Mixed breed dogs have won the hearts of many people all over the world. They are here to stay. Some of them believe that they are healthier than pure breed dogs. One of the best things about cross breed dogs is that they are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. But they have their downfalls as well.
What makes a pet good depends a lot on its relationship with its owner. A mixed breed is just a lottery. Sometimes you will win great and sometimes you will land up in a mess.
The latest mix to hit the trend is a Rottweiler and Labrador mix. Rottweilers are one of the top ten favorite pets whereas Labrador without any doubt is the first in the spot always. This mix is known by many names like Labrottie, Rottwador, Rottadors, Labweilers, Rotten Labs, etc. This hybrid dog is recognized by the Dog Registry of America but not the American Kennel Club
The breeders wanted to mix the Rottweiler and Labrador breeds to minimize health problems. This was because purebreds are affected more with health issues. The breeders wanted to create an ultimate family pet and watchdog. Thus, they continued to create this mix as demand increased for mixed breed pups.
Origin of Rottweiler Labrador Mix
The Rottweiler Labrador Mix is a recent hybrid that first appeared in the US in the 1990s so they do not have as much history as their parents. Yet it is necessary that we understand the history of the parents Rottweiler and Labrador to understand their mix well.
Labrador Origin
Labradors originated from Newfoundland, Canada where they helped the fishermen to retrieve their trawls. This dog got its name from the Labrador province of Newfoundland. They arrived in Britain in the 1820s where they became popular as hunters too.
They are excellent swimmers and retrievers. The ability to hold their prey lightly in their mouth without damaging it is one of their best abilities.
The Labrador is exceptionally loyal and affectionate. They are very good at doing what it was told to do. In the early 1800s, they were brought to the United Kingdom.
Rottweiler Origin
The Rottweiler has a glorious history in Europe where it was celebratory. It is believed that Rottweilers were a result of crossing a German Shepherd and a Mastiff. It was used to drive the cattle away from the advancing Roman legions.
This breed was later and is still being used to pull farm carts and to hunt wild animals. They have a natural instinct to protect their family. Later, this breed was used for police, guarding, and military works during the first World War.
Rottweiler and Labrador Mix Origin
It is believed that this mix existed naturally over the years. But breeders started intentionally mixing the Rottweiler and Labrador in North America in the 1990s. Even though this breed started off as a designer dog, some of them have ended up in shelter homes or rescue groups.
As this hybrid dog is a mix between a purebred Rottweiler and Labrador, the American Kennel Club does not recognize them. This means no official breed standards or pedigree papers have been set for this mixed breed.
Appearance and Size of Rottweiler and Labrador Mix Dogs
The Rottadors are a relatively new mixed breed and nothing much can be said about its size. This hybrid dog can be as small as a Labrador at 24 inches or can reach the size of a Rottweiler at 27 inches. Take this into consideration when you are going in for this mixed breed puppy. You will not know how big they will grow up until around they are of two years of age.
Most of them weigh 70 to 115 pounds and their height would be 24 to 27 inches from the shoulder. Both the parent’s Rottweiler and Labrador have short coats. So, their mix will also end up having the same length coat. Their coat colors come in black, chocolate brown, and grey. They also have the trademark tan of the Rottweiler – the black and tan pattern.
Labradors shed quite vigorously, so at certain times in the year, your mixed breed would also need some brushing. Labradors have a double coat to protect them from the harsh winter. Rottweiler is a little bigger and sheds less. So, there is no surety on your mixed breed as to whose coat qualities they will inherit.
Rottweiler Labrador mix will have short hair with floppy ears. More often, they would have the face of the Labrador and the muscular body of the Rottweiler. Just like the Labrador, this mixed dog will have a slim jaw and an elongated muzzle.
Personality and Temperament of Rottweiler and Labrador Mix Dogs
The parents of this mixed breed have different personalities so it would not be easy to predict what the mix will behave when fully grown. These dogs are very playful and love to play the game of fetch. Like Labradors, they have boundless amounts of energy and will keep you busy.
Depending on how much of the temperament of Rottweiler this mixed dog will take on, you will have a very protective guard dog. These hybrids are not typically aggressive but still, caution is needed when letting him interact with strangers. If he is given proper socialization when young, then they will be very welcoming to strangers.
Rottadors are protective in nature and they will alert you immediately when strangers approach. Sometimes they behave aloof with people they are not familiar with. But however, once they befriend you, he will be a friend for life.
This mixed breed comes from a line of two working parents. Their parents regularly work as police or guard dogs or for cattle herding. They make a wonderful companion. All of you have to do is make sure that you have a lot of time and attention to devote to them. The Rottweiler Labrador mix is highly trainable and blossoms well on positive reinforcement.
One thing is for sure, they just love to be with their family. These loveable hybrid rogues are attention seekers and want all the love and attention of their owners. So, they will follow you all over the house and are the happiest when they are by your side. Do not leave them alone in the house for a long time. They get easily bored, depressed, and frustrated. Because of this character, they are prone to anxiety problems and will develop unwanted behaviors.
Food and Diet of Rottweiler and Labrador Mix Dogs
The Rottadors are predisposed to obesity so a lot of control must go into their food and diet requirements. Being a large breed it is best if you opt for multiple small meals rather than one big meal.
There is a lot of dry dog feeds formulated for large dogs that are full of vitamins and nutrients to meet their needs. Choose the best as it will have plenty of natural ingredients and will mainly consist of animal-based proteins.
For a Rottweiler Labrador mix, three meals a day is sufficient :
- 8AM – Breakfast
- 1PM – Lunch
- 6PM – Dinner
This hybrid dog has a tendency to put on weight if they are overfed. Hence it is necessary that you follow a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day. Even they are given treats, ensure that it is within limits.
Just like other dogs, Rottador’s food habits will change from puppyhood to adulthood. Consult your vet for recommendations about your pet’s diet as there are far too many variations among individual dogs.
Exercise Requirements of Rottweiler Labrador Mix
All dogs require a decent amount of exercise to keep them in shape. This is especially true for physically capable breeds like the Rottweiler and Labrador mix. Both the Labrador and Rottweiler are high energy athletic breeds, so your mix will be the same.
The Labrottie may appear like a bulky dog but they are full of energy and require a lot of exercises. It is best if you could give your dog about sixty minutes of exercise per day. Slowly over the course of a week, they would walk around twelve miles.
Hiking or swimming are also great ways to tire out your Labrottie physically. So do try to have the time to take them for an extra hard hike at least once a week. Also, dog sports such as agility and rally would do good for your Rottweiler Labrador mix.
They require a lot of space to run around which will be very good for them. Lack of exercise and a poor diet will, unfortunately, be deadly for them. Because dogs that do not exercise enough and eat too much invariably put on lots of weight. Obesity in dogs, just as in humans, leads to diabetes and other health issues.
The Rottadors are both active and strong dogs. You will need to put in some extra effort for their walking and running on a regular basis. They have strong jaws, so a game of tug-of-war will always do good for them.
Once he has been socialized well, then letting your Labrottie off the leash in open areas would do great well for them to burn off some energy. Anything which works for your dog’s body is good. These dogs become destructive if they do not receive the proper amount of physical stimulation.
Training your Rottweiler Labrador Mix
The Rottweiler Labrador mix has innate guard dog tendencies. Hence it is extremely important that they are trained well. The Rottweiler and the Labrador are both eager to please and highly intelligent breeds. This means their mix will also get these excellent qualities too.
This dog responds best to positive reinforcement and does well with repetition. But however, the repetitions should be kept short. Do about five to seven repeated exercises before you move into the next.
Some dogs need a lot of mental stimulation but this dog does not need so. They however need a lot of physical stimulation. They love games of fetching or tugging.
Its protective instincts can sometimes turn them aggressive towards unknown humans or animals. Socialization for the Rottweiler Labrador mix should be started in the early stages of development. They should be introduced to a lot of people of all ages and other dogs. This will teach them that all humans and animals are not a threat.
The Rottadors are high maintenance dogs, so if you are done with the cajoling provide them with a toy or a puzzle. This will keep them busy and avoid destructive behaviors like chewing and digging. They require obedience training from the first day. This is required to make sure that you can keep control of them as they grow bigger and stronger.
Socialization of your Rottweiler Labrador Mix Dog
The idea of using traditional training techniques with your pet may be a daunting task for some of you. You do not want to be in any physical contest with your dog who is much stronger than you. So the first step is always learning to socialize.
