Mixed Breeds

German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix: Shepweiler Breed Information

Have you ever considered adopting a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix? The Rottie Shepherd, or Shepweiler, is a beautiful mixed pup with a lot of hair and attitude. Get to know this handsome crossbreed between two iconic parent breeds.

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Last Updated: December 1, 2023 | 9 min read

German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix

The unique combination of the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler creates the furry companion known as the “Shepweiler.” They have gone by other names, such as “Rottweiler Shepard,” “Rotten Shepard,” and even “Shottie,” but none of these names have stuck since Shepweilers are not recognized by any Kennel Clubs.

Both parents are of German heritage, and both are strong and loyal companions. They are also considered great working and herding dogs. The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix combines parents that are both so similar that they complement each other in all aspects. While these breeds are very different, they also have some striking similarities.

Before you take on a Rottweiler German Shepherd mix, know that they aren’t for first-time dog owners. The Shepweiler is “too smart for their own good” and has the size to boss you around. They’ll thrive in homes that are experienced in socializing big dogs. Patience with a Shepweiler will be worth it when you have a calm, good-natured, and loving companion. Take a look at the information we’ve gathered below to see if the Shepweiler will be a good fit for your family.

Shepweiler
    • weight iconWeight75-120 Pounds
    • height iconHeight22-27 Inches
    • lifespan iconLifespan10-12 Years
    • color iconColorsBlack, Brown, Grey, White
  • Child Friendliness
  • Canine Friendliness
  • Training Difficulty
  • Grooming Upkeep
  • Breed Health
  • Exercise Needs
  • Puppy Costs

German Shepherd Overview

The German Shepherd and Rottweiler have long histories as working dogs. They both make fantastic service dogs, therapy dogs, and guard dogs.

The German Shepherd was originally bred to herd sheep in Germany. They are now associated with military and police work. Both professions require intelligence, agility, stealth, strength, and an air of authority, which this pup most definitely has.

Shepherds popularity has increased steadily in the US since 1908, when they were first inducted by the American Kennel Club. German Shepherds frequently rank in the top five popular dog breeds all over the world.

German Shepherds are of average size and weigh an average of 67 pounds in adulthood. They require a high amount of social interaction but are incredibly affectionate and love to be petted and played with. Shepherds want to be an active member of your family. They have an average life expectancy of 10-13 years.

The German Shepherd has an intelligence that surpasses most other dogs. This makes them perfect for police work. They’re amazing detection dogs that can find explosives, illegal drugs, currency, blood, contraband, scat, and electronics. These traits also make them great rescue dogs.

Rottweiler Overview

The Rottweiler is one of the hardest-working breeds you’ll come across. They were originally referred to as butchers’ dogs as they were used to pull meat carts to the market. Their strength is their biggest selling point as a breed. Decades of training in transportation have made this their innate skill. They are best used for their working capabilities and strength.

The Rottie’s tough exterior hides an affectionate dog that requires plenty of your attention. They are quiet, well-behaved dogs that are incredibly protective of you and your household. They need a significant amount of social interaction and will suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

Rottweilers are considered large dogs and will weigh an average of 100 pounds. Although not as popular as the Shepherd, they still rank in the top 10 and continue to grow. They have an average life expectancy of 8-11 years.

German Shepherd Rottweiler Mix (Shepweiler)

The Shepweiler brings together the best of both worlds. They are strong, intelligent, easily trainable, and loving. If both parents have a similar character, they’ll develop the strong personality displayed in both breeds. With hybrid dogs, you can’t be sure if a quality will be inherited, but because both breeds are so similar, they’ll likely receive their core attributes.

It is a common misconception that the Rottweiler German Shepherd is aggressive or always on guard. While these dogs do have guarding tendencies, they are some of the most lovable pups around. A lot of their temperament and behavior will depend on training. Any dog trained to be aggressive will be, regardless of breed.

If your Shepweiler puppy is from a reputable breeder, and the puppy is socialized early with ongoing training, you’ll have an energetic and loving companion. They are suited for all families as long as someone in the home has experience with large dogs with territorial temperaments. Expect this mixed pup to weigh between 75 and 120 pounds. They will stand between 22 and 27 inches tall, paw to shoulder.

