A Shepweiler is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler.
This mix is created by breeding two of the world’s most popular dog breeds to create an athletic, intelligent and loyal dog.
The German Shepherd Rottweiler mix can weigh up to 100lbs, so it’s a cross breed more suited to an experienced dog owner.
While they’re usually called a Shepweiler, they go by other names such as Rottweiler Shepherd, Rotten Shepherd, Rottie Shepherd and Shottie.
Shepweilers will usually have a black, brown, and white or tan coat but you can also find some Shotties with a sable, red or fawn coat.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at Shepweiler Pros and Cons, examining some of the positives and negatives associated with the cross breed.
We’ll hear from Bethmariz who will share her experience owning a Shepweiler called Kirara (@shepweiler.kirara) and Claire will also shed light on life living with her Shepweiler called Bella (@bella_the_shepweiler).
Shepweiler Pros
Active
Kirara the Shepweiler (Photo: shepweiler.kirara / Instagram)
Shepweilers are very energetic. They like to play outside and bask in the sun as well as run from side to side, be it inside the house or on the yard.
Eager To Please
This cross breed is eager to please you. They’re always smiling when they know they did something right and are about to receive a treat or lots of belly rubs.
Coats Don’t Need Trimming
Shepweilers don’t need to go a professional groomer to be trimmed, in fact it’s a no-no, which is one less hassle and one less thing to pay for!
Intelligent
You won’t be surprised to learn the German Shepherd Rottweiler cross is a smart mix. They learn fast – not only commands but also habits and routines.
Great Guard Dogs
Bella the Shepweiler (Photo: bella_the_shepweiler / Instagram)
They are natural protectors with the best scary bark ever! If they hear or sense something suspicious, they go from fast asleep to all guns blazing in seconds. And if anything or anyone startles you, or approaches you, your Shepweiler will appear at your side and warn them off.
Loving And Loyal
Shepweilers are loving and loyal – they love to great people and other dogs. They stand behind, beside, and in front of you all the time. They need to keep you in their line of sight.
Confident With Other Dogs
No need to worry about bigger dogs intimidating them, Shepweilers are pretty much fearless unless a bad experience has given them cause not to be. They love to play with all other dog breeds and breed-mixes.
Low Maintenance
Kirara the Shepweiler (Photo: shepweiler.kirara / Instagram)
They’re not high maintenance – as long as you brush their hair daily, their coat repels everything and they don’t stink. A shower or trip to the groomers once or twice a month will do, unless your doggo like to play in the mud, go hiking, or goes on a trip to the beach.
Affectionate At Home
They are the most loving and loyal companions you could hope to share your home with. This cross-breed will complete your family and melt your heart. They love tummy tickles and snuggling up.
Shepweiler Cons
Require Supervision
They’re very curious – especially at a puppy stage and they have to be on constant surveillance. You need to keep an eye on a Shepweiler to ensure they avoid trouble.
Impulsive
Bella the Shepweiler (Photo: bella_the_shepweiler / Instagram)
Shepweilers can lunge, bark and try and give chase to perceived prey such as foxes, cats and squirrels when you are walking them on the lead. Early and consistent training will help but their muscle and weight can mean it is challenging as they grow. Double-ended lead on a harness is good.
Need Lots Of Exercise
Shepweilers are very energetic. I know I said this was a positive, but they need a lot of space to release energy or lots of exercise to do so or your furniture will suffer. It’s important to provide a Shepweiler with lots of exercise.
Shedding
Shepweilers moult about twice a year with the season change which gives rise to drifts of fluff in the house. They also shed a bit all the time. You will need to brush them every couple of days and keep your hoover at the ready!
Tough Grip
Kirara the Shepweiler (Photo: shepweiler.kirara / Instagram)
German Shepherds and Rottweilers have perhaps the toughest bites of all dogs in the world. That’s why they can make an excellent choice for army and police dogs. In day-to-day life, you’ll need to be careful. They’ve have a hard grip – their sharp teeth can accidentally scratch your hand while playing.
Can Be Boisterous
Shepweilers love to run up and play with other dogs but you will need to keep an eye on their excitement and arousal levels. If they run around for too long with energetic dogs, the play can become a bit rough. It’s good to do socialise your Shepweiler with other dogs from the start, including going to classes, and it helps to identify ideal playmates with likeminded owners who keep things balanced.
Delicate Digestion
Shepweilers can have a sensitive stomach – which can be a serious problem when they are puppies because they pick up anything and everything from the ground.
Shepweilers can be sensitive to fatty food such as cheese and sausage. Once you identify these, you will avoid the dreaded runs hopefully. They do love rewards for training so fish or chicken based treats are ideal.
Sheer Size
Shepweilers are big – which is only a con if you live in a small place. They need regular exercise and lots of space to stretch their legs. Shepweilers are expensive with respects to their day-to-day needs. They eat a low, require bigger crates and lots of toys to satisfy their drive to chew.
Can Be Over-protective
Bella the Shepweiler (Photo: bella_the_shepweiler / Instagram)
Your Shepweiler bodyguard may not be able to tell the difference between the postman and a burglar and see the waiter in the dog-friendly pub as a massive threat when they stride towards you with the menu. You will have to put the effort in to show them that these people aren’t threats or avoid taking them to the pub! They can also run over and butt away other dogs that may come over to you for a stroke.
Shepweiler: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Shepweilers good guard dogs?
Kirara the Shepweiler (Photo: shepweiler.kirara / Instagram)
Kirara is still just a 4 month old puppy, but she seldom barks. She only does it when she sees something or someone from afar and in poor visibility (like at night).
She once barked at a man running in my direction with a hoodie, which I thought was adorable.
So based on this, my answer is yes: they will be a good guard dog.
Is German Shepherd and Rottweiler a good mix?
I think it is. Knowing both breeds come from a line of work and are intelligent, that just enhances their potential.
How smart is a Shepweiler?
Very smart. Mine, Kirara, just turned 4 months old this 14th of December and she goes potty (and #2) outside, knows when is my time to leave for work and she stays calm, follows commands like sit, come, stay, down, and place. She recognizes the toys I call for and looks for them.
They are smart, but I notice that diligence and routine enhances the learning process; Shepweiler are routine dogs.
Important Things Shepweiler owners should know
Navigating other dogs
Bella the Shepweiler (Photo: bella_the_shepweiler / Instagram)
Bella (@bella_the_shepweiler):
There are a lot of people with smaller cross-breed dogs, most are well behaved but some people let their pups run around off lead, barking at dogs on lead or jumping up at people. Nobody seems to mind as they are small and cute. When you have a Shepweiler, you need to spot the potential for your dog to be approached like this and try and avoid the situation. Any growling from your dog may be met with negative comments or questions about the breed.
If you have your Shepweiler on the lead in the park, you will experience off-lead dogs running up and then running away which often makes your dog want to chase. You can end up with pulled muscles and worse holding them back because they are very strong and quite heavy. This is worse at the puppy stage and a two-ended lead clipped on the top and front of the harness helps.
The Shepweiler’s happy place is offlead running and walking with you, for example in a bigger park or at the beach. If you work continuously on recall with super treats, you will be able to share fantastic walks and holidays with your amazing Shepweiler. Best. Dog. Ever.
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