Introduce your dot to lots of other animals and humans from a very young age. This will help to desensitize them to strangers. Make them accept people coming and going in the home as normal. Hence it would be nice if you have new visitors every day and that a large portion of these visitors is young people.
The reason for starting to socialize right at the start is because all puppies have a time period of absolute confidence when they are very young. Generally, in the wild, they do not have to fear as they are under the protection of their family.
Therefore, this is the best time to put them into all sorts of new situations. Take full advantage of your fearless pup because this attitude will not last forever.
How Does the Rottweiler and Labrador Mix Get Along with Children and Other Pets
The Rottadors are typically like children, especially if they are raised with them. They are best suited for homes with older children who understand how to interact with dogs. When around with young children then they should be supervised. This is because they are so big and strong that they have the tendency to lean and push your child accidentally.
Always teach your children how to approach and touch dogs. Supervise any interactions between them to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling. Let your child know never to approach any dog while they are sleeping or eating. They should be taught never to take away the dog’s food.
Generally, the Rottadors get along well when raised with other dogs and cats. They may have issues with strange or adult dogs that are introduced into the house. While you are training your dog guide them on how to accept new animals peaceably. Keep your pet on the leash in public to avoid aggression towards other dogs. The Rottadors are not the best pet off-leash for visiting dog parks if they are not trained properly.
Health and Care of Rottweiler Labrador Mix
The Rottweiler Labrador mix is predisposed to some health conditions that its parents also face. While most of them are generally healthy, some of them are prone to a few health issues. Hence it is important to maintain good care and regular health checkups.
The Rottadors have high energy levels but are prone to weight gain. So make sure your dog gets its regular dose of exercises. Check their ears for waste and pests daily. Clean their ears as recommended by your vet. Trim your pet’s nails usually once or twice per month.
The main concern in your Rottador’s care will be their oral health. You should brush their teeth daily or at least a minimum thrice a week. Your vet will guide you on how to brush your dog’s teeth properly.
Mixed Dogs can suffer from genetic disorders. Although in some cases, they are said to healthier it does not remove the risk of inheriting these diseases. These dogs can carry genetic diseases from either of their parents.
The Labradors and Rottweilers suffer from hip dysplasia. One of the nasty complications of hip dysplasia is a degenerative joint disorder. Hence this hybrid dog has all the chances to suffer from this disease.
Another health issue that could be inherited is exercise-induced collapse. This is a common concern among Labradors. The Rottadors could also inherit this because being high energy level dogs require a lot of exercise. Some other common diseases which Rottadors suffer are Elbow dysplasia, Neuroaxonal dystrophy, Gastric Torsion, etc.
Although he is less likely to suffer from any of these diseases when compared to a purebred dog, the risk is not removed. It is advisable to follow good breed practice of health testing your pet regularly.
Pros and Cons of having a Rottweiler Labrador Mix
The Rottweiler Labrador mix is a rewarding dog for any active and involved owner. If raised well, then you will have a very capable and energetic dog. He will be a part of all family activities, a loyal pet, and a protector.
But if proper care and handling are not given to them then you may end up with a dog who is bored, disobedient, and destructive. Just like all dogs, there are some of the Pros and Cons of owning a Labrottie.
Pros
- A Great exercise pal
- Low maintenance in grooming
- Generally healthy
- Eager to please the household
- Calm and loyal
- Can be trained as a guard dog
- Rarely barks
Cons
- Not hypoallergenic
- Large size and hence not ideal for small homes or apartments
- Sometimes naturally aggressive and territorial towards strangers and other dogs
- Requires at least one hour of daily outdoor activity
Conclusion
The Rottweiler and Labrador mix in a nutshell are fun, energetic, and have lots of stamina. If you love long walks then they will make the perfect companion. Their protective instincts make them fiercely loyal to their owners.
If you are comfortable with this sort of dog then the Rottweiler Labrador mix is a perfect choice! They are incredibly affectionate, devoted, and intelligent creatures. They will follow you all over the house which is actually super cute!
Give yourself plenty of time to decide about which puppy you would like to take home. Before you bring your puppy home make sure his vaccination and deworming treatments are up to date. Research and find out all about the parents of the mixed breed, their temperament, and health. If you are ready after all this then you have the best chance of raising a happy and confident Labrottie!
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