If you are looking for a loyal hybrid dog that is goofy and kid-friendly, the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix may be the best match for you.
As one of the most popular German Shepherd mixes, there’s a lot to know about these mixed-breed dogs.
For starters, this intelligent designer breed inherited the fascinating temperament, looks, and build of its parent breeds, so you can expect them to be unmatched when it comes to personality.
If you want to know more about the background of this incredible but little-known German Shepherd Rottweiler cross, stick around until the end of this guide!
What Is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix, popularly dubbed as the Shepweiler, is a wonderful combination of two powerful breeds — the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler. These dogs are bred to be family dogs, but they also do well as guard, therapy, or police dogs.
While it is impossible to predict a mixed breed’s personality with 100% accuracy, the Shepweiler has been known to strongly exhibit traits inherited from its parents, including loyalty, intelligence, and a strong work ethic.
Many owners of the Shepweiler also report that this breed tends to favor one family member. Hence, this hybrid dog is often considered a “velcro dog.”
Although they consider their housemates as their pack, they are more attached to their owners and are keen on making them happy.
Other Names of the German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
The Rottweiler German Shepherd mix has earned a few interesting names over the years, and they are the following:
Shepweiler
Shottie
Rottweiler Shepherd
Rottie Shepherd
Rotten Shepherd
As you can see from the list, the German Shepherd Rottweiler has some funny names — Rotten Shepherd and Rottie Shepherd.
These are misnomers describing how affectionate and amusing this mixed breed can be.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Origin and History
Shepweilers descended from popular working dogs — the German Shepherd and Rottweiler.
These breeds have a long history as hardy workers on the field, so it’s expected that their cross will exhibit the same grit.
While the Shepweiler’s history is a bit vague, we can always look at the origin of their parents to get a better understanding of this hybrid.
The German Shepherd Dog was developed in the late 1800s in Germany to herd sheep and keep predators away from flocks.
During World War I, their fame quickly spread to other parts of the world, and they were then considered one of the toughest and most hardworking dogs out there.
Meanwhile, the purebred Rottweiler is believed to be a descendant of drover or cattle-driving dogs left by the Roman empire in Rottweiler, Germany.
From the Middle Ages up until the 1900s, the Rottweiler accompanied local butchers to the market while carrying money around their necks.
Over the years, Rottweilers also served as guard dogs, draft dogs, rescue dogs, and police dogs.
As evident, the parents of the Shepweiler are prime working dogs. If you are looking for a pup with similarly outstanding characteristics, look no further than the German Shepherd Rottweiler hybrid.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Appearance
Like its parent breeds, the Shepweiler is an athletic dog with a muscular body, impressive muzzle, strong jaw, and long legs.
They often exhibit a black nose and blue or brown eyes, which can manifest heterochromia. Moreover, their ears stand erect when they listen but hang down when at rest.
As a result of having mixed blood, expect your Shepweiler to have either a short coat like a short-haired GSD or a long coat like a long-haired Rottweiler. Their coats are also often straight.
The Shepweiler may sport a medium, dense coat if they take after the Rottweiler parent, while they’re sure to have long double-coated fur if they have a more dominant German Shepherd gene.
In terms of coat colors, they usually come in black, brown, white, fawn, and tan. But since they are a mixed breed, this is quite unpredictable, so they may exhibit any of the colors of their parents.
Rare colors like blue and deep brown can also be inherited if they have a blue German Shepherd or a liver GSD parent.
To better appreciate their physical attributes, watch this four-month-old Rottweiler German Shepherd mix:
German Shepard Rottweiler Mix puppy week 12<a href="https://youtu.be/z96MwaHJZbs" 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%2Fz96MwaHJZbs%2F0.jpg" alt="German Shepard Rottweiler Mix puppy week 12" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Size and Weight
Rotten Shepherds are massive dogs that weigh around 70 to 115 pounds and stand between 22 and 27 inches tall.
They reach maturity at about 18 months old, and by this time, the males are expected to be bigger than the females.
To illustrate, males usually grow between 24 and 27 inches in height and weigh 75 to 115 pounds.
Meanwhile, female Rottweiler German Shepherd hybrids only reach 22 to 25 inches and weigh 70 to 110 pounds.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Temperament and Personality
Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive, and it is said that this undesirable trait is passed down to their offspring.
However, if your puppy is trained and socialized properly, they’ll make perfect family dogs even if you have children at home.
As part of the Rottweiler Shepherd mix’s pack, you can only expect to be showered with love and affection.
The GSD Rottweiler mix can be an intimidating guard dog once trained to follow commands. But they will never become vicious attack dogs unless they are conditioned or provoked to be that way.
Shepweilers can be fun playmates for kids of all ages. But it is still crucial to teach your children how to interact with this mixed-breed dog since they are relatively large canines.
As a playful dog, your Shepweiler can make sudden movements without meaning to, and this can hurt small kids.
Moreover, Shepweilers can be pretty amicable with other dogs as long as they are introduced slowly and properly. However, when it comes to cats, this dog may have the instinct to chase.
It is vital to introduce your Shepweiler to your cat slowly and consistently under your supervision so they can coexist peacefully.
