Dogs are part of the family, so it’s crucial to ensure that any dog you bring into your home is perfect for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Hybrid dog mixes are often an excellent choice for a new dog or puppy because these crosses often bring out the best traits of each dog breed.
Learning about a hybrid breed, such as the American Bulldog Rottweiler mix, can help you decide if it’s the right dog for you.
The American Bulldog Rottweiler mix, also known as an American Bullweiler, is loyal, protective, and willing to please. These dogs will require strong training and socialization to curb any unwanted or overprotective habits, but they’re intelligent, energetic, and playful, which makes them easy to work with. With the right owner, they often make excellent family or companion dogs.
All About the American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix
Appearance
Both the Rottweiler and American Bulldog are powerful, muscular dogs, and this can also be seen in the Bullweiler.
American Bulldog Rottweiler mixes are usually large dogs, growing to between 18 and 25 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing 70 to 110 pounds. These dogs are sturdy, somewhat stocky, and strong.
As with most dog breeds, female American Bulldog Rottweilers are usually a bit smaller than males.
American Bulldog Rottweilers tend to have short, somewhat floppy ears. The snouts of these dogs are generally medium to short in length, with wrinkles around the nose. The tail of this dog is medium to long.
Personality and Traits
- Loyal
- Protective
- Energetic
- Loving
- Playful
- Stubborn
- Willful
American Bulldogs were specifically bred to protect people and livestock from wildlife, as well as for hunting.
Rottweilers are also working dogs, specifically bred as guard dogs but also often used for labor. Both breeds are fiercely protective, loyal, hardworking, and can also be somewhat stubborn or territorial.
American Bulldog Rottweilers share personality and energy traits from both of their parent breeds. Like American Bulldogs and Rottweilers, Bullweilers are hardworking and energetic. They’re intelligent, which makes them highly trainable, but they can be very stubborn and will only take commands from a person they respect.
American Bulldog Rottweilers are known as very loving dogs. Although they can sometimes be overprotective or territorial, good socialization can bring out their natural friendliness. These dogs are extremely loyal to people they consider members of their families.
This dog breed is highly energetic, so they often do well in a working environment, such as on a farm or the agility course. Otherwise, they’re always eager to play and will appreciate plenty of time spent in a park or large backyard.
Coat and Colors
Like all hybrid or mixed-breed dogs, American Bulldog Rottweilers can take on the colors of either parent dog.
Rottweilers are usually black with brown markings, while American Bulldogs can be white, brown, brindle, fawn, red, or a combination.
American Bulldog Rottweilers can display any of these colors or a combination, but they’re most often a dark brown with darker brown or black markings and some white spots.
Like both parent breeds, American Bulldog Rottweilers have short, smooth coats.
Lifespan
With good care, a healthy diet, and daily exercise regiment, and regular checkups at the vet, American Bulldog Rottweilers can live for between 10 and 16 years.
Reasons Why You Should Get an American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix
- Loving
- Playful
- High energy
- Protective and loyal
- Intelligent
- Easy to care for
American Bulldog Rottweiler mixes can be an excellent choice for your next dog. This breed is loving and playful, which makes them a fantastic choice for a person or family with a similar energy level and lifestyle.
They’re also very smart and willing to work, which means they can be trained for a variety of tasks.
American Bulldog Rottweilers can also make great guard dogs. Because they’re loyal and somewhat territorial, they’re often very protective of their owners and will defend both their home and the people they consider part of their pack.
These dogs are also relatively easy to care for. Their short coat doesn’t require too much care, and as long as they’re properly exercised and mentally stimulated, they shouldn’t display bad habits such as barking, digging, or chewing.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get an American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix
- Overprotective
- Territorial
- Rambunctious
- Willful
- Health issues
Many of the traits that make them a good choice can often make the American Bulldog Rottweiler a poor choice for some people.
These dogs have a high energy level, so they’re not a good option for people who prefer a calmer lifestyle or who don’t have time to properly walk or exercise a dog.
American Bulldog Rottweilers are usually large dogs, so they need a good amount of room to roam. This, paired with their energy, means that this is not a good breed for apartment living.
These dogs are also powerful and can sometimes be rambunctious, so they aren’t usually a good option for older people or small children.
Although they’re highly trainable, American Bulldog Rottweilers can also be very stubborn and willful. If they don’t respect their owner or feel that their trainer is an alpha leader, they may refuse to take commands.
These dogs are a good choice for experienced dog owners and trainers but may not be a good option for people who are new to dogs or want a dog that’s easy to train and eager to please.
Finally, American Bulldog Rottweilers are relatively healthy dogs, but they can inherit some of the health problems of their parent breeds, including skin allergies, breathing issues, and hip dysplasia.
Anyone considering this dog as a pet should be aware of the potential health issues and ready to tackle them if they arise.
Grooming Your American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix
American Bulldog Rottweilers have short, smooth coats, so grooming is relatively straightforward.
They should be brushed once a day to remove any excess fur or surface dirt. You may need to brush them more frequently when they are actively shedding.
