The Rott Pei is a relatively rare crossbreed that’s quickly gaining popularity. These large, imposing dogs are a mix of two of the most recognizable breeds in the canine world: the Rottweiler and the Chinese Shar Pei.

The Rott Pei is an interesting cross between a dedicated working dog and a fierce protector, so it can be a gamble as to which temperament you’ll get from a puppy! However, with the proper training and socialization, this fascinating breed is one of the most handsome and loyal.

Breed Overview

The Rott Pei is a cross between the black-and-tan Rottweiler (which hails from Germany) and the Chinese Shar Pei. Both these breeds have strong characteristics that allow them to perform the jobs they were bred for perfectly, and many of those make their way into the Rott Pei. Loyalty, determination, and a unique look are all found in the Rott Pei, which is why the crossbreed is becoming increasingly popular.

Rott Pei Characteristics

Rott Pei Breed Puppies

The Rott Pei is a relatively rare breed that is a mix of two more established ones. Because of that, there aren’t many breeders of Rott Peis around. Shelters may be a good place to find a Rott Pei, but you may have to wait a while for one to show up.

Rott Pei puppies are as bold and rambunctious as any other puppies are, and they likely have huge paws to grow into! Because the Rott Pei is classed as a large dog, puppies will need large-breed puppy food to help them thrive and grow as they should.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Rott Pei

The Rott Pei takes temperament and intellectual traits from both the breeds that go into making them. The Rottweiler is an intensely playful and incredibly vigilant dog, taking pride in their stalwart and calm demeanor when on the job. With their family, the Rottie is silly and incredibly loving; it’s safe to say the Rott Pei inherits their love of play and attention from their Rottweiler parent!

The Shar Pei is an alert and very loyal dog that can be standoffish with strangers. They are highly intelligent and make excellent guard dogs, but they need early socialization and continued training to prevent them from becoming fearful or territorial.

With their family, the Shar Pei is an affectionate and easy-to-train breed, but any dominance needs to be addressed early. The Rott Pei can inherit intelligence and a willingness to learn from their Shar Pei parent, but a streak of stubbornness can also remain.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡

The Rott Pei can be an excellent dog for the right family. They’re ideal for an active household with older children since they are big and powerful dogs that could easily knock down and injure a small child. The whole family must be involved in their training; once socialized and trained, the Rott Pei is a loyal and loving family dog that is a fantastic protector.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽

If socialized correctly, the Rott Pei can get along well with other dogs. Very small breeds (such as toy breeds) may feel intimidated by the Rott Pei’s size and playful energy, and they may accidentally get hurt. However, the Rott Pei will get along with any dog if they’ve had the correct socialization.

The Rott Pei can also get along well with cats if socialized early, as neither the Rottweiler nor the Shar Pei have a high prey drive. Dog-savvy cats will likely show them who’s boss pretty quickly, and long-lasting friendships can form.

It’s important not to leave a Rott Pei alone with other pets because of their size and powerful jaws. Smaller pets, such as rabbits, should never be left alone with a Rott Pei, and it’s unwise to introduce them as they are large and powerful dogs that could easily harm them.

Things to Know When Owning a Rott Pei:

As with any breed, the Rott Pei has requirements that you’ll need to know to care for them correctly.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Rott Pei is usually a large dog. Because they are also energetic, they’ll need a high-quality diet that provides enough energy to keep them moving. However, it’s important not to overfeed the Rott Pei as they can suffer from joint problems exacerbated by obesity. Any food should be nutritionally complete and have at least 20% protein to fuel your Rott Pei’s antics!

Exercise 🐕

The Rott Pei is unfortunately prone to putting on weight, and exercise is vital. They’re active but not overly so, and they’ll need a large outdoor space to exercise in. The Rott Pei won’t be satisfied by a walk around the yard, and two long walks a day combined with play sessions can keep them fit.

Intense exercise is sometimes detrimental to the Rott Pei since they’re more likely to suffer from joint problems than other crossbreeds. Keeping exercise engaging and regular is a better option than letting them perform jumps or high-intensity exercise.

Agility training can be a good way to encourage the Rott Pei to exercise, and even the more stoic and lazy Rott Peis can be kept slim with at least an hour to 1 ½ hours of daily exercise.

Training 🦮

The Rott Pei is an intelligent dog keen to learn and follow instructions, but they can be stubborn and willful if the correct methods aren’t used. Finding out what motivates your Rott Pei is important since some dogs are not food or praise-oriented.

Combined with short and regular training sessions, the correct motivation will keep your Rott Pei engaged and focused. Training and early socialization are very important; they’re powerful dogs with a protective streak, which can become problematic if left unchecked. The Rott Pei can benefit from obedience classes and competitions since they’re loyal and regimented if training is done right.

Grooming ✂️

The Rott Pei is an easily groomed dog, thanks to the short fur of their parents. They have an interesting coat, which is very coarse and almost sharp; in fact, the name “Shar Pei” translates to “sand skin”! Rottweilers sport a short but dense and shining coat that only needs weekly grooming.

You should introduce your Rott Pei to nail clipping and tooth brushing as a puppy since it will make it much easier to trim their claws and brush their teeth as an adult. Because Rott Peis have floppy ears, ensure you clean them regularly to prevent wax buildup and keep an eye out for redness or signs of infection.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Because the Rott Pei is a crossbreed, they don’t usually have as many health problems. However, Rott Peis are still prone to issues thanks to their parents, as well as their size and stature.

Male vs Female

There is little difference between male and female Rott Peis, but females are smaller than males. Other than that, the only differences are related to genitalia and hormones. Males can have behavioral problems related to testosterone, so neutering is advised to reduce undesirable behavior. Similarly, females can become agitated during the heat cycle, but spaying can help.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Rott Pei

1. Rott Peis Have Wrinkles Around the Muzzle Just Like Shar Peis

The amount of wrinkles can depend on how much of the Shar Pei’s genetics they inherit. But most Rott Peis will have at least some degree of wrinkles on their face.

2. They’re a Rare Crossbreed, but They’re Becoming Much More Common

Rott Peis, like other “designer” breeds, are becoming more common. Crossbreeds tend to be healthier than purebred dogs due to something known as hybrid vigor, which could be part of why crossbreed dogs are becoming more popular.

3. Most Rott Peis Inherit the Black and Tan Coloring and Markings of Their Rottweiler Parent

However, the dogs can take their coloring from the Shar Pei. It just depends on which genes they inherit more of.

Final Thoughts

The Rott Pei is an interesting crossbreed of two loyal dogs with a powerful sense of protectiveness. The Rottweiler is stalwart but incredibly playful with their family, while the Shar Pei is more reserved and standoffish with strangers.

The Rott Pei is usually a loving mix of the two, but early socialization is critical for their health and happiness. The protective and stubborn streak they inherit can cause lots of problems (and even make them dangerous) down the line. Ultimately, the Rott Pei makes a fantastic family protector with an adorable face and plenty of love to give their humans.

Featured Image Credit: Left – Serova_Ekaterina, Shutterstock | Right – Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock