DogBreedCompass

Bloodhound vs Rottweiler Mix: Which Suits Your Home?

Bloodhound or Rottweiler Mix? On paper they differ most on trainability, and on the scales Rottweiler Mix is the heavier at 80–135 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

bloodhound infographic
rottweiler secondary infographic

This is for someone already down to Bloodhound and Rottweiler Mix and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on trainability and good with other dogs, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 2/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.

Quick verdict

Between Bloodhound and Rottweiler Mix, trainability is what separates them; neither is the lower-effort dog overall.

Choose bloodhound if...

Choose Bloodhound if your walking routine is modest, there are young children at home and you already have another dog.

Choose rottweiler secondary if...

Choose Rottweiler Mix if the dog will be alone during the working day, you want a dog that picks up training quickly and you want a dog that can keep up with an active routine.

Head-to-head comparison

Featurebloodhoundrottweiler secondaryWinner
Size classlargelargeEqual
Weight90–110 lbs80–135 lbsEqual
Height23–27 in22–27 inEqual
Lifespan7–10 years9–10 yearsrottweiler secondary
Exercise needModerate (3/5)High (4/5)bloodhound
Grooming needLow (2/5)Low (2/5)Equal
SheddingModerate (3/5)Moderate (3/5)Equal
Energy levelModerate (3/5)Moderate (3/5)Equal
BarkingModerate (3/5)Low (2/5)rottweiler secondary
Apartment suitabilityLow (2/5)Low (2/5)Equal
Good for first-time ownersLow (2/5)Low (2/5)Equal
Tolerates being aloneLow (2/5)Moderate (3/5)rottweiler secondary
TrainabilityLow (2/5)High (4/5)rottweiler secondary
Good with kidsHigh (4/5)Moderate (3/5)bloodhound
Good with other dogsHigh (4/5)Low (2/5)bloodhound
Friendly to strangersHigh (4/5)Low (2/5)bloodhound
Cost levelModerate (3/5)High (4/5)bloodhound
CoatShort, denseShort, dense double coatEqual
OriginBelgiumVariousEqual
Typical monthly cost$100–$200$110–$240Equal
Typical first-year cost$1,500–$2,800$1,700–$3,200Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

Both breeds sit in the same large-to-giant bracket, but the mix's range is wider. A Bloodhound settles into a fairly predictable 90-110 lbs and 23-27 inches at the shoulder. The Rottweiler mix stretches from 80 lbs on the small end up to 135 lbs, since it's a cross rather than a fixed standard, so what you get can vary more house to house even within the same litter.

Energy and exercise

The Rottweiler mix asks more of you day to day, rated 4/5 on exercise need against the Bloodhound's 3/5. Both land at a moderate 3/5 on general energy, but the Bloodhound's drive shows up as nose-down tracking rather than sustained activity - it will follow a scent for miles yet nap hard afterward. The mix wants structured exercise, not just a yard to wander.

Grooming and shedding

Coat care is a wash here - both breeds score 2/5 on grooming and 3/5 on shedding. The Bloodhound's short, dense coat needs little beyond a weekly brush; the Rottweiler mix's double coat sheds similarly but can blow out seasonally depending on which parent breed dominates. Neither is a good match if you want a shedding-free home.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

Neither breed is built for apartment life - both score a low 2/5 on apartment suitability. Where they split is noise and independence: the Bloodhound barks more (3/5 vs 2/5) and tolerates being alone worse (2/5 vs 3/5 for the mix). If your dog will spend long stretches solo, the Rottweiler mix handles that better, though neither wants to be left alone all day.

Training and owner experience

This is the sharpest gap in the whole comparison. The Bloodhound trains at just 2/5 - it's independent-minded and scent-driven, which makes recall and obedience work slow going. The Rottweiler mix rates 4/5, closer to genuinely trainable. Both score 2/5 for first-time owners, so neither is a beginner's dog, but the mix is far more responsive once you start working with it.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

The Bloodhound edges out the mix with kids (4/5 vs 3/5), other dogs (4/5 vs 2/5), and strangers (4/5 vs 2/5) - it's the more universally sociable of the two. The Rottweiler mix can be more reserved or selective around unfamiliar dogs and people, which matters if you host often or already have a multi-dog household.

