Are you newly captivated by the concept of miniature Rottweilers? Many individuals find themselves attracted to the character and appearance of big dog breeds such as Rottweilers and wish for a more compact variant of these animals.
Miniature Rottweiler puppies are not yet acknowledged as an official dog breed by the American Kennel Club. This is due to their novelty as well as the imperfect methods of making them.
Thus, the miniature Rottweiler is considered a “designer dog, ” meaning that they’re a new development bred to match the needs of modern individuals and for aesthetics rather than adhering to the older breed guidelines.
Read on to know everything you might want to know about the Miniature Rottweiler and what are the things to consider when buying a mix of this dog breed.
3 Types of Miniature Rottweilers
To create a miniature Rottweiler puppy, a breeder may use three different methods. Unfortunately, not all of these ways are morally good or even safe. These types are explained below.
Purebreeds with Dwarfism
You might have seen in ads or other websites that people are selling “purebred” miniature Rottweilers. But this is not true. For these pets to be purebred, there has to be something these people are not telling you.
Small breeds are currently a huge business, and there are tons of puzzling terminologies to get your head around. More formally known as achondroplasia, dwarfism is a defined medical condition in dogs. It is caused by a gene that gives a dog short limbs.
They are out-of-proportion that despite their small bodies, they have larger heads. They may not have a full set of teeth, and they may experience having bulging eyes, hair loss, and swollen bellies.
Though generally, Rottweilers don’t carry the dwarfism gene. There are anecdotes about Rottweilers with achondroplasia. A miniature Rottweiler puppy with dwarfism will often have an overly large head and short deformed limbs.
A potential small Rottweiler owner should understand the chronic health issues associated with dwarfism in dogs, including the financial cost of ongoing treatment and orthopedic surgery as well as the pain related to skeletal disorders.
Many breeds with dwarfism suffer from eye disorders and serious spinal problems. A deficiency in growth hormones may also cause renal failure and kidney problems in these dogs.
Therefore, it is highly recommended not to bring a miniature Rottweiler puppy that has dwarfism home.
Runts from a Litter
Breeding the runt of a litter with another runt of a litter is another way in which people claim to have a “purebred” Mini Rottweiler. From time to time, these runts puppies will be on sale as mini-Rottweilers.
However, a “Miniature Rottweiler” does not have a particular definition. Some Rottweiler breeders may specialize in uncommonly small or unusually large dogs. Most reputable breeders, on the other hand, will only breed a dog in its normal size range to ensure optimal fitness and health.
Sometimes an oddly small dog will be born to dog parents in normal size. This small dog is the so-called “runt of the litter.” Breeders who are eager in selling small Rottweilers may make use of this dog to produce an offspring that is also small. Due to potential health concerns, most responsible breeders will not do this.
The miniature Rottweiler weight and size range can vary depending on whether the dog is a dwarf or a runt. The term runt is used to describe the weakest and smallest baby animal in a litter. Many runts usually do not survive in the wild. A domestic runt (such as a puppy) can survive into adulthood with proper care.
But this puppy will be smaller than normal when fully grown. Apart from its small size, it’s crucial to be aware that runts may have lifelong health problems stemming from a compromised immune system and weak bones.
Rottweiler Mixes
As of the moment, the healthiest and safest miniature Rottweilers you can find are those that have a mixed lineage. Breeders often mix a Rottweiler with a Beagle, Pug, or Chihuahua to get a smaller version of the dog.
Genetic diversity assures better quality breeds with better health and this seems to be the smartest way to create a miniature Rottweiler. Besides Pug, the most common mixed breeding to produce a miniature Rottweiler puppy is mixing Rottweilers with miniature Pinschers.
This allows the offspring to keep the typical Rottweiler color as both breeds are much the same in that regard. The biggest difference between the two breeds is their greatly different sizes since Rottweilers are many times a Miniature Pinscher’s weight.
A Rottweiler is usually quite easy to train, but the miniature Rottweiler bred in this way is even more so. It is smarter than the average Rottweiler as well. Plus a bit lower energy than its full-sized counterparts.
Usual Bred Mixes to Make a Miniature Rottweiler
Mini Rottweilers or teacup Rottweilers are produced by out-crossing a full-size Rottweiler with a different breed. However, as an unofficial breed, the quality of miniature Rottweilers may vary greatly.
That’s why it’s vital to find a renowned and accredited breeder before you buy one of these mini-Rottweiler puppies. Below are some of the Rottweiler mixes that share the black-and-tan markings to produce the mini-Rottie look.
Beagles
A cross between a Rottweiler and a Beagle is called the ‘Reagle’. While a Reagle often acquires the Rottweiler color, it doesn’t inherit everything as it’s not known to be guard dogs, unlike Rottweilers.
However, Reagles aren’t considered toy dogs but medium-sized dogs that weigh from 50 to 85 pounds and range between 15 and 27 inches tall. This breed is also known to perfectly sit happily at home with its family.
Chihuahua
If you’re interested in a mini Rottie, the Rottweiler Chihuahua mix is another possibility. Chihuahuas are among the smallest of the toy breeds, standing between 5 to 8 inches tall and weighing around 6 pounds.
A Rottie Chi mix can be a small to medium-sized breed. But since the size of a mixed breed can only favor one parent breed over the other, a very small size for this mix cannot be guaranteed.
