Are you looking for an energetic family pet that can keep up with your active lifestyle? Do you think that a big, intelligent, and loving dog is the perfect pet for you?
If you said yes to both of these questions, you should totally check out the Rottweiler Lab mix!
The Rottweiler Lab mix, also known as the Rottador, is a big dog that loves to please. This dog is robust, muscular, and super athletic.
Because of its zestful nature, the Rottador makes a fantastic workout buddy and hiking partner.
All these fun things are just a peek at what the Rottweiler and Labrador mix can offer. In reality, these giant balls of fur can do a lot more. Let’s learn more about the Rottador!
What Is a Rottweiler Lab Mix? Can a Rottweiler Mate With a Lab?
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The Rottweiler Lab mix is the hybrid of two large dogs — the Rottweiler and the Labrador Retriever. This mixed breed dog is known for its size, athleticism, loyalty, and trainability. Rottweiler Lab hybrids are lovely family pets that can serve as guard dogs, service dogs, or even police dogs.
In terms of compatibility, the Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever is a suitable match. These purebred dogs share plenty of similarities, which makes breeding them together advantageous.
Because the Labrador Retriever and the Rottweiler dog breed are fantastic companion pets, you can expect no less when it comes to the Rottadors.
Rottadors are robust dogs that are highly adaptable to various living conditions.
One thing to know about these hybrids is that they can be registered in several kennel clubs.
Some of these clubs are the Dog Registry of America (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Designer Breed Registry (DBR).
The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) also recognize Labrador Rottweiler mixes.
However, as expected, you cannot register this crossbreed pooch in the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Other Names of the Rottweiler Lab Mix
The Rottweiler Lab goes by many names. In the pet community, dog lovers and pet enthusiasts call this hybrid by many aliases. These names include Labrottie, Rottador, Rottwador, Rott ‘n Lab, and Rotten Labs.
Often, these pups are also referred to as the Rottie Lab mix or the Labweiller. All of these names are wordplays on the names of its parent dog breed — Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler.
It is quite impossible to trace the origin of each of these names, but at least they are pretty self-explanatory. Regardless of which alias you end up calling them, Rottadors will remain the fantastic dog they are.
Rottweiler Lab Mix History and Origin: Where Does the Rottador Come From?
To this day, the exact origin of the Rottweiler Lab mix remains a mystery. Similar to the case of other hybrids, the history of the Rottador is not very well documented.
That said, nobody is exactly sure as to where these pooches came from. However, many expert breeders believe that this hybrid was developed sometime in the 1990s.
If this is indeed the case, this makes the Rottie Lab mix a relatively new hybrid. Location-wise, many dog enthusiasts believe that the Rottadors were originally bred in the United States.
They also claim that its primary purpose was to serve as a companion dog. While the Rottweiler Lab became a fantastic companion, it also proved capable of much more.
As for its parents, the Rottweiler and the Labrador Retriever, these are two popular dog breeds that have been around for centuries.
The Rotties are the original herding dogs of the Roman army. Meanwhile, the purebred Lab served as service dogs for fishers.
Luckily, all the good traits of the loyal Rottweiler and faithful retriever dogs were adopted by their mix.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Appearance: What Does a Rottweiler Lab Mix Look Like?
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The Rottador is one of the few hybrid dogs that are easily recognizable. Often, all it takes is one look at this pooch to figure out that it is a Rottweiler Labrador hybrid!
The recognizable appearance of the Rottador is thanks to its distinct-looking parents. After all, everyone knows what a Rottweiler dog breed looks like, as well as the Labrador Retriever dog breed.
The Rottador has a body that is beefier than the Labrador but slightly slimmer than the Rottweiler.
Its size and weight also sit somewhere between the Lab and the Rottie. Rottadors typically have floppy ears, dark-colored noses, and a straight topline.
Like its parent breeds, this mixed breed dog sports broad shoulders, large heads, and an athletic stance. This dog has good muscle insertions, a commanding presence, and a short to medium-length coat.
Speaking of coats, the Labrador Rottweiler mix has a double coat that comes in plenty of colors. The most common colors for this hybrid are black, brown, gray and tan, and black and tan.
The exact appearance of an individual dog depends heavily on its Rottie parent and Lab parent. That said, your Lab Rottie mix may look more like its Rottweiler parent or Labrador parent.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Size and Weight: How Big Do Rottweiler Lab Mixes Get When Fully Grown?
