Rotterman, Rottweiler and Doberman Mix

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, SpockTheDog may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
Rotterman-Dog
Pictured above is Abby, a Rotterman. Taken by her owner, MaKayla Motz

The Rotterman dog is a Rottweiler and Doberman mix, a dog that seems to be designed both as a guard and as a family member. There are a number of characteristics that are common for both breeds that form the Rotterman hybrid.

One of them is that they’re both guard dogs, another is that they have short hair that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. The weight is close enough as well.

Rottermans live between 9 and 12 years and are also known as Doberweiler, Doberott, Rottie Dobe, and Rottie Dobie. They’re some of the sweetest dogs in the world while also having all the strength they need to protect you from any danger.

The male Rotterman grows to be between 24 and 28 inches tall while weighing between 70 and 130lbs. On the other hand, the female Rotterman grows up to 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh between 65 and 120lbs.

Keep reading to learn about the Doberman Rottweiler mix, the hybrid dog known as a Rotterman.

Quick – Pros & Cons of a Rotterman

Rottermans make great companions for both single people and families with both small and older children. And more than that, they’re very good watchdogs and will always alert you when a stranger is at the door.

You will love their clever, protective, and friendly nature and you’ll quickly notice that they love to mistaken themselves for lap dogs.

These dogs are very active and they live best in houses with big and secure yards and with very active people.

Pros

  • Highly intelligent
  • Very protective
  • Easy to train
  • Great watchdogs
  • Easy to groom
  • Very friendly
  • Good with children
  • Good with other pets

Cons

  • Very active dogs and they need an owner that can handle their strength when they misbehave
  • They need a lot of attention, socialization, and training early on, not ideal for first-time dog owners

Temperament

Overall, these two breeds are quite similar in the way they look and behave, so as far as the temperament goes, you’re getting dogs that are almost predictable.

Since you’re getting a mixed dog, you usually don’t have any guarantee that there aren’t other breeds mixed somewhere in there.

You might have a dog that is not only Doberman and Rottweiler, but also a bit German Shepherd, and you might not have any idea.

The Rottweiler makes a wonderful companion, often following their family members from room to room in the home. When introduced at a young age they are very gentle and loving to children and good with other animals.

Because of its size and strength, it is imperative that they receive proper socialization and obedience training from an early age.

The Doberman is considered first of all a guard dog, bred to be fast to act, intimidating, and quite ferocious. Though designed to be guard dogs first, they can be very loyal and kind, great additions to any family that is looking for a pet. They do need a bit of exercise on a daily basis.

The Rotterman ended with the best qualities from both families and he loves getting cuddles and being spoiled. While at the same time he will protect you with every ounce of strength he has.

Rotterman Puppy
Rotterman Puppy

Is it good with children?

Rottermans grow up to be very big so they need to get used to as many people and pets as possible. This will ensure he’s being properly socialized and won’t become protective when he sees a stranger.

If you train them properly and you socialize them all the time, the Rotterman makes a great nanny dog. They are very playful and love spending time with children and other pets.

If raised properly, they would never hurt a family member. And if your kid annoys them by treating them roughly and considering them his toys, they will just run and hide from him around the house or in the backyard.

They are very patient and will wait for your child to learn how to treat them right. You should keep in mind that the Rotterman is a big creature and might knock your kid down while playing by accident.

Behavior towards strangers

While Rottermans have a very powerful voice, they choose not to be very vocal. If a stranger approaches your home, they will let you know and watch the stranger’s every move until you convince him the stranger is not a threat.

You can also heavily socialize your Rotterman and make him a social butterfly. This will cause him to look for cuddles from literally any stranger he meets. But you should only do this if you’re not interested in his guarding skills.

How it does with other pets/dogs

Rottermans are creatures bred to guard and are known for their excellent agility. But this doesn’t stop them from making friends with any dog, cat, bunny, and human they see. They love socializing and are great at making friends.

If you’re training your dog to be a watchdog, you might have trouble adding a new pet to the family for a few weeks. It’s best if the other pets are present when they’re young. But if they’re properly socialized they will grow to adore the new pet.

And if you plan on adding a small puppy or a small kitten to the family but are scared about how your huge Rotterman will react, you should know you have nothing to worry about.

