German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian or Rottie?

"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler" Compare German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which is better: German Shepherd or Rottweiler?

General Appearance & Basic Info Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	German Shepherd	Rottweiler
Origins	Germany	Germany
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Working Dogs
Popularity Rank	2	8
Reviews	11	7
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Alsatian, Berger Allemand, Alsatian wolf dog (UK), Deutscher Schäferhund, Schäferhund	Rottie, Rott
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred
AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1931 as a Working breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club German Shepherd Dog Club Of America	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Colonial Rottweiler Club Deutscher Rottweiler Klub International Rottweiler Club
Price Which is cheaper, German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between German Shepherd and Rottweiler?	$800-$2000	$1200-$2000
Availability	Very frequent	Very frequent

German Shepherd vs Rottweiler General Appearance & Basic Info Comparison

Size Which is bigger, German Shepherd or Rottweiler? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler size comparison:	Large	Large Giant
Weight Which is heavier, German Shepherd or Rottweiler? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler weight comparison:	Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg)	Male: 95-130 pounds (43-59 kg), Female: 85-115 pounds (38-52 kg)
Avg. Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg)	Male: 112.5 pounds (51 kg), Female: 100 pounds (45 kg)
Height Which is taller, German Shepherd or Rottweiler? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler height comparison:	Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm)	Male: 24-27 inches (61-69 cm), Female: 22-25 inches (56-63 cm)
Avg. Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm)	Male: 25.5 inches (65 cm), Female: 23.5 inches (59.5 cm)

German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Hair & Care Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler coat comparison:	Fuzzy	Dense
Colors What are the original German Shepherd and Rottweiler color? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler color comparison:	Silver Tan Red Black	Mahogany Tan Rust Black
Grooming Which is easy to maintain, German Shepherd or Rottweiler? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler grooming comparison:	Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort.	Effortless: The Rottweiler requires minimal grooming.
Shedding Level Who sheds more German Shepherd or Rottweiler? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler shedding:	German Shepherds are heavy shedders.	Rottweilers shed moderately.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	8-12 weeks Very rarely.	4-6 weeks Average.

German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Characteristics Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, German Shepherd or Rottweiler? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler behavior/temperament comparison:	Alert Courageous Intelligent Obedient Confident Curious Loyal Watchful	Alert Fearless Independent Loyal Courageous Good-natured Intelligent Protective
Intelligent Rank Which dog has more intelligence? Is a German Shepherd or Rottweiler smarter? Which is best? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler intelligence:	Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds.	Outstanding: Rottweiler is one of the brightest dog breeds.
Trainability German Shepherd vs Rottweiler trainability comparison. What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are easy to train.	Rottweilers are easy to train.
Playfulness German Shepherd vs Rottweiler playfulness comparison:	German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing.	Rottweilers, like any other dog breed, like playing.
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	German Shepherds don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds.
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers.	Rottweilers are average dogs regarding their affection level.
Social Needs German Shepherd vs Rottweiler social needs comparison:	German Shepherds need for social interaction is average.	Rottweilers need a lot of social interaction.
Barking Which dog barks more/less: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks.	Low: The Rottweiler barks none to minimal.
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are one of the best watchdogs.	Rottweilers are one of the best watchdogs.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	German Shepherds are extremely protective guard dogs.	Rottweilers are extremely protective guard dogs.
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	High The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody.	High The Rottweiler has a high chance of biting somebody.
Bite Force Which bite is stronger: German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Between 200 and 400 PSI Ordinary: Average dogs have bite force between 200 and 400 PSI.	Between 200 and 400 PSI Ordinary: Average dogs have bite force between 200 and 400 PSI.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler mouthiness comparison:	German Shepherds have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.	Rottweilers have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are not the biggest explorers.	Rottweilers tend to escape less than other breeds.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler? Which can be better for hunting?	German Shepherds have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.	Rottweilers have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds.
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Nem a legjobb választás German Shepherd, ha lakásban szeretnéd tartani, ugyanakkor alapos lemozgatással, napi többszöri sétával tolerálják a benti körülményeket is, így megoldható German Shepherd tartása lakásban.	Nem a legjobb választás Rottweiler, ha lakásban szeretnéd tartani, ugyanakkor alapos lemozgatással, napi többszöri sétával tolerálják a benti körülményeket is, így megoldható Rottweiler tartása lakásban.
Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	German Shepherds adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Rottweilers adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Rottweilers tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
Fighting Dog	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog.	Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog.

