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 | 21 | 13 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for German Shepherd and Rottweiler. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
Rott Rottie |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Large Giant |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. Which breed is heavier? | 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 Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. Which breed costs more? | $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 Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Outstanding: Rottweiler is one of the brightest dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare training requirements. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Rottweiler dogs are easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare alertness levels. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Rottweiler dogs are one of the best watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare territorial behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Rottweiler dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. How do their temperaments differ? |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Independent Protective Alert Courageous Intelligent Loyal Fearless Good-natured |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low: The Rottweiler barks none to minimal. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare play drive and energy. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | Average: Rottweilers, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare living space needs. | 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare adaptability levels. | 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
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 Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare biting tendencies. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | High 🔼 The Rottweiler has a high chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare mouthing behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Rottweiler dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Rottweiler bite force: Ordinary. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare average lifespans. |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
8-12 years The average lifespan of Rottweiler: 10 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare climate tolerances. | 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. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler. Which breed is healthier? | 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. |
| Vet Care Frequency
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. |
| 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 |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare activity levels. | 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare obesity risks. | 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare daily food needs. | 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for German Shepherd and Rottweiler? Compare breed colors. |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Black Tan Rust Mahogany |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare maintenance needs. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The Rottweiler requires minimal grooming. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare drooling amounts. | 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. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Rottweiler has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler? Compare fur types. | Fuzzy | Dense |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare bathing frequencies. | 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. |
| 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare kid-friendliness. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Rottweiler dogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Compatibility
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. |
| 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. |
| 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 As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare service capabilities. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare therapy capabilities. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare scenting abilities. | 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 & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare SAR abilities. | 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. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare maritime abilities. | 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. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler? Compare draft work capabilities. | 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. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which has stronger military background? | 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
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which has larger litters? | 6-10 puppies | 8-12 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between German Shepherd and Rottweiler breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
German Shepherd vs Rottweiler Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which groups do they belong to? | 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 Classification
Compare FCI classifications of German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which groups are they in? | 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. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between German Shepherd and Rottweiler. Which is more widely recognized? |
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