A Rottweiler Pitbull mix might seem intimidating at first, but after you read this article, I’m sure you’ll change your mind completely!
These pups can be great family dogs and amazing guard dogs, but only if they’re trained properly.
The Rottie Pit resembles its parents in many ways, but they do have a bit of their own unique spice added to this mix.
If you want to learn more about this interesting crossbreed, all you need to do is find yourself a cozy place to sit and enjoy this article!
Rottweiler Pitbull Mix: Parent Breeds
Pitbull
The history of Pitties goes back to the English society of the nineteenth century when there was a strong will to breed a canine that would be suitable for dogfighting and pitting.
The combination of a Bulldog and a Terrier seemed to be the best option in order to get a powerful canine that would be suitable for bull-baiting and blood sports in general, which caused serious and life-threatening injuries to dogs.
The tough crossbred pup inherited traits of both parent breeds, and it has become one of the canines that are known solely for their aggressive behavior.
Pitbulls are one of the most misunderstood dog breeds, and they have been considered hostile simply because of their ancestors’ history.
The Pitbull’s viciousness and unwavering devotion come from its Bulldog ancestry, while the shrewdness and analytical nature come from the Terrier side.
How Many Pitbull Breeds Are There?
There are four different types of Pitbull breeds, and they are:
• The American Staffordshire Terrier
• The American Pit Bull Terrier
• The American Bully
• The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
RELATED: American Bully Growth Chart: Here’s How Your Bully Grows!
Keep in mind that the American Pit Bull Terrier isn’t yet acknowledged as a purebred canine by the American Kennel Club (AKC), even though it is considered a standard breed by the UKC and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA).
However, all these canines have a lot in common, so it’s not easy to differentiate between them, especially for people who aren’t experts in this field.
To make matters even more confusing, the term “Pitbull” is sometimes employed as a collective term for characterizing hybrid dog breeds.
Still, there are some physical features that help you immediately distinguish the Pitbull canine from any other breed, including a head in the shape of a square, almond-like eyes, and a muscular torso.
A Pitbull’s Appearance
No canine is the same, but generally, it can be said that these canines fall somewhere in the middle of the size range when it comes to their height.
RELATED: Pitbull Growth Chart: How Big Will Your Pitbull Be?
American Pit Bull Terriers are the tallest among the Pitbull breeds mentioned above as they grow up to 21 inches.
On the other hand, American Bullies grow up to 20 inches, AmStaffs grow up to 19 inches, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers (the smallest pups from this category) grow up to 16 inches.
The shape of their head and eyes aren’t the only things these breeds have in common. They also have a sturdy body frame, and well-developed muscles, which enhances their powerful appearance.
These pups also have a short nose, which makes them more prone to certain health concerns.
Pitbull Coat And Colors
These pups are available in a great number of hues and patterns, including:
• Black and white
• Black
• Gray
• Champagne
• Red
• Blue
• Tan
• Seal
• Fawn
• Blue Fawn
• Brindle
• Red brindle
• Blue brindle
• Black brindle
• Reverse brindle
• Fawn brindle
• Blue fawn brindle
• Fawn sable
• Merle
• Tricolor
When brought up in a warm and caring environment, this canine can develop a number of admirable qualities despite the breed’s undeserved reputation as a hostile canine.
It is a dog that is persistent, courageous, and caring, and it adores lavishing its family with a great deal of affection. Pit Bulls are excellent guard dogs for their loved ones, and they are completely devoted to their owners
Rottweiler
Rotties have been known as the descendants of the ancient Mastiffs who belonged to the Roman legions. These pups have been bred as working dogs that were supposed to herd livestock and protect their owner.
This muscular dog breed has an amazing list of traits, including strength, agility, obedience, and great attentiveness, which is why they’re proven to be excellent choices for both herding pups and guard canines.
Even in modern times, the intelligence and stamina of a Rottie make it a breed that is highly sought after for duties, such as service pets or search and rescue dogs.
A Rottweiler’s Appearance
It is a big canine that, when fully matured, can weigh anywhere between 100 lbs (females), to 135 lbs (males). Females tend to be slightly smaller than male canines, which is a natural occurrence in almost every dog breed.
This type of canine has a strong stature, which makes it look very powerful. They usually don’t grow over 26 inches, which is why they’re usually considered medium-sized pups, although some might grow a few inches longer into large dogs.