Despite their huge size they are very gentle and love playing with puppies. But they will naturally get tired faster and try to hide from them after a time to get some rest.

Aggressiveness

Rottermans can be trained to be ferocious and intimidating but they would rather cuddle on the couch with you. They are known as nanny dogs because of the unbelievable amount of patience they have and how gentle they can be.

If they see you’re in danger they will not hesitate one second. They are very brave and will stand up and fight for you with every single drop of strength they have.

But they are naturally goofy, friendly, and loving companions, especially if they’re heavily socialized.

Does it bark a lot?

You can expect your Rotterman to have a very intimidating bark. These dogs can be heard from very far away and you won’t be able to ignore him.

As a puppy, he will have the same instinct as any other dog to bark at anything, even its reflection in the mirror. But with training, you can easily teach them to be a lot less vocal and can even keep him in an apartment if you’re active enough.

Grown Rottermans usually ignore other dogs barking and they only get vocal when someone strange is at the door.

Appearance and Grooming

Rottweiler Doberman Mix
Rottweiler Doberman Mix

Rottweilers are fairly large, strongly built, and intelligent, making excellent guard dogs. The short, coarse, flat hair is black, with tan to dark brown markings. The tail is short and carried horizontally.

Males stand about 24in to 27in and females about 22in to 26in. The weight ranges from 80lbs to 110lbs, which means that if your Rotterman takes from the Rottweiler side of the family, it could be quite a large dog.

The male Doberman can reach a height of 28in and 90lbs. As for the female, you can expect a height of 24in and a weight of 66lbs. You can expect your Rotterman to reach these sizes as well.

If the Rotterman will take its coat from the Doberman side of the family, you can expect it to be thick and short, smooth, and kept close to the body. It doesn’t require a lot of grooming. If he gets it from the Rottweiler side, there won’t be much of a difference and grooming will remain the same.

How big does it get?

Both the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher are big breeds so you can only expect the Rotterman to be the same size. It’s best to keep your Rotterman in a big house with a secure yard in which he can run and play with the family members.

At 6 months old male Rottermans are around 13 inches and weigh about 12.5lbs, while females are around 11.5 inches and weigh about 10.5lbs.

When they reach 1 year, male Rottermanes are around 19 inches and weigh about 55lbs, while females are around 17.5 inches and weigh 51.5lbs.

At 18 months old you can expect your male dog to be about 26 inches and weigh around 110lbs, while your female dog to be around 19 inches and weigh about 102.5lbs.

Once they’ve reached adulthood, your male Rotterman will end up growing between 24 to 28 inches and weigh between 70 to 130lbs. And your female Rotterman will have grown up to 23-25 inches and weigh between 65 and 120lbs.

What does it look like?

Your Rotterman will most likely have the Doberman side of the family’s elegant legs and the Rottweiler side of the family’s more square body shape. But what’s sure is that they’ll have the body of an excellent runner.

Their big size will often make them look terrifying and ferocious. This is why many people get them just for intimidation despite their loving personality.

Since the Doberman and Rotterwiler look so much alike, it’s easy to guess what a Rotterman looks like.

Appearance and color

Rottermans are very attractive, elegant, and intimidating. They are bred for extreme speed and high endurance. Their square-ish body is supported by long and elegant legs.

A Rotterman dog has a deep chest, long and thin tail, and a very proud stance. One look at him and you know he’s confident, smart, and alert. He will also have the same black color with brown spots.

The muzzle of a Rotterman is longer than a Rotterweiler’s and his teeth are meeting in a scissors bite. They are also known for their black nose, dark ringed eyes that are brown or amber, and they can have either prick or floppy ears.

Type of coat

The coat of a Rotterman is sleek and looks a lot like a tailored suit. You can expect the coat to be sable, black, brown, or fawn. It’s also short, not very dense, and straight. This makes them very easy to maintain.

You also won’t have to expect to deal with a heavy shedder so you will only have to brush him once a week. But once the shedding season comes, you will have to start brushing him twice or thrice a week.

Their coat can be very shiny and glossy by feeding the dog all the healthy food it needs.

How easy it is to groom?

Besides brushing their coat, you will also have to properly clean their ears once a week. Cleaning and drying their ears weekly will help avoid any infections. Way too many people ignore this and their dogs end up paying the price. A dog’s ears are very sensitive so take good care of them.