When raised alongside children, adults, and pets, Shepweilers are tolerant, loving, and comfortable. Squirrels and other rodents are another story. Both the German Shepherd and Rottweiler have high prey drives, and this will likely pass to their hybrid.

Working dogs require ample amounts of energy to do their jobs, so expect a high-energy puppy that will continue into adulthood. They aren’t boundless, though. Once they hit their exercise quota, they’ll love nothing more than to relax with you.

Appearance & Grooming

Hybrid breeds will take their looks from their parents. The German Shepherd is commonly seen in dual colors of either black and brown or black and white. Rottweilers are often black but sometimes have specs of brown in their coat.

Your Shepweiler will likely be black rather than brown and will sport a medium, dense coat. If your German Shepherd parent had long hair, the Shepweiler would inherit that.

Sheweilers shed – a lot. Get ready to vacuum your home once a day! Regular brushing to keep their coat from getting matted or dirty is necessary. A bath 3-4 times a year may be required if they like to get messy. It’s also recommended that you brush their teeth multiple times a week and check behind their ears.

Training

Both German Shepherds and Rottweilers are intelligent breeds that are easy to train and learn quickly, but because of their size, it’s essential to socialize them young. As they get older, Shepweilers may not know their own strength and will jump on smaller children because they want to play.

Bring your Shepweiler around multiple people in different places. Have over your friends and family, so they get used to strangers in the house. You’ll want to reduce their need to guard you and your property if you’re keeping them as pets.

Positive training techniques will benefit your new pet. Punishment-based training for guard dogs will make them aggressive and fearful of other dogs and may cause them to bite without warning.

The temperament of a hybrid dog is inherited from their parents. It’s more likely they’ll take from one of their parents rather than both. Mixed breeds have temperaments that are hard to predict, so ask your breeder, if possible to see their parents.

Exercise & Living Conditions

German Shepherds and Rottweilers are high-energy, playful breeds that love to stay active. Make sure your Shepweiler gets plenty of exercise to exert their pent-up energy. If you don’t, you run the risk of your pup damaging your property or getting aggressive – so take them out regularly.

A minimum of an hour a day of physical exercise is perfect for the Shepweiler. After they’ve exhausted all their energy, they’ll be sweet little lap dogs.

Due to the Shepweiler having a predisposition to joint problems, frequent exercise isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a must to keep them healthy. Maintaining healthy joints is vital for any large dog to minimize the risk of hip dysplasia.

Keep your Shepweiler as an inside pet overnight. Although they do make excellent guard dogs, they don’t fare well staying outside by themselves for long periods. Shepweilers suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

Health

Common health issues across all breeds are hip problems, allergies, skin irritations, and eye diseases.

The German Shepherd and the Rottweiler are unfortunately prone to joint degeneration like most large dogs, but the Shepweiler is especially prone to them. Almost 70% of large-breed dogs develop hip and elbow dysplasia, so it’s essential to use preventative care.

Keeping your pup at a healthy weight will significantly reduce the risk of dysplasia developing. Watch their food intake to make sure they don’t become overweight or obese.

In addition to elbow and hip dysplasia, Shepweilers are prone to cancer, hypothyroidism, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases. Depending on the health of their parents and their own health, Rottie Shepherds have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years.

If you are seriously considering adopting this mixed breed, looking into pet insurance may be helpful due to the high risk of long-term health concerns. Purchasing a plan when your pup is young and healthy can help with care and emergency costs down the road.

Nutrition

Ensure your Rottweiler German Shepherd mix gets the right amount of high-quality food that meets their nutritional requirements. 22% of a puppy’s diet should be protein, while 8% should be fat. Once your puppy matures, 18% should be protein, while 5% is fat.

Always read the food labels on your food to ensure that they contain the right amount of protein to fat count, as you don’t want their diet to be too high in carbohydrates. Try to stick to foods that use named animal proteins as the first few ingredients. It is best to avoid unnamed meat meals and by-products.

Puppies need to be fed more often, about 4 meals per day. Don’t just leave food out in the open for free feeding, or they’ll be taught poor eating habits that could lead to a stretched stomach. Reduce this to 2 meals per day once they’re grown and continue for the duration of their life.

Large breeds have a risk of bloat, so watch your puppy eat to make sure they don’t chow down too fast. Small, frequent meals will reduce the chance of bloating and maintain their weight.

