Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix (Schnottie): This Is What We Know

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. 

Origins Of The Rottweiler Schnauzer Mix

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

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. 

Schnauzer Rottweiler Mix Appearance

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 

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

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. 

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

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.