Their ears are rather floppy, but they’re not oversized like in the Beagle or the Bloodhound. It’s interesting to notice that these pups are almost longer than they are taller, but that doesn’t have any impact on their agility.
Rotties are stocky dogs that have a large head, and a shorter but big muzzle that might cause occasional drooling.
Rottweiler Coat And Colors
The Rottie can be recognized by its distinctive, almost all-black, short-haired fur, with tan-like markings on the head, torso, and legs. This makes the Rottie very easy to see.
It has a two-layered coat: the outer layer is wiry and serves as protection from the weather, while the inside layer is fluffy and serves to keep the pup warm. Rottie hair is often quite short and straight, but you might occasionally see a long-haired Rottweiler. In both cases, the coat has a very beautiful, glossy appearance.
Although black and tan are the trademark shades of Rotties, other coat shades might appear as well such as black and mahogany, black and rust, red, and blue.
The Rottweiler’s Personality
These pups are often labeled as aggressive just because of their looks. Although they might look a bit intimidating to some people, once everyone gets to know them, they finally discover how lovely these canines can be.
Nevertheless, it is important to mention that Rotties are self-assured and courageous, but they might also be occasionally reserved around unfamiliar people. However, they will rarely show any sign of aggression.
When it comes to members of the family, they are more likely to be goofy and cheerful, and they might even act like lap dogs.
In spite of the fact that their rough appearance may suggest that they are hostile, they are not any more hostile than other canines of comparable size.
What Is a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix?
Photo from: @jrt_1223
Now that we know more about the parent breeds, it’s time to learn about their crossbred puppies as well. These doggies are usually known as Pitweilers – big dogs with an even bigger heart.
The Rottie Pitbull cross might not be the biggest when it comes to its size, but they do deserve to be treated as large canines because of their robust appearance and strong will.
It’s safe to say that this crossbreed is one of the best guard canines that will never betray its owner or do them any harm.
A Pitweiler is a physically imposing, agile, and athletic guard and herding dog, which are all traits that it inherited from its parents – the Rottie and the Pitbull.
Hybrid canines have become very popular as they’re considered to be the improved version of their parent breeds. According to the remarkable descriptions of Pitweilers, it seems that these pups are indeed the best of both breeds.
However, owners who want to own only dogs that are officially recognized by dog organizations and institutions, such as the AKC and the UKC might not find these pups a suitable fit for them.
The majority of hybrid pups aren’t acknowledged by these associations nor will they be any time soon.
Still, if you really like Pitweilers, but you want them to have a certificate, you can get it from the Designer Breed Registry, which usually charges $20 as a membership fee, but recognizes Pitweilers as a separate breed.
What Does a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Look Like?
Photo from: @kerttuthepitweiler
These cross pups are indeed becoming a popular breed of canines that have exquisite physical features, especially if the shape of their eyes is almond-like, after their Pitbull parent.
Although many pups do inherit the almond-shaped eyes, some might have the round eyes of the Rottie.
Also, the powerful musculature of the body is even more enhanced by strong jaws and a broad muzzle, although it’s usually shorter than in Pitbulls.
Their ears are usually either upright or pointed down, but they’re never too big. It’s no surprise that these pups look a little bit intimidating, but that’s just the heritage that they carry from their parent breeds.
Coat And Colors
In terms of their coat, it can either be short, single-layered, and shiny like that of a Pitbull – or long, double-layered, and rough like that of a Rottweiler.
However, both coats need regular grooming and appropriate tools for them, especially since both Rotties and Pitties shed quite a lot (especially during the shedding season, although they leave excess hair around the house year-round).
When compared to purebred dogs, it can be very difficult to guess the exact coat colors of a mix of different breeds.
Due to the fact that Pitbulls can be found in a variety of hues (which we mentioned above), it’s almost impossible to predict what kind of coat shade the Rottie Pit will have.
It can be anywhere from black, bicolor, fawn, or brown, up to white with markings. With this range, the litter might be of almost any shade.
Merle or brindle coat types aren’t so uncommon among Rottweiler Pitbull mix dogs either, so there are high chances that your Rottie Pitbull mix breed pup might end up having spots of darker shades on a lighter coat, or tiger-like stripes over a brown coat.
