The Rottweiler Dalmatian mix, also commonly referred to as the Rottmatian, is a loyal, intelligent, and courageous dog that is naturally protective of its family. This medium to large-sized hybrid can make a great family dog in the right home.

They tend to have short, flat coats that are easy to maintain. They can take on the black coat with brown markings of the Rottweiler, the black and white spotted coat of the dalmatian, or a mixture of the two. Rottweiler Dalmatian mixes are sturdy, broad-featured dogs that tend to reach anywhere between 60 and 120 pounds and 18 to 26 inches in height.

Breed Overview

They can be easy to train thanks to their keen intelligence and willingness to please. They can be stubborn and headstrong so they will need a firm leader that remains consistent with training.

Rottweiler Dalmatian mixes have an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years and will do best spending their lives with active human companions that can provide them with the proper training and socialization needed for them to be well-mannered family members.

Rottweiler Dalmatian Mix Puppies

Before bringing home a Rottweiler Dalmatian mix, you will want to consider some things. This hybrid is not for everyone. The Rottweiler is built to protect and is very wary of strangers. They will stop at nothing to come in between their family and a perceived threat. Dalmatians are excellent watchdogs as well; they are more aloof with strangers and loyal to their people just like the Rottweiler.

Training and socialization are of the utmost importance and you must have the time, patience, and personality to be their leader. While this combination is great with their family, this is a relatively large and very powerful dog that can be fierce and exhibit aggressive tendencies with strangers if they are not trained properly. This behavior can get out of control and extend beyond simple guard dog duty. A person wanting to bring home this hybrid will need to have a firm and confident hand when training these dogs.

Large dogs are generally more expensive to keep and have higher veterinary costs. This hybrid’s parent breeds do have some genetic health conditions that can still affect them, especially later in life. You must be financially prepared to feed and care for them for their entire lives.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Rottweiler Dalmatian Mix 🧠

To understand the temperament and intelligence of the Rottweiler Dalmatian mix, we need to investigate the parent breeds. Hybrid dogs can take on the traits from both parents and tend to fall somewhere in the middle of the two.

It’s no secret that Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive, territorial, and dominant. After all, these traits were necessary for the jobs they were bred to do. Though Rottweilers are very loyal and loving companions to their families, they can be prone to aggressive tendencies. This does not mean all Rottweilers are aggressive but proper training and socialization cannot be stressed enough.

Rottweilers are highly intelligent, eager to please, and have fun-loving personalities that will shine through when they are in the company of their beloved family. They can make excellent family pets under the right circumstances and are fiercely protective.

Dalmatians are active, energetic, and intelligent. Originally bred to trot along with horse-drawn carriages, this breed is very watchful and protective. Dalmatians are aloof with strangers and friendly, loving, loyal companions to their owners.

The Rottweiler Dalmatian mix will undoubtedly be intelligent, protective, and have an unmatched loyalty to their family.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Under the right circumstances, a Rottweiler Dalmatian mix can be a great family dog. They tend to do very well with children but with their size and energy level, they will need to be watched carefully around smaller children.

This hybrid will be loyal and protective of their family and will thoroughly enjoy outdoor playtime and activities with the whole family.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

When properly socialized and raised with other dogs and smaller pets the Rottweiler Dalmatian mix can do very well. You may run into issues with dogs that are unfamiliar or if you were to bring another adult dog into the home. Early and regular socialization with other animals starting in puppyhood is key to having a dog that is well-rounded with other animals.

Things to Know When Owning a Rottweiler Dalmatian Mix:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Rottweiler Dalmatian mixes are strong, energetic dogs that will require a high-quality diet rich in protein that is suitable for their age and size. This hybrid can be prone to obesity so you will want to avoid overfeeding and offering human foods such as table scraps.

It’s highly recommended to discuss your dog’s dietary needs directly with their veterinarian. They will be able to assist you in coming up with the most beneficial diet and nutrition plan to ensure optimal health and well-being.

