Designer dogs are increasingly becoming more popular among pet-owners in general and dog-lovers in particular. Also called hybrids or mix breeds, they often come with the desired attributes of both the parent-breeds. And one such designer dog that’s gradually becoming more visible is the Rottle (Rottweiler Poodle Mix).
The Rottle is not recognized as a legitimate breed by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club. However, it’s still loved and adored by many owners across the world. You may come across other nicknames that include Rottie Poo, Rottie Poodle, or Rottie Doodle. But for the sake of consistency, we’ll mostly use ‘Rottle,’ since it’s the preferred name used by the American Canine Hybrid Club.
So, what makes this cross-breed stand out? Does the Rottle come with special needs? Does it have the Rottweiler’s appetite and aggression? Or will it have the Poodle’s affectionate and charming nature? These and several other questions come up when you come across this new mix breed.
Fortunately, we’ve created this comprehensive guide that will keep you informed on everything you need to know about the Rottweiler Poodle mix.
Background and History of the Rottle
The general consensus is that the Rottle or Rottie Poo first appeared around the 70s and 80s in Germany. In fact, the first Rottles may have been bred by accident because of natural cross-breeding.
While the precise nature of origin is debatable, there’s no doubt that the breed has been around for a few decades now. So, a more rational way of understanding the Rottle’s beginnings is to get to know the parent breeds.
The Rottweiler and the Poodle as Parent-breeds
The Rottweiler is a classic guard dog that can trace its origins back to the Roman drover dogs used in Germania (Today’s Germany). With muscular shoulders and hind legs, the Rottweiler cuts an intimidating and imposing figure. But behind this tough exterior is the playful silliness that the owners know and love.
For centuries, the Rottweiler was a guarding and herding dog with superior resilience and endurance. As modern means of transportation developed, Rottweilers found new roles in the military and law enforcement thanks to their superior physique.
Poodles were initially bred as retrieving dogs. They were especially adept at recovering game from ponds, lakes, and other water bodies. They are incredibly smart and affectionate. And thanks to erstwhile royalty and modern celebrities, Poodles, today, are a class of their own.
Both the Rottweiler and Poodle appear in Stanley Coren’s list of the brightest dogs. Stanley Coren is a professor and expert in canine psychology).
Rottweiler and Poodle Mix: The Appearance
Rottle’s Size and Weight
One of the most unpredictable things in breeding Rottles is their size. It’s difficult to know for sure before birth because of the variation in the sizes of the two parent-breeds.
Male Rottweilers can grow up to 27 inches (over two feet) in height and weigh well over 100 pounds. Female Rottweilers can weigh just below 100 pounds and grow up to 25 inches.
On the other hand, male Poodles can weigh about 70 pounds while females can range around 50 pounds. Their height can turn out between 15 – 24 inches.
So, their offspring (Rottles) can turn out anywhere between 15 inches to 27 inches. Their weight also ranges from 50 pounds to 120 pounds. Most Rottie Poos will typically grow a bit over 20 inches and weigh slightly less than 100 pounds. Of course, there are Rottle puppies that grow beyond or under this common size. The two parents’ size and weight will determine how it turns out.
Rottle’s Coat
The Rottweiler usually comes with a medium-length coat that’s dense and coarse. They also normally have an undercoat around the back limbs and neck. So, they tend to shed much more during fall and spring. They’ll still shed moderately during other seasons too.
The Poodle’s dense coat does not shed as much as the other breeds. It’s also the reason why they’re considered to be hypoallergenic. So, many breeders hope that their Rottle will also be hypoallergenic.
The one thing that’s consistent with Rottle’s coats is that it will have dense fur that’s curly or wavy. However, they shed much less than the parent-Rotweiller. It’s important to remember here that dog allergies come from proteins in the saliva or dander, not the fur. So, consult with a professional first because no breed is 100% hypoallergenic.
Rottle’s Color
The Rottle can develop a variety of colors depending on its genes. Since Rottweilers are generally black, your Rottie Poo may have brown or black fur. But Poodles have lighter colors. So, your Rottle can just as well have white, gray, or reddish fur or even a combination of two colors.
Rottweiler Poodle mix: Behavior and Personality
Personality
The Rottweiler Poodle mix can have a distinct personality that can confuse a lot of people. With the owners, the Rottle is incredibly affectionate and playful, while with strangers, they can be alert and reserved. These qualities make them an excellent choice for both guarding and companionship.
If your Rottle gets more of the Rottweiler’s herding instinct, it may chase any local wildlife nearby. Also, with young children, Rottle’s can accidentally push or shove them because of their enthusiasm. But these behaviors can easily be fixed with the right training.
Behavior
Your Rottie Poo’s behavior and demeanor depend a lot on its training. Thanks to its protective instincts, it may distrust unfamiliar people. The bright side of this behavior is that it’s a great watchdog for your home.
Rottles can easily adapt to living with a single owner or small family. But it enjoys the most when there’s a big family around. So, it’s important to help them socialize with fellow pets and family members.
If it inherits the Rottweiler’s aggression, you may have to take more care in training and discipline. But with the Poodle’s calmness and affection, it’s bound to be a great companion. However, for first-time owners, this unique combination of traits may be a bit overwhelming.
