Rottweilers are generally known for its “bad” and dangerously aggressive reputation while Labradors are identified as the all-time-favorite companion dog of most American homes. If you would like to own a good companion dog that is strong and can intimidate unwanted guests, then going for a Rottweiler Lab mix sounds like a good option. Before you decide, though, we will give you a quick once-over on each parent’s disposition.
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Rottweiler Lab Mix Breed Highlights
- You may know this mix breed as a Labrottie, but it also has other monikers, such as Rottwador, Rotten Lab (or Rott’n Lab), Rottador, and Labweiler.
- In most cases, for its physical exterior, the Labrottie takes the head of a Labrador and the body of a Rottweiler.
- There are no specific details as to how this breed started, but most likely, it originates in America in the ’90s.
- Training won’t be hard for owners that have ample experience in training other dogs, especially of related breeds.
- If you train them well and give them proper care, you will find a sweet and intelligent pet in this breed.
- They love to eat, so make sure that you feed your pet with good food at least three times a day.
- This breed is prone to several health problems, so you should keep an eye on its eating habits and activities.
- Your best grooming tip for this dog is regular bathing, coat brushing, nail trimming, and teeth brushing.
- The Labrottie, if relatively healthy, can stay with you for 13 years.
- This breed needs more exercise than the other dogs, so make sure you are able to walk your dog for at least 12 miles a week.
- One way to combat aggression is to socialize this breed at an early age, with other dogs and humans.
The Rottweiler’s Protective Streak
Protective and strong, the Rottweiler was among the domestic dog breeds that became the earliest police and military dog.
Watch Oskar, the Rottie—a protection and service dog—work with dog trainer Khari Lee.
If you train this breed well and give it proper treatment, you will see that it can be a great family dog that will serve you with utmost loyalty and obedience.
The “Mr. Personality” Labrador
Easygoing and friendly, the Labrador (or Labrador Retriever) is dubbed as Mr. Personality among other dog breeds. Originally, these dogs are bred to assist fishermen retrieve their catch and help hunters get their game. Labradors naturally love water and sports, so if you are outgoing and athletic, this breed will be more than willing to support your adventurous spirit.
So how would a rottweiler labrador mix look like? Would this breed be more of a Rottweiler or more of a Labrador? Would they get both characteristics of their parent breeds equally? Read further to learn more.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Physical Appearance
Like with other mix-breed dogs, you cannot tell how a Labrottie puppy will look like when it becomes an adult. Sometimes, the Rottweiler genes can be more dominant, but other times, the exterior will closely be similar to a Labrador. The general rule, however, for most dogs of this kind is that it will have the head of a Labrador and the body that is especially indicative of a Rottweiler blood.
When fully grown, they measure as follows:
- Height: 24–27 in. or 69 cm. when fully grown
- Weight: 30–50 kg. or 70–115 lbs.
Labrottie Quick Facts |
|
Eye color | brown or amber or green |
Ear shape | triangular, sits next to the face |
Nose | large and black |
Fur color | brown, black, tan, gray, or black and tan |
Coat | thick double coat and short to medium in length, smooth or coarse, straight, flat overcoat, soft undercoat |
Body | large and muscular |
Shedding | moderate |
Hypoallergenic | no |
Labrador Rottweiler Mix Breed Origin
You might be wondering how the Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever mix began as a breed. History has no concrete answer to this, but almost certainly, this mix started in the United States sometime in the nineties.
Trainability
This Rottweiler Lab Mix breed is not hard to train if you already have experience training other canines. If you are a first-time dog owner, though, the Labrottie may not give you an easy time. In general, this breed can easily pick up commands if you are able to express yourself clearly. The best time to train your Labrottie is when they’re three to four months because, even at a tender age, this breed can already learn some basic instructions.
