Last Updated on July 12, 2021 by
If you’re building up a furry family at home, you might be looking for dogs similar to Rottweilers. There are some breeds that may be right up your alley!
Perhaps there are various reasons you’re not able to have a Rottweiler in your family. Maybe you’re only a beginner when it comes to dogs and wants to take care of an easier breed. Maybe your apartment doesn’t fit the antics of a full-grown Rottweiler. They might simply just not be available in your area.
It might be a good idea to check out other breeds. The Rottweiler-shaped hole in your heart could be filled in with one of these lovely dogs!
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Distinct Qualities Of Rottweilers
Just what qualities make a Rottweiler so distinct? Here are some of the characteristics of the breed that interested parties should watch out for.
Beautiful Black Coat With Rust Markings
One of the most striking things about the Rottweiler is its fantastic coat and coloring. Black and rust is such a pretty color combination and definitely sets the dog apart from the crowd.
The shiny black coat reflects the health of the Rottweiler, too. When you take great care of your Rottie, the love comes back in the form of a gorgeous short-hair coat!
Muscular Body
The Rottweiler is part of the working dog group. This group loves being able to help and uses their muscular and athletic build to their advantage. Giving a Rottweiler a job or a purpose makes them very, very happy!
Athletic and Energetic Personality
Rottweilers love to be able to move about and explore. They are not the most sociable dog, but they make up for it with their sense of adventure. But don’t worry – Rottweilers aren’t known to run away! If you want a companion who likes to explore, this is an important quality and temperament to look for.
Great Family Guard Dog
A Rottweiler strikes the balance between a fearsome guard dog and a protective shepherd. It’s this quality that makes it a good companion for big families who are experienced in handling dogs. They are protective yet friendly, and won’t attack unless you are proven a threat.
Dogs Similar To Rottweilers: The List
Given these well-known qualities of a Rottweiler, it should be easier to narrow down your list of dogs similar to Rottweilers!
In this list, we don’t just have dogs that look like Rottweilers. We look at personalities and attitudes as well.
Hovawart
Just like the Rottweiler, the Hovawart is a German dog. Their visual similarity will strike a lot of Rottweiler lovers’ fancy. They have a similar color combination but the Hovawart having gold markings on a long coat. You might even say it is a dog that looks like a Rottweiler but skinny. Their resemblance to Rottweilers carries over not just in the builds, but also to their ability to take on search and rescue jobs and reputation as a family dog.
They have a height range of 23-28 inches and weigh from 65-90 lbs. They have a longer life expectancy than Rottweilers at 10-14 years.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
While we veer away from the home country of Rottweilers, we don’t travel so far away. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a beautiful and affectionate breed. They have a mix of black, red, and white fur on their beautiful coats. Despite being very strong and capable of many kinds of work, they are affectionate dogs that love to play.
They have a height range of 25-28 inches for males and 23-27 inches for females. Their weight range is 115-140 lbs for males and 85-110 lbs for females. They have a similar life expectancy range to Rottweilers at 8-11 years.
Bullmastiff
These large and imposing dogs have a muscular frame that is easy to get frightened of. However, the brave and loyal Bullmastiff has earned the adoration of many owners and families. This dog of the working breed was a cross between the English Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog. While not the cuddliest dog, they are renowned guards and fierce protectors of their families.
They have a height range of 25-27 inches for males and 24-26 inches for females. Their weight range is 110-130 lbs for males and 100-120 lbs for females. They have a shorter life expectancy range to Rottweilers at 7-9 years.
Cane Corso
This noble and majestic Italian dog has a name that means “bodyguard dog” in Latin. They have similar ancestry to Rottweilers. Hailing from the Mastiff line, the muscular breed is as willful as they look. However, with a good master and excellent training, they will prove to be loyal and loving.
They have a height range of 25-27 inches for males and 23-26 inches for females. Their average weight range is 90 to 120 lbs. They have a slightly longer life expectancy range to Rottweilers at 10-12 years.
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier – called the AmStaff for short – is quite the adventurous dog. This brainy breed also loves a good puzzle and loves to exercise their body and brain. They could even have a good run in show business because of their highly trainable personalities.
They have an average height of 18-19 inches for males, and 17-18 inches for females. Their weight range is 55-70 lbs for males and 40-55 lbs for females. They have a good, long life expectancy of 12-16 years.
Miniature Pinscher
What’s this little dog doing on this list? Well, the Miniature Pinscher is a dog that looks like a Rottweiler but tiny. It also has the playful attitude to match! They are affectionate and sociable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch out. The Min Pin has a protective, watchdog nature much like the Rottweiler. This cute dog is called the “King of Toys,” being one of the most popular toy breeds to date.
They have a maximum height of 12.5 inches and a maximum weight of around 10 lbs. They can also live a good while, with a life expectancy of 12-16 years.
Did you find a dog that could be a good candidate for a Rottweiler replacement? Do you know any other breeds that fit the bill? Let us know in the comments!