As Family Pets

Shepweilers are a large bundle of energy that needs your love and attention, but would one of these rambunctious cuties be the right choice for your family?

  • The Shepweiler is an affectionate, friendly, fun-loving large dog that gets along with children
  • They get along with other pets as long as they’re properly socialized.
  • They are large and in charge and require a lot of room.
  • Grooming requirements are high.
  • They need frequent grooming multiple times per week and need to be bathed three times a year.
  • Shepweilers are avid shedders and won’t fare well in homes that have allergies.
  • Running around and jumping is a Shepweiler’s favorite activity!
  • Make sure they get at least 1 hour of exercise per day.
  • Lazing around the house will be preferred once they get enough exercise.
  • These mixed pups have quite the personality! They’re very likely to inherit their hearing and intelligent nature from their parents.
  • Health problems are an issue with this breed.
  • Their large stature can cause them to develop joint issues.
  • Asking the breeder for a health-screening certification will benefit your pet and their overall health.
  • Nothing is ever guaranteed with any mutt or mixed pup.

If you want a large working dog with a heart of gold, the Shepweiler is for you. Consider this mix, especially if you have room for them, maybe a large backyard, and experience with territorial dogs.

A Rottie Shepherd is friendly, smart, loyal, and easy to train. They make great family dogs, guard dogs, working dogs, and therapy dogs. Anything that you can think of, they’re probably great at! Shepweilers receive gold stars in all subjects!

Just be aware that they have the potential to have crippling health problems if preventative action isn’t taken. They could also develop behavioral issues if they aren’t socialized properly.

Breeders & Puppy Prices

Due to the popularity of the breed, it’ll be easy for you to find a breeder, but that also means they are going to be more expensive than other hybrids.

A well-bred Shepweiler can be anywhere from $500 to $3,000 or more. Prices are determined based on the breeders’ location, whether or not they have records, or if the parents were successful show dogs. Purebred parent breeds with high pedigrees cost much more than those from a backyard breeder or rescue.

Always search for a reputable breeder if you’re looking to get a mixed breed. You’ll want your pup to get the best start in life possible. Your local German Shepherd and Rottweiler club can give you information on local breeders and rescues.

Shepweiler Rescues

It’s possible to find an adult Shepweiler at the shelter. Due to the popularity of both Shepherds and Rottweilers, you’ll likely run into one. German Shepherds, in general, are known for being turned in at shelters due to new owners not knowing how to handle such a large dog.

Although the option is a lot cheaper, the only negative is that you won’t know as much history of the dog. However, far too many dogs sit in shelters waiting for a loving home. If you do not want a puppy and are okay with a little unpredictability, saving a shelter dog’s life through adoption is an amazing way to go.

Check out these websites for great pet rescues:

All Shepherd Rescue
Rottweiler Rescue Foundation
Adoptapet (Non-Profit Adoption Site)

Are You Ready For A New Dog?

All dog breeds can make wonderful pets in the right home. Before bringing home a new pup, be sure you are ready to take on the responsibility. Dogs of all ages need healthy food, regular veterinary care, lots of love, and plenty of restocking supplies. Talk to your family first, examine the physical space available in the home and yard, and how much time and money you can commit to this new furry family member. Ensuring everyone is ready to pitch in is critical, especially in a home with kids. Reading some books about dogs and spending time with a dog first is a great way to get everyone familiar with the idea.

Do you have a favorite mixed-breed pup? Or have you personally had a German Shepherd Rottweiler mix? We would love to hear your experiences in the comments below.

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8 Comments

  1. I just adopted a Shepweiler a few days ago. He is 10 weeks old and a ball of adorable energy! I can already tell he’s going to be a chewer so puppy school is in our very near future. I wanted a playmate for my miniature Dachshund and had no intention of getting a large breed but when we met him at the meet and greet it was love at first sight. Wish me luck!

    1. Kelly Wilson

      Sounds like an amazing dog, Angela! Thanks for stopping by to comment and share your experience!

  2. I have one and he sheds like crazy. He thinks he is a small dog and wants to run and play with everyone and all dogs. He barks a lot and scares everyone. He just wants to play.

    1. Sounds like a playful pup Eric! You can train dogs not to bark, even as they get older. Thanks for stopping by to comment!

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