The Great Pyrenees Rottweiler mix is a large breed mixed dog stemming from the Rottweiler and Great Pyrenees dogs – both of these European behemoths found homes among French and German aristocracy and were used historically as guard dogs of estates, and hunting companions. Since then, both individual breeds have become firm household pets in American homes and therefore, the mix of these two popular breeds has become fairly popular in its own right.
Photo credit: oops_ah_daisy
Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 80–130 pounds |
| Height: | 20–30 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 9–12 years |
| Coat colours: | Black and white, yellow, brown and white. |
| Temperament: | Loyal, protective, affectionate, energetic. |
| Suitable for: | Families with children, owners with large yards. |
What Does a Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix Look Like?
You can expect your Great Pyrenees Rottweiler mix to be a very large dog – as the stats above show, they grow tall and are quite heavy! They have dense fur, a wedge-shaped head (that is, wider at the top and narrower at the snout) and are routinely stocky and muscular, owing this to the mixture of two very strong dog breeds. They’ll often have brown eyes and a double-coat.
Photo: @adventuresinnoodling
The History of the Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix
As with most hybrid dogs, or “designer’ dogs”, the history of the crossbreed is difficult to ascertain, as research hasn’t thrown up any concrete timeline of when the two breeds were bred together to create the Great Pyrenees Rottie mix. Other Rottweiler mixes began to appear in the early 21st century – we can assume that this is also true of the Great Pyrenees. However, let’s take a dive into the histories of the two breeds that make up the mix.
Great Pyrenees History
The Great Pyrenees has lineage stretching back centuries, with fossilized evidence showing that the Great Pyrenees appeared in Europe around 1800 B.C. The breed was first used as a herding and watchdog, and as the name might suggest, was used by Spanish and French shepherds as herding and watch dogs over the Pyrenees mountains.
How Popular Are Great Pyrenees?
The Great Pyrenees’ popularity in the US isn’t very high, but the latest figures from the American Kennel Club place it as the 63rd most popular dog in the country.
Who Are Great Pyrenees a Good Dog For?
Given their ginormous size, the Great Pyrenees is the perfect dog for a family unit that owns a house with plenty of space – both inside and out – for the dog to be able to run and exercise properly. They are not well suited for smaller spaces, or for the elderly due to their intense exercise requirements.
How Did Great Pyrenees Come About?
The Great Pyrenees is thought to have been bred from the Kuvascz dog – a Hungarian sheepdog – and the Italian Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdog. However, there is other information to suggest that the dog first came to the French mountains from Asian origin in Ancient Roman times.
When Did First Cross-Breed Great Pyrenees?
The history of crossbreeding of the Great Pyrenees is a little spotty – primarily because of the purebred Great Pyrenees dog’s desirability (mostly in Europe). However, in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Great Pyrenees that did exist in the United States began to be crossbred with other dogs to create mixed breeds.
There are many popular Great Pyrenees crossbreeds today.
These include:
- Great Pyrenees Pitbull Mix (Great Pit)
- Great Pyrenees Husky Mix (Great Husky)
- Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix (Great Rottie)
- Great Pyreneees American Bulldog Mix (Great Bulldog)
Rottweiler History
The Rottweiler also has it’s history as a herding dog, though it was mostly used as a guardian for Ancient Roman cities and later as guardians of aristocratic estates in Germany.
How Popular Are Rottweilers?
The Rottweiler owes much of its current popularity in the US to its perception as a gentle giant of dogs. They’re great family pets, despite their old perception as being an aggressive animal. This scores them a rating of the 8th most-popular dog in the US.
Who Are Rottweilers A Good Dog For?
Rottweilers are a great dog for almost anyone – though beware that the Rottweiler is a large and powerful animal and you’ll need a decent amount of strength in order to be able to walk it effectively. The elderly probably should aware of owning a Rottie, as should those people without the necessary space or time needed to exercising this great dog.
How Did Rottweilers Come About?