Size And Physical Appearance
The whole appearance of a Rottweiler Pitbull mix puppy is highly unpredictable, and it varies greatly depending on the genes that the mixed breed dogs inherit from their parent breeds.
It’s possible that the more dominant genes will come from the Pitbull dog’s side, and will make the Pitweiler puppy resemble this side of the mix.
But, it can also take on the appearance of a purebred Rottweiler, which might make it a bit challenging to find differences between the two.
Regardless of whose parent they take after more, Rottie Pits get the robust and muscular dog shape of a Pitbull, as well as the long legs and massive head that are characteristic of Rotties.
When it comes to their height, these mixed-breed pups can grow up to 26 inches, which is on the border of medium and large-sized canines.
However, if you add the weight and stocky build, it can be said that Pitweilers belong to the large dog breed.
At maturity, these pups typically weigh somewhere between 45 and 100 lbs, with male pups being noticeably bigger and heavier than their female counterparts.
Pitweilers also have a tendency to have looser jowls than Rottweilers do, so don’t be surprised if your mixed-breed pet drools more than regular purebred pups.
Training
Photo from: @odin_bandog
Both Pitbulls and Rottweilers have a high prey drive, which can be defined as the impulse to chase, catch, and bring prey home, which is characteristic of working dogs.
In other words, they have an innate desire to pursue things, and when these urges begin to take hold, they may lose control of themselves.
The inherent instinct of a canine to chase after moving “prey”, such as small animals, is triggered when the dog sees the prey moving.
To help the dog gain control during outdoor activities and “hunting”, it’s essential to begin training from early puppyhood.
Training sessions help these powerful dogs keep their activity level high while gaining control over their instincts.
Still, forcing dogs over their limits during training might be counterproductive, especially when taking into consideration the autonomous nature of the Pitweiler.
Building a relationship with the dog owner while moving at a deliberate pace helps to assure future success. The best way to bond with your pet during training sessions is by incorporating reward-based training with lots of positive reinforcement.
It’s not easy to keep this muscular pet under control once it has reached its full size, but if you train your pet from the early days, you’ll be able to help it manage its temperament and primal instincts.
Keep in mind that shouting, punishments, and any other negative reaction toward their behavior can only manifest in a counterproductive way.
Exercise Requirements
I’m sure that by now, you already know the Pitweiler’s appearance and temperament.
These dogs have high energy levels and a strong stature, which essentially means that they need to spend a lot of time outdoors, but only under your control.
This type of dog requires a significant amount of outdoor activities on a daily basis. Therefore, you, as the owner, need to be prepared to spend at least one to two hours outside every day.
Long walks are a good way to spend a dog’s energy, but they might not be enough for powerful dogs like Pitweilers.
Tug of war, hide and seek, the game of fetch, and other games are great ways to entertain your pup and spend their energy at the same time.
Mental Stimulation And Training
When it comes to maintaining the happiness and health of your pet, mental exercise is equally as important as physical activity.
Rottie Pits are quite brilliant animals, and they absolutely adore having their wits put to the test through the use of toys that are specifically created for this objective.
When you don’t have the opportunity to play with your dog personally, toys are a great alternative. Just make sure to select one that is sturdy enough to withstand the powerful teeth of the Pitweiler.
You won’t go wrong with any toys for Rottweiler dogs, Cane Corsos, German Shepherds, Dobermans, or any other large dog breed that has a stronger bite.
Another successful method for wearing out this breed is to engage in brief sessions of obedience training.
It is not necessary to devote more than fifteen minutes at a time as they easily become bored with repetitive exercises.
One of the best ways to keep them amused is by hiding their favorite treats in different places (you can even get toys with hidden treat compartments to make the game even more interesting).
The unfortunate news for Rottie Pit enthusiasts is that these pups don’t function well in apartments. They require houses with a lot of space and a yard where they can run around throughout the day.
What Kind Of Temperament Does The Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Have?
Photo from: @cocothepittweiler
The Pitweiler’s temperament is quite similar to the personality of its parent breeds, which isn’t such a big surprise considering that all species, including canines and humans, inherit their traits from their parents.
These pups are boisterous, active canines, with a great deal of strength. It demands a significant amount of mental stimulation to keep them busy, in addition to a substantial amount of physical activity.
Those Rottie Pits that are on the aloof side usually inherit that trait from the Rottie male canine as they rarely show any particular interest in any person who is outside their social circle.
