Mix Rottweiler And Pitbull

Thinking of adopting a Rottweiler Pitbull mix? Despite once having a negative connotation as mutts, mixed breed dogs are on the rise. The Pitweiler, a cross between a Rottweiler and a Pitbull, is one such breed gaining popularity. While both parent breeds’ infamous reputation may give you pause, we can assure you that there’s plenty to love when it comes to the Pitweiler.

With the rise of mix breeds (especially APBT mixes), the Rottweiler Pitbull mix has become more popular. This mix is pretty common at shelters due to its Pitbull heritage. Many owners might stray away from this mixed breed because of the negative connotations surrounding Pitbulls and Rottweilers. However, there is more to this breed than meets the eye.

These breeds are very different but also have some striking similarities. In this article, we’ll delve into the truth behind the Rottweiler Pitbull mix and help you decide if this is the right dog for your family.

The Rottweiler Pitbull mix –Colors and pattern

As the Pitweiler is a mixed breed dog, its appearance is more difficult to predict than a purebred dog. Considering the parent breeds there is a range of possible coat colors for this pooch.

A Pitweiler can come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including: Black and Tan, Brown, White, Blue, and Fawn with a merle or brindle pattern (associated with the Pitbull parent)

Fact: ‘Brindle’ describes the dog coat color and pattern: a Tiger Stripe pattern. The base color is normally a fawn, tawny brown or dark brown.

How should you train a Rottweiler Pitbull mix dog?

Both the Rottweiler breed and the Pitbull type breed have a reputation for being aggressive and dangerous if not trained properly. The boundaries need to be set early for this mixed breed dog. Gradual fun and positive reinforcement and reward based training work best.

Never hit or raise your voice to this breed during training as it may challenge this Pitweiler to react negatively.

Types of training required: obedience, discipline, agility and socialization.

So, if you are not going to use a professional dog trainer:

1) Develop your basic command words: Find keywords such as Stop, Sit, Down, etc. and be consistent each time you use them with positive reinforcement and small treats as a reward. This hybrid dog will try to dominate and this must be controlled early in training.

2) Crate – Buy a crate and gently get this puppy used to going into it. This will eventually become its nest and it will sleep there. You will have to lock the cage in the early days so it knows it has to sleep there and it’s useful to experience for when you need to transport it.

3) Potty training – May be hit and miss for any new puppy who gets easily excited and lacks control, however products are available, such as mats and odor sprays to attract puppy go to the same spot each time. Eventually the puppy with your help, will learn where and where not to go. They will eventually become creatures of habit and regulate their need and place to use.

4) Walking on a leash – Voice commands and road awareness is important for puppy’s safety.

Hip Dysplasia (and elbow dysplasia) – this is common in many large breeds of dog. Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint, where the ball at the top of the leg does not fit properly into the socket and the ligaments attaching it are weak. This allows excess movement of the fitting which can eventually lead to stiffness and pain for the dog.

Continuous use, wear and tear with this highly active breed can lead to hip degeneration in one or sometimes both hips causing pain and a limit on the dog’s mobility. Even with early diagnosis and treatment, it can lead to further issues such as arthritis, extreme pain, and even osteoarthritis.

Early warning signs are visual stiffness then walking, a reluctance to get up when prompted and a difference in walking style; limp or caution. It can occur at any age. The health history of the parents might help predict if it’s likely.

There is no cure for hip dysplasia; pain management and anti-inflammatories may be prescribed by the Vet. Care must be taken not to allow the dog to jump too much or risk slipping or falling and be mindful of the possible pain caused by exertion.

Cataract eye disease – both the Pitbull and Rottweiler breeds are prone to developing eye problems so it’s recommended that a Pitweiler dog has its eyes checked regularly by a vet.

Bloat – any large dog that eats quickly or drinks a lot before exercising can suffer from this dangerous excessive gas build-up.

Other health issues include skin conditions and allergies, aortic stenosis and Addison’s disease.

The parent breeds’ history:

The Rottweiler is a purebred large dog breed that was used to herd and guard cattle, when traveling with Roman soldiers in their quest to conquer Europe; their primary food source on route. Their alertness, discipline and endurance made them the ideal guard dog.

Fact: The Rottweiler is considered the oldest known herding dog with its origins traceable back to Roman times, where they are believed to have descended from Roman drover dogs: a mastiff-like dog.

Their intelligence, strength, and energy levels meant that these large dogs proved useful during the World Wars as guard dogs and for messenger and ambulance duties. They are still used today for this type of support and search and rescue activity.

During the early 19th century, in the United Kingdom, there was a desire to create strong dogs for pit and dog fighting, bull-baiting, bear-baiting and other aggressive-type blood sports for entertainment.

Old English Bulldogs and Old Terrier dog breeds were crossbred for this purpose

This combined the fierce nature and loyalty characteristics of the Bulldog and the intelligence and cunning nature of the Terrier breed to produce a perfect breed for dog fighting: the Pitbull.

Fact: The original Old English Bulldogs and the Old English Terriers are both now extinct breeds

Around 1845, these Pitbull mixed breed dogs soon made it to the US and were bred specifically as fighting dogs. They became known by the name American Pitbull Terrier and were recognized as a part of the bull dog breed. They are often referred to as a bully breed or dangerous dog breed with a prey drive.

However, shortly after arriving in America it was realized that this Pitbull mixed breed dog, in the right hands, was actually a loving and caring pooch around children. This earned it the nickname ‘The Nanny Dog’.

The American Pitbull Terrier is a pure bred dog but it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is however recognized by the UK Kennel Club and the American Dog Breeders Association.

Fact: In 1835, Great Britain, UK, introduced Animal Welfare laws and banned blood sports such as bull baiting and bear baiting.

In 1898, the United Kennel Club (UK) recognized the American Pit Bull terrier breed.

In 1976, dog fighting was finally banned in all states of America

Fact: ‘Pitbull’, is the generic name given to a breed of dog that is part of the Bulldog or Terrier breeds, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier or American Pit bull Terrier.

Although the Pitbull breed is not registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC), some individual breeds within the Bull dog and Terrier types of dogs are.

The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is the impressive hybrid offspring of these two well-known and powerful dogs and is slowly gaining popularity as a family dog, as much as it is recognized as a watch dog.

It is not known exactly when the Rottweiler Pitbull mix dog was first bred, or why, but as they are both naturally strong and determined dogs perhaps they just seemed a natural combination for a protective mixed breed of dog.

Fact: This mixed breed dog may be listed on the dangerous dog in many countries and therefore banned.

FAQ

How big will a Rottweiler Pitbull mix get?

These hybrids are very intelligent, confident, courageous, and obedient, but at the same time, very calm, strong-willed, and have dominant personalities. As long as they receive the massive amount of love and care they need, the Rottweiler and Pitbull mix will end up as an affectionate, loyal, and devoted dog.

What would a Rottweiler Pitbull mix look like?

On average you should expect your pit bull Rottweiler mix to live between 12 and 15 years. How big is a pit bull Rottweiler mix? He should grow anywhere between 18” and 25” in height and weigh anywhere between 40-100lbs – females are generally smaller.