Poodle
In many crosses, the Poodle is a popular breed used. The Rottie-Poo or Rottle is a Poodle Rottweiler mix. A Rottweiler mixed with a miniature or toy Poodle can be a great choice for those looking for a mini Rottweiler.
A Rottie-Poo with a miniature or toy Poodle percentage can be a small to medium-sized dog with thick curly fur that can have the classic Rottweiler color and markings.
However, this breed is a little more difficult to groom as the coat of a Poodle requires very high maintenance. This is a small price to pay for the beauty of the mix of their coat.
Like all mixed dog breeds, there’s no way to predict whether the personality of a Rottie-Poo will be all-Poodle, all-Rottweiler, or a mix of traits from both.
Miniature Pinscher
If you’re planning on bringing a Miniature Rottweiler home as a guard toy dog, but you have no clear idea of how your dog will behave, you could consider the mix between a Rottweiler and a miniature Pinscher as it is similar in temperament and appearance to the Rottweiler.
The Min Pin or miniature Pinscher is a small dog with an outgoing and confident personality. This dog often has markings and coat colors that are like Rottweiler’s.
Manchester Terrier
Another small-sized dog that resembles the Rottweiler in temperament and looks is the Manchester Terrier. This breed has two sizes: toy (12 pounds or less) and standard ( 22 pounds or less). The Manchester Terrier has a keen, lively, and alert temperament. The standard coat is typical black and tan, just like the Rottweiler’s.
How to Take Care of a Miniature Rottweiler
Miniature Rottweiler is surely a very fun puppy to have, but it also comes with some challenges. Always remember to find a responsible breeder who will inform you of any health issues in your puppy. This will help you in visits to the vet and future diagnostics.
Depending on the mix, caring for these pups will be unique. However, there are a few universal tips that are salient to consider for taking good care of your mini Rottweiler dog. Since the common feature in each of these mixed-breed dogs is that they are all part Rottie, caring for a small Rottweiler breed can be the same as caring for a purebred Rottweiler.
Exercise
All mini Rottweilers require an adequate amount of exercise. Purebred pups will need much more than these mixed-breed dogs, but it is vital that a mini Rott can spend at least 30 minutes outdoors each day.
Grooming
Another huge aspect of taking great care of your mini Rott is grooming. A Rott’s fur is usually very thick. For that reason, they need to be brushed regularly. Depending on the mixed breed, it’s not necessary to cut their fur or bathe often.
Your groomer or vet will know more about what will be the best for grooming your mini Rottweiler puppy and are more knowledgeable in an individual pup. Checking the skin around their feet and clipping their nails is also important, especially if they have access to a ground surface or an open field you aren’t completely aware of.
Food
As muscular breeds, a mini Rott is in constant need of protein. Mini Rottweilers generally require 22 to 28% of the protein in their food. Moreover, it’s also equally important to make sure your mini Rott dog never overweights.
Because if your mini Rottweiler overweighs, it is possible that he’ll have to perform surgery as obesity or overweight for them is highly dangerous.
Training
Rottweilers are known for their willingness to get trained well, their high needs for training, and their smartness. However, training your Rottweiler improperly will lead to aggression and other undesired behaviors in extreme cases [1].
A mini dog generally has the same needs for training. That makes Mini Rottweilers challenging for new owners. You may need help from expert trainers to deal with them.
As mentioned before, the miniature Rottweilers will need training just like their normal-sized counterparts. Although they are social and very friendly dogs, you must also help them socialize with other people and dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Mini Rottweilers Live?
Most of the time, Mini Rottweilers live between 8 to 10 years. Many large breeds like Rottweilers do have shorter lifespans. Normally, the smaller the dog, the longer it lives. You will also notice this in mixed breeds.
Is A Mini Rottweiler A Good Family Dog?
Yes, a mini Rottweiler is a good family dog, especially for families with small children. However, it would be impossible to predict their personality since it depends on the crossed breed.
That’s why some people prefer a pure-blooded dog rather than a mixed breed because there is an assurance that you’ll know what to expect from their personality.
Pure-bred dogs have their own individual variations in their attitudes and personalities, but most of them share the same basic characteristics.
Still, it’s vital to train your mini Rottweiler as you would to a purebred, full-sized Rottie, but the small size of these dogs makes it slightly less of a safety risk if you don’t train them too.
Do Mini Rottweilers Shed?
It depends on whether the Mini Rottweiler is purebred or mixed-breed. If you purchased a purebred mini Rottweiler, you won’t have a problem with shedding.
Due to their short hair, they won’t shed a lot. However, if you purchased a mixed breed, then shedding might be a concern depending on the type of breed.
A Rottle, for instance, has long hair so there will be a problem in shedding. Always remember that buying a mini Rott is like gambling, you can’t really see the pictures of your dog in six month’s time.
Conclusion
Truly, Miniature Rottweilers can bring the best of both worlds to every home and a great friend to children. But before you buy one, there are some things you should watch out for.
Most dog specialists do not recommend getting a dog that is notably smaller than the weight and size outlined in the breed standard. The mini Rottie is not a breed.
A puppy advertised as a miniature Rottweiler may be a runt or the product of breeding countless generations of runts together. This can come with serious lifelong health issues.
Before committing to a mini Rott, consider either a small to medium-sized breed or a cross between a smaller dog and a Rottweiler that is similar to the full-sized, Rottie.
Whichever option you choose, make sure to work with a responsible breeder who welcomes potential buyers into their homes and health tests their dogs for inherited health problems.
