Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mix: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Purebred dogs still have their place, but designer dogs are having their moment too. Mixed breed dogs often get a grab bag of traits from their parent breeds, leading to adorable mixes. The Australian Shepherd Rottweiler mix is an up-and-coming designer breed that can bring in the best of both breeds. These dogs (sometimes called Aussie Rotties) might look more like one parent or the other. Aussie Rottie owners should have lots of time and space to care for them—these dogs are active, energetic dogs that don’t always do well with alone time. A big living space is ideal (apartments won’t cut it) and although a big backyard for playtime is a plus, they generally prefer to stay with their owners rather than hang out outside.

Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Puppies – Before You Buy…

3 Little-Known Facts About Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes

1. Rottweilers and Mixes Aren’t Legal Everywhere

Because Rottweilers are such powerful dogs and can become aggressive, some areas label them Rottweiler Mixes as “Dangerous breeds.” Although many now realize that socialization matters more than genetics, you might still see laws like this on the books. It’s important to check your local laws to make sure that your Aussie Rottie isn’t breaking any.

2. Aussie Rotties Have a Rainbow of Coats

Blacks, browns, tans, and reds are some of the most common colors of these mixes, but you’ll see lots of variety in these dogs. Some borrow the black and tan coat of a Rottweiler, but others might have spots and patches of many different colors. The coat length is also all over the board, from long and fluffy to short and sleek.

3. They Can Get Big

Australian Shepherds are medium-to-large dogs that can reach up to 65 pounds, but most Aussie Rotties are even bigger. Unlike the slender Aussie, Rottweilers have stocky, muscular builds and can reach up to 150 pounds. Although most Aussie Rotties aren’t quite that big, they tend to be heavier and stockier than Australian Shepherds, so you should be prepared for a scale-tipper of a hundred pounds or more.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes

Aussie Rotties are extremely intelligent, high-energy dogs, and if their needs are met and they have proper socialization and training, they are loyal, loving, and protective. However, they need a lot of time and care. If they are bored, lonely, or poorly treated, they can become aggressive and territorial. Most Aussie Rotties don’t do well alone for long periods of time, so it’s important to consider whether you can meet your dog’s needs.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Aussie Rotties are great family pets as long as they are properly socialized. They love to play and love having their family around, so older children and teenagers can easily become best friends with an Aussie Rottie. These dogs are usually good around younger children with socialization, but more attention and supervision might be needed.

Space is a necessity for Aussie Rotties. They tend to be too big for your average apartment and having a backyard for playtime is ideal. Most of the time, they do best as a primarily indoor dog with supervised outdoor time.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

With Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes, their relationship with other pets is dependent on how they were raised. Sometimes, dogs of this breed can become aggressive or territorial toward other pets if they haven’t been properly socialized. Because of this, it’s important to socialize your dog with other pets from a young age or be prepared for additional training if you buy an adult Aussie Rottie who hasn’t been socialized around pets. Like all dogs, they’re most likely to integrate well into a household with other pets if you take time to help everyone get accustomed to each other in the early stages of bringing a new pet home.

Things to Know When Owning an Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Expect a hungry dog! These dogs are highly active for most of their lives, so they need a high-quality, high-protein diet to help fuel them. Aussie Rotties should be fed 2–3 meals each day. Look for food that has a meat-based protein as the first ingredient. Their food should also have healthy whole grains such as whole wheat, barley, oats or oatmeal, or brown rice. Whether you choose wet or dry food, the amount needed will depend on your dog’s size and age. Older dogs will eventually need smaller portions as their metabolism slows down and they become more sedentary. Puppies will require growth formula or puppy-branded food until they are done growing and have reached their adult weight.

Exercise 🐕

Aussie Rotties mixes are high-energy, so they need exercise every day. You should plan to spend at least an hour outdoors with them each day. They enjoy walking or running with their owners, but they also like occasional variety too. Swimming, frisbee or other games, and hiking are all great high-intensity exercises that many Aussie Rotties will love. Having a variety of activities and varying walking routes will help keep them interested and mentally engaged. Also, make sure that your dog has a variety of toys available for safe solo and home play. Giving your dog toys that they can play with any time will help curb destructive tendencies and boredom.

Training 🎾

Training is a must for Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mixes. It is important to be confident, firm, and consistent in training so that your dog learns to follow your lead; however, anger and harsh punishment are usually not productive. It’s important to train your Aussie Rottie mix to obey simple commands to help you keep them and others safe. Because these dogs can become quite large and heavy, behaviors that might be cute as puppies can easily become dangerous. This includes rough play, jumping on people, and aggression. In addition, proper leash training is a necessity as a large Aussie Rottie is likely to pull a leash out of your hands or knock you down if not properly trained.

Grooming ✂️

Aussie Rotties can have a wide variety of coat types. If they have shorter, smoother coats like Rottweilers, they will only need occasional grooming and bathing except in the spring and fall. Australian Shepherds’ long coats are harder to care for and will require grooming multiple times a week or even daily. Regular haircuts can help with longer hair.

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Health and Conditions 🏥

Designer dogs are known for being overall healthier than either of their parent breeds, but they might still inherit many of the problems that are common in each breed. Because of this, it’s a good idea to have an idea of what health problems are more common than others.

Male vs Female

Male and female Aussie Rotties have some tendencies, but the difference between individuals is much greater than the differences between genders. In general, female dogs tend to be slightly smaller. They also mature faster, which can be nice for some owners as the puppy stage can be difficult. Males are often more protective and more likely to struggle with being left alone. They also tend to bond with one or two individuals and play favorites. Females tend to be a little less energetic and overprotective, but some also have a tendency towards moodiness or anxiety. Both males and females are much more likely to be happy and emotionally stable when spayed or neutered.

Final Thoughts

This designer breed isn’t for everyone, but if you have the resources for an Aussie Rottie, you’ll fall in love with these dogs’ intelligent, loyal, protective personalities. This newer designer mix can give you the best traits of both parent breeds, making it a perfect choice for many owners. Socialization and training are very important with this breed, but once you get it down, there’s nothing that can replace the relationship you’ll build.

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Featured Image Credit: StefanieMueller, Shutterstock