Health and lifespan

Both share hip and elbow dysplasia risk, but their other concerns diverge. The Bloodhound carries a long list including bloat, ectropion, entropion, and bleeding disorders, plus a shorter 7-10 year lifespan. The Rottweiler mix's list is shorter but includes osteosarcoma and subaortic stenosis, and it typically lives a bit longer at 9-10 years - modest, but consistent.

Cost to keep

The Bloodhound is the cheaper of the two on paper: $100-200 a month and $1,500-2,800 in year one, against $110-240 and $1,700-3,200 for the mix. Overall cost level rates 3/5 for the Bloodhound and 4/5 for the mix, so budget a bit more if a Rottweiler cross is the one you're bringing home.

Bloodhound vs Rottweiler Mix at a glance

Bloodhound weighs 90–110 lbs and lives 7–10 years; Rottweiler Mix weighs 80–135 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on trainability, good with other dogs and friendly to strangers. They are level on apartment suitability, energy level and good for first-time owners, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger, the Bloodhound or the Rottweiler mix?

They overlap heavily. The Bloodhound runs 90-110 lbs and 23-27 inches; the mix has a wider spread of 80-135 lbs and 22-27 inches, so an individual mix could end up smaller or noticeably larger than a Bloodhound.

Do both breeds shed a lot?

Both land at moderate shedding (3/5) with low grooming needs (2/5). Expect regular vacuuming either way, but neither demands professional grooming visits.

Is either breed good for a first-time owner?

Not really - both score a low 2/5 for first-time owners. The Bloodhound's stubborn, scent-obsessed nature and the mix's size and strength both call for some prior dog experience.

Will either dog do okay in an apartment?

No. Both score 2/5 on apartment suitability. These are dogs that want space, and the Bloodhound in particular struggles with being confined and left alone.

How much should I budget monthly?

The Bloodhound runs $100-200 a month, the Rottweiler mix $110-240. First-year costs follow the same pattern - $1,500-2,800 versus $1,700-3,200 - so the mix costs somewhat more to keep.

Do they share any health risks?

Yes - both are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. Beyond that they diverge: the Bloodhound faces bloat and eye conditions like ectropion and entropion, while the mix's added risks include osteosarcoma and a heart condition, subaortic stenosis.

Which is easier to train?

The Rottweiler mix, by a wide margin - it rates 4/5 on trainability against the Bloodhound's 2/5. The Bloodhound's nose tends to override any command once it catches a scent.

Quick answers

View more answers
Living

Bloodhound or Rottweiler mix - which is the better overall choice?

If you want a dog that's easier to train and tolerates alone time, go with the Rottweiler mix (4/5 trainability, 3/5 alone tolerance). If sociability with kids, dogs and strangers matters more, the Bloodhound wins those three categories outright.

Costs

What's the monthly cost difference?

The Bloodhound runs $100-200/month; the Rottweiler mix runs $110-240/month, so budget roughly 10-20% more for the mix.

Training

Which needs more exercise?

The Rottweiler mix, rated 4/5 versus the Bloodhound's 3/5 - it needs structured daily activity, not just a big yard.

Health

Which one lives longer?

The Rottweiler mix, typically 9-10 years against the Bloodhound's 7-10 years - a modest but real edge.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

  • Bloodhound breed guideReaders comparing the two usually want the full profile of Bloodhound before deciding.
  • Rottweiler Mix breed guideThe same for Rottweiler Mix, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
  • Bloodhound vs Old English SheepdogOld English Sheepdog is the closest breed to Bloodhound on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
  • Rottweiler Mix vs RottweilerRottweiler sits closest to Rottweiler Mix, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
  • What Bloodhound costs to keepAnyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
  • Rottweiler Mix health problemsThe health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Important reminder

Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.

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