14 Dogs That Are Similar to Rottweilers (With Pictures)
By Emma Braby
Updated on
Many people do not know much about Rottweilers or have never had the pleasure of meeting one. And often, it is those people who think that they are aggressive dogs who have no place in a family home. But they are so, so wrong!
Rottweilers are gentle giants who are big softies at heart. The American Kennel Club describes the Rottie as a “loyal, loving, confident guardian.” They will protect their family from harm and make a brilliant guard dog. Those who have owned a Rottie know they prefer to snuggle on the sofa squished between Mom and Dad. All 80 to 135 pounds of them!
There are a handful of dogs that look like Rottweilers, and some have a similar personality. Some of them even look and act like them. Maybe the Rottie isn’t the right dog breed for you, but are you looking for a similar pooch? Well, here we have a list of 14 pooches that look like the Rottweiler in one way or another, so let’s take a closer look at them.
The 14 Dogs That Look Like Rottweilers Are:
1. Doberman Pinscher
| Height: | 24 – 28 inches |
| Weight: | 60 – 100 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 12 years |
The Doberman Pinscher is often considered a Rottweiler look alike. They are the same height but a lot leaner and more athletic than the Rottie. They have the same black and tan colorings and markings, so it’s easy to understand why some people think of the Doberman as the younger or slimmer sibling. They are both affectionate and loving with their family and will protect them in the face of danger.
2. Miniature Pinscher
| Height: | 10 – 13 inches |
| Weight: | 7 – 11 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 13 – 15 years |
If you love the idea of a Rottie, but you haven’t got much space for them, the Miniature Pinscher is a great little option for you. This tiny guy is known as the “King of Toys”, so they make up for their small stature in sass and attitude. Weighing only 8 to 10 pounds, you could fit this Rottie lookalike into your handbag.
3. Beaucerons
| Height: | 25 – 28 inches |
| Weight: | 15 – 35 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 65 – 100 pounds |
This guy looks a lot like a Rottie crossed with a Border Collie. They also have the brains of the Border, so if you are looking for an intelligent Rottie lookalike, the Beaucerons might be the breed for you. They are sensitive souls who make a fantastic family addition for young families.
4. Hovawart
| Height: | 22 – 28 inches |
| Weight: | 55 – 90 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 14 years |
If you like the Rottie colorings, but the grace of a Golden Retriever, the Hovawart is your best fit. They are a working watchdog who is also very sweet and are increasingly becoming a popular therapy dog as they are so kind and gentle. This relatively new and unknown dog breed is one to watch out for.
5. Manchester Terrier
| Height: | 15 – 16 (Standard), 10 – 12 (Toy) |
| Weight: | 12 – 22 pounds (Standard), 6 – 8 pounds (Toy) |
| Lifespan: | 14 – 16 years |
The Manchester Terrier is a playful dog who is full of energy. Weighing in at only 12 to 22 pounds, he is around 1/5 the size of the Rottie. They are a ratting terrier at heart who has got a lot more enthusiasm than the Rottie. So, if you are a seriously active family who loves to run about chasing squirrels, they would make a great option.
6. Great Swiss Mountain Dog
| Height: | 23 – 28 inches |
| Weight: | 85 – 140 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 11 years |
The Great Swiss Mountain Dog looks a lot like the Rottie but with splashes of white across his coat. If you like the Rottie but your other half thinks they look too intense, this guy might offer an alternative face. They are also dependable, loyal, and very family-oriented pooches who love to hang around the little humans in the family, making them great nanny dogs.
7. Boerboel
| Height: | 23 – 28 inches |
| Weight: | 150 – 200 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9 – 12 years |
The Boerboel was bred to protect South African farms against lions and other predators. So, if you are after a stocky but rarer guard dog, this boy could be the one for you. They are a much more challenging dog breed for sure, so you need to be an experienced and robust pack leader. Confident and courageous outside the home, docile and calm inside with the family, they make an excellent addition to the right family.
8. Bullmastiff
| Height: | 23 – 27 inches |
| Weight: | 100 – 130 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8 – 10 years |
The Bullmastiff is substantial and bulky, just like the Rottweiler. They are another fearless pooch who will stand in between their family and danger. But this lazy boy would prefer it if everyone would just leave them alone so they can get on with snoozing on the sofa. Weighing more than 100 pounds, you need to be strong to handle this heavy hooch.
9. Cane Corso
| Height: | 23 – 27 inches |
| Weight: | 90 – 120 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 12 years |
The Cane Corso roughly translates into “bodyguard dog,” and they are one of the best guard dogs around. This guy is seriously in tune with their master’s emotions, so if you are anxious about the person in front of you, the Cane Corso will react accordingly. They have the same bulky frame as the Rottie while making an equally warm, cuddly companion.
10. Great Dane
| Height: | 26 – 34 inches |
| Weight: | 110 – 200 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 10 years |
So the Great Dane doesn’t really look like the Rottweiler in any way, but they have very similar personalities. So, if you like big dogs with an even bigger character, the Great Dane is another gentle giant to think about. They are powerful, courageous, and suspicious of strangers but goofy and affectionate with their loved ones.
11. Boxer
| Height: | 8 – 12 inches |
| Weight: | 60 – 70 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 12 years |
The Boxer shares the same square structure of the Rottweiler, but a little less chunky. They are also much more energetic and love to clown around with their families. So, if you like the square shape of the Rottie but want a little more family entertainment and energy, the Boxer is a funny family companion to have around. The Boxer is black and brown like the Rottie, but with white, too.
12. American Bully
| Height: | 14 – 23 inches |
| Weight: | 70 – 120 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 13 years |
The American Bully comes in many sizes, and sometimes they have the similar markings of the Rottweiler with the eyebrows and chest markings. Much shorter and squatter, if you are looking for a stumpy Rottie lookalike, the American Bully is your guy. This chunky monkey is loving, loyal, and full of character.
13. German Shepherd
| Height: | 22 – 24 inches (female), 24 – 26 inches (male) |
| Weight: | 50 – 70 pounds (female), 65 – 90 pounds (male) |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 10 years |
The German Shepherd is the Rottweiler’s colleague in the world of canine protection, so if it is a working guard dog you are after, this dog is an option for you. The German Shepherd is just as protective, but they are a bit more intelligent and trainable than the Rottie.
Described as a one-man dog, the German Shepherd is inseparable from their owner, unlike the Rottie, who will cuddle anyone who gives them the best belly rubs and snacks.
More About German Shepherds:
- Blue German Shepherd Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, & Traits
- 5 Types of German Shepherds: Pictures, Facts & History
14. Tibetan Mastiff
| Height: | 24 inches and above |
| Weight: | 70 – 150 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 12 years |
The Tibetan Mastiff is a colossal canine who is one of the biggest dogs on this list, and much bigger than the Rottweiler. If you are after a seriously hairy Rottie on steroids, this might be the pooch for you. They are reserved with strangers but very loving with their family. They are a sweet giant but are considered to be the ultimate guard dog.
Wrap Up
Some of these dog breeds look a lot like the Rottweiler with the black and tan colorings, big beefy bodies, and square statures. And some share their affectionate, loyal, and protective temperament. Some of these dog breeds even share both their handsome looks and brave personality.
If you like the Rottweiler and one of the similar breeds listed above but can’t decide between the two, why not look at their hybrid puppy? That way, you get the best of both doggy worlds in one adorable pooch.
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Featured Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay
