The Rottweiler Lab mix has many nicknames from Labrottie to Rottwador. Whatever people decide to call this dog breed, one thing is for sure, they are a family-orientated loyal dog.
They can come in all shades, shapes and sizes.
Typically this dog has the face and head of a Labrador with the body of a Rottweiler; with big brown beautiful eyes.
As a hybrid mix between a Rottweiler and Labrador, there is no saying what temperament they will have. They could inherit the affectionate and loving side of the Labrador or fierce loyalty from the Rottweiler.
This large dog breed is best suited to an experienced owner, as they need a lot of training and socializing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Is A Rottweiler Lab Mix?
Mixing a Rottweiler and Labrador makes a great match.
These gentle giants are the best of both worlds exhibiting the best traits from each of their parents. They are a mix of friendly, affectionate, energetic, and loyal.
Even though they are classified in the sporting and working dog categories, as both parents are working dogs, the Labrottie is usually used as a companion dog, happy to accompany you on long walks or hikes.
Breed Origin
The Rottweiler Lab Mix is a fairly recent hybrid first appearing in the US in the 1990s, so they don’t have as much history as their purebred parents.
Labrador History
Labradors originate from Newfoundland, where they would accompany fishermen out to work.
They are excellent swimmers, retrievers and still have the ability to hold prey lightly in their mouths without damaging it. Arriving in Britain in the 1820’s they became very popular as retriever dogs for hunters too.
Rottweiler History
It’s thought that Rottweilers were a result of crossing a German Shepherd and a mastiff during the Roman Empire.
They were bred to herd cattle and guard camps, which is why they have a natural instinct to protect their family.
The breed was then used for police, guard and military work during the first World War.
Kennel Club Recognition and Pedigree
As the Labrottie is a cross between a purebred Rottweiler and Labrador; the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize them.
This means there are no official breed standards or pedigree papers.
However, as their parents are purebred you can look into their family tree and pedigree.
The Rottweiler Lab mix is however recognized by a number of other organizations such as:
- International Designer Canine Registry
- American Canine Hybrid Club
- Designer Dogs Kennel Club
- Dog Registry of America
- Designer Breed Registry
| Size | 24 to 27″ to the withers |
| Weight | 70 to 115 pounds |
| Lifespan | 9–12 years |
| Breed Type | Companion |
| Purpose | Mixes and More |
| Suitable For | Active Families and Experienced Handlers |
| Color Variations | Black, Brown, Gray and Black and Tan |
| Temperament | Protective, Loyal, Affectionate, Family-Orientated And Intelligent |
| Daily Exercise | High – At least 80 minutes per day |
| Other Names | Rottwador, Labweiler and Labrottie |
Rottweiler Lab Mix Puppies
As Labrotties are a mix of two large breeds, both males and female puppies will be very large in size; don’t be surprised if when you blink, you notice your dog has grown bigger again.
Your puppy will grow up fast during their first seven months and be fully grown at two years old.
A typical 8-week-old Rottweiler Lab Mix puppy weighs around 15 pounds.
| 3 | 20 | 27 |
| 6 | 42 | 46 |
| 9 | 50 | 65 |
| 12 | 76 | 87 |
A Rottweiler Lab Mix puppy is likely to cost between $300 to $600.
However, their medical expenses can range from $450 to $600 each year too, so whilst purchasing this dog isn’t expensive, paying for their medical bills will be.
These puppies are normally born into large litter sizes (of 6 to 10 puppies).
Once you look into those big beautiful brown eyes, you won’t be able to stop yourself from bringing one home.
If you want to adopt a Rottweiler Lab mix rescue, there are some great organizations that are dedicated to rescuing Rottweiler crosses.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Temperament
Depending how much of the Rottweiler temperament your dog takes on, you could find yourself with a very protective guard dog.
This will make them more likely to be unsure of strangers and bark at them. If they’re not trained or socialized this can turn into unwanted aggression.
On the other extreme, you may find yourself with a dog that has mostly a Labrador temperament.
