The Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix is a cross between a Rottweiler and a Schnauzer dog. It inherits its characteristics and temperament from both breeds. In most cases, a Schnauzer and Rottweiler mixed dog is an intelligent, loyal, and protective dog that is suitable for kids and large open areas.
Although both Rottweilers and Schnauzers are common breeds, the Schnauzer Rottweiler mix, or Schnottie, is considered rare. Hence, there is little information available about the Rottweiler Schnauzer mix.
In this article, we will be talking about their characteristics, temperament, variations, grooming needs, exercising needs, food requirements, and more.
Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix Characteristics
A study on dogs found out that both parents pass their traits to their offspring through genetics.[1] Hence, a rottweiler/schnauzer mix will inherit traits from both a rottweiler and a schnauzer.
Rottweilers and Schnauzers are almost the same when it comes to their personalities. The American Kennel Club describes both dogs as working dogs and intelligent and protective dogs.
The main difference between these breeds is their physical characteristics. Rottweilers are moderate shredders while Schnauzers are low-shredders. Another key difference is that all kinds of Schnauzers are considered hypoallergenic dogs[2] while Rottweilers are not.
A Schnauzer and Rottweiler mix is expected to have a personality that resembles both parents but will have an appearance primarily based on which parent’s gene is more dominant.
Appearance
Height
20-25 Inches
Weight
50–65 lbs
Lifespan
12–15 years
Dog Breed Group
Mixed Breed
Coat Type
Double
Coat length
Medium
Coat color
Brown, Gray, Black, Cream
Eyes
Brown
Nose
Black
Ears
Floppy
Hypoallergenic
Yes*
Shedding
Grooming Difficulty
*This breed can be hypoallergenic if it has a wiry-haired coat.
Adaptability
Apartment living
Good for beginners
Can be alone
Cold weather tolerance
Hot weather tolerance
Friendliness & Temper
Temperament
Affectionate
Kid-Friendly
Dog-Friendly
Friendly to Strangers
Playfulness
Trainability & Needs
Easy to train
Intelligence
Hunting Instinct
Barking
Energy Level
3 Reasons To Get A Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix
A Rottweiler Schnauzer mix is an intelligent dog that is good to have when you want your kids or your place protected.
1. The Schnauzer Rottweiler Mix are protective dogs
Both Rottweilers and Schnauzers are known as protective dogs. They are used in farms to protect livestock such as:
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Llamas
- Swine
- Goats
Given this protective trait in the parent’s breed, Schnotties are also expected to have a protective nature. They bark to signal to their owner about immediate threats and do not hesitate when it comes to confrontation. Their defensive behavior discourages intruders and predators.
2. The Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix gets along with kids
Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix is an excellent dog for kids. This breed has the energy and affection that matches a child’s fondness and playfulness. They quickly get attached to humans and devote their life to them, considering them their family (pack).
3. The Schnauzer Rottweiler Mix are intelligent dogs
A Rottweiler and Schnauzer mix is an intelligent dog that carries both the intelligence of a Rottweiler and Schnauzer. They are fast learners and can quickly understand training exercises. Their intelligence and sensitivity to stimuli make them great herders and protectors.
3 Reasons Not To Get A Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix
You should only get a Rottweiler Schnauzer mix if you have an open space, don’t mind the smell of drool, and have the patience to train your dog properly.
1. They do not get along with other pets
Rottweiler Schnauzer mixes are recorded to show signs of aggression when imposing dominance[3]. They are protective dogs, but this protective trait can quickly turn into aggression when around unfamiliar animals and people.
They can be trained and familiarized, but it will take time and patience.
2. The Schnauzer Rottweiler Mix drool a lot
A Schnauzer Rottweiler dog may inherit an unwanted trait seen in Rottweilers – drooling. Schnauzer Rottweilers can be droolers and may develop a pungent smell. This is not exactly a bad thing, since it’s normal, but their drools might leave a mark on your furniture.
