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Rottle (Poodle & Rottweiler Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

RottiePoo

Height: 10-27 inches
Weight: 60-90 pounds
Lifespan: 9-15 years
Colors: Gray, blue, red, brown, white, black
Suitable for: Active families or those looking for a low-shedding dog
Temperament: Loyal, Loving, Intelligent, Easy to train, Sweet, Brave, Gentle

The Rottle is a hybrid breed that combines two very well-known breeds: the Poodle and the Rottweiler. This cross may also be known as the Rottie Poo. They tend to do best with families, including those with other dogs and animals, and can adapt well to life in an apartment.

Both parent breeds are renowned for their intelligence, and their ability to be trained, and so it is hardly surprising that the hybrid cross has equally high intelligence. They love to please their human owners and are mentally alert. Not only does this make them highly susceptible to positive training, but it also means that they make excellent watchdogs. It is their sweet and loving nature that makes them such great family pets, though. They are active dogs but they will also enjoy downtime, especially if it is spent in the company of their favorite humans.

The Poodle’s low-shedding coat may be present in the hybrid, although it tends to lose its signature curls. And, while most Rottles have the brown and black coloring of the Rottie parent, they may adopt other colors even including red, white, and some gray. Remember this is a Rottweiler and Poodle mix hybrid breed so there are no accepted breed standards that must be adhered to.

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Rottle Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Rottie Poo is a hybrid breed, which means that normally you should be able to find a Rottle at a lower price than the parent breeds. Take your time to search for an ethical and reputable breeder. A good breeder will offer healthy puppies from good stock. This doesn’t guarantee that your puppy will grow up to be free of health problems, or that he will be mild-mannered and good-natured, but it does increase the likelihood of a well-behaved and respectful dog.

Do your research on the breed and any breeders you consider buying from. Speak to the breeder. Ask questions about the breed and their puppies, in particular. Ask to see proof of screening and health checks. This will include proof that the parent dogs have been screened and checked for hip and elbow dysplasia.

Ensure that you get to meet the puppy before you part with any money. Ask to see one or both parents. Check to see if the mother is responsive and looks healthy. Ensure that they are happy to meet you, but not overly friendly. This is a reasonable sign that your puppy will show a similar temperament, because puppies learn from their moms, just like babies do.

Because hybrid breeds are not worth the thousands of dollars that purebred dogs fetch, and because hybrids like the Rottle can occur naturally without intentional breeding, you may find one in a local shelter. Try to determine why the dog was put up for adoption, and ensure that you meet the dog at least once before you adopt. If you have dogs of your own, try to arrange to bring them with you to meet your rescue Rottle before you take them home.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Rottle

1. The Poodle parent is described as hypoallergenic.

One of the reasons that the Poodle has become such a popular pet, other than his intelligence and his loving nature, is because he sheds very little compared to other breeds. This means that the Poodle breed is much easier to look after and care for because owners don’t have to spend all day sweeping up hairs. It is also beneficial for those that suffer allergies but still want a dog. Allergy sufferers are allergic to a specific protein that is found in dog saliva, skin secretions, and dander.

It is shed with your dog’s hair. Therefore, a dog that sheds less, distributes less dander and should cause less of an allergic reaction. Although some breeders and owners describe the Poodle as being hypoallergenic, they do still cause an allergic reaction, so they are not truly hypoallergenic, but they are as close as you can expect to get. The Rottle is likely to adopt a similarly low-shedding coat.


2. Poodles and Rottweilers both hail from Germany.

Most people believe that the Poodle is French and the Rottweiler German, but they would only be half correct. The Rottweiler is believed to be a descendant of drover dogs that were left behind by the Roman army. Their name originates from the town of Rottweil, where they were left when the Roman army abandoned the area.

However, while most people believe the Poodle to be French (it is the French national dog, after all), it too hails from Germany. In France, the dog is known as the duck dog. In German, the name Poodle comes from the German word “pudel”, meaning to splash about.


3. The Poodle cut is not just fashionable.

The Poodle’s hair cut is well known. It consists of various puffs and pompoms, although there are several exact fashions and styles that dictate where the shocks of hair should be found.

While they are common in exhibitions and shows, the cut was functional before it was fashionable. A full coat would have left a Poodle hampered by its hair, and a wet coat would have weighed the dog down when he was busy retrieving birds from rivers and other bodies of water. Cutting all of the hair down would have left the Poodle vulnerable to the cold and wet. The Poodle cut was introduced as a means of enjoying the best of both worlds.

