The strength, guarding abilities, and intelligence of German Shepherds and Rottweilers are similar. They do, however, have a few major distinctions in terms of shedding and friendliness toward humans and animals that must be considered while deciding between the two kinds.

If you’re trying to decide between a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd, our helpful guide ‘German Shepherd Vs Rottweiler’ will help you compare the two breeds.

1. German Shepherds Are More Popular Than Rottweilers:

German Shepherd Popularity	Rottweiler Popularity
German Shepherd dogs are the fourth most common dog breed in America, according to the American Kennel Club.	Rottweilers are only the eighth most popular breed, according to the American Kennel Club.

2. They Have Different Body Structures:

German Shepherd Body	Rottweiler Body
The backbone of the German Shepherd slopes steeply down from the shoulders to the tail. The dog appears to be about to burst into action as a result of this. The breed was developed to seem like stalking wolves in order to impress the sheep they were meant to tame.	Rottweilers have backbones that slant down somewhat from the shoulders to the tail, but not nearly as much as German Shepherds. They also have significantly more level toplines than a German shepherd.

 3. The Coat Colors Of German Shepherds Are More Varied Than Rottweilers:

German Shepherd Coat Colors	Rottweiler Coat Colors
Despite the fact that black and tan is the most typical coat color for a German Shepherd, they may also be all black, all dark brown (called liver), black and red, dark brown and tan, black and silver, blue and tan, sable, isabella, and a combination of black, tan, and white (called panda.)	Rottweilers are always brown and black in color. The proportion of black and brown varies from dog to dog, but black and tan are the dominating colors.

4. German Shepherds Are Fluffier Than Rottweilers:

German Shepherd Coat Type	Rottweiler Coat Type
German Shepherd dogs have double coats that are longer than Rottweilers.	The coats of Rottweilers are smooth and shiny, with short hairs.

 5. German Shepherds Live Longer Than Rottweilers:

German Shepherd Lifespan	Rottweiler Lifespan
The German Shepherd has an average lifespan of 12-14 years.	The average lifespan of a Rottweiler is 8-10 years.

 6. Rottweilers Are More Prone To Obesity Than German Shepherds:

German Shepherd Food Intake	Rottweiler Food Intake
German Shepherds have a healthy appetite too, but they are not as food-obsessed as Rottweilers.	Rottweilers are very fond of food, and so they are more prone to becoming and being overweight than German shepherds.

 7. German Shepherds May Be Easy To Train For Inexperienced Owners:

German Shepherd Trainability	Rottweiler Trainability
German Shepherds have a calm demeanor, are versatile, and want to please their owners. As such, these dogs are comparatively easy to train.	Rottweilers are also extremely trainable, however in comparison to German Shepherds, they have a more dominating attitude that can be difficult to manage for novice owners.

 8. German Shepherds Are Faster Than Rottweilers:

German Shepherd Speed	Rottweiler Speed
The highest speed of a German Shepherd is around 30 miles per hour.	The highest speed of a Rottweiler is around 20 miles per hour.

 9. Rottweilers Are Quieter Than German Shepherds:

German Shepherd Barking Tendency	Rottweiler Barking Tendency
German Shepherds normally only bark when absolutely required, but they do so more frequently than the Rottweilers.	Rottweilers are relevantly quieter than German Shepherds as German Shepherds bark more on average.

 10. German Shepherds Are A Little Bit More Energetic Than Rottweilers:

German Shepherd Energy Level	Rottweiler Energy Level
At home, German Shepherds are more energetic than Rottweilers.	At home, Rottweilers are more comfortable and relaxed than German Shepherds.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a new active canine companion, both German Shepherd and Rottweiler may be of interest. But you should know that adopting either one of these two beautiful breeds is a lifetime commitment. You’ll need to make sure you understand more about both breeds to know if you can offer them a suitable home.

Here are some other articles that we have on the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler.

Which is the breed of your choice? The German Shepherd or the Rottweiler? Let us know in the comments below!