Rottweilers were first bred for Roman Legions in Rottweil, Germany in the 2nd century B.C, first as guard and battle dogs and then as guardians of Germanic estates/homes. They arrived in the United States in the early 20th century, being brought over by three German immigrants: Fred Kolb, Otto Denny and August Knecht. This led to the first Rottweiler litter being born in the United States in the fall of 1930.
When Did First Cross-Breed Rottweilers?
While there is little history available about the specifics of when we started to crossbreed the Rottweiler, it is a very popular dog to cross breed with, with over 50 different types of crossbreeding having been conducted – though difficult to pin down an exact history, we can surmise that crossbreeding the Rottie first began after the Second World War.
In modern times, the Rottweiler has been crossbreed with many different dogs, beginning in the 1990s and early 2000s. Several of the most popular Rottie crosses include:
- Catahoula Rottweiler Mix (Rottahoula)
- Rottweiler Husky Mix (Rottsky)
- Rottweiler Labrador Retriever Mix (Labrottie)
- Rottweiler Poodle Mix (Rottle)
- Rottweiler Golden Retriever Mix (Golden Rottie)
What is the Temperament of the Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix?
The Rottweiler Great Pyrenees mix tends to be a very energetic little puppy, while chilling out a little bit as they age. They are, however, fiercely loyal and protective. You can expect them to typify the ‘gentle giant’ dog, and as such are usually good with children.
Are Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mixes Friendly?
Yes, these dogs tend to be very friendly animals! Expect lots of love and kisses from these larger-than-life slobberers.
Are Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mixes Easy to Train?
Given their history as herding dogs, you can expect both of these dogs to bring that obedience to the fore in their new lives with you. Expect these dogs to be relatively easy to train and respond well to commands.
How Much Can Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mixes Weigh?
These behemoths can weigh anywhere from 80 to 130 pounds. If you’re not strong enough to lift them, then it’s time to get down the gym!
How Tall Can Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mixes Get?
They can grow up to 20-30 inches tall at shoulder height. Their height and weight are why they don’t necessarily make good pets for all.
Similar Sized Breeds
It can be difficult to imagine another breed of this size, so try to imagine any cross between a Rottweiler and a larger dog, or other breeds such as a Great Dane or English Mastiff. Though still, few will come close to the size of these gigantors.
Does a Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix Shed?
Yes, as they’re double-coated dogs, you should expect moderate shedding throughout the year, with peak shedding occurring during season changes. Make sure you have a good dog brush, and brush them frequently (once a week).
How Much Exercise Does a Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix Need?
The Great Pyrenees Rottweiler mix was not bred to sit around! They require a minimum of one hour of walking every day, or at least a half-hour of running around playing fetch or chasing something every other day, if every day is not a possibility.
How Long Does a Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix Live?
The lifespan of the Great Pyrenees is between 10-12 years, while the Rottweiler is between 8-10 years.
Therefore we can assume the life expectancy of the Great Pyrenees Rottweiler mix is anywhere between 9-12 years.
Like with any dog, there are a number of factors that will determine the number of years your specific Great Pyrenees Rottweiler mix lives like diet and exercise.
What Health Conditions Could the Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix Have?
How Can You Find a Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix For Sale?
While we recommend adoption over buying your Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix from a breeder. If you want to find a reputable breeder, be sure to check the AKC’s list of reputable breeders.
For those looking to adopt, check out this link to see what adoptions are available in your area.
How Much Does a Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix Cost?
Expect to pay a premium for these pups, as they typically fetch anywhere between $500 and $2500, depending on pedigree, location, etc.
Is the Great Pyrenees Rottweiler Mix the Right Breed For You?
Deciding whether or not a dog breed is right for you is a very personal decision. However, we’ve outlined, in general, what a Great Pyrenees/Rottweiler mix needs to life a full and happy life. If you think that you could offer that to this mixed-breed dog, then be sure to check your local adoption agencies/shelters for a Great Pyrenees/Rottie that speaks to you