Parent Breeds of the Rottle
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Rottle 🧠

The Rottle is most often described as being intelligent and eager to please. They can be very easily trained, but they can also become destructive if they do not get enough stimulation. Training should start at an early age, along with socialization, to prevent destructive and antisocial behavior.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Rottle is a loyal and loving dog. He will bond closely with all human family members, including adults and children. He will usually be well behaved around children, especially if those children are old enough and willing to play. Parents should always supervise time between dogs and very small children.

As understanding as the Rottle might be, toddlers tend to grab tails, faces, and other parts of the dog. It is also worth noting that the breed can become protective of their humans. This can be a problem when inviting your son or daughter’s friends over to play. Early and ongoing socialization will help to combat this problem.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Rottle is a friendly dog, but they tend to prefer the company of humans to other dogs. With that said, if you introduce your Rottle to your other dogs when they are young, they may benefit from having a canine companion to play with. Always introduce any dog slowly and patiently, especially to cats.

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Things to Know When Owning a Rottle

Loving and loyal, the Rottle is known to make a great family companion. He will get along with human family members and can be introduced steadily and calmly to other animals, but he may not be the ideal pet for your home. Consider the following factors when deciding whether this breed is the perfect addition to your family unit.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Expect to feed your hybrid Rottle between 2-3 cups of good quality food per day. You can feed dry or wet food. Many owners prefer dry food because it is easier to store, will keep longer, and will usually work out cheaper. Wet food helps ensure that your dog stays hydrated and may prove more appealing to your dog, however.

You can feed a combination of wet and dry food, but whatever type of food you opt for, ensure that you do not overfeed your Rottie Poo. This breed is prone to overfeeding and can put weight on very easily, thanks to his Rottweiler parent breed. Once a dog is overweight, it can be very difficult to shed the extra pounds.

Exercise 🐕

Both parent breeds are large dogs and require plenty of exercise. This means that your hybrid dog is going to need a lot of exercise each day, and you should be willing to provide a minimum of one hour. Although the Poodle will enjoy running and swimming, the Rottweiler is happy walking, and it will depend on which of the parent breeds is dominant in your dog, as to whether you will be able to slip a lead on and go for a vigorous walk, or whether you need to find some way of burning off even more energy. This crossbreed is known for being intelligent and energetic, which is the ideal combination for canine sports like agility.

Training 🦮

Agility can help you in training your Rottle, which is an important aspect of owning a large breed of this nature. Fortunately, the Rottle is eager to please his owners and he is very intelligent. They are also driven by their desire for food and treats. If you do use treats as a method of reward-based training, ensure that you take these into account when determining the daily food intake for your dog.

Socialization is also important to this breed, and puppy classes can help introduce your dog to new people and new animals. You should also walk them to new places so that they meet different groups of people and are confronted by unique situations. This not only teaches them how to act in those situations but shows them that new things do not need to be feared.

Grooming ✂️

One of several reasons for the popularity of the Poodle parent breed is that they are low-shedding dogs. This means you won’t have to follow them around with a dustpan and brush, and this trait has been passed on to the hybrid Rottle. They will shed, but not as profusely as breeds like Golden Retrievers. Brush every week to remove dead hairs. Dead hairs can cause your dog’s coat to become knotted and cause them discomfort.

You will also have to take responsibility for dental hygiene and claw clipping. Brush your dog’s teeth two or three times a week, and get them used to it when they are a puppy, otherwise, you will regret it when they get older and you try brushing.

Dog’s claws need trimming usually every month or two, according to how much exercise they get and whether they regularly walk on abrasive surfaces like concrete. Claw clipping is another activity that you should start when your dog is young. Alternatively, ask your vet to trim nails, or get a professional groomer to undertake this task for you

Health and Conditions ❤️

Although the Rottle is a hybrid breed, it is known to be predisposed to some of the same diseases as both parent breeds. Look for signs of the following and seek veterinary guidance, if your dog starts to show symptoms:

Minor Conditions
  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
Serious Conditions
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Bloat
  • Subaortic stenosis
  • Mitral valve dysplasia

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Male vs Female

The male Rottle will grow a little taller and heavier than the female, but there are no known behavioral differences between genders.

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Final Thoughts on the Rottle

The Rottle is known for being intelligent and loyal. Their eagerness to please also means that they are easy to train.

The Poodle parent breed gives the Rottle a low-shedding coat, and the breed is known to be quite healthy and has a decent average lifespan.

Socialize your Rottle early, take them to agility and other training classes, and provide around an hour of exercise every day, to prevent any behavioral or destructive issues from your large breed dog. Although the size of the breed means that your Rottle will benefit from having outdoor space, they will adapt to apartment living, making the Rottie Poo a good choice for virtually any family or potential owner.

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Featured Image Credit By: pasja1000, pixabay

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