Don’t wait until they are more than five months because it will be harder to train when they get older. As puppies, your Labrottie will simply think that the training is their playtime, and you can expect them to be excited and willing to learn. This breed may need a lot of mental stimulation, so you should think of creative ways—aside from playing fetch—to keep them motivated. Find some interesting DIY ideas for your pet here.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Temperament and Intelligence
Having a Rottweiler as a parent may make you anxious about this breed’s aggressive personality, but you will be amazed at how this kind can be sweeter and more affectionate than other dogs, given that you have also trained it properly. The Labrador’s genetic factor certainly contributes to its relaxed and, at times, playful demeanor. Overall, this breed is intelligent and quick to learn.
Proper Diet and Nutrition
We recommend 4–5 cups of high-quality dry foods three times a day. You can also give canned food as long as it is of high quality, in which case you can reduce the dry food’s quantity. Since this breed is athletic, it is a big eater. Dry kibbles and raw meat are great options that will make your Labrottie happy and satisfied too. Check this page to know more about the best dog food for large breed puppies. Find out if beef jerky is also good for your dog.
Labrador Rottweiler Mix Common Health Issues and Care Essentials
Like other dogs—pure or mix breed—the rottweiler labrador mix may be prone to some health risks. It’s wise to know in advance—as a prospective owner—about the common health problems of your canine friend.
Serious concerns:
- Gastric torsion
- Joint dysplasia
- Allergies
- Ear infections
- Obesity
- Panosteitis (bone inflammation)
- Heart problems
- Acute moist dermatitis
- Cold tail
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Congenital deafness
- Lymphoma
Minor issues:
- Eye problems, such as cataracts, glaucoma
- Bloating
The best thing that you can do to ensure your dog is in its best health is to keep track of its eating habits, weight, behavior, and movements. It is very important that you can perceive early signs of medical issues so you can save your dog from greater harm. Make sure that your dog also gets all the essential vaccines and visit your vet regularly.
Grooming
Like any dogs, grooming is vital for this Rottweiler Lab Mix breed. Depending on the texture of the coat, we recommend regular brushing to make it shiny and to maintain its smoothness. To ensure good grooming, bathe your dog once a month with a good shampoo, trim its nails as needed, and brush its teeth several times a week. Discover the most suitable type of nail clipper for your pet here.
Lifespan
If your dog is healthy, you can expect it to live for 10 to 13 years. That means a decade or more of living with your sweet and dependable canine best friend.
Workout requirement
In general, dogs require an ample amount of exercise to keep them healthy and in good shape. However, since this breed is more prone to weight gain and obesity, it is important to give this more exercise. Your Labrottie needs to walk around 12 miles weekly. If you think you cannot commit to that requirement, hiring a dog walker will be your next option.
Is This Breed Friendly Toward Other Dogs?
Socialization with other dogs is an important factor that you need to consider, especially if you plan to get more than one dog in your household. For the rottweiler labrador mix, socialization does not entail too much work if you start to train when they are still young. Exposing your dogs to other canines helps a lot, and it prevents hostility. If you have the time, you can occasionally organize play-dates with other dog owners and their pets. This would be a great socialization activity not only for your Labrottie breed but also for you.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Puppies
Like any other puppies, Labrottie puppies are cute and cuddly. An important tip before getting one is to check first the parents of the breed. What you should look for are both healthy and friendly parents, and the only way to do this is to find responsible breeders.
Rottweiler Labrador Mix Price and Adoption
The Labrottie comes from both large and good breeds, and it may be helpful if you know the cost of a puppy, especially if you are concerned with your budget. Depending on the demand, you can get this breed between 500 and 1,600 dollars.
Breed Organizations
The following dog breed groups and institutions recognize the Rottweiler and Labrador mix as a dog breed:
- Designer Dogs Kennel Club
- American Canine Hybrid Club
- Designer Breed Registry
- International Designer Canine Registry
- Dog Registry of America Inc.
If your decision to get a Rottweiler Lab mix for a pet is already final, look for responsible breeders (e.g., American Kennel Club) to ensure a good price and a quality breed. Ensure that you can support the lifestyle that this highly active breed needs as well. Once you welcome your new dog home, they will need all the love and care their breed deserves.