In which case, you can expect a more friendly and loyal dog. Welcoming your friends and family with what can only be described as a smile and wagging tail.
A mix of both is the best combination, resulting in a fun-loving and affectionate dog with strong levels of loyalty and protectiveness.
Compatibility with Families
How sociable this dog is around children, dogs and pets will largely depend on which parent’s temperament is more dominant.
They can forget how big they are. So make sure a bit of rough and tumble doesn’t get too rough.
Particularly around young children, as young children can get over excited and won’t necessarily know how to behave around large dogs.
So if you have a family with young children you may want to consider a different breed.
The Rottweiler Lab Mix is protective of their household, so won’t be the most welcoming to new pets or dogs. If you bring them into the family as a puppy this will help them get along together.
If you socialized your dog from a young age, your Labrotties can be very affectionate and welcoming to all.
Personality
They will make you fall in love with them with their amusing and clownish behaviors.
These loveable hybrid rogues are somewhat of attention seekers, wanting all the love and attention they can get from their owners.
Labrotties can have an aggressive side to them, inherited from the Rottweiler, but the loving and loyal streak from the Labrador helps to mellow them out.
Rottweiler Lab Mix Size and Appearance
Size
This hybrid can be as small as a Labrador (at 24 inches) but can also reach the size of a Rottweiler at 27 inches.
You should take this into consideration when purchasing a puppy, because you won’t know how big they will get until around two years of age.
Labrotties are classified as a large dog, so they can weigh anywhere from 70lb to 115lb.
Appearance
The beauty of a crossbreed is you never quite know what you are going to get.
In the case of a Rottweiler Lab Mix, we know it is going to be a big dog with short hair and floppy ears.
More often than not, they will have the facial features of a Labrador, and the muscular body of a Rottweiler.
That is not to say your puppy can’t predominantly look like a Labrador or a Rottweiler.
They can also have the trademark black and tan pattern of the Rottweiler too.
At a quick glance, you could mistake this hybrid for a purebred Rottweiler. However with a closer inspection you should notice a smaller head with a slimmer jaw and an elongated muzzle of the Lab.
Color
Thanks to their parents, a Labrottie dog’s coat can come in a variety of colors: black, chocolate blown, gray or the classic Rottweiler black and tan pattern.
The Chocolate Lab Rottweiler Mix and the black and tan mix are the most common.
Black and gray are far rarer colors.
Coat
They have a dense double coat, this helps to keep them warm and waterproof in the winter.
It can either be short or medium length and straight or wavy.
Grooming Requirements
The Rottweiler Lab mix is fairly fuss free in the grooming department.
With their short coat, a quick brush with soft bristles every week is enough to keep their coats looking healthy and gleaming.
As the weather starts to heat up, they will start to shed a little so you may have to add in an extra brush here and there.
This energetic breed will never say no to a walk or play, so a minimum of one bath a month should keep them smelling fresh. It’s recommended you should brush your Rottadors teeth at least two to three times a week.
As with every dog, trimming nails and checking ears should be done regularly.
Rottweiler and Lab Mix Complete Care Guide
Being large in size, and strong willed, these dogs are better off in an adult only home with a confident and experienced handler looking for an energetic companion with low grooming needs.
Food and Dietary Requirements
| Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Guide | 1,700 to 2,000 calories |
| Cups of Kibble |  |
For large breeds it’s best if you opt for multiple smaller meals rather than one big meal to avoid bloat.
Rottweiler Lab Mix should eat high-quality kibble, three meals a day should be adequate:
- 8AM – Breakfast
- 1PM – Lunch
- 6PM – Dinner
This breed is predisposed to obesity, so portion control and regular exercise are a must.
There are plenty of dry dog feeds formulated for large dogs, packed full of vitamins and nutrients to meet their needs.
The best will have plenty of natural ingredients and will predominantly consist of animal based protein.
Exercise Requirements
| Daily Exercise Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 60 minutes |
| Activity Level |  |
The Labrottie may appear as a rather stocky breed, but they are full of energy and require a lot of exercise.
