The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a stunning hybrid that has inherited its parents’ strength, loyalty, and guarding skills. But like most hybrid breeds, it is not always easy to predict the exact physical and behavioral traits a puppy will inherit. However, with parents whose characteristics are very similar in temperament, physique, and health, you may know a bit more about what to expect from such a hybrid.

Let’s discover more about this unique breed below.

Breed Overview

This comprehensive guide will introduce you to everything you need to know about the strong and impressive, yet so cuddly teddy bear, that is the mix of a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler.

German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Puppies

The price of these pups is going to vary. The price will largely depend on the pedigree of the parents and the type of breeder. However, you may have a hard time finding a specialist breeder for this hybrid.

These dogs are energetic so if your family is on the active side, this may be the pup for you. And as a bonus, they get on really well with kids and other animals. You’ll want to make sure you have a decent-sized yard or your schedule allows for regular walks.

Temperament & Intelligence of the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix 🧠

A massive ball of fluff extremely attached to its owners, the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is also a brilliant dog, always on the alert; and quickly guesses what is expected of them. They also like to be congratulated on each of their achievements. They have all the qualities of a sporty, enduring, strong, and flexible dog; they will therefore be the ideal companion if you are looking for a dog who can follow you in all your physical activities.

However, being very close and dependent on their owners, they can show signs of jealousy if you pay more attention to someone other than them. This is why it will be essential to work on their sociability and get to know your dog well to recognize when he is uncomfortable in certain situations.

This hybrid will also make a fantastic guardian, thanks to its fearful and robust parents.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

A German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is suitable for active families and can make entertaining playmates for children. However, be aware that this large dog could accidentally injure smaller children by playing too rough. Firmly train your dog not to jump on toddlers and educate your children on how to behave with the dog to avoid any potential problems.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes are quite friendly with other dogs, provided they are introduced slowly and correctly. However, when it comes to cats or other small animals, your Shepweiler may have an instinct to hunt, especially if it has not been used to being around them from a young age.

In the end, it really depends on how much training and socialization you give your dog.

Things to Know When Owning a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

As with most large breeds, you will need to feed your Shepweiler the proper nutrition, starting with a specific formula during the puppy years until it is an adult. In addition, this dog should be fed high-quality kibble that complements their daily nutritional needs.

The diet of a Shepherd-Rottweiler puppy should contain 22% animal protein and 8% fat. Adult dogs should have access to a diet with 18% protein and 5% fat. Eating enough protein keeps your dog’s joints strong while consuming enough fat helps maintain their energy levels. Be careful not to overfeed them, however, because they can quickly get overweight.

You can also give your dog joint supplements, like chondroitin and glucosamine, to help keep their joints healthy. But be sure to check with your vet first if this is right for your dog. And, most importantly, never give your human supplements to your dog! These supplements may contain xylitol, which is extremely toxic to your pet.

Exercise 🐕

This hybrid breed requires a lot of physical and mental exercise daily. Walking, hiking, and playing frisbee in an enclosed area are good activities to do with your dog, not only to keep your dog (and you!) sane but also to help them stay healthy for as long as possible. Indeed, the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is prone to many health problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Daily exercises in his case are mandatory; otherwise, they might develop health issues sooner than expected. So, do your pup a favor and make sure to provide them with their daily exercise dose, and you’ll be helping them thrive for as long as possible.

Training 🎾

The Shepweiler needs firm, respectful, consistent, and positive reinforcement training starting at an early age. Its parents have a bad reputation for being aggressive and prone to biting, but it all comes down to proper training. You are raising 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.

But don’t worry: when adequately trained and socialized from a young age, German Shepherd Rottweiler mixes are devoted dogs to their owner and family and will love to please you as they grow up.

Grooming ✂️

Prepare to vacuum your house a lot! The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is indeed a dog that sheds a lot of hair. To help them (along with your home, furniture, clothes, and everything else!) get rid of their hair in a more “controlled” way, try to groom them properly at least once a day.

Both of their parents usually are shorthaired—except for the long-haired German Shepherd, but since this is due to a recessive gene, your puppy is unlikely to have long hair too. But they do shed a lot of hair, so you may need to take your dog to a professional groomer once a month if you can. Besides, the amount of shed hair will increase during the molting season, which occurs in spring and fall.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Sadly, as solid and robust as they may seem, the Shepweiler dog can inherit major health issues from its parent breed—cancers and hip/elbow dysplasia, among others. Therefore, never neglect your visits to the vet, as he/she is the best person to guide you and detect any health problems early.

Also, be sure to give your dog good nutrition and sufficient exercise throughout his life.

Male vs Female

There are some differences between the male and female of the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix. Like many other large dogs, the male will be stronger and more massive than the female. In terms of daily expenditure, the male is more energetic than the female, which will require you to provide him with more physical activities to thrive.

Females tend to be more suspicious than males, which makes them closer to their owners. They’re also more docile but remain good guardians; they mostly use their bark as a warning, unlike the males who won’t hesitate to fiercely defend their owner by attacking the stranger if they feel that he may be in real danger.

But male or female, the Shepweiler remains an excellent watchdog that devotes unconditional love to his owner and shows great affection towards all his pack members.

3 Little-Known Facts About the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix

1. They Love Their Whole Pack But Will Probably Love You More

Your German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will likely favor one family member over all the others. And if you are the official owner (i.e., the person who feeds them, coaxes them, and does daily physical activities with them), they will become extremely attached to you.

2. They Are One of the Strongest and Smartest Dogs in the World

With such parents being among the top 5 smartest and strongest dogs in the world, you don’t have to worry about your puppy lacking in the strength or intelligence department.

3. They Have an Extremely Powerful Jaw

Zoologist Brady Barr, who produced a documentary series on animal bite forces for National Geographic, measured the jaw strength of various dogs. In his experience, the Pit Bull and the German Shepherd had almost equal jaw pressure, while the Rottweiler was one and a half times more powerful, another reason to quickly educate your puppy not to jump or bite family members and strangers.

Final Thoughts

For those who are willing to devote a lot of time to daily exercise, firm training and rigorous education, daily grooming, and who can give endless cuddles to these gigantic fluffy teddy bears, the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will be your dream companion.

However, keep in mind that, as they are prone to many health issues, you will need to monitor their health with the help of your vet closely so that you can enjoy many years of loyal dedication from this amazing hybrid dog.

Looking for more crossbreeds? We have a full suite of German Shepherd Mixes and Rottweiler Mixes!

Featured Image Credit: Barry Blackburn, Shutterstock