Rottweiler Hound Mix: Breed Info, Pictures, Facts & More

Coming from the Rottweiler and hound dogs, the Rottweiler Hound mix is one of the most protective and intelligent dogs you can have.

They are well-known for their medium-to-large muscular physique, which may look intimidating to others. But beyond this formidable appearance, they are loved by many fur parents due to their loyalty, playfulness, and protectiveness.

In this article, we will share some important information about this mixed breed, such as their appearance, history, temperament, health, lifespan, puppy price, expenses, and others.

Breed Overview

What Is a Rottweiler Hound Mix?

The Rottweiler Hound mix is the cross between the Rottweiler and a hound breed, such as the Coonhound, Plott Hound, and Basset Hound. Due to the variety of its hound parent, there may be a little difference in the temperaments and appearance of each Rottweiler Hound mix.

Reflecting the general behavior of their parent breeds, Rottweiler Hounds are relatively intelligent, loyal, trainable, and courageous. Their sizes may range from medium to large, depending on the traits of their parents.

In addition, this designer pooch can be a good watchdog since its Rottweiler parent is known for a similar role, aside from being used in search and rescue operations.

As a designer dog, the Rottweiler Hound mix is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a breed in its own right. 

Hence, Rottweiler Hound mixes cannot compete in events organized by the American Kennel Club. Fortunately, there are many organizations that specialize in hybrid dogs, like the Rottie Hound mix. 

Rottweiler Hound Mix History and Origin

Since crossbreeding dogs just gained popularity 20 years ago, there is no clear information as to the origin of the first Rottweiler Hound mix. In fact, Rottweilers are more commonly crossed with non-hound dog breeds.

However, knowing the history of its parents is equally important as it would help us trace the ancestral origin of the general temperaments and physical features of Rottweiler Hound mixes. 

Originating from Germany, Rottweiler is believed to descend from the Molossus dog — an extinct Mastiff-type dog breed from Ancient Greece characterized by a large head and a powerful muscular physique.

Behaviorally, the Molossus dogs are believed to be energetic, smart, loyal, and ferocious since they were used in wars as hunting and guardian dogs. 

Some of these Molossian physical features and temperaments were retained by the Rottweilers, making them ideal shepherd dogs during Roman times.

Although the American Kennel Club only recognizes one type of Rottweiler, some breeders classify this breed into American and German Rottweilers. 

The hound is another progenitor of the Rottweiler Hound mix. Technically, the hound is a diverse group of hunting dogs. There are over a hundred kinds of hounds with varying physical features and temperaments.

However, they can be generally classified into sighthound and scenthound. While sighthounds use their sight and speed to track their prey, scenthounds use their scenting power.

Scenthound is the usual type of hound crossed with a Rottweiler to produce the Rottweiler Hound mix. Some scenthounds that can be mixed with Rottweilers are the Basset Hound, the Coonhound, and the Plott Hound.

Rottweiler Hound Mix Appearance

As a designer dog, the Rottweiler Hound mix has no standard appearance. Its physical features depend primarily on the combined genetics of its Rottweiler and hound parents. 

Rottweiler Hounds have almond-shaped and expressive dark brown eyes. They have a pronounced muzzle and sensitive nose, reminiscent of their Rottweiler and hound progenitors. 

Generally, they have a sweet face with medium-to-long velvety, floppy ears. Their bodies are well-built with athletic, chunky, and muscular physiques. Their legs are usually powerful with massive paws.

When it comes to their fur, Rottweiler Hounds have short, smooth, and glossy coats. Although black with rust or tan markings is the most common coat color of this designer breed, they may also have other fur colors.

For instance, because of the diverse coat colors and markings in Basset Hounds, the Basset Hound Rottweiler may have fur colors like lemon and white, black and brown, white and red, mahogany and white, and many more! 

To catch a glimpse of the Rottweiler Hound mix in action, you may check out the video below:

Rottweiler Hound Mix Size and Weight

Technically, there is no standard range for the height and weight of Rottweiler Hounds, and their size varies from medium to large.

