aggressive, when it was first bred in any real numbers in Germany, it was simply a dog that was used a great deal on farms and in other capacities as a working dog. This was down to its high activity levels that allowed it to be out all day running around doing as its master commanded. While it is true they need to be socialized early to avoid any form of aggression developing within them, they can actually be trained to be a calm and confident dog.
A Rottweiler’s strength means that as a breed they are often used as a police dog or within the military, but due to a protective nature Rottweilers can actually make a fantastic family companion – when that family has taken the time out to train their pet properly. It is when they are not trained well, and are brought up in a violent or aggressive environment, that they can become dangerous themselves. In fact, some people have been known to encourage this so they can be used in dog fights for money.
By mixing a Rottweiler with another dog, families do not necessarily diminish the need to train a Rottweiler to be well behaved, however it is a good opportunity to bring some other characteristics into a pooch that are also favorable in another breed. In this guide we look at seven mix breed dogs that have all been crossed with a Rottweiler. If you are thinking about buying a dog for your home, and are at least a little bit interested in Rottweilers, this will be an invaluable read. Deciding to buy a new dog is a big decision and potential owners need to balance whether their potential dog will really suit their lifestyle. In weighing up a dog’s needs as well as your own, you ensure that both you and your future dog will lead a happy life together.
The Rottweiler Siberian Husky Mix or Rottsky
As a puppy, it is hard to beat a Rottsky on its cuteness. They have handsome little faces coupled with a big furry coat of black and brown hair laid out in gorgeous markings. Many have blue eyes like the husky. As adults, these bundles of energy can grow to around 26 inches tall and weigh around 100 pounds. That furry coat will remain extremely thick.
In terms of personality and temperament, a Rottsky will almost definitely be very loyal, alert, intelligent and brave given that these are traits that the two purebreds in its genetics has. Like most Rottie mixes however, and perhaps more so with the bundle of energy that is a Husky, these dogs need to be socialized and trained early on – even if you want ultimately to train it as a guard dog. It still needs to know what is acceptable behavior. When trained early enough they can become some of the friendliest dogs around. Be warned though, given the Husky’s background of roaming around prairies for days on end, this dog needs a lot of exercise in terms of long walks and games. If you have the time for that, they can be one of the best pets to have in your home.
The Rottweiler Labrador Retriever Mix or Labrottie
The Labrador Retriever is the classic family dog. Their easy going natures coupled with their quintessential good looks make for an ideal pet for many a home. However, when mixed with a Rottweiler they not only become stronger in terms of genetic health (over breeding of labs has resulted in them often suffering from arthritis amongst other ailments) they also result in a dog with beautiful markings and a handsome face.
Labs are smart like Rottweilers but are people pleasers by nature so they help make this crossbreed that little bit easier to train than a purebred Rottie. This is a strong, powerful medium sized dog so families should not underestimate its need for space. They both love to play so will be extremely happy in a house that is full of family members that enjoy spending time with them in a game of fetch or tug.
When socialized and trained early enough, this dog will be able to fit into any home that can take it out for daily bouts of exercise and has enough space for it to roam in. Ultimately, a Labrottie manages to become an integral part of any family quickly and with ease.
The Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix or German Rottie
The German Shepherd is also know to be a great guard dog like the Rottweiler. When mixed, they probably make one of the ultimate guard dogs that could ever be bred. They’re good looking pooches too as their colorways mix together nicely as well as the common characteristic of thick fur – though the German Shepherd in a German Rottie mix obviously makes their coat that little bit longer.
As they are both working dogs and strong ones at that, they do need a fair bit of exercise to keep them out of trouble if they are ever left in the house alone during the day. But a long walk and some games of tug or fetch will keep them entertained and tire them out so they don’t start chewing the furniture.
When trained from an early age, they can be a wonderful addition to any home given their kind, protective and loyal natures. These dogs that are so often used in dangerous lines of work are actually big softies at heart and love to curl up with their owners for some love and affection at the end of a day.
The Rottweiler Golden Retriever Mix or Golden Rottie
Golden retrievers are very handsome, long haired dogs that make favored family pets for good reason. When mixed with a Rottweiler, who has a very different temperament, it can result in a wonderful family pet.
In terms of looks, a Golden Rottie will more often than not keep the coloring of a Rottweiler while maintaining the length of a Golden Retriever’s coat as well as having the Retriever’s more pointy face and doe eyes. In terms of character, this is a bright cross breed given that the Golden Retriever is a clever as a Rottweiler. They are also both very loyal and keen to play. This mix will require a fair amount of exercise as both have boundless amounts of energy, but they make long daily walks fun with their sweet and naturally inquisitive nature.
However, given the Rottweiler’s need to be socialized as early on as possible – the same should be said of Golden Rotties. When they are, they are loving creatures that will happily snuggle up on the sofa with their owners after a day of play and long walks.
One obvious drawback is the amount that the Golden Rottie sheds. Both of the purebred dogs have thick coats that are prone to shedding though it is the Retriever that is the main culprit of this. To overcome this issue, owners should be aware of the need for some grooming that will include regular brushing on the owner’s part, but also with regular trips to the groomers themselves so that the right part of the coat is malting and the correct part of the fur is kept to keep the dog warm and dry to water.
Ultimately, though, homes that have enough time to dedicate to their Golden Rottie’s fur and their energy levels will quickly fall in love with this breed.
Related Post: Dog Shedding Brush
The Rottweiler Border Collie Mix or Borderweiler
This is a fairly unusual mix of dogs that is difficult to find. However, if you do find a breeder that mixes these two good looking breeds, you are bound to have one of the smartest dogs possible on your hands. Border Collies are ordinarily used by shepherds to help herd sheep as they are capable of understanding hundreds, if not a thousand, different commands, making them extremely helpful around a farm. Rottweilers, as working dogs, are also intelligent as well as very hardworking.
They do however create a very powerful dog, which coupled with both breed’s mass of energy, means that potential owners should be aware that they need a great deal of room – hopefully in the form of a large garden. They are medium sized in general and can grow to about 80 pounds and 27 inches tall.
In addition to being smart, they are also very loyal making them fantastic companions. They are easy to train and in general Rottles are massive people pleasers. That being said, they may be shy around strangers or other animals. However, if they are socialized early enough, this aloof trait is often not a problem.
They can, unfortunately, be quite stubborn as well as independent – probably owing to their mental strength. Bearing this in mind, they are perhaps not the best mixed breed option for the first time dog owner. Instead, they will suit homes where owners are experienced in training dogs as well as happy to be assertive with their dog and keen to lay down ground rules from the moment their Rottle steps a paw inside their home. Rottles need to have a clear, dominant pack leader and this needs to be asserted from the start.
If this is the case, Rottle owners are sure to have a wonderful best friend for life.
The Rottweiler Pitbull Mix or Pitweiler
Both these dogs, when purebred, are extremely strong so when they are crossbred together, the result is powerful pooch. However, with that power comes a loyal, loving and devoted temperament and those that have more Pitbull in them are exceptionally kind and gentle. For, despite how many of them of raised, Pitbulls are actually very kind dog breeds by nature.
They are used a great deal as guard dogs given their ability to be trained as well as their aforementioned devotion and strength. They are also incredibly brave and so will do everything in their power to protect their owner, which is perhaps why Rottweilers or Pit Bulls in general are sometimes dogs that people are immediately scared of – especially when you take into consideration how muscular their large bodies are.
However, at the core of a Pitweiler is simply a big puppy. They love to be around their family or pack and are happiest when with them. Despite their brave natures, they are actually a breed that is incredibly prone to separation anxiety. This can manifest itself in negative destructive behavior around the home, so remember to leave out rawhide and other chewable toys to keep them amused with while you are gone as well as something to expend their nervous energy upon.
Even when bearing this in mind, the Pitweiler is a brilliant addition to any family, though they should always be trained and socialized as early on as possible. The earlier the better. These dogs are sometimes put up for adoption so bear in mind that you may have a task on your hands trying to train an older dog who may have been raised in questionable environments. They deserve a chance however and, with the right levels of training, can become one of the most loving and playful members of the family.
The Rottweiler Poodle Mix or Rottle
These two unlikely pairs of dog – one known for being perfectly manicured and the other known for its strength and protective instinct – actually make exceptionally cute dogs. The mix has also resulted in a medium sized dog that has curly, long fur and remarkably is often hypoallergenic so is perfect for homes that are after a dog, but have members that are allergic to dog hair. They also shed very little for potential dog owners that hate to spend their nights hoovering up pet hair. They can come in a variety of colors, like the poodle varying from black, to brown to cream or white or even pied.
Despite the Poodle’s foray into being perfectly coiffed dogs that become a style statement for some in the 80s, they are actually bred from a long line of working dogs, like the Rottweiler. This makes them extremely active dogs so do need a daily bout of exercise – especially if you don’t want your Rottle to get bored and start chewing his way through clothing and furniture as a source of entertainment. They are also known to dig huge holes outside in gardens if left unattended and have not been exhausted on a long walk that day.
That being said, while they may not be the best choice for first time dog owners who need to concentrate on training this breed, they are fantastic companions for those that are after friendship. They get along with both children and the elderly so can be great additions to families or simply to those that want some company around the house – as long as they can cope with their strength and energy.
If they can, they won’t regret it, Rottles are fun to be around and are extremely affectionate. They love a cuddle and to curl up next to their owner on a sofa!
Rottweiler Mixes – The Bottom Line
While Rottweilers can most definitely be one of the most violent dog breeds around, this does not always have to be the case. All the purebred needs is a great deal of time, devotion and early socialization to avoid them becoming aggressive. This is often the case with several of the mixed breeds mentioned here, but they do also diminish a Rottweiler’s ability to become aggressive – though it must be heavily stressed that their aggression is more often than not only ever a result of bad training that misuses the dog’s protective and loyal traits.
Crossbreeds are also a great idea as they tend to be healthier by nature due to the mixing of genetic histories of breeds. This makes them less prone to illnesses and diseases that can so often plague certain breeds as well as the fact that mongrels simply live longer lives. While there is a certain amount of snobbery around mixes and mongrels, it cannot be disputed that they absolutely have their plus points – most of which are listed above in these 7 mixes with a Rottweiler.
Source:
- Rottweiler Pitbull Mix – Breed Facts And Info – Animal Corner