3. The Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix needs physical and mental stimulation
A Rottweiler and Schnauzer mix is an intelligent and playful dog. They are sensitive to stimuli and prefer to be with their owner. They always look for ways to spend their energy. Rottweiler Schnauzer mixes need an area where they can play and run around.
They don’t do well when left alone. More often than not, a Rottweiler Schnauzer mix shows destructive behaviors when left in solitude.
Some of these destructive behaviors include:
- Digging on the ground or on the sofa.
- Chewing everything it sees.
- Barking persistently.
- Defecating on wrong areas.
A Rottweiler Schnauzer mix needs consistent training and familiarization with being alone before you can leave it unattended. You’ll need patience and hard work to prevent these destructive behaviors.
Origins Of The Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix
There are no written documents that describe how and when the Rottweiler-Schnauzer came to be; however, Rottweilers and Schnauzers are both breeds that are documented to come from Germany.
Rottweilers descended from the Italian Mastiff[4] used by the Romans in 2nd Century CE and Rottweil villagers during the Middle ages. They are used as herd dogs and as guards against thieves.
Schnauzers originated from Bavaria, Germany, during the Middle ages. The breed came from the conquest to breed a dog that can help farmers fulfill multiple tasks. Schnauzers are known drovers, protectors, ratters, and hunters[5].
Hence, it’s likely that the Rottweiler Schnauzer mix also originates from Germany.
Related: Rottweiler Mixes List
Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix Food Requirements
Schnauzer Rottweiler needs to eat 2–3% of their weight depending on their daily activities. They are prone to hip dysplasia and heart complications, which is why their diet is a significant factor in their overall health.
As for the kind of dog food to feed a Rottweiler Schnauzer mix, their diet can be purely kibble, but feeding it other foods will help meet its mineral and vitamin requirements.
Here are some foods you can feed to your Rottweiler Schnauzer mix:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Salmon
- Bananas
- Sweet Potatoes
- Carrots
- Blueberries
- Apple
Schnauzer Rottweiler Mix Appearance
The Schnauzer Rottweiler mix has floppy ears, a black nose, and a gray coat with brown, cream, or black streaks. Their appearance also depends on which parent’s genes are more dominant in their DNA.
They are double-coated. Their coat can be either coarse or wiry depending on which parent’s gene is more dominant. Their hair may range from short to medium, but most Schnauzer-Rottweilers have medium hair that is predominantly gray with streaks of brown, cream, or black.
They can also look like a Rottweiler with gray streaks. This appearance happens when the Schnauzer Rottweiler mix takes after its Rottweiler parent.
Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix Size
A Rottweiler Schnauzer mix is a large dog. It weighs around 50–65 lbs and towers 20–25 inches.
Schnauzers vary in size. There are Giant Schnauzers, Standard Schnauzers, and Miniature Schnauzers. The size of the Schnauzer does play a role in the size of the offspring.
Giant Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix
The giant Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix is the result of breeding a Rottweiler and a Giant Schnauzer together. In most cases, a Giant Rottweiler Schnauzer mix weighs between 55–70 lbs and stands at 23–28 inches.
Standard Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix
A standard Rottweiler and Schnauzer mix is the offspring of a Standard Schnauzer and a Rottweiler. Its height and weight are close to the mix’s average measurements. Its height is about 20–25 inches, while its weight is somewhere between 50-65 lbs.
Miniature Schnauzer Rottweiler Mix
A miniature Schnauzer Rottweiler mix is the result of combining a miniature Schnauzer and Rottweiler together. It is a rare occurrence and is often achieved through artificial reproduction. If successful, the offspring is smaller and lighter than the typical crossbreed.
How Are Rottweiler Schnauzer Mixes Groomed?
A Rottweiler Schnauzer mix needs to be groomed weekly or monthly to prevent skin irritation depending on its coat type. They can be groomed by simply brushing their hair and ensuring that old hair is removed from their coat.
