German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or Rott?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler"
Compare German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which is better: German Shepherd or Rottweiler?
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| Name | German Shepherd | Rottweiler |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany | Germany |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Working Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 2 | 8 |
| Reviews | 13 | 10 |
| User Ratings |
| Other Names
What other names do they have? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
Rott Rottie |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type
Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler breed type comparison: | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Price and Availability Comparison
| 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
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Rottweiler? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Rottweiler is quite easy to get. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Size Comparison
| Size
Which dog is bigger, German Shepherd or Rottweiler?
Is the German Shepherd bigger than the Rottweiler breed?
Is a German Shepherd smaller than a Rottweiler? | 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) |
| Average 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? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Rottweiler? | 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) |
| Average 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 Grooming, Hair and 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: |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Black Tan Rust Mahogany |
| Grooming
Which dog 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? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Rottweiler dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | Rottweiler dogs shed moderately. |
| Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
Which dog should be bathed more: German Shepherd or Rottweiler? | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Personality / Temperament 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: |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Independent Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Loyal Fearless Good-natured |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Rottweiler dogs are easy to train. |
| Playfulness
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler playfulness comparison: | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | Average: Rottweilers, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rottweiler? | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs 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? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Average: Rottweiler dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. |
| Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | Rottweiler dogs 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 Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Rottweiler dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Which is a better guard dog German Shepherd or Rottweiler?
Which dog is most likely to protect its owner?
Which is the best dog to use for protection? | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Rottweiler dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
| Biting Potential
Is a German Shepherd more dangerous than a Rottweiler? | 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 ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Rottweiler bite force: Ordinary. |
| Mouthiness
Which is the better dog? German Shepherd vs Rottweiler mouthiness comparison: | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | Rottweiler dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, 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 Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | Rottweiler dogs 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 Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Rottweiler dogs 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? | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Rottweiler indoors. |
| Adaptability
Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog? | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Average: Rottweiler dogs 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. | Rottweiler dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
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 Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | Rottweiler dogs are not stranger friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Friendly
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | Rottweiler dogs are generally with other pets. |
| Child Friendly
Which dog is more child/kid friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler? | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Rottweiler dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Rottweiler dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Can a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Rottweiler dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Rottweiler dogs are not dog-friendly. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Rottweiler dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Health 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: |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo |
Hip Dysplasia Allergies Hypothyroidism Bloat Elbow Dysplasia Panosteitis Aortic Stenosis Osteosarcoma 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? |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
8-12 years The average lifespan of Rottweiler: 10 years |
| Hypoallergenic
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not? | No See more. | No See more. |
| Energy Level
Who has more energy a German Shepherd or Rottweiler?
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler energy level comparison: | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | Rottweiler dogs 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 Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Rottweiler dogs have an average exercise need. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Rottweiler? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | Rottweiler dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. |
| Average 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: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. | High: The Rottweiler breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. |
| Weather and Climate
Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: German Shepherd vs Rottweiler? | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. |
| Stinkiness
Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the 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 of a 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 As a Working Dog Comparison
| 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 After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Which one could be a search and rescue dog? | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. |
| Boat and Sailor 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. |
| 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. |
| Fighting Dog / Military Dog | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Reproducibility Comparison
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Recognition Comparison
| 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 |
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Rate This Comparsion - German Shepherd vs Rottweiler
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