The Doberman Rottweiler Mix is an amalgam of two large breed working dogs that are both popular for their intimidating looks, protective nature, and their unfairly received negative publicity.
But, does crossing the Doberman Pinscher with a Rottweiler a terrible idea, or does it totally make sense?
Well, we know that both are regarded as excellent guard dogs because of their protective and territorial nature. And both dog breeds are loving and loyal to their owners, which makes them great family pets. So, it’s not surprising to see a growing interest in the Rotterman.
Breed at a Glance:
Size: 22 to 28 inches
Weight: 70 to 130 pounds
Energy Level: High Energy
Lifespan: 9 to 12 years
Breed Overview
The Rotterman, also known as Doberweiler, Doberott, Rottie Dobe, and Rottie Dobie, is the offspring of two dog breeds that are renowned for their loyalty, protectiveness, and love for their owners. However, both parent breeds are also victims of bad publicity that somewhat tainted their reputations.
The Rotterman, a Doberman and Rottweiler mix, does make an excellent guard dog. They can be fiercely protective and extremely territorial. They are also fiercely devoted dogs. This combination ensures that they will tenaciously defend their domain as guard dogs.
Despite their reputations as devoted household dogs, the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher both need a lot of activity to keep strong and healthy and to avoid undesirable tendencies like chewing and destructiveness.
With early socialization and meticulous obedience training, the Rotterman can become a devoted and affectionate family dog. And as a result of his high activity needs, he will make an excellent companion for people who enjoy walking, hiking, or even cycling.
This large and strong dog, though, is not for everyone. The Rotterman needs an owner that can handle them. Hence, an inexperienced or first-time pet parent may not be a suitable dog owner.
Although they are not violent dogs, they will take all necessary precautions to protect you if necessary. They can get very close to their owners, enjoy cuddling and snuggling, and enjoy being the center of attention. So, despite the negative image of their parents, the Rotterman can be excellent family pets, and not just excellent guard dogs.
It's challenging to pinpoint exactly how the Doberman Rottweiler was created. This dog's ancestry is unknown, just like most hybrids. The only information available about the origins of the Doberman Rottweiler is that it was created in America. However, just like other designer breeds, we can take a look at the thorough history of the parents.
Doberman vs Rottweiler History
Doberman
Louis Dobermann is the only person whose lineage can be established for the Doberman Pinscher. Being a tax collector in the 19th century, he wanted a devoted dog that would guard him while he was performing his duties in his perilous job.
Louis worked at the neighborhood dog pound and had access to a wide range of canine breeds, which he utilized to create his dream dog. Although the dogs involved in his first breeding plan are unknown, it is possible that the Rottweiler, German Shepherd, German Pinscher, and Great Dane were among them.
In 1900, the Doberman was recognized as a distinct breed. The Dobie is frequently contrasted with the German Shepherd due to the fact that it is a working-class dog.
Since then, the Doberman has frequently appeared in films and television shows as a security dog, as well as a rescue dog, therapy dog, military dog, and police dog.
Rottweiler
Being a descendant of Mastiffs from the Roman Empire, the Rottweiler is one of the oldest breeds known to man. The Rottweiler was used to herd cattle and secure their safety from thieves and wild animals during the Roman invasion of Europe. During this time, the soldiers had to bring live livestock with them on their mission due to a shortage of refrigeration.
Because traveling butchers in the town of Rottweil were so impressed with the Rottweiler's herding and guarding skills, they trusted him to guard money purses around the Rottweiler's neck in order to preserve the traveling butchers' hard-earned wealth. Hence, the name Rottweiler.
When the adoption of cattle carriages made it unnecessary to defend cattle, the Rottweiler found new employment as a police dog and other protection services. He was also employed for his sheer strength in moving huge, bulky objects on farms and power plants.
Early in the 20th century, the Rottweiler dog breed nearly became extinct as many of its traditional roles were taken over by smaller, easier-to-keep canines.
Fortunately, a group of committed breeders made sure the Rottweiler breed survived, and now they are one of the most well-liked dog breeds in America. They are still employed as herding dogs in several parts of the world, and security personnel frequently utilize them.
Appearance
Both the Rottweiler and the Doberman are tall breeds, though the Rottweiler is a bit heavier. Hence, whether they are the offspring of a Doberman Pinscher and a Rottweiler or a pair of Doberman Rottweilers, all Doberman Rottweilers end up being large and powerful dogs.
And as expected just like with other mixed-breed dogs, the physical appearance of a Rotterman will also depend on its dominant genes. But generally, the Rotterman has a powerful guard dog appearance that can frighten off any potential dangers or invaders.
It has long legs that help to balance its boxy frame. And it’s known to have a balanced gait and a rapid rate of acceleration, making it well-suited for running and running quickly.
The Rotterman’s face, with its long snout and small eyes, closely resembles a Doberman Pinscher's. But they typically have flopped-down ears, just like Rottweilers do.
