Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My mixed puppy looks like a Rottweiler. How can I confirm her breed?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 6 months and 19 days old | 40 lbs

I got my puppy from someone I do not know. They said she is German shepherd mixed with a boxer and I saw the "mom" she was a boxer and the dad a great Pyrenees / German sheperd. But she looks and acts like a Rottweiler. And opions ?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on January 7th, 2019

Congratulations on your new puppy! While it's hard to know just by looking at her, I don't suspect Rottweiler in the background. German Shepherds carry the gene for black and tan (like a Rott does) but this gene is modified by another gene for the saddle marking. Cleo did not get the gene for a saddle and so the black and tan is expressed normally.
The best way to know for sure what is in Cleo's back ground is with a genetic breed analysis. I recommend the Wisdom Panel. It's just a cheek swab, no visit to the vet required!
Please feel free to post any additional questions.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

How to tell if my dog is a purebred Rottweiler or a Doberman mix?

There is no way of knowing from pictures or temeperament - individuals of any breed can develop differently and some will be finer or smaller than expected even within one full, purebred litter. Ensure she is on a large breed puppy food and up to date with deworming etc so she develops to her full potential. DNA testing of her and her parents could potentially prove the parentage but it would not be impossible that somewhere in her ancestry there is a mix of breeds

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

What breeds are in my mixed-breed dog? How can I know for sure?

First you should know that breed identification by looks alone has been proven to be inaccurate 75% of the time. If I had to guess, I suspect a pit bull type breed and German Shepherd. However Boxer and maybe hound could also be present. If you want to know for sure, look at one of the breed tests such as Wisdom Panel. Beautiful dog!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is my new puppy a purebred Rottweiler? How to confirm its value?

HI, thanks for using Petcoach! Tyson is super cute! Tyson looks like a rottweiler. I would say for the money they should have provided you with some papers proving lineage. You could order a DNA test kit, but I'm not too impressed with their accuracy. https://www.chewy.com/wisdom-panel-30-breed-identification/dp/127224

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My mixed dog has German Shepherd markings. What's her true breed?

Yes, it is possible Mocha's mother could have had some German Shepherd in her genes. It is also possible that the father was a German Shepherd if you did not actually see him. If you want to know for sure, you can do a DNA test. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/wisdom-panel-30-breed-identification-dog-dna-test-kit

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What breed is my new adopted dog? How can I find out her mix?

Awww, very cute! She looks like a cross between a Rottweiler and a Labrador Retriever. If you are really curious as to an exact answer, there are dog DNA tests available that make are supposed to be able to reveal exact genetic make up of a canine. Hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Just adopted a dog, how can I identify her breed and background?

What a cutie! She appears to have some Papillon in her due to her ear, but her coloring is reminiscent of some larger breeds such as a Rottweiler or a herding dog like an Australian Shepard. It is hard to say for sure. There are some genetic tests you can order for more certainly. I would defiantly say there is some Papillon, and 100% cute!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What breed is this mixed-breed puppy I'm considering adopting?

She is so cute!! She has the marking of a Rottweiler but not the stature or size. She kind of looks like a hound dog-like a Black and Tan- but the ears aren't long enough. She's a mix of some kind. Usually those are the best ones! Good luck and congrats!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share