The Rottweiler Lab mix is one of the largest hybrids around. When fully grown, a Rottador will weigh around 70 to 115 pounds. Meanwhile, its full-grown height ranges from 24 to 27 inches.
In general, a Rottador will outgrow its Labrador Retriever parent by a few inches. It is also likely that it will be a few pounds heavier than the Lab.
However, it is rare for this hybrid to get heavier or taller than its Rottweiler parent.
Some dog breeds with comparable weight to the Rottweiler Lab include the Akita, American Foxhound, Bloodhounds, German Shepherd, and other large breeds.
If you want a good estimate of how your Rottie Lab mix pup will get, your best bet is to look at its parents. If your pooch has relatively big parents, expect it to be big as an adult dog.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Temperament: Are Rottweiler Lab Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Easy-going, loyal, energetic, confident, and adaptable are some of the words that best describe the Rottweiler Lab mix. It sounds like they’re the perfect family dogs, right? Well, hold that thought!
Rottadors are lovely companions that do well with other pets and children. These pooches are often well-mannered, especially if they are socialized at a young age.
However, it is still recommended to keep them away from very young children.
Furthermore, this mixed breed makes an excellent guard dog. These intelligent dogs are easily trainable, and they are naturally protective of their families.
Surprisingly, this big and sometimes intimidating dog is also a very clingy pooch.
Despite its beefy stature, this energetic dog can live happy lives in small living spaces. However, you must take this pup for long walks outside once in a while.
Indeed, the Rottweiler Lab is looking like a top choice for many aspiring pet owners. However, these pups are definitely not for everyone.
As an active hybrid, Rottweiler Lab mixes love to exercise. These dogs require at least two hours of physical activity every day. Now, if that sounds more like work than play to you, then you should look elsewhere.
Otherwise, if you think that sounds fun, then the Rottie Lab mix is the perfect large dog for you.
To get you more excited about owning this dog, watch this impressive video of a well-trained Rottweiler Lab mix:
Rocco | 6 Month Old Rottweiler and Lab Mix | Off Leash K9 | Basic Obedience | Dog Training | NOVA<a href="https://youtu.be/laxbUbsc-WA" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FlaxbUbsc-WA%2F0.jpg" alt="Rocco | 6 Month Old Rottweiler and Lab Mix | Off Leash K9 | Basic Obedience | Dog Training | NOVA" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Rottweiler Lab Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Rottweiler Lab Mixes Healthy Dogs?
Both the Labrador Retriever and the Rottweiler are healthy dogs. Thankfully, their hybrid is also a healthy pooch.
In fact, the average lifespan of the Rottie Lab mix is 10 to 12 years, which is on par with the life expectancy of its parent breeds.
However, much like the Rotties and the Labs, this mixed breed is also at risk of health problems. These health issues are often genetic and inherited from the parents, but environmental factors bring about a few.
Here are some of the common health problems of the Rottweiler Labrador Retriever mix:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Dysplasia is a condition characterized by a misalignment in the ball-and-socket joint of a dog. Hip dysplasia occurs near the pelvis, while elbow dysplasia on the elbows. A dog with either hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia will feel pain when moving and have a deteriorated posture.
Bone Cancer: There are many types of bone cancers in dogs; however, osteosarcoma is the most common in Rottie Lab mixes. This health issue starts by impeding the abnormal growth in the affected bone. If left untreated, bone cancer can potentially spread to other parts of the body.
Cataracts: Both the Lab and the Rottweiler are prone to eye problems, such as cataracts. Cataract in a dog attacks and impedes vision. This condition starts with a dog having clouded vision and worsens over time. Cataracts are more common in adult dogs than in puppies.
Bloat: Gastric dilation-volvulus, commonly known as bloat, is a fatal condition in dogs. This health problem requires immediate attention as it can kill a dog in a matter of hours. Bloat occurs when there is a build-up in stomach pressure. This is often caused by overeating or eating too fast.
In general, the overall health of this hybrid will depend on its Lab and Rottweiler parents. If the parent dogs are healthy and free from genetic conditions, there’s a good chance your pup will also grow up in good health.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Breeding Rottweilers and Labradors Together
There are many reasons why a purebred dog is crossed with another breed. Often, breeders are looking for a dog that has desirable qualities.
Other times, crossbreeding is meant to produce a dog that is suitable for a specific task.