The Rottermans have strong teeth that come together in a scissor bite characteristic. And this breed is typically distinguished by its huge feet, smooth black, and tan coat, docked tail, and beautiful appearance.
The Rottweiler Doberman mix exclusively comes in black and tan, much like its parent breed. The Rotterman has a short, sleek coat that covers every inch of its body. The muzzle, eyebrows, chest, legs, and paws of your Rottweiler Doberman mix will be covered with tan markings, and the majority of its fur will be black.
It has an alert, fearless, and intelligent gaze in its either amber or brown eyes. Although their eyes may appear to be black, natural light will reveal softer tones of brown. Additionally, the Rotterman has jet-black lips and nose.
The Rotterman's short hair may give an impression that this breed sheds little or not at all, but this is untrue. The Rotterman has a double coat. So, it sheds a lot. You should plan on cleaning up tons of short hair every day. Regular brushing will assist to keep your dog's coat healthy and remove any loose fur.
Like all breeds, you should strive to brush your Rotterman's teeth at least twice or three times per week. In some circumstances, the Doberman Rottweiler mix acquires the floppy jowls of the Rottweiler, making it a heavy drooler. Its saliva produces a strong smell that requires laborious cleaning to get rid of. If this happens, you should wipe your dog's jowls to remove any odor after each meal.
Your Rottweiler Doberman will require its ears cleaned on a regular basis, much like the majority of dogs with flopped-down ears. Once a day, wipe your dog's ears with a cotton pad that has been dampened with an ear-cleaning solution. By doing this, any terrible diseases or irritation that can result from dirt accumulation will be avoided.
You should only bathe your dog if it is really required because regular bathing can harm and remove his natural oils.
Doberman Rottweilers require their nails to be cut every two weeks, more frequently if they aren't extremely active. To keep the nails on your dog under control, utilize pet-friendly nail trimmers. Getting used to cutting your dog's nails by yourself can take some time. And it's best to start trimming his nails while he is still young so he can get used to it.
Temperament
The Rotterman may initially appear menacing and scary, yet you can always see a trace of affection in its eyes.
These enormous dogs have a surprisingly gentle side, which makes them friendly toward kids. Children find them to be ideal companions since they are kind, understanding, and patient. They make the ideal companions for kids since they are devoted, understanding, and patient.
The Rottweiler will get quite attached to his owners and spend the day following them around. They can be left alone for brief intervals, but they generally like constant companionship and require a lot of movement throughout the day. As a result, they might not be appropriate for owners who work all day.
They are loving canines who have a heart of gold. Doberman Rottweilers adore their owners and like playing and cuddling with them. They can be a little rebellious because they are strong dogs, but having a strong owner will definitely tame them.
Doberman vs Rottweiler Common Health Issues
Although hybrid dogs are typically thought to be healthier than purebred ones, owners are constantly encouraged to watch out for ailments that can afflict the parent breeds.
Both Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers are predisposed to developing cancer as they age, so you should keep an eye on this and make sure to have any signs examined as soon as possible.
The breed's size and athleticism also make them susceptible to musculoskeletal problems as they mature. Again, your dog might not experience any symptoms, but you should be on the lookout for any.
Below are some of the most prevalent medical conditions that can affect the Doberman Rottweilers:
Bone Cancer
Dogs frequently develop bone cancer, particularly huge and enormous breeds. Osteosarcomas make up 85% of canine bone tumors.
Osteosarcomas are extremely aggressive tumors that cause painful bone loss where they spread. Dogs are frequently affected by osteosarcoma in their limbs, but it can also develop in other body parts (skull, ribs, vertebrae, pelvis).
The malignancy spreads to the lungs in roughly 80% of patients. The type of tumor, its initial site, and the degree of disease dissemination all affect the biological behavior, prognosis, and therapy of bone cancers. The best course of treatment must be determined using a variety of diagnostic procedures, including X-rays, blood tests, and occasionally a biopsy.
Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)
This is a condition where gas builds up in the stomach, causing knots to form that prevent the heart and stomach's blood vessels from communicating with one another. The most frequent reason for this to happen is if you exercise your dog right after he eats. This can kill your dog in a matter of hours.
Elbow Dysplasia
Between 33% and 55% of Rottweilers have elbow dysplasia. If this illness runs in your Rottweiler parent breed, your Rotterman is likely to inherit it. The elbow joint's aberrant development or injury from impact are two potential causes of this condition.
The ulna bone, a component of the elbow joint in your dog, is impacted by elbow dysplasia. Osteoarthritis may result from the bone and cartilage in that location breaking off and fragmenting.
Limping, less activity, less energy, and a restricted range of motion are all signs of elbow dysplasia. An x-ray of the elbow joint in your dog is the only technique to definitively identify elbow dysplasia. A test for anesthetic tolerance must be completed before administering any anesthetics to your dog.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a disorder where the ball and socket joint in your dog's hip does not fit perfectly. Although poor nutrition can have an impact, genes are most frequently the main reason for this.
