At first glance, the Rottweiler Pitbull mix seems like a vicious breed.
However, this not-so-friendly reputation is just a misunderstanding! This big pooch is indeed strong and fierce but also affectionate and very loyal, which makes for a great family or guard dog.
After many years of raising, training, and taking care of pets, I can tell you that researching your potential pup is the best place to kick off your journey as a pet owner. But the process can be confusing and time-consuming, so I’ve decided to do it for you!
Today’s article will discuss everything related to the Rottweiler Pitbull mix. We’ll get into its origin, personality, appearance, health, basic requirements, lifespan, and more.
Keep reading to find out if you and the Rottweiler Pitbull mix are a good match. Let’s dig in!
What Is the Background of the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix?
The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is a crossbreed with growing popularity. It’s generally considered a guard dog, but more and more people are accepting it as a family dog as well.
The AKC (American Kennel Club) doesn’t officially recognize the Rottweiler Pitbull mix as a dog breed. This is because it’s not a purebred species but a hybrid breed that’s been mixed on purpose.
This is why the history of the Rottweiler Pitbull mix isn’t clear. With no real records available we can’t pinpoint the exact date it first came to exist.
Meet the Parents
As the name suggests, this crossbreed is what you get when you combine a Rottweiler with a Pitbull.
Rottweilers are large purebred canines with a long history of herding use. They’re very intelligent, powerful, and alert dogs that are still helpful nowadays in search and rescue missions.
As for Pitbulls, they’re actually mixed-breed dogs themselves. The result of crossing Old Terriers with Old English Bulldogs.
Pitbulls were made for fighting and aggressive sports. They’re smart, cunning, fierce, and loyal
What Does a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Look Like?
The appearance of the Rottweiler Pitbull mix can differ depending on its generation. It can end up looking like one of the parent breeds more than the other once fully grown.
That said, these hybrid canines generally have athletic, bulky, and muscular bodies. They’re medium to large-sized with floppy ears and a short coat.
The color of their coats comes in many colors and patterns. They can be black/tan, fawn, white, or bluish.
Pitweilers have big eyes that are either dark or light brown. Their noses are dark and their tails are curved.
How Big Will a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Get?
A Rottweiler Pitbull mix is a large-sized powerhouse of a dog. It can weigh between 40 and 110 pounds (18 and 50 kg).
Males of this crossbreed are taller, with an average height between 18 to 25 inches (46 to 64 cm). As for the females, their average height ranges from 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm).
How Do Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Dogs Behave?
With very strong and confident parent breeds, it’s no surprise that the Rottweiler Pitbull mix is a powerful and determined pooch. It’s also clever and energetic, but calm when the situation calls for it.
Although they look intimidating and have a very dominating air, Pitweilers can be very affectionate and loving. They can form unbreakable bonds with their owners, making them super loyal and protective.
Dogs of this crossbreed love being outdoors and playing around with you. They’re rather active and should be with owners who lead a similar lifestyle.
That said, this hybrid canine doesn’t do well when left alone for too long. It can get destructive when it feels lonely or without enough physical stimulation.
Is a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Good With Kids?
A Rottweiler Pitbull mix can do well around kids as long as it’s trained and socialized. But still, you should always be around to supervise and teach children not to provoke the powerful dog.
Pitweilers can be friendly and affectionate toward little owners. They can also be very protective of them.
Is a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Good With Other Pets?
A Rottweiler Pitbull mix can do well around other dogs and pets once they’re familiar enough.
But if not properly socialized with other animals from a young age, they can get aggressive. This is especially true in the case of unneutered males.
Does the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Bark a Lot?
In general, the Rottweiler Pitbull mix is big on barking. It’s fairly quiet and only barks when it’s suspicious of a sound or a person.
That said, Pitweilers can get pretty vocal when left alone for too long. They won’t just bark, but also howl and whine.
This is another reason they shouldn’t live in apartments.
How to Take Care of Your Rottweiler Pitbull Mix
Now, it’s time for you to learn about a Pitweiler’s basic requirements when it comes to nutrition, physical activity, grooming, and training.
What Sort of Diet Does a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Need?
The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is a large, muscular, and very active dog. It burns through a lot of calories every day, so it needs to eat more than other less active breeds to regain its energy.
The diet you provide can be raw, freeze-dried, kibble, dehydrated, or wet food. But make sure the food is of high quality.
This crossbreed is likely to bloat. To prevent this, you should give your Pitweiler multiple small portions instead of one large meal. Also, avoid feeding the dog at least one hour before exercise.
Does the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Need Exercise?
Since both parent breeds are highly active, it’s only logical that the Rottweiler Pitbull mix also comes out with plenty of exercise needs. However, since it’s a hybrid dog, the intensity of its need for physical stimulation may be taken down a notch.
That said, a Pitweiler still needs a lot of exercise due to its great stamina. You should introduce outdoor challenges and fun elements to keep your dog engaged and alert.
Schedule such sessions at least twice every day to make sure that the Rottweiler Pitbull mix is getting enough physical and mental workouts.
How Do You Groom a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix?
