The idea of an Australian Shepherd Rottweiler mix can be mind-boggling. After all, these are two very different breeds. Despite its unusualness, it is a rather adorable hybrid breed. Now, if you haven’t heard too much about the Aussie Rottweiler, you are probably eager to learn more. So, without further ado, here is your ultimate guide:
Basic Characteristics
Here are some of the more basic traits associated with this hybrid breed:
- Weight: 40 – 135lbs
- Height: 18 – 27 inches
- Coat: short to medium-length coat
- Kid-Friendly: Yes, if trained and socialized well
Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Parents
The thing with hybrid breeds is that it is a toss-up regarding which parent they are going to take after. This means that an Aussie Rottweiler pup may be just as likely to take after either parent. Or, they may have some mix of the two breeds.
This is why it is important to have a proper understanding of the parent breeds. It gives you more accurate expectations about how an Aussie Rottweiler may be.
Australian Shepherd
Don’t be fooled by their name – Aussie Shepherds didn’t originate in Australia, but rather in the Western United States. However, these dogs do belong to a herding group. For a long time, their job was to watch over and herd livestock. They retain some of these instincts even today.
If there is one thing you need to know about this breed, it is incredibly energetic. They love to be outdoors, run, and play. As such, they do best with an energetic family. If they are deprived of daily exercise, negative traits begin to show up.
They aren’t just physical creatures, though. Aussie Shepherds are known for their considerable intelligence as well. As such, they can easily learn almost anything, making them rather trainable. At the same time, this breed does have a stubborn streak. So, don’t be surprised if they pushback or want to do things their own way. When it comes to Aussie Shepherds, an experienced owner is best.
Rottweiler
The Rottweiler breed has gained a rather unfortunate reputation as being aggressive and brutal. This isn’t the case at all, however. While these dogs do have a protective streak, they can also be playful and quite silly. They also love spending time with their humans.
Rottweilers do exude a certain sense of confidence to the outside world. And, with strangers, they can often be aloof. Thus, a certain level of socialization is required here.
Now, Rottweilers have a rather interesting history. One of their earlier ancestors were associated with the Roman Empire. These were hardy dogs that herded animals. When these dogs were later introduced to Germany – in the city of Rotweil – they continue this tradition. Eventually, though, these use of dogs to herd cattle was phased out and Rottweilers were used as guard dogs, search and rescue dogs, and more.
Rottweilers are used to hard work which is why they love engaging in all kinds of physical activities. They also enjoy having various tasks to do. These dogs are easy to learn and can pick up various skills rather easily.
What Does An Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mix Look Like?
Of course, what many people are eager to know is what an Aussie Rottweiler will look like. Well, once again, there can be a great deal of variation. A dog can look more like an Aussie Shepherd or a Rottweiler. Or, they will be an interesting mix of the two.
Here is how this hybrid breed might look:
The Coat
Let’s start with the coat. Aussie Shepherds have a medium-length coat, with a double coat. The coat can be either straight or wavy. You may have noticed that this breed has a marble-like coat. They can be any combination of black, caramel, white, or grey.
Rottweilers have a double coat as well. The longer coat is coarse and often straight. The undercoat is on the neck and thighs. Now, when it comes to coloring, most people assume that these dogs only come in black and brown. While this is the most common coloring, there are variations. They may be all-black, grayish, or brown and white.
The Eyes
It is unusual to find any variation in Rottweiler eye color. For the most part, this breed is known for having brown or dark brown eyes. With Aussie Shepherds, though, there may be a few other options. It is most likely that an Aussie Shepherd will have brown eyes. At the same time, there are dogs with pale blue, green, amber, and hazel eyes. Some of these dogs have heterochromia as well – this is where each eye is a different color.
Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Temperament
With hybrid breeds, it can be difficult to predict the general temperament of the offspring. This is because as with physical traits, a dog can inherit emotional characteristics from their Aussie Shepherd parent or their Rottweiler one.
Now, in the case of this hybrid, it can be particularly interesting to know what to expect. This, of course, is because these breeds do tend to have rather different personalities. So, what could their puppies possibly be like?
As mentioned, Rottweilers get a bad rap, but they aren’t nearly as aggressive as people make them out to be. They can be rather clownish with their family members but will be more reserved around strangers or in unfamiliar situations. If a Rottweiler is in a new environment, they will take cues about their surroundings to know how to act.
A Rottweiler’s confidence can also become a battle for dominance if you aren’t careful. As such, they do need an owner who knows what they are doing.
Aussie Shepherds are great family pets. They are loving and loyal and enjoy plenty of one-on-one time with their humans. Due to their intelligence and hardworking ethic, they are quite trainable as well. As stated, though, they can be rather dominating due to their herding instincts.
Is Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mix For Me?
This hybrid mix is probably not a good fit for novice owners. They need a firm but loving hand to guide them. An Aussie Rottweiler needs to know who is in charge at all points. They also need to undergo considerable training and socialization. Thus, they are better-suited to someone who knows how to handle strong-willed dogs.
Health, Lifespan, and Genetic Concerns For Aussie Rottweiler
As you are probably aware, there are certain genetic issues associated with some purebreds. Fortunately, it appears that the risk is lowered with hybrid breeds. Since there is greater variation, there is less of a chance that dominant genes will emerge in this regard.
At the same time, there is no guarantee. Thus, it is important to know just what conditions are associated with each breed. You can then keep an eye out for these issues with Aussie Rottweilers.