Of course, Pitweilers won’t be hostile toward people who are not members of their family.
RELATED: Everything You Wanted To Know About Female Rottweilers
These doggies aren’t loud, which might seem surprising to those who haven’t had the chance to see their “true colors”. Pitweilers won’t bark excessively at strangers nor will they growl at passers-by.
In addition, they are extremely devoted to their masters, and they show a high level of loyalty, but at the same time, they are self-sufficient and able to care for themselves.
Pitweilers have a laid-back demeanor, and have no trouble adjusting to new environments or circumstances.
Because they do not experience symptoms of separation anxiety, it makes them an excellent choice for families who are not at home during the day.
Your Rottie Pit will rarely follow you, but they will probably want to sleep right next to you.
Are They Good Family Dogs?
Photo form: @bone_suggs_n_harmony
The fear of such powerful breeds and their cross is completely understandable, but I hope that today’s article has reassured you about the kind demeanor that these animals actually have inside them.
The history of Rotties and Pitbulls (especially these canines, as they were bred for dogfighting) doesn’t help with their reputation, but nowadays, these pups are proving themselves to be good furry family members.
These pups are quick-witted and smart house pets, and training them comes very natural to them.
Pitweilers have one and only one drawback, and that is the fact that they are prone to destructive tendencies and intransigence, especially when they are anxious, bored, or feel neglected.
It is also important to keep in mind that female Pitweilers frequently display aggressive behavior when they are around other canine females.
That’s why it would be in your and their best interest to start with obedience training as soon as possible, and begin socializing these pups at an early age.
After all, once you get over their stern demeanor, they can be loyal companions and excellent family pets.
Are They Good With Children?
Rottweilers are excellent with kids, and Pitbulls are getting better and better with them.
With proper training and attention, almost every dog breed can function well with kids. However, I’d still pay more attention to babies and toddlers as they might accidentally make some moves that Pits or their cross might react to.
Naturally, Rottie Pits step up to the plate and assume the responsibilities of being the family’s watchdog, watching out for each of their housemates, and paying special attention to the well-being of the young children, especially those that inherit these traits from Rotties.
Lifespan And Health Problems Of The Rottweiler Pitbull Mix
Photo form: @moosethepitweiler
Pitweilers seem to have good health, which isn’t such a big surprise considering that designer canines usually have better health than purebreds (although this isn’t a rule without exceptions).
When it comes to their life expectancy, Pitweilers are somewhere between Rotties, which live for eight to ten years, and Pitties, which can live up to sixteen years, meaning that Rottie Pits usually live up to 13 or 14 years at the most.
Still, even though they’re generally considered to be a healthy mixed breed, that doesn’t mean there are no health concerns and inherited conditions that might have an impact on their life.
The following is a list of some of the most prevalent health issues that might be experienced by a Pitweiler:
Patellar Luxation – This is a condition that occurs when a dog’s kneecap is momentarily dislocated, but subsequently returns to its usual position.
This condition can also occur in humans. When patellar luxation takes place, the individual will have trouble bearing weight on their legs in the presence of any sign of pain.
This can result in more knee problems, including a tear of the cruciate ligaments in the knee.
Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia is a common bone issue that affects big canines, even Pitweilers, especially if they are not properly bred.
It is brought on by abnormal development of the hip joint, which leads to bone rubbing, and it gets worse as the dog gets older.
This may result in a condition in which the rear legs become weak and lame.
Bloat – It is also possible for a Rottie Pit to suffer from harmful levels of gas buildup, which manifests as bloating. The more serious condition of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), which can develop from simple bloating requires immediate medical attention.
Cataracts – Because of its pedigree, the Rottweiler Pit mix has a higher risk of developing inherited eye disorders, like cataracts, than other dog breeds.
Cataracts are described as cloudy layers that can form on the lens of the eye, thereby preventing light from entering the eye.
Elbow Dysplasia – Dogs that have elbow dysplasia are usually not able to use their front limbs for walking, along with their forelegs.
This hereditary medical issue manifests itself most frequently in big breeds of dogs.
Addison’s Disease – This condition is one of the most serious health issues for Pitweilers as it can leave heavy consequences, but only if it’s not treated in time.
Essentially, this disease is caused by the inability of adrenal glands to serve enough hormones for the proper function of the body. The most common symptoms are gastroenteritis, loss of appetite, and subsequently, weight loss.
Aortic Stenosis – This is a condition that essentially represents the narrowing of certain veins, and the aortic valve, which doesn’t allow the blood to properly flow.
The obstruction of the valve can either be mild, moderate, or severe, which shows the severity of the illness and the canine’s condition.
Why Should You Breed A Rottweiler With A Pitbull?
Photo from @bone_suggs_n_harmony
The act of breeding different species together has, and still does, generate a lot of heated debate.
In order to get a better understanding of this topic, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of breeding dogs of different breeds, specifically Rottweilers and Pitbulls.
Advantages
• Reduced chance of acquiring genetic illnesses: Crossbreeding can reduce the likelihood of passing on hereditary conditions to the next generation.
As a result, breeding a Rottweiler with a Pitbull can enhance the robustness of the resulting Pitweiler, and boost hybrid vigor.
• Excellent physique: The physical features of a Rottweiler Pitbull hybrid can be a unique combination of those inherited from both of its parent breeds.
However, you should be prepared for everything because you never know how they will appear once they are born.
• Superb personality: As was previously stated, Rottweilers and Pitbulls are both dog breeds that are known for their loyalty and protective nature. Aside from that, they are able to learn new things, and are intelligent.
Their offspring, the Pitweiler, can also take on similar characteristics and develop into a wonderful companion animal over time.
Disadvantages
• Unpredictable size: Their size is difficult to accurately predict and to imagine what the mature size of a crossbreed will be.
It’s possible for a Rottweiler and Pitbull mix to have doggies that are smaller than Rottweilers, but bigger than Pitbulls, although this doesn’t hold true for every Rottweiler-Pitbull hybrid.
You are setting yourself up for nothing but disappointment if you anticipate a particular size.
• High Cost: The process of crossbreeding animals typically results in a higher overall cost than producing purebred offspring. When breeding many breeds, most breeders wind up spending more money on veterinarian appointments.
As a direct consequence of this, designer dogs such as Pitweilers, which are sold within the canine community, command higher prices than standard purebred canines.
• Unpredictable behavior: In addition to their outward look, the likelihood that Pitweilers would behave in a manner that is difficult to foresee is a big source of worry for many people who are passionate about the breed.
It is in your best interest to get a purebred Pitweiler if you are unsure of your ability to manage the temperament of a Pitweiler in whatever form it may take.
Nutrition and Diet Requirements
Photo from: @punttipitweiler
Because a Pitweiler is covered in solid muscles, it is essential for it to have the right nutrition in order to develop in a healthy way.
It is recommended that at least three cups of dry dog food be given to it every day because it is a large-sized dog.
On the other hand, some larger Pitweilers are able to consume more food than is required without gaining excess weight.
The amount of daily calories that should be consumed by a Rottweiler Pit mix ranges anywhere from one-thousand to two-thousand kcals.
In addition to this, the Rottie Pit’s diet should include important nutrients like carbs, fat, protein, and minerals.
Rottweiler Pitbull mixes are prone to having issues with their eyesight and bones; therefore, you should look for foods that can assist with both the growth of their bones and the health of their eyesight.
Are Pitweilers Difficult To Groom?
Photo from: @khaos_pittyxrotty
Like dogs of other breeds, a Pitbull-Rottweiler mix requires frequent bathing and grooming to maintain its appearance.
It’s normal for a Pitweiler to inherit either a short coat or the medium-length hair of its Pitbull father, which takes very little maintenance, but still looks great.
If it has a double coat like the Rottweiler, you will need to brush it regularly on a daily basis in order to remove the dead hair.
Give them a bath once a month, preferably by using specialized shampoos that are designed to clean and protect the skin from fleas.
In addition, make sure you use a high-quality nail trimmer on their nails, and clean their ears once a week to avoid the accumulation of wax.
It is also recommended that you brush their teeth three to four times per week in order to keep them in the greatest condition possible.
Wrapping Up
The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is a very interesting pup that possesses amazing qualities of both of its parent’s breeds, but with a hint of its unique appearance and characteristics.
Rottie Pits are great watchdogs that require low maintenance. However, don’t be surprised if you find excess hair all over your carpets or sofa, especially during the shedding seasons.
If you like both Rotties and Pitties, but you can’t decide which one you’d like to own, then the Pitweiler is the perfect option for a family pet!
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