It is recommended that your dog has 60 minutes of exercise per day.
Over the course of a week, they should walk around 12 miles.
This can be split into two 30-minute walks, one in the morning and one in the evening. If you live in hotter states, exercising your dog at these times will also help, as the temperature will be cooler.
Both Rottweilers and Labradors have strong jaws, so a game of tug of war will always go down well. Another favorite is the classic fetch.
Once well socialized, letting your Labrottie off the leash in open areas is a great way for them to burn off some energy.
Training
With their innate guard dog behavior, it is extremely important you train you Rottador. Its protective instincts can easily turn into aggression towards unknown humans or animals. Here are some puppy training tips for your Rottador.
They are intelligent dogs, who are eager to please, so with consistent positive reinforcement training, you should quickly have a well-balanced dog.
Socialization for this bundle of joy is paramount in the early stages of development.
Introducing your Rottweiler Lab mix to lots people of all ages and other dogs will teach them that not all humans and animals are a threat.
They can be very high maintenance dogs, so when they are done with the hugs and kisses, providing them with a toy or puzzle will keep their brain active and avoid destructive behaviors such as chewing and digging.
Known Health Problems
When is comes to this hybrid dog, it is important to look at health issues that can occur in both parent breeds.
Good breeders should be able to provide health certificates (e.g. hip scores, elbow scores and eye tests) for both parents; this will help you determine what health issues your puppy is more or less likely to inherit.
In this case Labrotties can be susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia which affects both Rottweilers and Labradors.
Labradors are also known for being greedy and are prone to obesity, which can lead to diabetes, so make sure your dog enjoys a balanced diet along with frequent exercise.
Summary
The Rottweiler Lab mix loves to be attached to your hip, so if you are looking for a dog that will entertain itself whilst you are at work you may want to rethink.
This strong willed breed is not for everyone. They are powerful and intelligent dogs so it can be a lot to handle for a first time owner.
If you are confident, with some experience behind you, the Labrottie is more than happy to lap up all the love you have to give.
In exchange, you will get a fiercely loyal dog that will protect you and your family at all costs.
The Labrottie could be your next exercise buddy and will definitely convince you to run that extra mile.
Leave us your thoughts, and share your experiences of this mixed breed below in the comments.
Other Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler Mixes
If you’re interested in learning about other Lab mixes or Rottweiler mixes, check out the hybrid dog breeds below.
Lab Mixes
- German Shepherd Lab mix
- Pitbull Lab Mix
- Blue Heeler Lab mix
- Golden Retriever Lab mix
- Beagle Lab mix
- Border Collie Lab mix
- Husky Lab Mix
- Australian Shepherd Lab mix
- Labrabull
- Labradoodle dog
- Boxador
- Mini Labradoodle
- Australian Labradoodle
I dont know if people can reply to this comment, but I have a dog mix, but I dont know what she’s a mix of. I’m sure part of it is Rottweiler and maybe a little Labrador, but I’m not sure what else or what her height is. She’s a small dog. Maybe about a foot or two tall(to the shoulders) and she’s done growing. What mix of breeds could she be?
Hi Jade,
Please feel free to send us a picture and we will do our best to identify your mix for you.
Grew up with Rott/lab mixes as a kid. One of our original hybrids mated with a female mix and the result was a hybrid cross which looked like lab sized Rhodesian ridgebacks without the ridge.
My Danny was roadside when I found him. After a DNA test he is a lab /rott mix. A year later still my fishing buddy!
Hi, I’ve got a 6 month old labrottie… amazed how fast and strong he has become!
My Labrottie is approaching 6 months and weighs 60 pounds. Deezel is super energetic when I get home from work at lunch and at the end of my shift, even after playing with (aggravating) my older dog during the day. He seems to grow before your eyes. Very smart mix from two great breeds.
I had a labrottie for 11 years. He was my service dog. His name was Butter. I have worked with several breeds, but he was by far my favorite. Sweet, loyal, smart, and obedient. He was a gentle giant that loved to eat.