The most common genetic problems with Aussie Shepherds are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Colobomas
- Collie Eye Anomaly
- Cataracts
- Persistent pupillary membrane
- Multiple Drug Sensitivity
- Epilepsy
As for Rottweilers, the most prevalent issues to watch out for are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Knee dysplasia
- Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
- Panosteitis
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Sub Aortic Stenosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Eye Disorders (Entropian, Ectropion, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Cataracts)
- Cancer
Forewarned is forearmed with any genetic issue. As such, it is important to take your pet for regular check-ups. This allows vets to notice warning signs and to prescribe appropriate treatment. Early precautions can improve your dog’s quality of life a great deal.
Rottweilers have a life expectancy of around 9 to 10 years, while Aussie Shepherds can live for between 12 and 15 years. As such, the life span of an Aussie Rottweiler could be between 9 and 15 years.
Nutrition Requirements
Your Aussie Rottweiler needs to consume high-quality dog food. Look for good commercial food that is suitable for a dog of its age and weight. If you are preparing home-cooked meals, make sure that a vet approves of the nutrient content.
As mentioned, Rottweilers tend to suffer from bloat and this could be a problem that is passed down onto your Aussie Rottweiler. As such, avoid overfeeding them at any one mealtime. Also, don’t allow them to drink water or eat right before or after strenuous exercise.
If you notice that your dog is exhibiting signs of bloat – pacing, retching without vomiting, excessive drooling – take them to the vet immediately. This is considered a medical emergency.
Exercise Needs
These are dogs that need a fair amount of exercise. This includes daily walks, one-on-one play sessions, and various other kinds of physical activities. Keep in mind that these dogs may become bored and destructive without enough physical exercise.
Similarly, you should also provide mental exercise for this hybrid breed. Sign them up for agility courses or take turns teaching them new tricks. This, too, can help to keep your dog healthy and happy.
Best Living Environment For Aussie Rottweiler
Now, even though these dogs need plenty of exercise, it is still possible to live within city limits. It is best if you have an outdoor space, however. If this can’t be managed, make sure you live close to a dog park or somewhere where they can run around and play.
These dogs will not do well in apartments. They should have a larger home. This will allow them to walk around and stretch their legs even when no one is at home.
Grooming Tips
If your Aussie Rottweiler has a coat that’s closer to that of a Rottweiler, weekly brushing is needed. Be warned that they will undergo a shedding season twice a year, probably in the spring and the fall. Regular grooming should help to keep this under control. You should bathe your dog regularly as well.
In case your pooch takes after their Aussie Shepherd parent, they will need to be brushed at least once a week. The good news, though, is that there is just one shedding season. You will also not have to bathe them too often, only when they get dirty.
Training an Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
Due to their dominating nature, Aussie Rottweilers will not be all that easy to train. Thus, they require a firm hand to show them what needs to be done. At the same time, you should only ever use positive reinforcement when training this hybrid breed.
It is important to socialize these dogs rather early on. This way, they will be less wary of strangers and will interact with them better. It should also be noted that Aussie Shepherds and Rottweilers can have strong prey drives. So, if you have cats, the dogs need to be trained not to chase them early on.
One tactic you can use is to break up training sessions into smaller tasks. This can be helpful with a dog that is having trouble concentrating. Nevertheless, you should have a daily training session to make sure that the lessons are sticking with them.
The good news is that this hybrid is quite trainable. You just need to find the right technique and know how to motivate them. Then, it should be easier to manage this task.
Finding an Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
If you do want to get an Australian Shepherd mix with Rottweiler, you may have your work cut out for you. As such, you may find it difficult to find a breeder that deals with this mix. You may want to look out of state to increase your chances of finding a puppy.
Keep in mind that finding a breeder offering Aussie Rottweiler puppies isn’t enough. If you want a healthy dog, then it is important to choose a reliable breeder. A good breeder will make an effort to carefully look at each history of the parent dogs. They will go back several generations.
It is only by doing this that breeders can guarantee a lower risk of most genetic conditions. This can ensure that your dog leads a healthier, longer, and happier life. Not to mention, most good breeders will engage in early socialization, teaching puppies how to be handled and groomed.
Adopting an Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Mix
Adoption is one of the best things that you can do. It ensures that dogs without a home are provided a loving and safe environment. The additional bonus of adopting an Aussie Rottweiler is that these dogs are often a bit older. As such, you will have a clearer idea of what their personality and temperament may be like.
Of course, as stated, it can be tricky to find dogs of this hybrid breed. Thus, you should check shelter websites to discover if they may have a dog for you. Even then, be aware that your chances of finding an Aussie Rottweiler are pretty slim.
FAQs
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about the Australian Shepherd Rottweiler mix:
How Big Will an Australian Shepherd Rottweiler Get?
An Aussie Rottweiler can take after either of its parents. This means that a puppy can grow to be anywhere from 40 to 135lbs in weight and 18 – 27 inches in height.
What is the Lifespan of an Australian Shepherd Rottweiler?
An Aussie Rottweiler could potentially live up to 9 to 15 years.
Where Can I Find an Australian Shepherd?
This is still a fairly rare hybrid breed. As such, you may have to look out of state to find a breeder that offers these puppies. In some instances, you may be lucky enough to find an older dog in a shelter.
What is the Temperament of an Australian Shepherd?
Aussie Rottweilers are pretty great family dogs. They can be goofy, loving, and loyal to family members. At the same time, these independent dogs do need a firm hand.
This concludes what you need to know about Australian Shepherd Rottweilers. Overall, this is a unique and interesting hybrid breed. Thus, if you were considering adopting a pup of this breed, you now know what to expect.
