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White Rottweilers, often referred to as albino Rottweilers, are among the most controversial colors of this breed because of the science behind this rare-color Rottweiler.
Due to the rarity of this color, people find them very appealing and intriguing. This causes a lot of dog lovers to think of buying one for themselves.
If you haven’t heard of this special color variation and would like to know more, you came to the right place!
In this guide, I compiled everything you need to know about white Rottweilers — from their appearance to their genetics.
What Is a White Rottweiler? Can Rottweilers Be White?
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The white Rottweiler is a rare variant of the infamous Rottweiler breed. The white coloration of these dogs may be due to different causes, including albinism, crossbreeding, or vitiligo. White Rottweilers are so rare that you may never come across one in your lifetime.
A white Rottweiler can exist in three ways. The dog could be suffering from albinism, is a mix of another breed that is white, or experiencing medical conditions that result in premature white fur.
Most of the time, white Rottweilers are the hybrid of a pure Rottweiler and another white dog — a German Shepherd, for example.
In cases like this, a puppy may have all the physical characteristics of the usual Rottweiler but with a completely different coat. This happens especially if the other breed has less dominant genes.
On the other hand, some white Rottweilers are actually albino. These are dogs that suffer from the rare health condition known as albinism.
Another possible reason that a Rottie turns out white is vitiligo — a rare skin disorder that causes the skin to lose its natural color. A dog with vitiligo has patches of its fur turned white. This may also extend across the entire body.
Vitiligo in Rottweilers are hereditary. However, it may also be caused by stress, exposure to toxins, or an underlying medical condition. The good news is that this condition is painless, and it won’t affect your fur baby’s quality of life.
Is There an All White Rottweiler?
Yes, even though they are very rare, all-white Rottweilers exist. However, all-white Rotties are usually dogs with extreme albinism. As magnificent as it may seem, being an albino dog has its own consequences.
In most cases, this rare condition happens because of inbreeding. This refers to the mating of two dogs that are closely related — a father and daughter, for example.
The puppy can come out as an albino due to the passing on of a recessive trait that causes gene mutation.
Unfortunately, the practice of inbreeding is becoming more common these days with the rise of irresponsible breeders and puppy mills.
That said, a true albino Rottweiler with no pigment at all is very rare. Dogs with some degree of albinism are much more common. Hence, many albino Rottweilers are not all-white.
Stunning as they are, it is highly discouraged to purposely breed albino Rottweilers. This is unethical as this condition poses a lot of concern for the dog’s health and well-being.
Simply put, pure white Rottweilers, as impressive as they look, should not be bred. If you really want a white Rottie, it is recommended to find one that is not an albino.
White Rottweiler Appearance
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Generally, white Rottweilers have massive heads with hanging ears, strong muzzles, and have medium-length coats — they appear to be just like the regular purebred Rotts.
Hybrid white Rottweilers, on the other hand, may have different features depending on how their other fur parents look like. This is especially true if their other parent has stronger genes.
As with any other crossbred dog, it is quite hard to tell what a pup with a mix would look like. Their dog parents’ height, weight, and special markings may contribute to the dog’s overall appearance.
White Rottweilers suffering from vitiligo may look different in every dog. Commonly, they may have patches of white in certain parts of their body, mostly in the facial area, including the nose, eyes, and neck.
Other white Rottweilers with vitiligo may get white patches all over and can sometimes look like a symmetrical pattern instead of random spots.
The video below shows a Rottie with vitiligo:
Different Rare White Rottweilers 😱 #vitiligo #shorts #rottweiler #rare #adorable #cute<a href="https://youtu.be/WiNvxt_q7uY" 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%2FWiNvxt_q7uY%2F0.jpg" alt="Different Rare White Rottweilers 😱 #vitiligo #shorts #rottweiler #rare #adorable #cute" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Since albinism causes a complete lack of pigmentation, albino Rottweilers may have completely white coats, including their skin. This also gives them a pinkish tinge around the nose, eyes, mouth, and lips.
Additionally, an albino Rottweiler’s eye color may also appear to be icy blue due to the lack of melanin caused by the disorder.
In terms of their height and weight, male Rottweilers can grow from 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh from 95 to 130 pounds. Females, on the other hand, grow a bit shorter at 22 to 25 inches and 85 to 115 pounds in weight.
Moreover, like the regular-colored Rottweilers, tail-docking is also a common practice among white Rottweilers.
White Rottweiler Color Genetics
To set the record straight, not all white Rottweilers are albinos. As mentioned before, some white Rotties are hybrids, while others have vitiligo.
