Rottweiler Labrador Retriever Mix: Labrottie Breed Information

Last Updated on September 20, 2023

Quick Summary: The Rottweiler Labrador mix is also called a Rottador, Labrottie, Labweiller, Rottwador, and Rott ‘n Lab. Labradors and Rottweilers are both active breeds, so their offspring also get this trait. Because the Rottweiler Lab Mix is not a purebred, the features they inherit from their parent breeds are random. Both parent breeds have similar coats, so it is easy to predict the appearance of this breed’s coat. They require minimal grooming as both parent breeds have dense, short coats. Both breeds, particularly the Labs, are known to be averse to eating. So if they don’t get enough exercise, many Labrador Rottweiler mixes will likely become obese. As long as you keep them healthy, they can live anywhere from 9 to 12 years.

Thinking about adopting a Rottweiler Lab mix? They are often compared with one another, so it makes sense that they would make an exceptional mix. This mix is delightfully unpredictable and unlike any other breed. It produces puppies with a variety of personalities and looks.

Regardless of their individual traits, Labrador Rottweiler mixes are loyal and protective. They’re also family-friendly. But they are energetic and social dogs, so they may not be the right choice for new owners.

Before you adopt a Labrottie, it is important to understand their fit in your home. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to understand about this adorable and affectionate breed. It includes their temperament, exercise requirements, nutrition requirements, and other details. Meet the Rottweiler Labrador Retriever Mix!

Understanding the Parent Breeds

This mixed breed is like an assortment of chocolates. You never know what you might get! You will know how each parent’s traits combine with most mixed breeds, but the Labrottie/Rottador is a different breed. They may have the affectionate personality of a Lab or the loyalty and protectiveness of a Rottweiler.

Their size and appearance may also vary greatly. It’s not uncommon to see a Rottador with the head and body of a Lab but the personality of a Rott.

Perhaps more than any other mixed breed, it is important to be familiar with the characteristics of each parent breed. Your dog will likely inherit many traits from each.

Labrador Retriever: An Overview

Ranked as the most popular dog in the United States by the American Kennel Club, these friendly and exuberant dogs are practically bursting with love and loyalty.

They are medium-sized to large dogs. Males stand around 23 inches high and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, with an average height of about 22 inches and a weight typically between 55 and 70 pounds.

They are easily recognized with a dense, short coat and a tapered tail, also known as the “otter tail.” Their coats can be black, chocolate, or yellow with white markings. Their expressive, intelligent eyes are perhaps their most distinctive feature.

A Lab’s personality is one of their defining characteristics. They are friendly, intelligent, and social dogs. Because they are so close to their family, they make great family dogs.

They are a sporty breed that needs to be active every day. They love to run, chase, and swim. They are active but can gain weight as they get older. Because of their popularity, they also are highly sought after as a parent for many other Labrador mixed breeds.

Rottweiler: An Overview

Rotties, as they’re often affectionately called, are another popular breed, ranking eighth on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular breeds. Rottweilers are about the same height as Labradors but a little heavier. The males stand about 24 to 27 inches tall, with a weight range between 95 and 135 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, standing about 22 to 25 inches high and weighing around 80 to 100 pounds. They are strong, muscular dogs with friendly faces. Their coats are short and black.

Originally bred to herd livestock and pull carts, Rotties project self-confidence, and even aloofness. They are often considered tough dogs, but they can be silly and fun around their families. They will often jump into your lap and snuggle up to you. They are loyal and protective, making them great household protectors. They need to be trained early to control their protective instincts.

The breed is athletic and active, so they need to exercise. Many Rotties enjoy swimming and walking, in addition to taking walks.

This breed isn’t easy to train. These strong dogs need to be taught lessons to learn good behavior and socialization. They love being with their family and won’t do well if left alone. They look similar to other dogs in the same family when compared to them, like the Doberman. Rotties also make great parents for other Rottie mixes.

The Rottador/Labrottie

Because the Rottweiler Lab Mix is not a purebred, the physical traits it inherits from the outside world are random. You cannot predict what a Labrottie’s appearance will be until it is born. As you move into the world of designer breeds, it will be difficult to predict what they will look like. However, a dog can often take more traits from either parent than the other.