Exercise 🐕

Being a combination of the powerful and courageous rottweiler and the active, athletic Dalmatian, this hybrid will require regular daily exercise to keep both mentally and physically stimulated. This hybrid tends to be on the more energetic side and can become bored easily and potentially destructive if their exercise needs are not met.

It is recommended to focus on at least an hour a day for their exercise needs. They will enjoy daily walks and quality playtime with their owners. This is a very intelligent dog that will also excel in agility training and love learning different commands.

Due to their size and high energy levels, they are not the best choice for apartment living. They will thrive best in a home with a fenced-in yard and plenty of space to burn off their energy.

Training 🦮

Training a Rottweiler Dalmatian mix needs to begin in puppyhood and remain consistent throughout their life. This is a highly intelligent mixed breed that is easy to train and will pick up on commands quickly.

They tend to be eager to please and obedient with their owners but due to their stubbornness and potential aggressive tendencies toward strangers will need a strong, firm handler that can assert themselves as the leader.

Grooming ✂️

Rottweiler Dalmatian mixes are low maintenance in terms of coat grooming. Their shorter coats will shed quite a bit and you can expect them to shed all year round. You can give them a thorough brushing a few times a week, which can help keep the shedding under control.

You will want to start regular nail trimming and tooth brushing from an early age to get them accustomed to the process. It is also recommended to perform routine checks of their ears for cleanliness.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Designer hybrids tend to have less predisposition to some of the genetic health conditions that are common in their purebred parents. This is one of many benefits to owning a mixed breed.

The Rottweiler and Dalmatian both have some serious health concerns that can be passed on to their hybrid offspring and it is important to be aware of them.

Regular wellness exams and proper nutrition are key to keeping your dog happy and healthy. If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Male vs Female

Gender will not play much of a role when it comes to temperament and personality traits of the Rottweiler Dalmatian mix. As with most dogs, males will be larger than females. This hybrid can vary in size though due to being a combination of the medium-sized Dalmatian and the much larger Rottweiler.

On average, males tend to stand anywhere from 21 to 26 inches in height and weigh between 70 and 120 pounds. Females tend to stand a bit shorter at 18 to 23 inches and weigh from 60 to 90 pounds.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Rottweiler Dalmatian Mix

1. Rottweilers Came Close to Extinction

In the mid-1800s, industrialization nearly rendered the Rottweiler extinct. Rottweilers were bred as herding dogs for cattle and as roads and railroads made transporting cattle easier, the need for these dogs declined. Thankfully, some people remained faithful lovers of the breed and did their part to keep this from happening. In the 1900s Rottweilers put their working dog traits to use again serving as police and military dogs.

2. Dalmatians Are Born Without Spots

It is true, Dalmatian puppies are born completely white. Their spots start developing around 2 to 3 weeks of age with most spots showing up by 4 weeks. No two Dalmatians will have the same pattern or number of spots, like a snowflake or our fingerprints.

3. The Popularity of 101 Dalmatians Negatively Affected the Breed

It is common for people to seek after a dog breed that has gained popularity in pop culture. When the Disney movie 101 Dalmatians was released, many people sought out and bought Dalmatian puppies without doing the needed research. There was a large influx of Dalmatians in shelters shortly after this because most people were not prepared for how energetic, active, and needy this breed is.

Final Thoughts

The Rottweiler Dalmatian mix is a beautiful dog that can take on coat color and pattern from either or both parents. They are very loyal and affectionate with their human companions and will act as their protectors. You will have a strong, fierce guard dog with this mixed breed.

Due to their confident and headstrong nature and potential for aggressive tendencies with strangers, it’s of immense importance to train and socialize them starting in puppyhood. You want to have full control of a dog of this size and strength.

Rottweiler Dalmatians are extremely intelligent and easy to train. They can make a wonderful companion and family pet for those who are prepared to manage their training needs and high energy levels.

Related Reads:

• Chow Chow & Rottweiler Mix
• Dachshund Rottweiler Mix

Featured Image Credit: Left – Rottweiler (NioleNina, Pixabay) | Right – Dalmatian (Rebecca Scholz, Pixabay)