As for the Lab Rottweiler mix, it is said that these hybrids are bred for companionship. Fanatics claim that these pooches bring the best of both worlds from the Rottweiler and the Labrador Retriever.
However, as with all things, crossbreeding comes with disadvantages. Let’s take a look at some advantages and disadvantages of breeding Rottweilers and Labradors together.
Here are some advantages of breeding Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers together:
Unique look: For many, the unique look of the Rottador alone is enough reason to cross Labs and Rotties. Indeed, this pooch is a good-looking canine that shares the recognizable features of its parent breeds.
High work drive: Some dogs perform better than other dogs on specific jobs. For the Rottador, they do well in physical activities. These dogs are tough contenders in agility and rally competitions. They are also best suited for people who live an active lifestyle.
Chance for better health: In many cases, crossbreeding reduces the risk of inheritable genetic diseases. Experts claim designer dogs have reduced chances of developing health issues that are innate to their purebred parents.
Below are some disadvantages of breeding Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers together:
Unpredictable temperament: One of the most significant downsides in crossbreeding is that the resulting hybrid can have an unpredictable temperament. While this is uncommon for Rottie Labs, it is still worth noting.
Hard to predict size: Unlike purebreds that come in standardized sizes, hybrids fall under a wide size range. This is evident in the case of the Labrador Rottweiler and they can weigh between 70 and 115 pounds.
Difficult delivery: Because the size of the litter is hard to predict, a hybrid puppy can be challenging to deliver. This is especially true if the dam is significantly smaller than the sire.
Simply put, breeding Rottweilers and Labradors together has a couple of trade-offs.
However, when done correctly, breeders can significantly minimize the risks. It is also important to emphasize that crossbreeding is ethical and safe.
How to Take Care of Your Rottweiler Lab Mix
Just like the Labrador Retriever and the Rottweiler, Rottadors are pretty easy to care for. Except for their exercise requirements, these dogs do not need more than the bare minimum.
However, you need to be reminded of some things before adding this pup to your life. For that reason, let’s dive into the details of how to care for your Rottweiler Labrador mix.
Food and Diet
The diet of a Rottador is what you would expect for a big and muscly dog breed.
These dogs require the proper kind of kibble, preferably the ones that are high in protein. Alternatively, homemade meals are also a good choice for a Rottador pup.
Some nutritious ingredients you can add to your dog’s meal are white meat, vegetables, and fruit slices. In terms of frequency, it is recommended to provide your Rottweiler Lab with three balanced meals per day.
Cleaning and Grooming
The grooming requirements of a Labrador Rottweiler mix are not as demanding as other dogs. In fact, this hybrid is one of the few big dogs that are low-maintenance.
Brushing your Rottadors coat twice every week is enough to keep its coat healthy. As for bathing, you can bathe your dog as seldom as once a month.
But if your dog gets stinky from playing outdoors, it is recommended to run it a bath right away.
Training and Exercise
Training and exercise are the most exciting parts of the life of a Rottweiler Lab mix. In terms of training, the most effective way to train your Rottador is by implementing the so-called positive reinforcement training.
This scheme makes use of rewards such as treats and dog clickers to motivate your pup.
As for exercise requirements, the Rottador needs around one to two hours of physical activity per day. That’s surely a lot of long walks and playing fetch!
You can also engage your pup in intense exercise activities such as sprinting, playing in an obstacle course, or swimming. Alternatively, you can let your pooch play with other dogs in the dog park.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Puppy Prices & Expenses: How Much Does a Rottweiler Lab Mix Cost?
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The average price of a Rottweiler Lab is around $600 to $800. Surprisingly, this hybrid is more affordable than a purebred Rottweiler or a purebred Labrador Retriever. These pups cost hundreds of dollars less than other mixed breeds.
Designer dog breeds are often more expensive than purebreds, but luckily that is not the case for the Lab Rottweiler mix.
But if you are trying to save a bit more, you can also consider adoption. Adoption fees will run you anywhere between $200 and $400.
Aside from the cost of the Rottador itself, there are also other expenses to consider. These are essential things such as a dog carrier, dog bed, collar and leash, and more.
Here’s a list of all the other expenses for a Rottador puppy:
As you can see from the table above, you need an extra $450 to $690 to cover the essential items for your Rottador.
Keep in mind that this cost does not cover recurring expenses such as dog food, treats, vitamins, and vet fees.
For these recurring costs, you should expect to spend around $100 to $200 per month. However, this expense can quickly spike up in case of medical emergencies, trips to the groomer, or pet daycare expenses.
