There isn’t a better guard dog than Rottweiler – maybe except for a Doberman. Instead of arguing which one is better, why not talk about what would happen if we combined the two to get a Rottweiler Doberman mix?
A Rottweiler Doberman mix is a dog that’s not too challenging to imagine, as the two breeds share many similarities. Some dog lovers even confuse the two, even though there are many clear differences between them.
At the first glance, you can see that the Rottweiler is a large, powerful dog. These canines have a muscular build and they look as if they could win a fight with anyone who enters your property without your permission.
The Doberman is much leaner, appearing to be more agile than he is strong. Still, this isn’t a dog you’d want to mess with, and there is something highly respectable in his dignified behavior.
So what would happen if you were to create a Rottweiler Doberman mix? Do these dogs exist, or are they a product of fiction?
Here’s everything you need to know:
Is The Rottweiler Doberman Mix Real?
Yes, the Rottweiler Doberman mix truly exists! In fact, this is a fairly old crossbreed, maybe even as old as Doodles.
Crossbreeds, also known as mixed-breed dogs or designer dogs, have become increasingly popular in the late 1990s, and this craze hasn’t ended up to this day.
Still, many people think of Goldendoodles or Pomskies when they hear the term ‘designer breed’. However, mixed dog breeds are much more than hypoallergenic purse dogs, and a true example of this is a Rottweiler Doberman mix.
As you’ve probably guessed, the Rottweiler Doberman mix puppy has two different parent breeds – the purebred Doberman Pinscher, and the purebred Rottweiler. This is an interesting combination that leaves many to wonder about this crossbreed.
What Do You Call A Rottweiler Doberman Mix?
Crossbreeds don’t have an official name. They aren’t accepted by major kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), and only the most popular mixed-breed dogs have a name that is more popular than simply calling them mixes.
Breeders and dog lovers alike will name crossbreeds by mixing the names of the two parent breeds. As such, the Rottweiler Doberman mix is mostly known as the Rotterman. Some people will also use the terms Doberott or Doberweiler, but these aren’t as widely accepted as the Rotterman.
Rotterman Appearance
The appearance of any crossbreed can be tricky to predict. The offspring can inherit any trait from either of his parents and in some mixed breed puppies, this leaves many possibilities open.
The Doberman and the Rottie aren’t too different appearance-wise, which can make things a bit easier.
A Doberman Rottweiler mix will often look like a tall Rottweiler with the face of a Doberman. This is a large dog that can reach the height of 23 to 28 inches, and his weight will vary depending on the dog’s build.
The Rotterman might inherit a sleek body from his Doberman Parent, or he might be a bit more muscular, like the Rottweiler. Most of the time, though, he’ll be somewhere in between.
This is a short-coated dog, but don’t let this fool you, the Rotterman dog is a moderate shedder. He doesn’t shed as much as a German Shepherd or a Golden Retriever, but he certainly isn’t a good choice for someone with dog allergies.
The standard coat color of the breed is black, as this is the most common color of both the Dobies and Rotties. Chocolate color is also common. Tan Dobie markings are necessary, as this is a recognizable sign of both breeds.
The Rotterman’s eyes will be dark and intelligent, and he’ll be born with floppy eyes that some dog owners might want to crop. Still, it’s a general practice to leave the Rottweiler Doberman mix dog’s ear uncropped, as this leaves him with the desired look.
Temperament
Many people unfamiliar with the breed will be worried about the Rottweiler Doberman mix’s temperament. Just like Pitbulls or Cane Corsos, both the Rottweiler and Doberman have a bad reputation for being aggressive.
What is the truth and how will this affect Rotterman?
Back when the tax collector Louis Dobermann first created the Doberman Pinscher breed, he didn’t want to create an aggressive, feisty breed. Instead, he wanted a good watchdog that will help him in his business – and this is what he created.
While Doberman Pinschers are far from social and friendly dogs, aggression is not within their breed standard. The same goes for Rottweilers, as they were initially bred to be herding dogs – even though they were later used for hunting and to guard properties.
The Rottie Dobie mix is a loyal dog that is very protective of his owner. He will require some additional socialization and dog training to tolerate other dogs, but he shouldn’t be aggressive without being provoked.
At the same time, the Rotterman dog is an intelligent canine that can be easy to train. He has a stubborn streak, but this is something that can be controlled. As trainability is an important factor for such mighty dogs, this is a good thing.
Still, due to their size and somewhat unfriendly nature, they are not a good choice for a first-time dog owner. These are not gentle giants like Great Danes, but high-energy dogs that require lots of exercise and a firm hand.
If they are anything like their Rottweiler parent, Rottie Dobe mix dogs can be best friends to older children. While they will likely be friendly to younger kids, as well, it isn’t smart to leave them together without supervision, as the large Rotterman might cause harm during a rough playtime.
Health Problems And Lifespan
Purebred dogs tend to have more health problems than mixed breed ones. This is because crossbreeds have hybrid vigor, a feature that reduces their chances of developing genetic health issues from their parents.
At the same time, there is always a chance that a crossbred puppy might inherit health problems that are common in both parent breeds.
In the case of Rottermans, some of the health conditions you need to be wary of include:
- Hip dysplasia.
- Von Willebrand Disease (vWD).
- Hypothyroidism.
- Gastric Torsion (Bloat).
- Bone cancer.
Von Willebrand Disease is a blood condition that is extremely common in the Doberman breed. Most Doberman Pinschers are carriers, and even a healthy dog such as the Rotterman has a fairly high chance of getting it.
Despite this, bloat remains the latest problem for Rottermans. Research has shown that up to 30% of dogs with bloat don’t survive, even when they get immediate medical attention and surgery.
The percentage is even higher if we include the number of dogs euthanized because the owner couldn’t afford treatment.
This is why it’s important to buy your Rotterman puppy from a reputable breeder who will conduct all the necessary health tests to ensure all parent dogs are healthy.
Not just that, but you need to provide your Rotterman with the best quality of life possible. Feed him high-quality dog food and give him plenty of exercise to avoid obesity, which will increase the chance of any health condition.
Also, you should never skip annual vet visits.
Is Rottweiler Doberman Mix The Best Guard Dog?
The main reason behind the creation of the Rotterman is to create the ultimate guard dog that will be the healthier version of the parent breeds. In a way, it seems that the Rottweiler Doberman mix does just that.
This is a dog that no intruder could walk by unnoticed. They are alert canines with a nose for trouble, and they’ll know who is planning to cause you or your family any harm.
They are extremely loyal to all family members, and they’ll do all they can to keep all of you safe.
Thanks to their high intelligence, they are easy to train – and you should use this to your advantage. The Rottweiler Doberman mix isn’t a dog you’d want to spoil!
At the same time, these pups can make great family pets. While it might take some work, they can learn how to be on their best behavior all the time, and they can live in a community with other pets and often even kids.
The most important thing is to properly train and socialize these dogs. Without socialization, you can end up with a dog that is extremely challenging to control. This is hardly something you’d want. They are canines for experienced dog owners only.
As for whether they are the best guard dogs possible – they were surely bred to achieve such a title. I guess this is something you’d have to check out on your own.
