Rotterman (Rottweiler & Doberman Pinscher Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts
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| Height: | 24–28 inches |
| Weight: | 70–130 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 9–12 years |
| Colors: | Black, brown, rust, fawn |
| Suitable for: | Active owners with a yard |
| Temperament: | Loving, energetic, intelligent, gentle |
The Doberman Rottweiler Mix, or Rotterman, is a hybrid of two large breeds that have unfairly attracted bad press. Both the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher are known as loving family pets, but they both require a lot of exercise to stay healthy and fit and to prevent bad behaviors, including chewing.
As a cross of Doberman and Rottweiler, the Rotterman is a very good guard dog. They are territorial and can be highly protective. They are also incredibly loyal dogs. With socialization and thorough training, which must be started at a young age, the Rotterman can be a loyal and loving family dog. They require a lot of exercise, which makes them ideal companions for active owners who love walking, hiking, or cycling.
Finding a reputable Doberman Rottweiler Mix breeder should be prioritized when searching for a new dog.
Rotterman Puppies
The Rotterman results from two very popular parent breeds: the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher. They are expensive puppies, so expect to find a Rotterman at a high price. Rotterman dogs can make excellent family pets and superb guard dogs but can also exhibit behavioral and socialization problems. Although good or bad parents are not necessarily a guarantee that your puppy will show the same characteristics, it is a good guide.
Look for puppies whose parents are friendly, bright, and well-adjusted. Avoid the temptation to opt for the cheapest puppy because it could be a sign of problems in the parents. Always ask to meet the parents or siblings of the Doberman Rottweiler Mix puppy you’re interested in buying, and try to spend some time with him before you sign the papers.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Rotterman
1. The Rotterman Makes an Excellent Guard Dog
It should come as little surprise to learn that the Rotterman makes an excellent guard dog. Both parents, the Rottweiler and Doberman, are prized for their fierce loyalty and somewhat intimidating looks. Not only are the breeds used as guards for private property, but their trainability has made them popular as police dogs, army dogs, bomb dogs, and many other high-octane and challenging service roles. If you’re looking for a family pet that will protect your property and family and enjoy sitting for cuddles, the Rotterman is an excellent choice.
2. The Rotterman Makes A Great Family Pet
Even though both parents have attracted a lot of negative press in the past, they can and do make great family pets. The Rotterman tends to be gentle and loving with children. You should be aware that they will fiercely protect their pack if called upon to do so, and you need to assert your dominance and ensure that they are well-trained.
3. Rottermans Need A Lot of Exercise
If you live in an apartment or lead a sedentary lifestyle, the Rotterman might not be the best choice of pet. They require a lot of exercise to ensure they stay fit and healthy. The Rotterman can have two walks a day of at least 30 minutes per walk, and if you can provide more exercise, then the whole family will benefit. The Rotterman is also a great companion dog for running, hiking, or cycling. They will happily run beside you while you get your daily exercise.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Rotterman 🧠
The Rottweiler and the Doberman are prized for their intelligence and trainability and are used in a host of service roles, including working as police dogs and in the army. They can be trained to undertake almost any task and are considered easy to train, but you will need to show dominance to enjoy the best results. The Rotterman has adopted similarly intelligent traits.
The Rotterman will bond closely with their owners, often shadowing them throughout the day. While they can be left alone for short periods, they prefer regular company and will need a lot of exercise. They may not be suitable for owners who work all day.
They can also be wary of strangers and act aggressively towards people and animals they don’t know. The Rotterman will want to investigate anything new, so you must be cautious when walking and exercising them. Ensure they have a good recall when taking them to the dog park.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
Owners with children and other animals report the Rotterman as a loving, gentle, family pet. They will treat children with care, and they display a surprising level of understanding and calmness.
They love to play, which makes the breed popular with children as well as adults, and as long as you train and socialize them at an early age, they will enhance your family unit.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽
The Rotterman mixes well with animals in their own family. They can live with dogs and other animals, but you should never leave a dog, especially one of this size, with smaller animals when they are let out of their cage or pen.