It is also worth knowing that some breeders bundle their dogs with free accessories. This is something to consider, especially if you are looking for the best bang-for-the-buck deals.
Places to Find Rottweiler Lab Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Rottadors are slowly taking over the pet community by storm. However, despite their popularity, Rottador puppies can still be challenging to find.
So if you are keen on getting a Labrottie puppy, be prepared to go on a tough hunt.
That said, we have compiled a few trusted sources to ease your search. The places listed below are reputable breeders, rescues, shelters, and online services. Hopefully, your pet search will be more convenient with the help of this list.
Here are some breeders where you can find a Rottweiler Lab mix puppy for sale:
King Rottweilers – King Rottweilers is a family-owned breeder in Washington. This breeder prides itself on producing world-famous Rottweiler dogs. Among their listings are premium bloodline Rottweilers and a few Rottie mixes. There’s a pretty decent chance you’ll find Lab Rottweiler mix puppies from this breeder.
Simpson’s Labrador Retrievers – Dedicated to the Labrador Retriever breed, this breeder is a superb source for Lab puppies and potentially Lab mixes. All puppies from Simpson’s Labrador Retrievers are well-mannered and healthy. Don’t forget to contact them to inquire about a Rottie Lab mix!
Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies is an online platform where breeders can advertise and sell their puppies. The advantage of using this website is finding reputable breeders is just one search away. Greenfield Puppies verifies every listing on their site, so it’s safe to buy from them.
Below are some sources where you can find a Rottweiler Labrador mix for adoption:
Memphis Rottweiler Rescue (MMR) – MMR is a non-profit organization based in Memphis, Tennessee. They aim to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome neglected Rotties and Rottie mixes. If adoption is your priority, this is a great place to start looking for Rottweiler Lab mixes.
Lucky Lab Rescue & Adoption – Lucky Lab Rescue & Adoption is a shelter located in Texas, Midwest, and New England. This organization focuses on providing shelter for unwanted Labradors and Lab mixes. Make sure to visit their website to look for a Rottie Lab mix.
Adopt-a-Pet – Adopt-a-Pet is an adoption website with an extensive database of pets. This platform partners with thousands of rescues and shelters to make it easier for people to adopt pets. On their platform, you’ll find dozens of useful filters, which will make your search for a rescue dog easier.
Petfinder – Petfinder is another adoption website where you can find Rottadors for adoption. Similar to Adopt-a-Pet, this platform hosts listings from rescues and shelters. You’ll often find different listings in Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet, so it’s worth trying out both.
If these sources don’t work out for you or you just want more options, there are other things you can do.
Firstly, you can check out some sources in our articles on the best Labrador Retriever rescues, best Rottweiler breeders, and best Rottweiler rescues.
Moreover, you can also seek assistance from Rottweiler and Labrador pet owners over the internet.
You can do this by looking for pet groups on social media, such as Facebook and Reddit. Just be wary of puppy mills and backyard breeders!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do Rottweiler Lab Mixes Shed?
Despite having a pretty short double coat, Rottweiler Labs are considered medium shedders.
These dogs have double coats, which makes them shed quite a bit. One way to manage this is by brushing your pet’s coat at least twice a week.
Are Rottadors Aggressive?
In general, aggression is not a part of this dog’s personality. This hybrid dog has manageable protective instincts, which makes it an effective guard dog.
The only time Rottadors exhibit aggression is if it experienced physical abuse or if it feels threatened.
Are Rottweiler Lab Mixes High Maintenance?
In terms of grooming and diet, the Lab Rottweiler mix is not a high-maintenance pooch. These dogs can get by with just the bare minimum.
However, one area where this large dog breed is quite demanding is its exercise requirements.
These dogs need at least two hours of physical activity every day. This is quite tedious, especially for pet owners who have hectic work schedules.
Final Thoughts: Is the Rottweiler Lab Mix the Right Dog for You?
If you have an active lifestyle, you’ll easily get along with a Rottador. Similarly, if you have pets or kids in your household, a Rottie Lab mix is a terrific family dog for you.
However, you should think twice about this dog if you are not fond of exercise.
Simply put, the Rottie Lab mix is a versatile pet that is loved by many. This athletic, intelligent, and loyal hybrid can adapt to different living conditions and various lifestyles. All things considered, it’s hard to go wrong with owning this hybrid.
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