However, considering the sizes of the Rottweiler and the Basset Hound, Rottweiler Hounds may grow to a height of 11 to 27 inches and a weight of 40 to 135 pounds. They reach their full-grown age at around 12 to 24 months.

Amid these given ranges, a Rottweiler Hound mix can still obtain a few more inches and pounds depending on its diet and activeness, even if it has already reached adulthood.

Rottweiler Hound Mix Temperament and Personality

Essentially, the combined temperaments of its parent breeds make up the personality of the Rottweiler Hound mix. 

Rottweiler Hound mixes are generally known to be intelligent, loyal, courageous, and moderately cautious to strangers. They are also considered playful and slightly vocal, especially when it needs to alert the family.

Due to their affectionate behavior, they can form fair-to-good relationships with their families, as well as with other dogs. However, their personality may vary slightly depending on the type of hound crossed with Rottweiler. 

For example, Basset Hound Rottweilers are more sweet-tempered, tenacious, and friendly, while Bluetick Coonhound Rottweilers are relatively more trainable than other Rottweiler Hounds.

When it comes to their protective nature, the Black and Tan Coonhound Rottweilers are more easygoing and trusting, while the Plott Hound Rottweilers are bolder and more alert than the other two.

Amid these slight variations in the temperaments of Rottweiler Hounds, all of them need constant attention from their owners, as well as some challenging activities for their mental stimulation.

Rottweiler Hound Mix Lifespan and Health Issues

Rottweiler Hound mixes can generally live for as long as 8 to 12 years. Rottweilers crossed with Coonhounds or Plott Hounds can live longer than this. 

In addition, hybrid dogs like Rottweiler Hound mixes are generally deemed healthier than their purebred parents. This can be ascribed to a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor. 

However, although Rottweiler Hounds are considered healthier than their purebred parents, they are not free from other diseases that may afflict them. 

Below are some of the health issues that may affect Rottweiler Hound mixes:

• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): True to their parent breeds, Rottweiler Hounds can also be affected by osteochondritis dissecans. This inflammatory condition is characterized by the separation of the diseased cartilage from an underlying bone, either in the shoulder joint, elbow, hip, or knee. 
• Aortic Stenosis: Another condition that may affect the Rottweiler Hound mix is aortic stenosis. This hereditary disease is primarily characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart. Unfortunately, this condition occurs more frequently in certain dog breeds, including the Rottweiler and its mixes.
• Lymphoma: Lymphoma accounts for 15-20% of new cancer diagnoses in dogs. Lymphoma is cancer in the lymph nodes and lymphatic system. Some dog breeds are more predisposed to this condition, including the Rottweiler, the Basset Hound, and their hybrids.

If your Rottweiler Hound happens to experience some symptoms of the foregoing diseases, it is best advised to bring them to the nearest veterinary clinic for proper checkups and medication.

Also, you may get pet insurance for your Rottweiler Hound to ensure that they are given the best medical care, especially when they get older. 

How to Take Care of Your Hound Rottweiler Mix

Taking care of the Rottweiler Hound mix does not end with providing a clean shelter for them. 

If you plan to own one of these precious pups in the future, equip yourself with the right knowledge about feeding, grooming, and training a Rottweiler Hound. 

Food and Diet

Like any other dog breed, Rottweiler Hound mixes may be fed with dry and canned wet food — both must be rich in protein to develop their muscles. 

Alternatively, you may try to feed your Rottweiler Hound with some human foods that dogs can eat. Among these are plain bread, meat, fish, eggs, honey, raw and unsalted peanut butter, and grains.

On the other hand, almonds, chocolate, cinnamon, ice cream, and macadamia nuts are harmful to all dog breeds, including Rottweiler Hound mixes.

When it comes to feeding schedules, the mealtime of Rottweiler Hounds depends on the schedule set by the family. Ideally, adult dogs can be fed two half-portions of dog food a day.

The amount of food that should be given to Rottweiler Hounds per meal depends on the dog’s size. Essentially, the dog size and the serving size per meal are directly proportional to each other. 

Cleaning and Grooming

Rottweiler Hounds are relatively low-maintenance; hence, they do not require frequent grooming and bathing to become healthy. Depending on their activity level and lifestyle, they should receive a bath once or twice a month.