Some dogs that look similar will make them harder to tell apart, like when the labrador is crossed with an English Mastiff or when the lab is mixed with a Great Dane. You’ll also see some pups also just look like mutts.

Both Labradors and Rottweilers make great companions. What is the Labrador Rottweiler mix like as a pet? Each parent’s personality and appearance will be important as the offspring can mix and match in many different ways. Here are their key traits:

Size and Appearance

They will have a body that is similar to a Rottweiler, with a head closer to the size of a Retriever. They are usually very muscular. Many can be mistaken for Rottweilers from a distance, especially if they have black coats. Up close, however, their Lab ancestry is evident by their small faces, long muzzles, and floppy ears.

These dogs are large, regardless of their appearance. Their weight ranges from 70 to over 100 pounds. Weight distribution does vary. You might see them with a sleek, muscular appearance like a Labrador or a Rottweiler.

They are one of the most popular crossbreed dogs. Lab-Rott puppies can grow to the size of large Rottweilers, so if you don’t desire a large dog, Lab-Rott puppies are best avoided.

Coat and Colors

Both parent breeds have similar coats, so it is easy to predict the appearance of this breed’s coat. Their coat is usually shiny and double-layered. Although it will be waterproof, it will not be as strong as a purebred Lab. It can have short, dense hair like a Rottweiler. However, medium-length hair is possible, which is more like a Labrador Retriever. A Rottador’s coat appearance is straight or slightly longer and wavier.

This mixed breed can be comfortable in all weather conditions, including snow, cold, and wet. You can still enjoy your dog’s outdoor adventures, even in the worst weather.

The coloration comes from one parent, but they resemble Rottweilers more often than Retrievers. The two most popular colors are chocolate and black. Gray is rarer than black, and black is less common. A Rottweiler dog can be mistaken for a Rottweiler if it inherits the muscular body and black-and-tan coloring.

Temperament and Personality Traits

Your dog’s personality is likely the most unpredictable element in their breeding. However, this doesn’t mean that your dog’s personality will not be unpredictable. It’s difficult to predict which traits they will display from their parents. Their personality will likely be influenced heavily by their Rottweiler parent. They’ll probably show protective tendencies. They will be loving towards their family but also be wary of strangers.

A dog that is primarily influenced by Lab traits will be more friendly. They will greet their family and friends with a lot of affection. They are also very loyal, which increases their trainability. Although individual lab-rott mixes are different, they will all display the following traits:

• Protectiveness
• Friendliness
• Self-Assuredness
• Easy Socialization

Ideally, your dog should have the best characteristics of both parent breeds. They will be alert to strangers and show strong interest in the family’s safety. They’ll be friendly, social, and eager to play with their family.

Nutritional Requirements

Large dogs will need food that is specially formulated. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. To ensure your dog gets the right amount of food, you must know his exact weight. It is often easier to weigh large dogs at the vet than to hold them in your arms while you are standing on the scale.

Look for foods that contain whole proteins as the main ingredient. Only protein can provide the essential amino acids that your dog requires for healthy skin and muscle development. Avoid meals containing chicken meal as they contain filler ingredients.

You should feed a large-breed pet dog at least two to three meals per day. Smaller meals help prevent bloat. You will normally feed your dog in the morning or evening. However, some dog owners give their dogs lunch.

You will need to wait at least one hour after your dog eats before you allow them to run and play. You’ll need to keep an eye on your dog’s day. They need at least two meals per day and two exercise periods each day. You’ll also want to supplement your dog with Cosequin or other supplements to improve their joint health, as this breed is at higher risk for developing dysplasia.

Grooming Requirements

Rottweiler Labrador mix dogs require minimal grooming. Both parent breeds have dense, short coats. Their coats will stay shiny and healthy by being brushed once per week.

Some Lab parents have passed on a double coat to their Lab mix. Dogs with doubled coats shed more during the summer months than they do the rest of the year. Sometimes, dogs can shed excessively during the summer. However, this is not a common occurrence.

Labrotties tend to be dirtier than other housebound dogs because they spend so much time outside running and playing. Your Labrottie will need to be bathed at least once per month. However, it may be necessary to bathe more frequently, depending on the weather.