You will also have to brush your Rotterman’s teeth two or three times a week, using a product made specifically for dogs. And he will only need a bath when you think it’s time. You should also remember to clip his nails from time to time.

The main grooming items you’ll need is a pin brush, slicker brush, deshedder, and nail clipper.

Care Guide – Diet, Exercise & Health Issues

You will be surprised how easy it is to take care of a dog that’s so big. Grooming him is a piece of cake and his dietary needs are very straightforward.

What’s very important is that you are an active person and that you have a yard where your dog can run. Your Rotterman will love being a part of your daily activities and you can take him with you jogging, hiking, or just for a longer walk.

Despite their size, Rottermans need a lot of attention and socialization to ensure you won’t have an extra protective dog when he grows up. Being stuck in the yard for the rest of his life is not a life made for a social butterfly like the Rotterman.

Diet Tips: What does it eat?

Rottermans are very active dogs so they need a lot of food. They need three meals a day, meaning they eat 3 cups or more per day, especially if they exercise a lot and burn off lots of calories.

You won’t have to bother with any special dietary requirements unless you picked up a sicker puppy. All you need to feed him is high-quality dog food that offers all the protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals he needs.

The best way to decide what he needs to eat each day is to talk about his food in detail with the vet.

Exercise Requirements: Keeping the dog in shape

Rottermans are very active so don’t even think about getting one if he doesn’t have a very big yard or you don’t have the time for at least 90 minutes of dog-walking a day. They will also love as much exercise as possible.

Being a highly active breed you need to walk at least 15 miles a week with them. Exercising is very important in their healthy development.

Rotterman dogs are very prone to gaining weight if they lay around all day. If you can’t get him out on a jog too often it’s best to have a very big backyard for him. These are dogs made for their endurance to speed.

Common Health Issues

Like any other hybrid, you should expect your Rotterman to get the health issues both of the family sides are known for. You’ll have to take him regularly to the vet and monitor their health.

Major health concerns are Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd), Von Willebrand’s Disease, Hypothyroidism, Mitral Valve Dysplasia, Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat, and Joint Dysplasia.

Minor health concerns are some Skin Allergies and Eye Infections and some dogs have been diagnosticated Wobbler Syndrome.

You should do various occasional tests to ensure your furry friend is healthy. This includes:

  • Electrocardiogram
  • Bucca Mucosal Screening
  • Regular Full Physical Examination By Veterinarian
  • Coagulation Assay
  • Blood Glucose Tests
  • Complete Ophthalmologic Examination
  • Blood Work and Serum Chemistry Tests
  • Skin Biopsy or Intradermal Tests for Specific Allergies
  • Urinalysis and Urine Culture

Training a Rotterman

Both parents have been used as watchdogs for a very long time. This made them very easy to train and the Rotterman is now trainable by anyone with a little bit of experience.

Rottermans are very intelligent and they love to please their owners, but they’re still dogs so they can get a little stubborn from time to time. But it’s nothing a strong leader can’t fix. However, if he sees you lower than him there won’t be a reason for him to follow you.

Obedience Training

Rottermans are big and you don’t want an untrained one on your hands. They need to understand who’s the leader and that they can never to just whatever they want.

Obedience training needs to start as soon as you get him home. Avoid shouting and scolding as this will only lead to the dog shutting into itself and refusing to follow your lead.

You’ll need to continuously reward good behavior with treats and never hit him. Dogs have great memories and can grow to resent you for the rest of their lives.

Socialization

A Rotterman’s socialization needs to start as soon as possible. They can be very territorial and ready to strike. This can make them extremely dangerous to strangers on your property, including other pets.

You’ll have to introduce him to as many people and pets as possible from a very young age. This will also make it easier to add a new pet to the family once he’s grown.

Exercise requirements

Rottermans are very active and you’ll have to go on walks at least twice a day for half an hour each. And while they should never have less exercise, they always welcome more and more running.

Don’t forget to shower him with toys and allow him to stimulate his brain as well. It’s best to have a big backyard that allows him to run and play a lot.

Breeding & Puppies

Both the Rottweiler and the Doberman are prone to various health issues so matching two of these dogs together needs a lot of work and attention. The parents should always be as healthy as possible.

