Rottmatian (Rottweiler Dalmatian Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
By Misty Layne
Updated on
If you’re seeking a dog to adopt but want a breed that’s a bit more unusual, you might consider the Rottmatian. What’s a Rottmatian? This hybrid dog breed is a mix between the Rottweiler and Dalmatian, which might seem like an odd cross, but it makes for one cute, loyal, and protective pup.
However, if you want to adopt a Rottmatian, you should learn more about the breed first so you’re properly prepared to care for it. Here you’ll find everything to know about these pups, from their personalities to how to care for them!
| Height: | 18–26 inches |
| Weight: | 60–100 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 8–12 years |
| Colors: | Black, white, red, brown, sable, pied, brindle |
| Suitable for: | Active families and individuals |
| Temperament: | Protective, loyal, friendly |
The Rottmatian is a designer dog breed created from the Rottweiler and Dalmatian that’s only been around for a couple of decades. As a designer breed, it inherits the best of both worlds from its parents, making these pups loyal, friendly, and lots of fun to be around. Plus, these pups are super cute!
Rottmatian Puppies
Rottmatian puppies take characteristics from both parent breeds, but they may end up being more like one parent than the other. Unfortunately, you won’t know its true personality until you bring the dog home. You can always count on these pups to be active and high-energy, though, so be prepared for that!
When it comes to finding a Rottmatian, the chances are high you’ll need to go through a reputable breeder to get one since these dogs are a hybrid breed. There is a slight chance you could locate a Rottmatian at a local shelter or online adoption site. You might also have a vague chance of finding one at a Rottweiler or Dalmatian rescue organization. But be ready to purchase one of these cute dogs from a breeder.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Rottmatian
The temperament of the Rottmatian should be a nice mix between the temperaments of the Rottweiler and Dalmatian. Of course, sometimes a dog will take after one parent a bit more than another, but overall, the Rottmatian should fall somewhere in the middle of Rottweiler and Dalmatian traits.
What exactly does that mean? Well, both the Rottweiler and Dalmatian are incredibly loyal and protective breeds, so you can expect the Rottmatian to have that same protectiveness and loyalty to its family. This makes the breed an excellent watchdog!
Both the Rottweiler and Dalmatian are incredibly active and energetic, so you can also expect to spend lots of time exercising and playing with the Rottmatian. Since both parent breeds of this pup are extremely friendly and affectionate with loved ones, too, spending so much time with your Rottmatian certainly won’t be a burden.
Your Rottmatian may also inherit the Rottweiler’s eagerness to please and the Dalmatian’s intelligence, which will make training it a bit simpler (and train it, you must!). However, this hybrid breed may also inherit the Dalmatian’s aloofness with strangers and the Rottweiler’s territorial tendencies, so watch for that.
Overall, the Rottmatian is a sweet and loyal breed that loves its people fiercely.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
As long as your Rottmatian is properly trained and socialized, it can make a wonderful family pet. These dogs do very well with children; however, due to their size and energetic natures, it’s advisable to not have one of these pups in a home with small children, as accidents could occur. Also, children and pets should always be supervised when playing together, regardless.
That said, this hybrid breed will prove protective and affectionate with its family and enjoy playtime immensely!
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Again, as long as your dog is properly socialized and trained, it should do well with other animals in the home, even smaller ones like cats. It will do best if it’s been raised with the other animals from puppyhood, though, so if you bring an adult dog into the home later on in the Rottmatian’s life, there could be some issues at first.
Things to Know When Owning a Rottmatian
Now you have a better idea if a Rottmatian would be a good fit for you and your family, so it’s time to learn all you should know about owning one of these canines!
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Rottmatians will need high-quality dog food rich in protein since they are so active. However, because Dalmatians are prone to urinary stones, you may also want to get a dog food that is low in purine to lessen the risk of this occurring with your Rottmatian.
This hybrid breed can also be prone to obesity, so you want to avoid feeding your pet too much food. To determine your dog’s exact dietary needs and how much it should be fed, it’s advisable to speak with your vet.
Exercise 🐕
Both the Rottweiler and Dalmatian are high-energy canines, which makes the Rottmatian one, too. These pups will need about 90 minutes of exercise a day to tire them out and keep them mentally stimulated. And this exercise isn’t something you want to skip out on because an energetic dog with no outlet quickly becomes a bored one, and that can lead to chewed shoes and other destruction.
On top of daily exercise, you need to ensure you’re spending quality playtime with your Rottmatian. Set up an agility course in the yard, play fetch, or get your pet some puzzle toys; these will leave this breed happy!
This high energy and need for exercise and play makes the Rottmatian less suitable for apartment living, though. Instead, these dogs will do better in homes with fenced-in backyards large enough for them to romp around.
Training 🎾
Training a Rottmatian won’t necessarily be a walk in the park, but they aren’t the most difficult dogs to train, either. Their tendency toward being eager to please and their intelligence make them a bit easier to train. But their stubborn streak can come out now and then, throwing a wrench in the process.
You absolutely need to begin training a Rottmatian from puppyhood and continue that training throughout its life. This breed needs a firm handler who can easily get across that they are the one in charge, particularly when it comes to training out any aggressiveness towards strangers.
If you’re having issues with training, seek out a reputable trainer for a helping hand!
Grooming ✂️
Rottmatians are incredibly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They have short, smooth coats that only require a good brushing once a week to look and feel great. And they aren’t huge shedders, except for fall and spring when it’s shedding season. You’ll want to brush your dog a little more often during these seasons to reduce shedding, possibly with a deshedder or slicker brush.
Other than the occasional brushing, your pet will need its nails clipped about once a month, teeth brushed throughout the week, and routine ear cleanings.
Health and Conditions 🏥
Rottmatians will inherit health conditions from each of their parents. Not every Rottmatian will have these, but they are something to watch out for.
- Allergies
- Dalmatian bronzing syndrome
- Panosteitis
- Deafness
- Bloat
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Urolithiasis
- Subvalvular aortic stenosis
Male vs Female
Gender really won’t affect a Rottmatian’s temperament, so the only main difference between the male and female of this breed will be the size. Males of the breed will be 21–26 inches tall and weigh 70–100 pounds, whereas females will be 18–23 inches and weigh 60–90 pounds. If you don’t care about the dog’s size, then whether a female or male is best for you will come down to preference.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Rottmatian
Ready for three more things you probably didn’t know about this breed?
1. Many Rottmatians have spotted coats like the Dalmatian
This breed can come in a few different colors, so they may not be white with black spots, but many of these pups do have the Dalmatian’s famous spots!
2. Rottmatians aren’t very vocal
If you’re seeking a quieter dog, the Rottmatian could be a good fit because it doesn’t bark often.
3. The Rottmatian is a young breed
Though it’s unclear exactly when the Rottmatian came into being, it seems to have been in the early 2000s, making this breed roughly only 20 years old or so.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking a dog breed that’s a bit less common, you might want to consider the Rottmatian. This cross between the Rottweiler and Dalmatian is cute, energetic, and extremely protective of its loved ones. They mesh well with children and other animals (provided they are properly socialized early on) and make excellent watchdogs. Just keep in mind these dogs are incredibly active, so you’ll be looking at a lot of daily exercise if you adopt one!
Featured Image Credit: (L) Viorel Sima, Shutterstock | (R) Maria Ivanushkina, Shutterstock
