Rottweiler Lab Mix: Rottador Traits and Behaviors

What is a Rottweiler Lab Mix?

The Rottweiler Lab Mix is a cross between the intelligent and friendly Labrador Retriever and the loyal and protective Rottweiler. They are also known as the Labrottie or Rottador!

• Popularity: growing
• Purpose: companion, woking dog
• Weight: 55-135 lbs!
• Temperament: Loyal, active, affectionate

Where Do Rottweiler Lab Mix Dogs Come From?

Considered by most to be a first-generation crossbreed, the Rottweiler Lab Mix has an origin that is still in the making. We can learn most about where they came from by looking at their parents.

The Rottweiler is an ancient breed with roots dating as far back as the Roman Empire. The likely descendant of ancient drover dogs, the Rottweiler is believed to have acquired his name from a Roman town known as Rottweil. Here the breed was famously used as a guard dog and herding breed.

So loyal and protective was the Rottweiler that many owners trusted him to travel back and forth to market in the Middle Ages with small sacks of currency tied around his muscular neck.

A Canadian breed, the Labrador actually hails from Newfoundland, not Labrador, as his name would suggest. The breed, which is believed to have existed since before the 1500’s, was once used as a fisherman’s companion and hunting dog. An ideal boat dog, the Lab made for a talented swimmer.

He was built for the cold Canadian waters thanks to his thick, water-resistant coat, unique “otter’s tail” that helped propel him and his impressively webbed paws. The Labrador was perhaps most loved for his ability to gently retrieve fish and duck in the water without damaging the game. It wasn’t long before the Labrador’s work ethic, incredible smarts, and gentle nature made him a favorite not only amongst fishermen and hunters but also amongst breed enthusiasts.

Rottweiler Lab Mix Appearance

For the most part, your Rottweiler crossed with Labrador will have floppy ears, a long tail, and that’s about all we can nail down!

Trying to pinpoint what your Labrador and Rottweiler mix will look like is going to be a difficult task. This is because he is a crossbreed and his traits are going to be left up to chance and the genetics he inherits from each of his purebred parents.

The Rottweiler is a muscular dog with a sleek black coat with brown or caramel patches on his muzzle, chest, and paws. And while some owners choose to dock their Rottie’s tail, others leave it long. The Rottweiler has floppy ears, round eyes, and a happy, expressive face.

Rottweiler Lab Mix Colors

The Rottweiler Lab mix will have a short, shiny coat. They might have the tan face markings of a Rottweiler, and are most likely to inherit either the black coats common to both breeds.

Grooming

Fortunately, the Rottweiler Labrador mix comes from two parents with pretty similar coats as far as texture and length, so there is not a lot of guesswork that will go into grooming.

Since both the Rottweiler and the Labrador are shedders, you will need to brush your Rottweiler and Lab mix at least two to three times a week, and possibly more during shedding season, which happens twice a year.

The Rottweiler Lab mix will only need an occasional bath, unless of course, he gets excessively messy, which is possible with this active crossbreed who is drawn to water!

Furthermore, your Rottweiler Lab mix will need his ears cleaned regularly to avoid ear infections and his nails trimmed consistently to keep them from cracking or splitting during play or while on walks.

Rottweiler Lab Mix Size

A Rottweiler Lab mix will fall somewhere between their parents’ sizes. This means they will be 22-27 inches tall and weigh 55-135lbs!

Standing 22 to 27 inches tall and weighing around 80 to 135 pounds, the Rottweiler is an easy breed to recognize. The Lab may be smaller than the Rottie, but not by much, standing between 22-25 inches and weighing between 55-80 pounds.

Rottweiler Lab Mix Temperament and Behavior

Two breeds can have two very different personalities, and your half Labrador half Rottweiler pup could inherit different temperamental traits from each parent.

Your Rottie Lab mix is likely to have playful personality, easy-going nature, and eagerness to learn. If they take after their Lab parent they will be an active, outgoing dog. One who gets along with everyone and everything and enjoys children, other animals, strangers, and old friends equally.

They are very high energy and will require a lot of daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored and destructive.

So, you can expect your Rottweiler Lab Mix to be intelligent, playful, active, and eager to please since both his parent breeds are as well. However, whether he is incredibly loyal and protective or very energetic will be left up to genetics and chance.

Are Rottweiler Lab Mixes Aggressive?

Despite being a banned breed in some regions, the Rottweiler is actually known to be incredibly loyal, outgoing, and very smart. Rottweilers become very bonded to their families, they love to play, and they are highly active breeds, so they will do great in active households with owners who enjoy being outside.

However, a prospective owner should note that while the Rottweiler’s protective and loyal nature makes him such a great guard dog. It can backfire for the owner who does not properly socialize and train their Rottie.

Luckily, this is a bright, playful breed who enjoys learning and will be eager to please you and make you proud, so training him is simple and fun!

Rottweiler Lab Mix Training

Since your Rottweiler Lab mix is the crossbreed offspring of two very active and athletic parents, you can prepare for an athletic and active pup. The Lab x Rottweiler will also be pretty intelligent, as both his parent breeds are known for their brains.