These dogs should be bathed about every month to six weeks unless they’ve become dirty in the meantime. American Bulldog Rottweilers should also have their nails clipped and ears cleaned on a similar schedule.
Both Rottweilers and American Bulldogs have numerous wrinkles and skin folds, and the American Bulldog Rottweiler has the same type of skin.
Bacteria and allergens can become trapped in these folds, irritating the form of redness, itching, or painful patches.
To avoid this, you should ensure that any folds in the skin are kept clean by wiping them with a damp cloth every day or two and paying close attention to these areas during bathing and brushing.
American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix Health Problems
Minor Issues
- Allergies
- Eye problems
- Reverse sneezing
- Arthritis
As mentioned above, American Bulldog Rottweilers are prone to allergies, particularly skin allergies, but these can usually be managed through routine grooming.
You can also manage allergies, whether they’re skin or respiratory allergies, by removing as many potential allergens from your dog’s home as possible.
This dog breed is also, like many other dog breeds, susceptible to some eye conditions. The most common condition is cataracts, which happen as dog’s age.
Another minor eye condition is called cherry eye, which is a prolapsed gland that can usually be fixed with a simple surgical procedure.
Because they usually have the shorter snouts of their parent breeds, American Bulldog Rottweilers are prone to some breathing conditions, including reverse sneezing.
This is a minor condition where a dog inhales air rapidly instead of sneezing. Although it can look alarming, reverse sneezing usually lasts only a few seconds and stops on its own.
As American Bulldog Rottweilers age, they may also be susceptible to arthritis, which is a condition that causes pain in the joints.
Arthritis can be managed through light exercise, a proper diet, and, sometimes, pain medications prescribed by a veterinarian.
Major Issues
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Cancer
- Bloat
- Kidney problems
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome
One of the biggest issues that American Bulldog Rottweilers face is hip or elbow dysplasia.
This is a condition common in larger dogs where the ball and socket of either the hip or elbow don’t grow properly, causing pain and weakness in the joint. Physical therapy, supplements, and, if necessary, pain medication can help to reduce the symptoms of this condition.
Both American Bulldogs and Rottweilers are prone to cancer, so it stands to reason that the American Bulldog Rottweiler is also prone to cancer.
In particular, this breed has a high rate of bone cancer. It’s important to get your dog checked by a veterinarian frequently to catch any signs of cancer as soon as they occur.
Bloat is another condition this breed can encounter, as it’s common in larger dog breeds. Bloat occurs when the stomach twists after eating, and it often requires surgery to repair.
To avoid bloat, elevate your dog’s food bowl and don’t encourage exercise directly after mealtimes.
Kidney issues, particularly kidney stones, are common in American Bulldog Rottweilers. Bladder stones can also be a problem. In severe cases, kidney or bladder stones may need to be removed surgically.
American Bulldog Rottweilers are also sometimes prone to Von Willebrand’s disease, or vWD, which is a genetic blood disorder that causes issues with blood clotting.
Dogs with this disease will need to be watched carefully to ensure that they aren’t in situations where they could be injured, which could lead to rapid blood loss.
Finally, due to their short snouts, American Bulldog Rottweilers are prone to Brachycephalic airway syndrome, which is a condition that causes the dog’s airway to form abnormally.
This can include an elongated soft palate, narrow trachea, elongated ridges of bone in the nose, and small nostrils.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome abnormalities can cause breathing problems that range from mild to severe, and, although different medications and therapies can sometimes help, surgery is sometimes the best option to treat this condition.
American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix Food Requirements
American Bulldog Rottweilers will need a nutritious, protein-rich diet to grow properly and maintain their energy level and muscle structure. Generally, a mix of dry kibble and wet dog food is a good option.
Exactly how much to feed your dog will depend on the dog’s size. Keep in mind that American Bulldog Rottweilers are prone to obesity, as they have large appetites, and weight gain can aggravate pre-existing health conditions.
For this reason, it’s often best to offer a specific, controlled amount of food instead of letting the dog feed freely.
A veterinarian can help you determine a healthy amount of food for your dog. Veterinarians can also help you choose a food that won’t exacerbate any allergies an American Bulldog Rottweiler might encounter.
Because of the potential for allergic reactions, it’s also best to avoid dog foods that contain a lot of fillers such as corn or soy.
Because American Bulldog Rottweilers are prone to both bloat and brachycephalic issues, you may need to adjust how you feed your dog.
Elevating the food bowl can sometimes cut down on bloat occurrences. Using shallow bowls and tipping them slightly can help these shorter-snouted dogs eat more easily and comfortably.
American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix Exercise Requirements
American Bulldog Rottweilers tend to be energetic dogs, but the exact energy level will depend on the particular dog.
Dogs that lean more towards a Rottweiler energy style will require longer, more strenuous exercise, while dogs that are more like American Bulldogs will need frequent but shorter and lighter exercise sessions.