Shepweilers also tend to be wary of strangers regardless of whether they are kids or adults because of their herding nature. But this can still be worked on if they are given proper socialization.
Overall, how your German Shepherd Rottweiler dog will behave depends on their training and the environment where you raised them.
If you are unsure how to deal with this cross, you can always hire professional trainers to do the job for you.
German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Lifespan and Health Issues
The lifespan of a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is around 9 to 13 years. While most of this crossbreed is generally healthy, some may develop a few health issues as they reach old age.
The list below discusses some of the health problems common to both the German Shepherd and Rottweiler breed that may be passed on to a Shepweiler:
Eyelid Issues (Entropion and Ectropion): Entropion is an eye condition that occurs when the eyelids roll inward. This causes the hair on the surface of the lid to rub against the cornea resulting in pain, corneal ulcers, perforations, and pigment forming on the cornea. Ectropion, on the other hand, causes the lower eyelids to appear droopy since they are rolled outward.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: This is a joint-related disease that typically affects large-breed dogs. Severe pain accompanies the deterioration of the joints in the hips and elbows, which could debilitate a dog. A German Shepherd hybrid suffering from hip or elbow dysplasia will exhibit signs of lameness and decreased mobility.
Osteochondritis Dissecans: This is a developmental disease that occurs in large breed dogs that grow too fast. The onset of osteochondritis dissecans is typically between six and nine months and tends to occur more often in male dogs.
Aortic Stenosis: This is a heart condition that is more common in certain dog breeds, such as this German Shepherd crossbred. Aortic stenosis is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart.
It is crucial to mitigate the risk of your Shepweiler developing the diseases mentioned above. Treating these illnesses can be costly as well as devastating for your dog’s health in the long run.
How to Take Care of Your German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
Like other breeds, a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will have requirements for its nutrition, grooming, training, and exercise.
That said, this section explores how to take care of your Shepweiler to ensure it gets to live the best life possible.
Food and Diet
The recommended diet for a German Shepherd Rottweiler must be formulated for a large breed with medium to high energy levels.
Do not give in to the temptation of overfeeding them since they tend to gain weight easily.
Moreover, stick to a regular feeding schedule and don’t allow them to free feed during the day. You can give them high-quality treats, but they should be limited since it causes weight gain and bloat.
In general, your dog’s diet should consist of 22% of protein and 8% of fat when they are still puppies. When they mature, these nutritional needs change to 80% protein and 5% fat.
Cleaning and Grooming
Shepweilers normally require weekly brushing to keep their coat shiny and healthy. However, a number of pet owners suggest that they should be brushed lightly every day.
It is recommended to bathe your Shepweiler as needed but not too often to avoid skin dryness, irritation, or rashes.
During bath time, you should clean their ears and check for any signs of redness and abnormalities. It would also be best to trim their nails regularly to prevent cracking and splitting.
Moreover, you should take care of your German Shepherd Rottweiler’s oral health. Consult with your vet about properly brushing their teeth and what products are recommended for their age.
Training and Exercise
In training your Shepweiler, you need to be firm and persistent, so they’ll recognize you as the pack leader.
Like with a German Shepherd’s intelligence training, you should use positive reinforcement for effective results.
Once this is established, you’ll find it easy to teach them simple commands and even more advanced tricks. They are known to be clingy to their owner, so expect that they’ll do their best to please you.
As for exercise, Shepweilers need plenty of mental and physical stimulation. You would need to spend no less than 90 minutes a day engaging them in activities.
Shepweilers that don’t get enough stimulation can develop behavioral problems such as chewing and barking excessively. They can also become overly anxious or bored.
Since Shepweilers are massive dogs, they are best suited to properties with a fenced yard where they can run and play.
This breed also enjoys going for walks, visiting the dog park, playing fetch, and other agility sports.
How Much Does a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
A Shepweiler puppy costs anywhere between $200 and $1,500 on average. However, reputable breeders are known to charge more since their dogs are screened thoroughly for health problems.
Mixed breeds like the Rottweiler German Shepherd mix are even pricier than a purebred German Shepherd dog or Rottweiler.
Moreover, aside from the initial cost of the Shepweiler pup, expect to shell out more money on essential puppy items.
These initial purchases ensure that your Shepweiler is comfortable as it transitions into your home.
Below is a breakdown of the initial expenses of owning a German Shepherd Rottweiler:
Purchasing the starter supplies on the list above shouldn’t be challenging since they are readily available in local pet stores and online shops.
But aside from what was mentioned, you must also be prepared for other potential expenses down the road, including annual veterinary checkups, supplements, travel essentials, boarding services, and more.
Places to Find German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Finding German Shepherd Rottweiler mix puppies for sale can be challenging and tedious. This one-of-a-kind mix is super rare, so only a few reputable breeders are dedicated to developing them.
In your buying journey, make sure to steer clear of puppy mills and backyard breeders, as they’ll only offer you unhealthy puppies.
It will also help if you read our puppy buying guide, so you’ll know how to spot scams.
The following are some of the most reputable breeders where you can purchase the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix:
AKC Marketplace – This marketplace is run by the American Kennel Club. As such, you can expect the puppies listed to be of high quality. Connect with GSD and Rottweiler breeders to see if they have the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix.