German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Good With Comparison

Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which dog is more friendly?	German Shepherds are stranger friendly dogs.	Rottweilers are not stranger friendly dogs.
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are very kid-friendly dogs.	Rottweilers are not the most kid-friendly dogs.
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are average friendly towards cats.	Rottweilers are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Rottweilers are not dog-friendly.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	No German Shepherds are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	No Rottweilers are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.
Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog.	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog.
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog.
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.	Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Rottweiler is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.	Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Rottweilers are not the best breed for elderly people.
Boat Dog Which one could be a boat dog: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.	Not really Rottweiler breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.
Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	German Shepherds are generally with other pets.	Rottweilers are generally with other pets.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.	Yes A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.

German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Health Factors Comparison

Health Issues German Shepherd vs Rottweiler health comparison. Which is the healthier: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs.	The Rottweiler is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler health problems comparison:	Allergies Blindness Bloat Cancer Cataracts Cherry Eye Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Cushing's Syndrome Degenerative Myelopathy Demodectic Mange Diabetes Digestive Problems Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Heart Disease Hemophilia A Hemophilia B Hip Dysplasia Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lens Luxation Lupus Megaesophagus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Panosteitis Paralysis Perianal Fistula Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Retinal Dysplasia Seborrhea Vitiligo Von Willebrand's Disease Wobbler's Syndrome	Allergies Aortic Stenosis Bloat Elbow Dysplasia Hip Dysplasia Hypothyroidism Osteosarcoma Panosteitis Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).	Average The Rottweiler should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Life Expectancy German Shepherd vs Rottweiler lifespan comparison. How long do German Shepherd and Rottweiler breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the German Shepherd and Rottweiler?	10-13 years	8-11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Hypoallergenic German Shepherd vs Rottweiler hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No	No
Energy Level Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Rottweiler? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler energy level comparison:	German Shepherds are high energy dogs.	Rottweilers have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need German Shepherd vs Rottweiler exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	German Shepherds need quite a lot of exercise.	Rottweilers have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	German Shepherds don't need too much sleep.	Rottweilers are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping.
Avg. daily food consumption Which dog eats more: German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Does the German Shepherd breed eat more than the Rottweiler breed?	3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	Recommended daily amount: 4 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler weight gain potential comparison:	Low to Average.	High: The Rottweiler breed has a strong tendency to overweight.
Weather & Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	Tolerates warm and cold weather.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells least? Which dog smells most? Which is best, German Shepherd or Rottweiler?	Medium The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium The Rottweiler has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler?	The German Shepherd is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency.	The Rottweiler drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed.

German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days	60-64 days
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy.
Litter Size How many puppies can German Shepherd and Rottweiler have? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler litter size comparison:	6-10 puppies	8-12 puppies
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Reviews

Luis Dejesus
Aug 10, 2020, 11:27:48 AM:
Henry
Jan 15, 2021, 6:52:52 AM:
You are wrong that rottweilers are not child-friendly dogs. They are a people dog and if they are raised with children by their side they are very child-friendly. Pls, add this info. And Plus it's not only Rottie's but every other dog.
Dev Naz
Jan 30, 2021, 11:23:12 PM:
Pretty bad review. For starters, the height and weight stats are incorrect, as well as life span. Look up the breeds and you will see for yourself. Second,
Doug Demuro
Jan 30, 2021, 11:24:16 PM:
Wrong. Rottweilers are kid friendly and just as capable as german shepherds.
Eric cartman
Jan 30, 2021, 11:24:58 PM:
You could at least add the fucking character info
Alana
May 25, 2021, 6:33:02 PM:
I have a feeling you're favoriting the Rottie in this lol. I'm getting a German Shepherd Rottie mix. The best of both!
benit
Sep 29, 2021, 1:58:42 PM:
like rot the most