When giving a bath, fur parents must not use human shampoos. It is better to use the dog shampoo recommended by your trusted veterinarian or local pet store. 

Coat brushing also contributes to a dog’s good grooming. Although Rottweiler Hounds are moderate shedders, owners can still brush their coats every so often to remove the dander, debris, and loose hair from their coats. 

Nail trimming is another grooming practice that must be observed in Rottweiler Hounds. In line with this, fur parents must also know how to properly trim the dog’s nails to avoid hitting their quicks. 

Training and Exercise

Being a descendant of working dogs, the Rottweiler Hound needs daily exercise and plenty of activities to stay happy and healthy.

In particular, Rottweiler Hounds need at least 1 hour of exercise every day. You may also give your dog some mentally stimulating games to ensure that they don’t get bored. This prevents their destructive behavior from manifesting.

Because of their innate prey drive, Rottweiler Hound mixes may become aggressive. This can be prevented through early socialization and obedience training. 

You may also try positive reinforcement, which is one of the most proven and effective methods in dog training. This method makes use of treats and rewards to reinforce positive behaviors.

How Much Does a Rottweiler Hound Mix Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses

The price of a Rottweiler Hound puppy from a reputable breeder may range between $700 and $1,500.

In addition to the puppy price, the initial expenses of owning a Rottweiler Hound should also be kept in mind. The initial cost includes all the starter supplies your puppy needs for its first few months.

Below is a tabulated summary of the initial expenses of owning a Rottweiler Hound mix:

As shown in the tables above, the total initial costs of owning a Rottweiler Hound puppy may range between $505 and $3,150.

Note that this is exclusive to the price of the puppy itself. These initial costs may still lessen depending on the status of your pup prior to taking them home. 

For example, some Rottweiler Hound breeders offer puppies that already have initial vaccine shots and are already microchipped.

Furthermore, some supplies on the list are not considered recurring expenses. Some of them are enough throughout your Rottweiler Hound’s lifespan; hence, you don’t need to purchase them again.

Places to Find Rottweiler Hound Mix Puppies for Sale and Adoption

The Rottweiler Hound mix is one of the rarest designer pooches in the dog breeding industry. Because of this, it is relatively difficult to find a breeder that offers Rottweiler Hound puppies.

However, you can still find some puppy advertising websites with substantial links to various breeders, and they are the following: 

• Greenfield Puppies – Located in Pennsylvania, this family-owned puppy advertising website has been operating since 2000 and has a vast connection to several dog breeders. In the past, they have already sold Rottweiler mixes; hence, finding a Rottweiler Hound mix from this website is possible. 
• Lancaster Puppies – Lancaster Puppies is a web advertising platform that connects puppy buyers and puppy breeders across the United States. It has around 200 dog breeds, including the Rottweiler Hound and its mixes.
• Keystone Puppies – KeystonePuppies is another puppy advertising website located in Pennsylvania. All reputable breeders from this website are experienced and dedicated to raising happy and healthy puppies. The Rottweiler mixes are among the designer breeds that they offer.

If you’re interested in adopting a Rottweiler Hound mix to save money and participate in a great cause, you may visit one of the websites listed below:

• Petfinder – This website primarily works as an online directory for animal shelters and rescues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They have a database of different breeds of domestic animals which are available for adoption, including the Rottweiler and the Rottweiler-mixed dogs. 
• Adopt-a-Pet – Founded in 2000, this non-profit pet adoption web service has extensive links to more than 12,000 pet shelters across the United States and Canada. Their website offers a database of animals that are eligible for adoption, including the Rottweiler and its mixes. 
• Ward-Wiseman Animal Haven – This non-profit animal rescue from Oklahoma has already adopted over 1,300 animals since 2008. They work in conjunction with the Animal Control Officer of Collinsville, Oklahoma, to find homes for stray or abandoned dogs and cats in their town. This organization offers several breeds of rescued dogs and cats, including the Rottweiler Hound mix.