Rotterman puppies are just like any other puppy. They’re very active and they love everyone. You will also have to dedicate a lot of time to training and taking care of them

They’re very smart so it’s best to start training and socializing as early as possible. This will ensure that you won’t have extremely territorial and dangerous dogs.

Finding a Rottweiler and Doberman Mix – Kennels & Pedigree

Rottermans are very popular and loved all over the U.S.A. and the world. This means that you should be able to find a good breeder pretty fast. But never trust anyone that doesn’t have the proper papers.

A good breeder will be able to inform you of each health issue to expect and what kind of parents the puppy has. You might even be allowed to see the parents.

It’s important to only trust breeders that take care of the medical needs of their dogs and don’t push the female dog to her limits.

How much does a mixed Rotterman cost?

You can expect to pay anywhere between $300 and $700 for a Rotterman puppy, which isn’t too much considering how smart and fast they are. They are growing more and more popular among families with children that need a gentle dog that’s also a good protector.

Unfortunately, there are many people that buy big-sized dogs only to realize later that they don’t have the space or time for them. This is why you might also have the choice to adopt and not shop a Rotterman.

History & Origins of the mixed breed

Rottweiler is a breed of working dog, probably descended from a herding dog used by the Roman armies to drive their cattle and to guard their camps. The breed, revived early in the 20th century and used for police work, was recognized in the U.S. in 1931.

The Doberman was created by a tax collector called Louis Dobermann at the end of the 19th century, as a protection dog during his daily duties. Both the Doberman and the Rottweiler are German dogs.

The Rotterman, on the other hand, has an unknown origin as it’s common with mixed breeds. What we know is that they’re a designer breed and have been created in the last 3o years.

Conclusion

Rottermans are excellent companions and amazing family pets if properly trained and socialized. This means that they require a lot of attention while growing up and they need to understand who’s the leader from a very young age.

They’re very active and they are perfect if you’re looking for someone to keep you safe while you’re jogging. Rottermans are also excellent watchdogs and will protect their home with everything they’ve got.

The Rotterman dog is a Rottweiler and Doberman mix, a dog that seems to be designed both as a guard and as a family member. There are a number of characteristics that are common for both breeds that form the Rotterman hybrid. One of them is that they’re both guard dogs, another is that they have short hair that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. The weight is close enough as well.

Overall, these two breeds are quite similar in the way they look and behave, so as far as the temperament goes, you’re getting dogs that are almost predictable. Since you’re getting a mixed dog, you usually don’t have any guarantee that there aren’t other breeds mixed somewhere in there. You might have a dog that is not only Doberman and Rottweiler, but also a bit of German Shepherd, and you might not have any idea. Keep reading to learn about the Doberman Rottweiler mix, the hybrid dog known as a Rotterman.

18 thoughts on “Rotterman, Rottweiler and Doberman Mix”

  1. Hi, my family and i own a 6 month pure breed rottweiler name rocky. We Brought him from a breeder when he was 8 weeks, he is very well behaved and loves our kids. Ages 1,3,4,7. We live in apartment and im a stay home mom so my rocky has all the attention he needs. I recently seen a rotterman up for sale online and i really want to buy one. But after my research i came across that a rotterman is not suited for a aprtment life. Would it be a good idea to get a rotterman? Will he be abel to adapt? I have only owned male dogs. Would it be a good idea to own a male pure breed rottweiler (6 months) and a 1 month old rrotterman?

    Reply
  2. I too live in an apartment and own a Rotterman. He is 1yr old,I got him at 8weeks old and he is a wonderful dog! He adapted great being in an apartment. I already had 2 dogs and female boxer and a male schnauzer and they are all buddies! When he was around 7 months old I got a 9week old male pitbull at first i was a lil nervous how my rotterman would react there was no need for worry. They are truly best of friends! They are always together! Rottermans are great with other dogs. With your Rottweiler being just a pup there will be no issues at all. Itd would actually be good for him to have a playmate

    Reply
  3. Rotterman’s are wonderful dogs. My girlfriend and I adopted a Rotterman puppy which was abandoned in the woods near a hotel in Romania. They are loyal, loving and great companions. They will take as much exercise as you want to give them and are willing to calmly lie in bed and watch movies if this is what their owner desires. Our puppy grew up with cats and while she loves chasing them for play outdoors, once indoors, she and the cat sleep, groom and cuddle each other. Best dog ever!