To clearly differentiate the two: a white Rottweiler isn’t a result of a genetic mutation and is generally produced from breeding a Rottweiler with a naturally white dog.
Moreover, a white Rottweiler may have the usual dark eyes, nose, and lips similar to the regular purebred Rottie. It may also not be as prone to health problems compared to albinos.
Albino Rottweilers, on the other hand, is caused by the lack or defect in an enzyme called Tyrosinase which is responsible for melanin production. Melanin gives color or pigment to eyes, skin, and hair.
The lack of this enzyme is due to a recessive gene inherited from both parents. When a Rottweiler puppy inherits two copies of the gene, the dog will lack the pigment-producing melanin, thus, becoming an albino.
Experts believe that inbreeding plays a huge role in producing albino puppies because it is likely that both parents of the dog are carriers of a broken gene for making melanin.
Do Kennel Clubs Recognize White Rottweilers?
Rottweilers have been listed in the American Kennel Club Stud Book since 1973. Most kennel clubs, however, have very strict standards on the breed. Unfortunately, white Rottweilers are not recognized by these organizations.
Since Rottweilers with a white coat are likely to be crossbreds, they are not accepted by official kennel clubs that only cater to purebred dogs.
Moreover, according to the AKC breed standard for Rottweilers, there are only three official colors of the breed — black and mahogany, black and tan, and black and rust.
Any base color other than black results in immediate disqualification. Hence, no white Rottie is recognized by major kennel clubs.
White Rottweiler Temperament and Personality
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White Rottweilers make good family dogs since they exhibit the same temperament as regular-colored Rottweilers.
There isn’t any evidence to prove that white Rottweilers are significantly more aggressive and have negative behavior compared to the standard breed. Thus, it is safe to say that they are generally safe to be around family members.
In general, the Rottweiler breed is calm and confident. They may have had a bad reputation before for being aggressive, but well-trained and well-socialized Rotties actually make a good family dog.
They may be aloof at first and don’t make friends with new people and animals immediately, but that is because they are intelligent breeds with a wait-and-see attitude when introduced to a new environment.
However, these dogs are very protective of their family, thus having the tendency to be aggressive when they feel the need to protect their humans.
Constant training and positive reinforcement are also needed to raise a good Rottweiler. That is why this breed is not advisable for first-time dog owners and those with a busy lifestyle.
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Rottweiler: Which Is Better?
White Rottweiler Lifespan and Health Issues
Sure, owning a white-colored Rottweiler can attract dog lovers, and you may be contemplating getting one, but there are several health issues that come with the rarity of this color.
While a regular Rottweiler may have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years, white Rottweilers with albino disorder may have a significantly shorter life.
On the other hand, mixed-breed white Rottweilers and those with vitiligo may live within the expected life expectancy of this breed. Unlike albino Rotties, they are generally healthy dogs, especially when given appropriate care.
Below are some common health issues of White Rottweilers:
Eye Defects: White Rottweilers are generally prone to eye problems similar to regular Rotts. Cataracts are the most common eye problem that may, later on, cause blindness among white Rottweilers. As with albino Rottweilers, due to the abnormal development of their eyes, they may be susceptible to eye problems, including poor vision, lazy eye, photophobia, and worse, blindness. Albinos are also extra sensitive to light.
Hip Dysplasia: Since white Rottweilers belong to the giant and large breeds of dogs, they are susceptible to this genetic disorder. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip bone and socket bones do not go together as they should and causes severe pain and arthritis-like symptoms.
Skin Problems: White Rottweilers have thick, dense undercoats that can accumulate bacteria and fleas and may cause skin rashes and allergies later on. Albinos, on the other hand, are more at risk for this disorder since their body does not produce melanin. An albino Rottweiler’s skin may burn easily and are prone to skin cancer and infections.
Aside from these issues, they are also prone to experiencing breathing problems, heart diseases, and nervous system disorders, among other genetic diseases.
While these serious health concerns are mostly seen in albinos, white Rottweilers owners, in general, must be prepared to provide utmost care all throughout their life.
How Much Does a White Rottweiler Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
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A white Rottweiler’s price largely depends on several factors, including its quality, the breeder, location, and disease testing inclusions. It can usually cost you around $600 to $2,000.
The costs, however, do not end there. You also need to consider other expenses such as food and treats, vaccines, veterinarian visits, and puppy supplies.
Below is a summarized table of the initial expenses when owning a white Rottweiler:
To cover the initial cost of owning a White Rottweiler, you need to have around $640 to $2,425. This cost, however, does not include the recurring costs of having a puppy.
