There is little information to speak of in relation to the nature of the Labrottie and its history. The cross is relatively new and because of the variety of traits of the Rottweiler - Labrador cross there are no standards of expectation in terms of personality and temperament. However, we can make some assumptions about the breed if we take a closer look at the history of the parents breeds.
The Labrador Retriever
The Labrador was named because it comes from the Labrador and Newfoundland province: a large Canadian province. It was along the coast lines of Labrador and Newfoundland that fishermen of the 1700s bred the dog to help them to retrieve their trawls. The Labrador was not only good at what it was told to do but it was also exceptionally loyal and affectionate and the breed was soon introduced to the United Kingdom in the early 1800s.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds and are described as loyal, friendly and very good with children. They will need training and exercising because they can become destructive if left alone for too long and also tend to be overweight if they aren't active enough.
The Rottweiler
Meanwhile, the Rottweiler had already had a glorious history in Europe which began with its celebrated use as the cattle drover of the advancing Roman legions. The Rottie was later used (and still is in some places) to pull farm carts and to hunt wild animals. The breed sadly suffers from one of the shortest average lifespans of 9 years.
The Rottweiler is one of the most popular guard dogs and this breed won't suit first time owners. They need precise training and socialisation to become an excellent family dog. The Rottweiler is an intelligent dog and very loyal.
Rottweiler cross Labrador Appearance
The Labrottie, or Rottador, can reach up to 27 inches at the shoulder but is more often seen at 25 inches. Both Labrador Retrievers and Rottweilers can be heavy dogs, which can lead the adult Labrottie to weigh as much as 115 lbs (8.2 stone). Their life expectancy is between 9 and 12 years.
Both parent breeds have short, double coats, so while you won't have to spend too much time grooming your Rottador, expect a lot of shedding! As for the colouring, it can be hard to determine what your puppy could look like. Labradors come in three colours: Yellow, Black, and Chocolate, while Rottweilers come only in Black and Tan. A match between a Rottweiler and a Black Lab will almost certainly result in a black puppy, but a mix between a Rottweiler and a Yellow Lab could be very different!
Rottweiler cross Labrador Temperament
Rottadors are known for their calm demeanour inside the house, (when sufficiently exercised, of course), and excellent ways with all members of the family. However, like any large dog breed, there is always a danger of them being difficult to handle, particularly if they are not properly trained or socialised. To avoid problems such as impatience, jealousy, or separation anxiety, make sure you take your pup's training seriously from a very early age.
Labrotties' protective instincts are not as strong as their Rottweiler parent's, so they might be a better choice for people who don't have a lot of experience with guarding breeds. However, they might still be wary of the arrival of new people and animals to the household.
Labrottie Training
An owner’s dedication to their dog's regular exercise and involvement in family life is needed to ensure the animal’s health and mental state are as they should be.
Rottweiler-Labrador mixes are known to be affectionate and friendly. They enjoy a lot of family time and will feel aggrieved if they are omitted from a social function. They crave human attention and praise, and learn quickly if training is offered confidently. However, if they are not given enough interaction or consistent training, their behaviour can turn sour and they begin to exhibit anti-social behaviour.
The Rottweiler cross Labrador dog is not to blame for this anti-social behaviour; it is most of the time brought about by problems of the human chemistry of the house and a lack of responsible dog ownership. It is imperative that all of the family is aware of the demands of the breed and can look after the dog sufficiently well.
Remember, the Rottweiler cross Labrador is intelligent and confident, so they are relatively easy to train, as long as positive reinforcement training methods are used. Encouragement, praise, and treats go a long way!
Rottador Health Problems
As well as being prone to the ailments that affect any dog, the Labrottie mix suffers with certain conditions and complaints that are commonly seen of either parent. Labradors and Rottweilers are susceptible to certain diseases because of their size (such as hip dysplasia and gastric torsion) and Labradors are especially prone to obesity and ear infections. You should expect one or more of the following illnesses to assault the health of your Rottador at some stage:
- Allergies
- Bloat
- Bone cancer
- Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Ear infections
- Hypothyroidism
- Joint dysplasia
- Obesity
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Rottweiler cross Labrador Exercise Requirements
Your Rottweiler-cross-Labrador needs plenty of exercise. She is a powerful dog with an exceptional endurance and she should be walked at least twice a day for a total of two hours. To be outdoors also stimulates her mind, and regular outdoor activities will help her to become a well-rounded and sociable animal. It is also necessary to keep a Labrottie active due to her propensity towards obesity.
On the days where two-hour walks aren't possible, you can complete your dog's needs with interactive games which will keep her mind active. This is another form of exercise, and is just as important to support your family pet's mental health.
Labrotties aren't necessarily high energy, but they're active dogs who need physical and mental exercise. They may become destructive if they are forced to be confined for several hours a day, with little to do.
Are Rottweiler - Lab mixes good dogs?
The Labrottie is a dog that requires a lot of training and discipline. As such, they may not be suitable for a family that has never owned a dog. You should do extensive research about the parent breeds before you take in a Rottador, and meet the dog before taking them home.
Because this is not an official breed, but rather, a "designer dog", Labrador - Rottweiler mix puppies are often bred by unscrupulous breeders who care not a bit for the dog’s health. Their lack of care of the puppies will lead the adult dog to poor health, which will incur great expense. Make sure you do a background check on your "breeder" if you're getting your puppy from there. And if not from a breeder, remember you can get mix breeds from shelters too!
What did you think of the Labrottie? Check out more mixed breed dogs:
- The American Bulldog cross Staffy
- The Border Terrier cross Jack Russell
- The Cavapoo
- The Chihuahua cross Pug
- The Chi-poo
- The Cockapoo
- The French Bulldog cross Pug
- The French Bulldog cross Staffy
- The German shepherd – Labrador crossbreed
- The Goberian
- The Goldador
- The Goldendoodle
- Golden retriever x German shepherd
- The Husky cross Collie
- The Husky cross Staffy
- The Horgi
- The Jack a Bee
- The Jackshund
- The Jack Russell cross Chihuahua
- The Jack Russell cross Pug
- The Jack Tzu
- The Labrador Collie crossbreed
- The Labsky
- The Lhasapoo dog
- The Patterjack
- The Pom a Pug
- The Pomchi
- The Pomsky
- The Pugapoo
- The Puggle
- The Pug-zu
- The Shichi
- The Shichon
- The Staffador
- The Staffy cross Jack Russell
- The Rottsky