    Reply
  4. I too own a rotter man I adopted him a while back he was 11 months old and never been trained they are extremely clever dogs took him a week and he had it all he is also amazing around children and dogs my daughter is 19 months old and she lays on him and chases him Round the house all day and he loves it definitely very loyal and protective

    Reply
  5. I had a rotterman from 4 weeks old ( had k9 teeth already mother wouldn’t feed him any longer) til he was 6 months ( LOKI ) then he was stolen !! He was the perpact dog very obedient very loving just the best dog I can never have very good looking too. I’m in search of another as close as I can get to My Loki , I just wanted to say if your looking for a very well manered behaved, loyal trust worthy dog this is the one, what I wouknd give to have my Loki back , he would be 6 this year he was born on Valentines day of 2010 , stop thinking about this mix breed and just get one for yourself you won’t regret it !!
    Kelly Davis of Colorado U.S.A.

    Reply
  6. I had a rotterman from 4 weeks old ( had k9 teeth already mother wouldn’t feed him any longer) til he was 6 months ( LOKI ) then he was stolen !! He was the perpact dog very obedient very loving just the best dog I can never have very good looking too. I’m in search of another as close as I can get to My Loki , I just wanted to say if your looking for a very well manered behaved, loyal trust worthy dog this is the one, what I wouknd give to have my Loki back , he would be 6 this year he was born on Valentines day of 2010 , stop thinking about this mix breed and just get one for yourself you won’t regret it !!
    Kelly Davis of Colorado U.S.A.
    Oh p.s. he was 98 pounds at his six month check up at the vets , yes he was quite large 🙂

    Reply
  7. my name is crystal my boyfriend and i also got a rotterman she is so lovable unfortunately she was a kenal dog and because of that she constantly goes to the bathroom in the apartment. I take her for lots of walks but doesnt go to the bathroom while outside. What do i do to get her to not go in the apartment. Very annoying but my boyfriend and myself couldn’t have picked a better dog. I can’t have kids so i treat her as my daughter. How long do Rottermans live for? We live in Ottawa

    Reply
  8. Hello! My girlfriend and I adopted a Rotterman yesterday. He’s 1 month old. The first few hours he was very shy and he was not moving from the place where we would put him. A few hours later he got very active and not shy at all. The thing that we are trying to deal with is that he wants in the bed when we go to sleep. If we don’t pick him up he will cry and cry. What should we do about that? We made him a nice comfy bed right next to our bed, but he’s not even look at. Once we pick him up he will start chewing the blankets and everything that he caught. Also when hes down on the floor he chews absolutely everything. What’s the easiest way to deal with him, now as a puppy? Thank you! And I’m sorry for my broken english.

    Reply
  9. Hello – we just lost our rottetman mollie to cancer last week . What we all wouldn’t do to spend just one more day with her. She is greatly missed !
    Mollie had the best temperment of any dog I have ever personally known and was a very behaving dog . She took everyone under her wing ; puppies , children elderly folks etc.
    Mollie should have been a therapy dog becouse she was loving and knew exactly how to make everything ok . Rottermans are a mixed breed and hard to come by. Our mollie was a rescue, so FYI if you are lucky enough to be blessed with this type of dog , cherish them they will truly be your best friend !

    Reply
  10. We have a 9 month old Rotterman named Scout. He is ACK puppy kindergarten trained, socialized with people and other dogs, house broken, fixed, crate trained and walks on a leash well. He is sweet and loveable. However, we have our plate full. My husband is in the military and is gone a lot so I’m the primary caretaker. If I didn’t have a three year old toddler, a one year old baby, a twelve year old tween and another dog, I wouldn’t consider rehoming him. But it’s simply too much and he deserves more attention. Although he is pretty independent and does well alone for extended periods of time, like a full day at work, he loves being part of the pack.
    Are you, or anyone you know, interested in taking in this gorgeous dog? I couldn’t bare the thought of this dog going anywhere other than a loving home.

    Reply
  11. I have a 5 month old Rotterman, his name is Rocky, he is super intelligent, easy to train. sometimes i wonder is he really a dog? he is a real guard dog, despite being only 5 months old.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Dave Cancel reply

Spock The Dog