The symptoms of Hip Dysplasia include limping, a lowered back, decreased activity, decreased energy, restricted range of motion, and an unstable back. Similar to elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia in dogs can only be identified with an x-ray.
Hypothyroidism
Thyroxine, a hormone that the thyroid gland makes, is in charge of turning food into fuel or energy. A dog with hypothyroidism produces insufficient amounts of this hormone from its thyroid gland.
Hair loss around the back, sides, and tail, poor skin, weight gain, muscle loss, sluggishness, toenail infections, and ear infections are all signs of hypothyroidism. Seizures, cardiac issues, and sterility are a few further signs.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Among canines, Von Willebrand's diseaseis the most often inherited condition. Your Doberman Rottweiler may suffer from Von Willebrand's Disease, a condition that causes uncontrollable bleeding.
While some canines never exhibit any visible symptoms of Von Willebrand's Disease, others may bleed excessively from their mouths, genitalia, or noses. During childbirth, surgery, and following trauma, there is also significant bleeding.
Buccal mucosal screening is a procedure used to diagnose this illness. The screening will reveal Von Willebrand's Disease if your dog exhibits significant bleeding.
Aside from these illnesses, the Rotterman is also prone to having heart problems (e.g murmurs, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, heart failure), Patellar Luxation, Intervertebral Disc Disease, eye problems (such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy), and allergies.
Rottermans are large, energetic dogs with lots of muscle, so their exercise routine should reflect this. They could act out and become ill if they don't receive enough exercise. Additionally, if they do not get the required amount of frequent activity, this breed can put on a lot of extra, undesired weight.
The Rotterman should ideally be walked twice daily for at least 30 minutes each time. However, if given the opportunity, the breed will readily accept far more exercise.
Agility training provides both physical exercise and mental stimulation, so this breed can excel in this field. But because they'll be meeting a lot of other dogs and humans during lessons, it does require that they're well socialized.
And as for their living conditions, they do not make good apartment pets because of their enormous size, tendency to shed much, and vivacious attitude.
The Rotterman is regarded as a devoted and kind family pet by owners who have kids and other pets. They will behave gently among children and exhibit a surprisingly high level of composure.
The Rotterman gets along well with other pets in their own household. However, you shouldn't let a dog, especially one this big, with smaller animals when they are allowed out of their cage or pen.
Diet & Nutrition
You'll feel as though you're spending a lot of time feeding your Rotterman because of its quick metabolism and high level of energy. They thrive on three meals a day, which add up to three cups, or a little bit more for individuals who exercise a lot and burn a lot of calories.
Although they don't have any particular nutritional needs, it's a good idea to make sure they're consuming high-quality dog food that has the right amounts of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Training
The Rotterman comes from two intelligent dog breeds with the innate desire to please their owners. So, you can expect that they can be easy to train. Just like other dogs, and most especially with dogs of this size and strength, it is important to train your Rotterman puppy at an early age.
The Rotterman needs strict but encouraging training. Never employ abusive training methods since your dog can retaliate in kind.
Dog owners who have prior experience with the necessary training method might anticipate remarkable training outcomes. In order to assure a well-adjusted dog, novice owners may think about hiring professional training assistance.
It is not advisable to purchase a puppy from a source other than a reputable breeder. Otherwise, there is a chance that your puppy has not been properly cared for, and you run the danger of health issues and astronomically high medical costs.
Also, never purchase a “white” Doberman if someone is trying to sell one. This “white” color is indicative of albinism, a severe genetic abnormality. So, it is not a hue, and an albino Rotterman is likely to experience substantial health issues as a result.
Price
Depending on the lineage, physical characteristics, and history of the parents, Rottweiler Doberman mix puppies can range in price from $925 to $1350.
Puppies from parent breeds that have won awards and are of show quality are more expensive than typical Rottweiler Doberman hybrid puppies. You should budget up to $4,000 for your dog.
Conclusion
The Rottweiler Doberman Mix requires a master who is firm but caring and has previous experience with large dogs. If you don't have control over this breed of dog, it will disregard your authority and your regulations. So, if you want a Rotterman, please be responsible and consider whether you are truly prepared for this level of responsibility.
Doberman Rottweilers are big dogs with even bigger personalities. More than the majority of dogs, these magnificent creatures will devote their entire lives to making you feel secure, loved, and cared for.
Doberman Rottweilers are among the toughest canines in the world, notwithstanding any potential health difficulties. They won't be defeated by these ailments easily, especially if they have a supportive and caring owner.
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He is a seasoned writer who has more than 10 years of experience in creating engaging and optimized content for various platforms and audiences. He has worked on diverse projects ranging from articles, social media posts, newsletters and ebooks, covering different topics and niches.