As mentioned earlier, some Rottweilers are albino. This means they are highly prone to diseases, so owners must have an extra budget set aside for medications and veterinary needs.
You may read our article on Rottweiler costs to get more details about the costs and other expenses that you may incur once you get a Rottweiler.
Places to Find White Rottweiler Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Unfortunately, because some white Rottweilers are albino, it can be risky to produce these pups. As a result, reputable breeders don’t usually produce white Rotties.
Furthermore, the AKC also highly disapproves of purposely breeding these dogs, especially ones that are believed to have albinism.
Fret not, though, because there are still breeders selling these rare pups. Although they may be hard to come by, it is not impossible to find one.
To start your search, here are places where you may find white Rottweilers for sale:
PuppyFinder – This is one of the many websites where you can possibly buy a white Rottweiler from. The best thing about this site is that they also have dogs that are up for adoption. However, make sure to practice caution when dealing with breeders from this site, as there can be irresponsible breeders and scammers, too.
Good Dog – Good Dog has community standards that breeders must follow. Breeders go through screening processes to ensure their credibility as breeders and to check the quality of their pups. They also do not just cater to purebred dogs but also to crossbreeds, making it easier for you to find a white Rottweiler.
PuppySpot – There are many breeder options that you can check out on this website. PuppySpot has a private travel network making it easier for your new pup to arrive home safer and easier. Check this site from time to time to spot a white Rottweiler.
It’s also very helpful to check out this puppy buying guide for some useful tips when dealing with white Rottweiler breeders online.
If you haven’t found one and still would want to look further, looking for a reputable breeder isn’t the only way to go. You can also opt for adoption.
Here are some places where you can find white Rottweilers for adoption:
Rottweiler Hearts Rescue – Established in 2012, this group was able to rescue 160 rottweilers in their first three years, and the number of rescues only continues to grow. Their rescues are mostly from country-run animal shelters that got crowded. Rottweiler Hearts Rescue covers the area of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Contact them to know if they have available white Rottweilers on their website.
Rotten Rottie Rescue – You may be able to spot a white Rottweiler in this rescue group as they are dedicated to saving Rottweilers from being euthanized. Unfortunately, White Rottweilers are at a huge risk of being put to sleep because of their health conditions and expensive medical care. They have already rescued over 900 Rottweilers, including white variations, from various shelters in the Arizona area.
Rottweiler Rescue of Los Angeles, Inc – This rescue organization in the Southern California region helps rehome abandoned Rottweilers and those whose families can no longer take care of them. They have rescues ranging from young adults to senior Rottweilers and those with special needs like white Rottweilers.
Southern State Rescued Rottweilers – This organization that caters to the states down south is primarily dedicated to rescuing Rottweilers that have been lost, abandoned, or abused. They have Rottweilers as young as puppies that are available for adoption, as well as young adults and senior dogs. You may get in touch with the organization from time to time to get a chance to rescue a white Rottweiler that needs your help.
Due to the rarity of white Rottweilers, it may be hard for you to find one in the places and organizations listed above.
You may refer to this list of best Rottweiler rescues which gives you more options to help you find this pup.
You can also check out our puppy adoption guide to make sure you can ace the screening and evaluation for adopting a white Rottweiler.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Is My Rottweiler Turning White?
Age and genetics are often the main reasons why a Rottweiler’s fur turns white. Just like people, it is normal for their fur to turn white as they age.
However, if you notice that your pup’s fur is turning white prematurely, it could also be because of stress and anxiety, vitiligo, or an underlying health issue like hypothyroidism.
Are White Rottweilers Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, white Rottweilers aren’t hypoallergenic. Although they are not considered to shed heavily, they do shed a moderate amount.
Aside from shedding, they could also trigger an allergic reaction because of their saliva and dander.
What Is the Rarest Color of Rottweiler?
The rarest color of a Rottweiler is white. However, albino Rottweilers are extremely rare since breeders do not recommend breeding them due to several health issues that these dogs may develop.
Do White Rottweilers Shed a Lot?
White Rottweilers, just like the regular Rotties, shed moderately. However, they shed heavily twice a year — in spring and fall. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce shedding.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get a White Rottweiler?
Overall, it is not recommended to get a white Rottweiler, especially an albino, for several reasons, including high cost and health concerns.
However, if you really want to acquire one, you should not source your white Rottweiler from puppy mills or backyard breeders. By not patronizing these sources, you can help put a stop to inbreeding and poor breeding standards.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what breed, color, lineage, and features of the dog you have. The real deal is to truly be able to provide and care for your dog.
Are you determined to get a white Rottweiler? Let us know in the comments below!
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