I dont know if people can reply to this comment, but I have a dog mix, but I dont know what she’s a mix of. I’m sure part of it is Rottweiler and maybe a little Labrador, but I’m not sure what else or what her height is. She’s a small dog. Maybe about a foot or two tall(to the shoulders) and she’s done growing. What mix of breeds could she be?
I have a two month old lab/rott mix and she barks and bites too frequently.This morning when we were having our usual walk in the same area (near the beach) she was snarling and barking and lunging at me. I tried to tell her ‘no’ and ignoring her which worked after a couple of tries. Is this a sign of aggression? I am lost on what to to do. Please help. Thanks.
I’m pretty sure your dog is just playing. I kept the litter 5 in total rotti/black lab mix. I still have one left. He is 11 years old. The others passed away from cancer, and one from bloat 6 months ago. One from something I never figured out. They were the best dogs I’ve ever had! Very intelligent, very athletic, and lots of energy when they were pups. They do like to play rough growing up. Mine loved to swim and play in the water sprinkler. They loved to fetch things and play any game. They were very protective of me!! I could trust them to do anything. I could pick up there bowls w food in it and doctor them, anything. I did spend a lot of time w them exercising. They would play in the creek or swimming pool or pond for hours. They changed my life for the better. They did not take to new dogs very well. I kept a close eye on them and never let them get into any trouble. I think the key is exercise until they get older. They learned how to do everything usually the first time I asked them. I miss them greatly and always will. Be very careful of bloat or twisted stomach w this breed and don’t let them overeat. My girl had emergency surgery the second I realized she was sick I rushed her in to vet. Everything went ok but she ended up dying from heart complications. Vet said it’s the rotti breed prone to it. Hope this helps you. You have a great dog, you will learn like I did.
My Roxy just passed and although I had many dogs and breeds but she was by far the best companion I ever had. Everything that was written about the Rotty and Lab mix was so true. I miss her so much but the joy of having her will always be in my heart.
I forgot to mention, Caesar Milan has great advice if you need some help. I was around big breeds and gladiator breeds a lot n my life, so I may have a little better understanding of them. I never let them run over me, I was easy on them, but if it was a rule then they had to follow it. I did that for their protection. Lots of safe chew toys, exercise , to follow important commands. Try Cesar though, he will help w any questions and problems
We just picked up a 8wk old laboratti. He is 11lbs. He is very cute and takes on more of the lab look. I would like to know what to watch for and how easily trained are they?please any info would help! Thnks all!
My Roxy just passed and although I had many dogs and breeds but she was by far the best companion I ever had. Everything that was written about the Rotty and Lab mix was so true. I miss her so much but the joy of having her will always be in my heart.
We had been looking forever to find what kind of a dog our rescue is and had thought because of his size and lab content that maybe he was a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retreiver… but his fur wasn’t right. Finally found your website and Macaroni the dog is identical to the chocolate lab mix you show… a ringer, right down to the chest blaze.
Mackie is an incredible dog that is universally loved everywhere he goes! We are very often asked what type of dog, etc and can their kids pat him and take pictures… happens ALL the time. He is truly a show-stopper for personality and looks. Mackie weighs 42 pounds, is a resuce dog from Southeastern Missouri, and loves playing in both our Missouri and Florida homes. We just did back-to-back 5 mile walks on the beach in Daytona and he LOVED doing that! He was tugging on the leash on both trips and was ready for more when he got home. He’s full of energy. He is so popular at a Dairy Queen in New Symyrna Beach, Florida that they have a poster of him and a special doggie sundae created just for him (medium sized vanilla, topped with peanut butter and 4 dog bones). It’s given to him for free on every trip simply because they love this dog. Same thing back in Missouri, he is an employee favorite at the drive-through window and the line of cars is stopped so the employees can come out and pat him. He’s a dog super-star! We have had bigger breeds in the past (German Short Hair Pointers) and loved them very much but Mackie might actually top them all. Fantastic choice of a dog!