On average, American Bulldog Rottweilers require about half an hour of exercise per day. For dogs with more energy, some time spent running around a park or backyard or going for a jog can be helpful and fun. Dogs with lower energy levels might only need twice-daily walks with light exercise in between.
Dogs with shorter snouts or with breathing issues will require lighter exercise than other dogs.
It’s important to consider how much energy your dog has and what exercise level it is comfortable with before you decide on a healthy exercise routine.
American Bulldog Rottweilers are also quite susceptible to the heat since they’re large dogs with thick fur and short noses. Adjust accordingly on hot days by choosing lighter or shorter exercise sessions.
It’s also important to ensure that your American Bulldog Rottweiler is getting the proper amount of mental exercise. Training sessions should take place daily.
Building a proper, healthy training and exercise routine can help to ensure that your dog doesn’t become bored. Bored dogs can form bad habits, such as barking, chewing, or digging.
American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix Training
Because they can be so willful, and because it’s important to ensure that your dog is mentally stimulated, a training regime should be initiated when the dog is a puppy and continued into adulthood.
American Bulldog Rottweilers are very smart dogs, so they pick up on commands quickly. Their high energy level and focus also mean that these dogs will rarely become bored or tired out by training.
Because they’re so stubborn, owners or trainers will need to be firm and use repetition and positive reinforcement to train these dogs.
Owners that let their dogs get away with things will soon find that their dog is not mindful of their commands. Dogs that don’t feel their owner is an alpha leader will often develop bad, sometimes destructive, habits.
American Bulldog Rottweilers are large, powerful dogs, so aside from learning basic commands such as “sit” and “stay,” it’s important to begin teaching these dogs to walk on a leash right away. Training your American Bulldog Rottweiler not to pull or run on the leash is crucial.
Overall, American Bulldog Rottweilers require about an hour or so of training every day when they’re puppies and learning new commands.
As adults, these dogs should have about 20 minutes of training every day. It’s important to revisit old commands while learning new ones to ensure that older skills stay fresh and present in the dog’s mind.
Socialization is also a key part of training for American Bulldog Rottweilers. These dogs are gentle and caring with family members, but they can be aggressive towards anyone they don’t consider to be part of their pack. This can include strangers or other dogs.
It’s important to begin socializing your American Bulldog Rottweiler when it’s a puppy. Bringing the dog to a café or walking through a pet store can help your dog become familiar and comfortable with meeting new people and dogs.
This can help to ensure that your dog remains friendly and trusting as an adult and can help to curb any aggression or overprotective issues that might arise.
American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix and Families
American Bulldog Rottweilers are often considered to be good family dogs. They’re energetic and playful, so they enjoy games with children.
They’re also gentle and loyal to family members. In addition, this breed makes an excellent guard dog, and they will often defend family members, including children, from any threats.
On the other hand, American Bulldog Rottweilers can sometimes be rambunctious, and they might knock over smaller children.
For this reason, these dogs aren’t usually a good choice for families with toddlers. They can also be too strong and stubborn for children to walk or train, so an adult may need to handle these duties until the child is ready to take over.
American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix and Other Pets
Some American Bulldog Rottweilers are great with other family pets, and some aren’t. How a dog will react depends on the dog’s personality and how it was trained and socialized.
If an American Bulldog Rottweiler sees another pet, such as a cat, as a member of their pack or family, they may be protective and caring towards it. This is especially the case if the dog was raised with the other pets from the time it was a puppy.
These dogs are often gentle with children, so they can also be gentle with smaller pets. However, it’s very important to carefully introduce these dogs and other pets to see how the dog will react.
Because they can be so protective and territorial, American Bulldog Rottweilers are not always good with other dogs.
This is particularly true if the other dog is of the same gender. Introducing dogs as puppies or socializing them well is the best way to ensure that this breed can live happily and peacefully with another dog.
American Bulldog Rottweiler Mix Puppies for Sale
Like most hybrid dog breeds, American Bulldog Rottweilers aren’t registered with the American Kennel Club. This means that it’s often very easy for people to breed and sell American Bulldog Rottweilers.
While this makes finding a puppy convenient, it also means that you’ll need to carefully research a breeder before deciding to purchase from them.
Reputable breeders only breed healthy dogs humanely and safely. You can ask breeders about the parent dogs to get a feel for the puppies’ personality, temperament, energy level, and overall health.
If the parent dogs seem aggressive, the puppies have health issues, or the living conditions aren’t clean and spacious, it’s best to avoid that particular breeder.
It’s very important to only purchase from reputable breeders who take care of their dogs. This also helps to ensure that you’ll end up with a healthy dog.
Reputable breeders tend to sell American Bulldog Rottweiler puppies for between $500 and $1000, but prices can vary depending on demand and the breeder’s reputation. You may also pay more if you’re looking for particular coat color.
American Bulldog Rottweiler mixes can also sometimes be found in animal shelters. Although you may not be able to find a puppy this way, you can often find loving dogs that may already be trained. You’ll also generally pay less for these dogs.
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