Training Your Rottle
As with any other breed, the key to training your Rottle well is to start early. Both the Rottweiler and the Poodle consistently feature among the smartest breeds. So, their offspring being intelligent comes as no surprise.
Thanks to their brightness, a Rottweiler Poodle mix is easy to teach, discipline, and train. Your Rottie Poo may also have a streak of stubbornness. But training them from a young age will fix these issues. So, your Rottle puppy should get maximum interaction and training from an early age.
Make use of positive reinforcement methods like treats, pats, and encouraging tones while training. It works well with Rottles because they’re eager to please if you treat them correctly.
Without the right training, Rottles can easily develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. These behaviors include being over-protective of the family or undue aggression against other pets. So, start early and keep your instructions consistent so that it’s easier for them to pick up and recognize commands.
Rottle’s Exercise Needs
Regular exercise is a must for your Rottle to stay happy and healthy. While Rottweilers are known for their physique and athleticism, Poodles are also surprisingly agile and swift. So, activities like walking, hiking, or working with their owners are all-time favorites for Rottles.
Rottles can often enjoy cuddling and lazying around. But their primary instinct is to be active. So, regular exercise is not just good for their body but also important for a healthy mind.
Your Rottle will need at least an hour’s worth of physical activity every day. But you can always balance and distribute the hours over the week, depending on your schedule.
Rottle Food and Diet
Proper pet food is one of the most crucial bits of keeping your Rottle healthy. Whether it’s store-bought or prepared at home, your Rottle needs all the nutrition it can get.
Depending on your Rottle’s size and activity, you’ll need to provide both quality and quantity pet food. Poodles can often have issues with digestion, while Rottweilers have the tendency to overeat and become obese. So, go for high-quality food or kibble that is low in additives and artificial ingredients. This will encourage better digestion.
Also, try to avoid kibble that has a lot of fillers so that your Rottle does not overeat. Furthermore, a good practice is to feed your Rottle several times a day in moderate amounts. This way, you don’t leave food out in the open for your dog to scavenge through.
Rottle Health and Life Expectancy
Your Rottweiler Poodle mix will typically have a life expectancy of about 9 – 15 years. Of course, it depends on the nature of the exercise, food, and nurturing that the owner provides. So, it’s important to remember the other points on the diet, exercise, and training, when you consider your Rottle’s health.
Rottles can also have health risks that are inherited or developed over time. The argument on whether purebreds or mix-breeds are healthier continues. Some studies even suggest that pure breeds may be more prone to many conditions. But any breed, whether pure or mixed, can have bigger risks for specific conditions.
Some common concerns for Rottles include Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Mitral Valve Dysplasia, Patellar Luxation, Gastric Dilation Volvulus, and Subaortic Stenosis. This doesn’t mean that your Rottweiler Poodle mix is bound to develop one of these conditions. However, it’s still advisable to maintain a healthy lifestyle and make regular visits to the vet.
Grooming and caring for a Rottweiler Poodle Mix
The great thing about Rottles is that they don’t have complicated grooming needs. Now, you may think that the Poodle’s genes may make the Rottle require a lot of grooming. But that’s not true. Thanks to their low drooling and hybrid coat, Rottles are essentially low-maintenance pets.
The only major grooming need is that they’ll need regular brushing. This will help avoid matting and tangling of fur. Another good way to manage this problem is by trimming your Rottle’s fur to a short-medium length.
You can also take your Rottweiler Poodle mix to a professional grooming service. It’s not mandatory, but you can save yourself some brushing trouble, and your dog will also look much better.
Get a mild dog shampoo that can clean your Rottle’s fur without causing irritation. Bathing your dog once in a few weeks is a good way of avoiding unnecessary grooming later on. Also, you can use a soft clipper to trim your Rottle’s toenails for better hygiene and comfort.
Ethical Breeding of the Rottweiler Poodle Mix
When you want to buy or adopt a hybrid puppy from two purebreds, it’s vital to have access to the right breeders. There are several ways to spot a bad breeder. So, it’s not all that difficult to ensure that your puppy comes from a reliable breeder.
- All the animals at the breeder’s premises should either be pets or working dogs, not commercial assets. You can tell from the living conditions and behavior of the dogs.
- Before the breeding takes place, both the Poodle and the Rottweiler should be tested for health complications. Common tests for these breeds include Hip Dysplasia, Cardiac issues, vision problems, etc. It’s generally recommended that the breeder’s test results be registered to a reliable organization like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
- The parent-breeds should be at least two years of age and in good reproductive health. The breeder should ensure that both parents are in the best condition for a healthy conception.
- There are also practical issues to consider. Ideally, the Rottweiler should be the female. Female Poodles can have birth complications because of the two breeds’ differences in size.
- You should be able to see and meet the female and any other puppies from the same litter. This way, you can verify the mental and physical health of your puppy’s family.
Ethical breeding practices take more time and energy compared to backyard breeders. But it must be supported and encouraged because it affects the well-being of both the puppy and the owner later down the line.
Final Note
The Rottweiler Poodle mix is truly a guard and companion for any family.
With the calm charm of the Poodle and the confidence of a Rottweiler, your Rottle brings the best qualities of two of the most desirable purebreds in the world. Just make sure you start training early and maintain a healthy lifestyle for the sake of both the dog and the owner.
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