Exercise Requirements and Living Conditions

Labradors and Rottweilers are both active breeds. Mixed offspring can make it seem like they have twice the energy. They have a lot of activity requirements. To feel at ease, they will need to exercise for at least an hour each day.

Typically, they’ll need at least a half-hour of exercise in the morning, and another 30 minutes in the evening, although younger adults often benefit from even more time to run and play. They will play in any weather conditions, no matter how bad it may feel, thanks to their weather-resistant, warm coats.

They should walk about 10 miles weekly, which is over a mile each day. They can get very hot due to their thick, warm coats. It’s not a good idea to take your dog out in the sun at midday. You might find that the best time to exercise is in the morning or evening if you live in a warmer area.

Labs and Rotties are well-known for their strong jaw strength and grip. It doesn’t matter what traits your dog has, he will likely enjoy a game of tug o’ war. You should look for ropes that have rubberized ends so your dog and you can grip them comfortably.

Training and Socialization

Training is also important for crossbreed offspring, as discussed earlier with Rottweilers. This mix can become aggressive around strangers if they are not taught how to harness their protective instincts. You will need to train them to resist their natural instinct to chase small animals.

Fortunately, they are intelligent dogs and have an inborn nature to please. They are easy to train. Positive reinforcement is a good way to reward them for performing the desired actions.

You can start training your dog as early as eight weeks. Dogs can learn basic commands such as sit, stay, and other actions. When training a young dog, keep your sessions short, usually no more than 15 minutes at a time. Train them in a calm, familiar place without distractions.

Socialization is a key part of training. They must learn to recognize that not all strangers are dangerous and that not all small animals can be chased. These skills are vital for social development in the early years.

Health and Lifespan

Labrotties have an average lifespan ranging from 9 to 12 years. They are generally healthy, but they can be susceptible to hip and Elbow Dysplasias, obesity, diabetes, and Bloat. Hip dysplasia can be found in Labs as well as Rotties. This means that the risk of developing hip dysplasia is often passed to mixed offspring.

Hip dysplasia is a skeletal condition where the ball of the hip joint grinds against the socket instead of sliding. It can cause mobility impairment and pain, even though it usually starts slowly. Genetics is the most common cause of hip dysplasia, although obesity can also be a factor.

Both parent breeds, but particularly labs, are known to be averse to eating. If they don’t get enough exercise, many Labrador Rottweiler mix dogs are more likely to become obese. Obesity can cause a snowball effect where animals eat less often and exercise less. An obese dog can develop diabetes.

Preventing obesity can be as easy as giving your dog a healthy diet and regular exercise. Avoid giving your dog “people food,” as this can cause them to gain weight quickly.

The Rottador/Labrottie as Family Pets

• The Labrottie is a loyal family protector with a loving, playful personality.
• He requires lots of time spent around people.
• He’s an energetic dog that needs two 30-minute exercise sessions each day.
• He’s intelligent and easy to train using positive reinforcement.
• They’re large, exuberant dogs that don’t always know their own strength.

Breeders and Puppy Prices/Costs

Although prices can vary considerably, expect to pay at least $800 for a Rottador. Prices can easily exceed $1,000 or more. There are some advantages to spending a little more for a puppy raised and trained by a respected designer dog breeder. You will receive a range of certifications, including hip scores and parental health history.

Rescues and Shelters

Rottweiler Labradors can be found in shelters and rescue centers quite easily, especially adult dogs. Many people get these dogs as puppies without understanding their size and activity requirements. You should also look for Rottweiler Labrador rescue groups near you. These dogs will be found in shelters for the same reasons. However, there are specialized rescue organizations that can help them find their right homes.

Conclusion

Is a Rottador/Labrottie the right pet for you? Consider their exercise needs. They will need to be outside at least twice a day, no matter the weather. If you cannot commit to at least an hour per day, they won’t be the best pet.

They also need to be trained. Your Labrottie will run wild and bark at anyone they meet. They are usually very easy to train, especially when they are young.

A Rottweiler Labrador mix is large in size but also large in spirit. They are loyal and loving and make great guard dogs. You won’t find a better friend if you are willing to give them the love and care they require to flourish.