If you’re looking for more options, consider checking out Facebook or other social networking sites. Some breeders have pages on these platforms where you can connect with them directly.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Hound Rottweiler Mix

Like any other breed, owning a Rottweiler Hound mix has its perks and drawbacks.

To help you decide if this dog is right for you, I put together some of the advantages and disadvantages of owning a Rottweiler Hound.

First, let’s discuss the advantages of having a Rottweiler Hound mix:

• Ideal watchdog: Rottweilers and hounds are well-known for being intelligent. Today, Rottweilers are widely used as police dogs because of their innately vigilant nature, while hound dogs are used as hunting dogs due to their smelling and tracking ability. All of these are inherited by the Rottweiler Hound mix, making it an ideal watchdog for a family.
• Loyalty to owner: Rottweiler Hound mixes are also well-known for their loyalty. Amid their intimidating appearance, they love their families, and they always want to be around you for some playtime and cuddle.
• Low maintenance: As moderate shedders, they don’t require so much in the grooming department. Regular brushing and occasional trips to the grooming salon are enough to maintain their coats.

Now, let’s look into some disadvantages of owning a Rottweiler Hound mix:

• Aggressive tendencies: True to their Rottweiler parent, Rottweiler Hounds may have aggressive tendencies. Because of this, moderate supervision is needed, especially if you have young children or other pets in your home. 
• Difficult to train: Due to the innate stubbornness that it inherited from its hound parent, a Rottweiler Hound can be hard to train. This dog requires a firm and patient hand that is accustomed to handling such behavior.
• Limited sources: Since the Rottweiler Hound mix is relatively rare, there is a limited number of breeders that offer this designer breed. You can choose from our selected online websites and rescue organizations stated in the previous section.

Undeniably, being a fur parent requires time, effort, money, and vast understanding in the process. It is a huge responsibility that starts with knowing what breed suits your current situation, lifestyle, and environment. 

Scrutinizing the pros and cons of having a Rottweiler Hound mix is crucial before deciding to own one. Through this, you will be able to manage your expectations and form effective strategies for raising a Rottweiler Hound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Rottweiler Hound Mixes Aggressive?

As mentioned in the previous section, Rottweiler Hound mixes may have aggressive tendencies. This is why moderate supervision is needed, especially if you have young children or other pets in your home.

However, in some cases, this tendency is neutralized by the friendly and less protective temperaments that it inherited from its hound parent.

Other factors like improper or late socialization, neglect or abuse, mistreatment, and the likes greatly contribute to the aggressive tendencies of the Rottweiler Hound mix.

Do Rottweiler Hound Mixes Shed a Lot?

Because of the smooth, short hair, the Rottweiler Hound does not shed frequently. In fact, Rottweiler Hound mixes are considered seasonal shedders. In particular, they only shed their coats during spring and fall.

Amid being a moderate shedder, some Rottweiler Hounds may experience more frequent shedding due to weather and allergy. If the cause of their frequent shedding is an allergy, it is best advised to consult your veterinarian about this.

Are Rottweiler Hound Mixes Hypoallergenic?

True to their Rottweiler and hound parents, Rottweiler Hound mixes are non-hypoallergenic. This can be ascribed to the microscopic dead flakes of their skin called dander — one of the causative particles of pet allergy.

Coat brushing and monthly bathing may lessen dander in your Rottweiler Hound. In addition, you may supply your Rottweiler Hound with omega-3 fish oil, as it is scientifically proven to soothe dry and flaky skin in all dog breeds.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting the best traits of its parent breeds, the Rottweiler Hound mix is a loyal and playful designer pooch. Their medium-to-large build, intelligence, and tracking ability make them ideal watchdogs and companions. 

While there is a tendency for this pooch to be aggressive due to the vigilant nature of its Rottie parent, it can still grow up to be a well-behaved pooch with proper socialization. 

While low-maintenance, these dogs still require guidance when it comes to their diet, exercise, and hygiene as these factors can greatly impact their quality of life.

If all of these match what you want in a dog, then the Rottweiler Hound mix is the dog for you! Are you excited to take home a Rottweiler Hound mix? Share your thoughts in the comments!