Ok, let us delve into the pros and cons of owning a Rottle aka; Rottie – poo? These adorable Doodles should be high on everyone’s radar. They are sweet, caring, and light-hearted. They are lovely dogs that bring so many families joy.
But, before you decide to go out and get one, you need a little more information. These dogs aren’t always the right fit for every family, and that’s ok. We strive to inform all pet owners before impulse buying a dog. There are Rottle pros and cons that you might be interested to know about before taking the plunge. As well as where they come from.
Origins
The Rottle can also go by the name Rottie-Poo. These dogs are technically not a breed of their own, but rather a hybrid. They are half Poodle and half Rottweiler. It is unclear how and where the Rottle first came about. But, likely, they were intentionally bred first in the 80s or early 90s as a designer breed in America. But, how they are as a pet relies on their parent’s origins.
Poodles are a hunting dog from the border of France and Germany. They are great for water hunting and revered for their low-shedding coats. People loved them because of their intelligence, loyalty, and eagerness to please. It wasn’t long before royalty started to bring these dogs into their homes as pets instead of working dogs. Thus began the process of creating smaller lapdogs like the toy and mini Poodle.
Rottweilers are another breed from Germany that was used as a farmhand. They helped pull carts into town and herd livestock. They have had a bad reputation in the past, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Rottweilers are a silly dog that enjoys its family. They are loyal and obedient. Most Rottweilers are the most joyful dogs that you will ever meet. They make excellent guard dogs, which is why all around the world, they are in the police force.
Pros Of Owning A Rottle
Now that we know where these dogs come from, we can see how they blend. We will now talk about all the terrific attributes of the Rottie-Poo and how they fit into your life.
Temperament
The Rottle temperament is one that everyone will enjoy. These pups have a goofy sense of humor and love to play with their owners. They are loving to their families and will adore every member differently. Rottles are also protective of their families and homes, so proper socialization is needed.
Hypoallergenic
The Rottie-Poo has a low shedding coat that can be single or double-coated. It usually takes in a wirey wavy to curly appearance and comes in a variety of colors. Since they shed so little, they can be great for people with mild allergies or asthma. Some people enjoy them simply because they don’t have to dust or clean up hair from the furniture as much as a Rottweiler.
Intelligence
Rottles are a highly intelligent dog that requires a lot of dedication and stimulation. They are generally easy to train because they want to please their owners so much. You will quickly housebreak your Rottle, and they will learn a variety of new tricks. Puppies may get a little excited at these activities, so always train in short bursts. 15-20 minutes of training followed by 20-30 minutes of playtime is the key.
Family Oriented
Rottles love their families, including kids. They are mild-mannered and very tolerant of most kids. But, you should still teach your children the correct way of handling dogs, and never leave them alone. Your Rottle will look after your children and play with them in such a heartwarming way.
Uncommon
Having a rare dog will have many advantages. One is that you most likely won’t find another Rottle in your group of friends. And since they are so uncommon, it isn’t likely that a backyard breeder or puppy mill will be trying to produce these. Since these types of breeders like to make a quick buck, they breed more common Doodles. And lastly, rare dogs tend to be a little healthier as they aren’t prone to inbreeding.
Guard Dog
Our last pro is that a Rottie-Poo makes an excellent guard dog. I know the name doesn’t sound very threatening, but these dogs don’t give up lightly. They do not bark much, but when they do, it’s loud and deep. It’s enough to scare away any intruder. They are protective of their people and their homes, a trait that they inherited from the Rottweiler. With proper training, a Rottle will make an excellent protective feature of your home.
Cons Of Owning A Rottle
No one likes to hear the negative side of things. But, to ensure that you are a good fit for a Rottie-Poo, these might be things to consider. Some people adjust to these cons, and for others, they may be a deal-breaker. It all depends on your lifestyle and how you can fit these things into your life as it is. You can not expect the dog to adjust to you; you must adapt to it.
Grooming
Though a Rottle may be low-shedding, they are not low maintenance. You can expect to spend at least 10 minutes a day brushing your Doodle. Since their coats do not shed, they need constant attention to maintain it’s health. Doodle owners will need a variety of brushes and combs on hand to detangle these active dogs daily.
Rottles also need to be groomed every 6-12 weeks by a professional. They will need hair cuts and a bath during this time. And expect it to cost a pretty penny. Most groomers charge more for larger dogs since it’s more work. And sometimes they charge extra for dogs that have not had their coats appropriately managed.
Size
Unlike most Doodles, the Rottle only comes in one size. Generally, they weigh 60-90, which isn’t a big deal for those who want a large dog. But if you were hoping for a lap dog, then you might want to look elsewhere. Some breeders might try to sell you a mini Rottle, but be careful of these breeders. They may be scamming you to get more money. There are no exact sizes for a mini, and therefore the size will vary greatly per litter. It is always best to see the breeding pair and any previous litters that they have had.
Health
Every breed has medical conditions that they are prone to. It is essential to know these problems before getting a puppy so that proper testing can be done and proven before exchanging money.
Rottles are prone to:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye diseases
- Bloat
- Blood-clotting disorders
- Obesity
- Heart conditions
A reputable breeder will perform all DNA tests on parents before a match is made. They will also have a health certificate by a vet stating that your pup is in good health.
Socialization
You may find that your Doodle will love you and your family to no end. But, it can be hard for them to tolerate strangers in the same manner. It is crucial to start socializing your puppy with other people, children, and dogs from a young age. This will prevent them from protecting you against people that you have invited into your home.
High Energy
If you want a calm dog that doesn’t require much attention, the Rottle is not for you. Rottles need 30-60 minutes of exercise a day, along with intermittent training, playtime, and puzzles. They do not fair too well alone and need plenty of activities throughout the day. If you are naturally very outgoing and active, the Rottle is the perfect dog for you. They will enjoy doing whatever activity you love.
Stubborn
From the Rottweiler side, you may get a little stubborn streak in your Doodle. This streak is not uncommon and does phase over time. You will need a lot of patience when training and only use positive reinforcement. If you try to push back too much, you may find that your Rottle will become more stubborn. It is a phase, and they will grow out of it eventually.
Unpredictable
As a result of being uncommon, they can also be very unpredictable. You never know precisely what you are going to get. Everything from size to coat type to temperament can vary between puppies. You can sometimes even see a vast difference in puppies within the same litter. This unpredictability can be a bad thing if you want to be sure of what you are spending your money on.
Cost
Speaking of what you spend your money on. Rottles can cost a good chunk of change because of how rare they are. The average Rottle will cost you about $2,500 to $3,000. Some people may not care about this cost if they are getting a high-quality dog. They can be of high breeding and fantastic color variations that people care about the most. But, for some, this is too high of a price, and that’s ok.
Do You Think You Want A Rottie-Poo?
After reading all the Rottle pros and cons, we hope you can better decide if they are right for you. If you think this is a pass for you, stick around and see what Doodle we write about next.