Puppy Finder – Puppy Finder is a canine directory service that aims to connect breeders to pet enthusiasts. The website uses an advanced breed selector so you can easily filter their available dogs. They also publish useful articles that can aid first-time owners.
Greenfield Puppies – Greenfield Puppies is a family-run advertising website that has been around since 2000. They offer a health guarantee for their puppies, including the Shepweiler, and they also deworm and vaccinate them.
If the above-mentioned German Shepherd Rottweiler breeders do not work out for you, you can always try getting this cross from a rescue. This is a more noble path and also more practical.
Before adopting, however, be sure to check out our ultimate adoption guide as well as our blog on finding free puppies.
Here are a few Shepweiler rescues that you can check out if you’re fine with owning an older dog:
German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County – This nonprofit rescue is dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming the German Shepherd breed and its mixes, including the Shepweiler. All their dogs up for adoption are rehabilitated in foster homes and private boarding facilities.
R.E.A.L. Rottweiler Rescue – This rescue, located in Ashland, Ohio, is on a mission to save and rehome Rottweilers and Rottweiler mixes. They assess their dogs’ temperament, health, and training needs and provide them with appropriate care before being rehomed.
German Shepherd Rescue & Adoptions (GSRA) – This rescue takes in stray, neglected, and surrendered German Shepherds and Shepweilers. They also educate the public regarding canine welfare, specifically the importance of neutering and spaying.
There are plenty of German Shepherd rescues across the United States that take in German Shepherd mix puppies and adult dogs.
Moreover, you can also check out our list of German Shepherd rescues and Rottweiler rescues to see if they have this cross.
Pros and Cons of Owning a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
Owning a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will have a few ups and downs. It is imperative that you understand all these so you won’t get shell-shocked once you bring a Shepweiler puppy home.
Here are some of the pros of owning a Shepweiler:
They make terrific companion dogs. Many believe the wrong notion that Shepweilers are aggressive and stubborn. In reality, the German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix is one of the best companion dogs out there, especially when they are socialized at a young age.
Shepweilers make excellent guard dogs. Apart from being well-built and powerful, the Rottweiler Shepherd is brilliant and capable of doing things that will protect its owner from possible harm. This is expected because they came from two working dog breeds.
They are easy to train. Rotten Shepherds are a joy to train since they are very intelligent. However, it would take an alpha owner to train them since they only follow who they think is the pack’s leader.
Here are the cons of owning a German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix:
They need a big space to grow. A Shepweiler needs a wide-open space where it can move freely and grow. If they are stuck in a confined space, they will develop behavioral problems, which can cause massive headaches in the long run.
Your house will require frequent cleanups. If a Shepweiler inherits the German Shepherd’s coat, it will shed all year round and cover your furniture with loose hairs. You must have a vacuum ready since you will be doing lots of deep cleaning if this is the case.
Shepweilers are very energetic. If you are a busy dog parent and aren’t home most of the time, a Shepweiler may not be the best choice for you. The German Shepherd and Rottweiler mix is a highly energetic dog which translates to a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation requirements.
The list of pros and cons above will give you a pretty good idea if you are a good match for a Shepweiler.
Before purchasing a pup, it is crucial to consider all these to avoid abandoning them to a shelter or rescue later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Shepweilers Good Guard Dogs?
Shepweilers can be depended on as excellent guard dogs that will watch over family members since they inherited the loyalty and protective instinct of their parents. It also helps that they tend to be wary of strangers.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Smart?
The Shepweiler is naturally intelligent. Many trainers report that they are a breeze to train because of their wits and natural affinity to impress their owners.
This is quite expected because they came from two breeds that assisted butchers and farm workers in the past.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Aggressive?
A Shepweiler can be aggressive since both of its parents are known to be aggressive. But bear in mind that the aggression shown by these two parent breeds comes out from a desire to protect.
With proper training and socialization, these instincts can be easily controlled and managed in your Shepweiler.
Are German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes High Maintenance?
The Shepweiler can be considered a high-maintenance breed because of its size and grooming needs.
They need a lot of physical and mental stimulation, which can be time-demanding for an owner. They also shed a lot, which means brushing is often necessary.
Do German Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes Shed a Lot?
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix will turn out to be a heavy shedder if they take after their German Shepherd parent.
Expect that their fur will shed all year round. You will need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner if you have one of these dogs.
Final Thoughts: Is a German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix the Right Dog for You?
If you spend most of your time out of the house, a Shepweiler may not be the best dog for you. As very active dogs, this crossbreed requires regular walks and potentially a lot of grooming.
Moreover, a large dog like the Rotten Shepherd needs access to plenty of space to move. Also, bear in mind that both parents of this breed are prone to shedding, making them a poor choice for allergy sufferers.
Overall, the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix is a loving dog that can be a joyful addition to your home as well as a fun playmate for your kids.
If you lead an active lifestyle, they make for excellent jogging and hiking companions as well.
Impressed with the German Shepherd Rottweiler mix? Let us know in the comments what you think about the Shepweiler!
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