Grooming a Rottweiler Pitbull mix dog is a simple task thanks to the short coat it gets from its parents. It doesn’t shed, so it’s a good match for folks with allergies.
Pitweilers need minimal brushing. You also don’t have to bathe them regularly — only if your pup gets really dirty from playing in the mud or something like that.
Don’t forget to clean your hybrid’s eyes and ears regularly to remove dirt and debris. Otherwise, the build-up may lead to infections.
Additionally, a Pitweiler needs regular teeth brushing to prevent plaque. As for the nails, you should trim them every month because they grow quickly.
How Do You Train a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Puppy?
The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is a stubborn, strong-willed, and smart dog. This doesn’t mean they aren’t trainable or eager to please, they just need to learn control and you’ll be able to get good results.
Since both parent breeds are working dogs, you’ll soon notice the Pitweilers are agreeable in training. They’re quick learners and confident pups, so they’ll follow your orders once you establish trust.
Training this hybrid should start as early as possible in the obedience and discipline departments. The same goes for socialization and agility.
Your techniques should be firm and consistent but patient. It’s best to use positive reinforcement methods, building slowly towards the goal behavior.
Never punish your Rottweiler Pitbull mix to avoid backfiring results.
What Is the Average Lifespan of a Rottweiler Pitbull Mix?
Typically, the average lifespan of larger dogs is shorter than smaller breeds.
As a large-sized dog with a generally strong and healthy body, this hybrid has a life expectancy range of 9 to 15 years.
Does the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Suffer From Health Issues?
Most hybrid dog breeds, including the Rottweiler Pitbull mix, are generally healthier than their purebred parents.
These crossbreeds are less likely to inherit certain genetic diseases associated with the purebred parent species.
But this doesn’t mean there’s no risk. Your Rottweiler Pitbull mix pup may still suffer from some health problems such as the following:
Cataracts
Rottweiler Pitbull mix dogs may develop eye conditions with age. One of these is called cataracts, which is when a white milky layer covers the eye and makes it hard to see clearly.
The good news is that your pup won’t feel pain from cataracts and they’re treatable via surgery. The vet will remove part of the cloudy film, allowing the Pitweiler to regain normal vision.
In some cases, the vet will recommend eye drops first instead of jumping right into surgery.
Either way, once you notice cataracts developing, you should get your dog checked as soon as possible. Neglecting this condition could lead to blindness.
PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
PRA is a genetic disease that causes degeneration of the eye’s retina as the dog gets older. Your Rottweiler Pitbull mix could end up losing its sight if this condition isn’t detected and addressed early on.
Addison’s Disease
This crossbreed is prone to hormonal disorders. One of these is known as Addison’s Disease.
This condition causes your pup’s adrenal glands to release fewer hormones its body needs to carry on normal functions. Symptoms of Addison’s Disease include the following:
- Fatigue
- Shaking
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Irregular heart rate
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive potty breaks
Since the symptoms are a bit general and may point to other health issues, you should visit your vet once you notice them.
Allergies
Both parent breeds of the Pitweiler are likely to be allergic to chicken meat. As such, there’s a chance your hybrid also has this allergy.
In this case, if your hybrid consumes foods containing chicken, it’ll develop symptoms such as itching, dry/flaky skin, bloating, and vomiting.
Once your pooch comes home, take it to a vet for a check-up on existing allergies.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Dysplasia is a degenerative growth abnormality that targets the joints. It causes the ball of the bone to not fit properly into the corresponding socket and makes the ligaments within the affected joint weaker.
This can lead to stiffness, breakage, and arthritis. Not to mention, this condition can be quite painful.
Unfortunately, hip and elbow dysplasia doesn’t have a cure. The best you can do for a Pitweiler suffering from dysplasia is to provide management medications.
These are painkillers and anti-inflammatories to ease the symptoms and slow the progress of the disease.
Who Is the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Suitable For?
The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is a very energetic, powerful, and smart dog. A working dog by nature, it loves being outdoors and playing around.
As such, this hybrid canine is ideal for experienced individuals or families with an active lifestyle.
The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is also strong-willed, fierce, and loyal. So, it makes for a fantastic guard dog after proper training.
Keep in mind that Pitweilers aren’t suitable for apartment living. Considering their large size and increased exercise needs, these pups do best in spacious homes with access to a yard.
How Much Do Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Puppies Cost?
If you’re buying from a trusted breeder, the general price range for a Rottweiler Pitbull mix puppy is $200 to $800. The exact price depends on multiple factors including the lineage of the purebred parents and the breeder’s location.
If you can’t afford to pay such prices or you’re looking to get a rescue dog, you can contact nearby rescue centers and ask if a Pitweiler is available.
In any case, Don’t forget to ask for a copy of the medical documents of the hybrid puppy and its parents from the breeder. If it’s a rescue dog, try to get as much information on its background as possible.
Wrap Up
Fierce, intelligent, and alert, there’s no doubt that the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix should get a lot more recognition. It’s also loving and loyal —- a recipe for the perfect guard and family dog.
This crossbreed needs plenty of physical activity and can show destructive behavior if left alone for too long. They can do well with kids and other pets, but supervision is still needed.