The Schnottie’s grooming requirements depend on which parent they take their coat from. Their coats can be straight or wiry.
Wiry-haired coat
A wiry-haired coat means that the Rottweiler Schnauzer mix takes after its Schnauzer parent. This type of coat feels coarse and bristly when touched. A wiry-haired dog sheds significantly less than dogs with straight hairs. This coat only requires monthly grooming.
Straight-haired coat
If a Rottweiler Schnauzer mix has a medium-length straight-haired coat, this means that it takes after its Rottweiler parent. Dogs with this type of coat are moderate shredders and require weekly grooming.
Products you can use in grooming your Rottweiler Schnauzer
Here are some products you can use to easily groom your rottweiler schnauzer mix:
- Slicker brushes
- Deshedding brushes
- Sulfate-free antifungal shampoo
- Facial wash with Aloe vera
Schnauzer Rottweiler Mix Exercise Requirements
A Rottweiler and Schnauzer mix must be exercised daily for 25–35 minutes. Like their parents, a Schnauzer Rottweiler mix needs physical and mental stimulation.
They are energetic dogs. Because they have a lot of energy, they require ample space to play and run around.
Physical exercise requires your dog to spend their energy moving their body. You can do this by walking, running, letting your dog run through obstacles, or any other form of activity.
Placing your dog in situations where they need to think is a good way to stimulate their brain and improve their mental health. You can give them toy puzzles such as the Nina Ottosson Outward Hound puzzle. Here, they need to move a series of blocks to get a treat.
Here are some examples of other exercises and activities you can do with a Rottweiler Schnauzer mix:
- Play catch
- Long walks ( 25–45 minutes of walking)
- Short walks (10–15 minutes of walking)
- Scent work
- Hide and Seek
Are Rottweiler Schnauzer Mixes Easy To Train?
Rottweiler Schnauzers are easy to train because they are intelligent dogs and quickly respond to stimuli. Both parents are intelligent dogs that have served humans in various ways. They have worked as herders, drovers, hunters, guardians, and ratters.
Given the history of its parents, a Rottweiler Schnauzer has no problem learning tricks and commands.
It’s recommended to train your Rottweiler Schnauzer mix early for faster learning. You can take this chance to teach your dog to be familiar with people and animals. A Rottweiler Schnauzer mix can be aggressive due to its protective nature.
Common Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix Health problems
Most Schnauzer Rottweiler mixes encounter health conditions concerning their heart, hips, skin, elbow, bones, and bladder.
There is little information about the Rottweiler Schnauzer mix, especially its health. Based on the health conditions most Schnauzers and Rottweilers face, a Rottweiler Schnauzer mix is at risk of the following problems:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Skin Allergies
- Heart Problems
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Obesity
- Bladder Stones
- Osteosarcoma
You can help your dog avoid these health conditions through regular exercises, proper diet, proper grooming, and periodical check-ups from a veterinarian.
Are Rottweiler Schnauzer Mixes hypoallergenic dogs?
A Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix can be a hypoallergenic dog if it takes after its Schnauzer parent. A Schnauzer Rottweiler mix with a wiry haired coat seldom sheds its fur. It also means that a wiry-haired Rottweiler Schnauzer mix is more compatible with an allergic person than those with straight-haired coats.
If you’re going to buy or adopt a Rottweiler Schnauzer mix, we recommend visiting a vet to check its allergen levels to determine whether they are compatible with you.
Numerous allergen researchers have claimed that the breed of the dog is not a factor when it comes to allergens[6].
Conclusion
A Rottweiler Schnauzer mix is a rare crossbreed between a Rottweiler and a Schnauzer variant.
They are intelligent, loyal, and protective dogs that require physical exercise, mental exercise, and training in familiarizing themselves with animals and people. They have different grooming needs depending on their type of coat.
They are great to have in your family, especially with kids. The only thing you need is an open space where they can run around. Since they are energetic, they are not recommended as apartment pets.