Luckily, the Rottweiler and the Labrador are both eager to please and enjoy learning and making you proud. This means your crossbreed puppy will be a breeze to train and will enjoy learning new commands and tricks! However, keep in mind that intelligent dogs require a bit more work, as they can be more prone to boredom if they are not mentally stimulated.

The Lab especially is prone to chewing if he becomes bored. For this reason, you will want to supply your Rottweiler Lab mix with lots of chew toys and bones. Your Rottweiler Lab mix will also do well with any doggy jobs you want to teach him to perform, like helping with the laundry, loading the dishwasher, or fetching the newspaper.

Socialization

Of course, early socialization and obedience training are going to be key in ensuring your Rottweiler Lab mix grows up to be a well-rounded and happy adult dog. This is especially important since Rottweilers are particularly protective. Due to his guarding instincts, any Rottie or Rottie cross owner should be sure to properly socialize and train their dog at a very early age.

Rottweiler Lab Mix Exercise

As far as exercising your Rottweiler Lab mix, remember that his parent breeds are highly active and energetic. He will need at least an hour of exercise every day and then free play time where he can run and romp in a securely fenced backyard.

Hybrid Dog Health

A crossbreed is the specifically bred offspring of two purposefully chosen purebred dogs, mixed in the hopes of combining certain traits. Crossbreeding dogs to create hybrids like the Rottweiler and Labrador cross is a practice that has been ongoing for centuries, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t raised some eyebrows.

Purebred dogs are inherently more prone to suffering genetic health issues as a result of generations of overbreeding in increasingly dwindling gene pools. Supporters of crossbreeding claim that the practice may be a solution to the purebred health dilemma by widening the gene pool.

This subsequently reduces the chances of genetic health issues being passed on to litters. However, others insist this is speculation, and that purebred dogs and crossbreed dogs are equally susceptible to inheriting certain genetic issues from their parent breeds. Otherwise, keep reading to find out how the Rottweiler Lab mix came to be!

Rottweiler Lab Mix Health

While we can estimate the life expectancy of a Rottweiler Lab mix, it is more difficult to predict any genetic health issues he may be prone to.

However, since the Labrador Rottweiler mix is a crossbreed, he is susceptible to any of the same genetic health issues his parent breeds are susceptible to. Because of this, we suggest parental health screening for both the Rottweiler and Labrador parent.

Purebred Dog Health Issues

Like all purebred dogs, the Rottweiler is prone to a number of genetic health issues. These health issues include:

• aortic stenosis
• hip and elbow dysplasia
• entropion
• ectropion
• cruciate ligament rupture
• Osteochondritis Dissecans
• cancer
• wet eczema
• cold water tail
• juvenile laryngeal paralysis
• polyneuropathy

The Lab can be prone to:

• elbow dysplasia
• hip dysplasia
• loose knee joints
• ruptured ligaments in their hind legs
• heart disease
• eye disease
• epilepsy
• cancer
• obesity
• bloat
• chronic allergies

Rottweiler Lab Mix Life Expectancy

The Rottie has an average lifespan of 9 to 10 years. A Labrador Retriever lives anywhere from 10 to 12 years. Mixed breed dogs tend to life longer than purebred dogs, so you could reasonably hope for this mix to live over 10 years.

Are Rottweiler Lab Mix Dogs Good Pets?

While the Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler mix make a great pet for the right person, they are not the right crossbreed for everyone. A prospective Rottweiler cross Labrador should consider that this breed is going to be highly active and very intelligent. He will require lots of training, exercise, and plenty of early socialization.

This is a crossbreed who will do best in homes with large, fenced in backyards and with owners who live an active lifestyle and enjoy being outside.

Furthermore, possible owners of Lab and Rottweiler mix dogs should remember that this crossbreed can become very bonded to his family. He will not do well left alone for several hours at a time.

Rottweiler Lab Mix Puppies

If you have decided that the Rottweiler Lab Mix is right for you, then we have some tips on how to find and pick the best and healthiest Labrador cross Rottweiler puppy!

If you want to look at Rottweiler cross Labrador puppies through breeders, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to over $1000.

Most reputable breeders will have health screened their Rottweiler Lab mix puppies and will be able to offer you certificates that prove as much.

Remember, getting your Lab and Rottweiler mix puppies from sources that are responsible and understand the importance of breeding standards is of the utmost importance. By all accounts, finding responsible breeders and shelters that offer Lab and Rottweiler mix puppies should not be too difficult, as long as you do plenty of research and take your time.

Rottweiler Lab puppies are cute and sweet and with proper socialization and training, they will surely grow up to be well rounded, adaptable, and wonderful pets for the right person or family!

References

• Turcsan et al. Owner Perceived Differences Between Mixed-Breed and Purebred Dogs
• Howell et al. Puppy Parties and Beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior
• Sutter and Ostrander, Dog Star Rising: The Canine Genetic System, Nature Reviews Genetics
• Purebred Vs Mutt-Common Objections to Mixed Breed Dogs
• Carol Beuchat Ph.D. The Myth of Hybrid Vigor in Dogs…Is A Myth