Things to Know When Owning a Rotterman:
The Rotterman may be a medium or large dog, depending on which parent is dominant in their breeding. They will usually have the body of the Doberman, the legs of the Rottweiler, and the facial appearance of the Rottweiler. They have large teeth and ears, which stick up when alert and hang loose when relaxed. They also have large paws and are muscly dogs, meaning they can jump high and cover considerable distances when running.
Be aware that the Doberman Rottweiler Mix can weigh as much as 120 pounds when fully grown and will grow up to 25 inches as a healthy adult dog. The more exercise you give your dog, the bulkier and muscled they are likely to become. Their high energy level also means that they will eat a lot, and when they aren’t being exercised or enjoying cuddles with their owners, they love to play with a good assortment of toys. Without toys, they will make their own out of household objects and belongings.
Owning a Rotterman can be extremely rewarding, and they bring a lot of love and intelligence to your family. However, before you buy one and welcome them into your home, there are some factors that you should take into account.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
With a fast metabolism and high energy levels, it will feel like you spend a lot of time feeding your Rotterman. They thrive on three meals a day, totaling 3 cups or slightly more for those who get a lot of exercise.
They do not have any special dietary requirements, but it is a good idea to ensure that they eat high-quality dog food with a good mix of protein, fiber, and required vitamins and minerals.
Exercise 🐕
When you’re not feeding your Rotterman, you will spend a lot of time exercising them. They are big, muscular dogs with a lot of energy, and their exercise regimen needs to match those requirements.
If they don’t exercise enough, they can become unruly, and their health will eventually suffer. In particular, the Rotterman can pack on a lot of additional and unwanted weight if they are not receiving the regular exercise they require.
Ideally, you will walk the Rotterman twice a day, for at least half an hour at a time. However, the dog will gladly exercise more if it is offered. The mental and physical exercises provided by agility classes are ideal for the Rotterman. However, they must be well-socialized because they will meet several other dogs and people during classes.
Training 🦮
Both parents are used in a variety of challenging service roles in countries across the world. They serve as police dogs, guard dogs, and military dogs. This is partially because of their intimidating looks but also because they are considered very easy to train, especially in the hands of an experienced trainer.
It is essential, with any breed of dog, that you start training early. It is vital with breeds like the Rottweiler, Doberman, and, therefore, the Rotterman because of their strength and dominant nature. It is much easier to train a puppy than an adult dog because once a dog reaches adulthood, they may have picked up on bad habits. It is harder to train bad habits away than to instill good habits when your pet is a puppy.
The Rotterman requires dominant but positive training. You should never use aggressive training because your dog may respond in kind. Owners with experience using positive reinforcement can expect exceptional training results. Inexperienced owners should consider getting professional training help to ensure a well-adjusted dog.
Grooming ✂️
The short hair of the Rotterman leads some owners and potential owners to mistakenly believe that they don’t shed much, but that isn’t true. In fact, the Rotterman will shed profusely, and you should expect to clean up short hairs every day. Daily brushing will remove loose fur and maintain a healthy coat.
You should brush your Rotterman’s teeth at least two or three times a week and ensure their nails are clipped if they don’t wear down naturally from walking on abrasive surfaces like concrete. Only bathe your dog when absolutely necessary because bathing can damage and remove the natural protective oils.
Health and Conditions ❤️
Hybrid breeds are generally considered healthier than purebred dogs, but owners are always advised to watch for conditions that affect the parent breeds. Both breeds are prone to cancer in their later years and are vulnerable to musculoskeletal conditions as they age. Again, your dog may not suffer, but you should watch for any troubling signs.
- Joint dysplasia
- Allergies
- Bone cancer
- Von Willebrands
- Bloat
- Heart conditions
Male vs Female
Although the dominant breed is more of a determining factor when it comes to determining characteristics and other traits, the female Rotterman is known to be more affectionate and tends to be easier to control than the male. Also, males tend to be a little bigger.
Final Thoughts
The Rotterman mixes two highly intelligent and energetic breeds: the Doberman Pinscher and the Rottweiler. Your Rotterman will have very high exercise requirements, will eat a lot, and can be protective over their family. However, they are also considered easy to train for those with experience in dominant breeds.
The Doberman Rottweiler is not necessarily the best option for a first-time owner because they require consistent training from a dominant hand, but they are ideal for owners who love to get outdoors and exercise.
Featured Image Credit: Gregory Culley, Shutterstock
