Pitbull Rottweiler Mix: All About The Adorable Pitweiler
Are you looking for a protective and energetic, yet loving dog breed? Then, Pitweiler is the right one for you. However, it is definitely not for the guys living in flats and is looking for a couch potato. The Pitweilers are usually a lot more than that.
Pitweiler is a cross between Pitbull and Rottweiler. They make powerful guard dogs and watchdogs. Both male and female come in large sizes. Although they do not bark a lot, they are quite imposing and protective. They usually demand a lot of exercises. And are not a great choice for new canine owners.
So, if you are thinking of buying a Pitweiler, this article is for you. You can know everything about the breed, beginning from their history to exercise requirements.
A Brief History Of The Pitweilers
As you know, Pitweiler is a hybrid between Pitbull and Rottweiler. They are actually known by different names, including Rottie, Rottbull, Rottie Pit, Rottweiler Mix, and Prott.
Their parent breeds mostly have similar personalities and temperaments. So, it is actually pretty to predict the temperament of the hybrid produced by a cross between them.
Let us now look into the history of the parent breeds.
Rottweilers are large dogs usually used as guard dogs in the early days to guard herds of cattle. They are known for their alertness, endurance, and discipline.
Rottweilers are actually believed to be the descendants of the mastiff-like Roman drover dogs. They have been used as messengers and guard dogs for ambulance duties during the World War. The higher energy levels, intelligence, and strength make Rottweilers perfect for rescue activities.
Now, the other parent breed of Pitweilers, the Bulldogs, is a cross between Old English Bulldogs and Old Terrier dogs. They were actually designed for meeting the need for a strong breed for dogfighting, bull-baiting, and other bloody sports.
The hybrid between Rottweiler and Pitbulls, the Pitweiler, was initially used as watchdogs. But, are now slowly recognized as family dogs. However, they are listed as one of the most dangerous dogs and are banned in many countries.
Appearance Of Pitweilers
Pitweilers usually have a powerful muscular body. They possess long legs and large heads that are characteristics of both their parent breeds. Most of them also possess a looser jowl, common among Rottweilers, and may drool just like Rottweilers.
Size
Pitweilers also possess muscular and thick legs of Pitbulls along with the imposing height of Rottweilers. Male Pitwieilersare found larger than the female ones, both in terms of height and weight. They usually are 18 to 26 inches taller and 50 to 100 pounds in weight.
Colors and Coat
Pitweilers usually come in shades of eight colors; black, chocolate, brown, blue, white, golden, speckled, bindle, and merle.
The Rottweiler family doesn’t come in a variety of coat colors. They come in hues of black and tan. Therefore, the coat color of the Pitweilers is usually predicted by the coat color of their Pitbull parents.
They usually come in a short coat that doesn’t shed much.
Personality Traits And Temperaments
Pitweiler is a super-energetic dog breed. With the large reservoir of energy they usually possess, they are mostly playful and active.
They have actually got the habit of running on to people without any prior notice from their Rottweiler parent. Therefore, you should be careful when you take your Pitweiler around people.
As said at the beginning of the article, Pitweilers can never be a couch potato. They constantly move around and fit perfectly into large spaces rather than flats. The breed is hyperactive most of the time. Therefore, keep an eye on them when they are around small pets or kids.
Pitweilers rarely bark. You cannot expect them to bark continuously at the onsight of a danger. They just bark once or twice to alert you when something unusual occurs. However, their barks are loud and deep.
Both Rottweilers and Pitbulls possess a huge prey drive. Therefore, you can expect the same prey drive in Pitweilers. Early socialization is essential for them to overcome the prey drive. Lack of proper and early socialization can make the breed destructive.
However, proper training and socialization can make them great family guard dogs. A well-trained Pitweiler can be loving, affectionate, and protective.
The breed usually possesses great physical strength and a powerful jaw. Attacks from the Pitweilers can thus, cause lasting damage to people as well as other pets. Therefore, keep an eye on your Pitweiler whenever they are around strange people and pets.
Pitweilers are generally stubborn and strong-willed dogs. Thus, proper training and early socialization are essential.
Exercise
Pitweillers are dogs that are always high on energy levels. Therefore, a lack of sufficient exercise would make the destructive.
They are mostly hyperactive. Their great stamina demands for lots of exercises, involving fun and challenges.
Thus, Pitweilers are not recommended for apartment living as they require large spaces to play, run, and burn their energy.
The Pitweilers would require a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise per day. You can take them for a walk and make them run for half an hour by involving in some games.
Training, Feeding, And Grooming
Training
As said in the last sections of the article, early socialization and proper training are essential for Pitweilers. Proper socialization is essential to control the prey drive and aggression of the breed.
You can train them through positive reinforcement. However, physical exercises and mental stimulation is essential to make the training work.
You can try out the game of Rally to train Pitweilers. The game of Rally involves a lot of physical and mental activities to tire them out.
Feeding
Pitweilers usually requires to be fed three times a day. The growing members of the breed require a diet high on proteins.
However, you should not feed them too much before taking them for exercise. Eating or drinking too much water just before exercise would cause bloating of the stomach.
Also, any change in the diet of Pitweilers must be made slowly and gradually. A sudden change in the diet may cause diarrhea, especially in the case of puppies.
Grooming
The grooming of Pitweilers is pretty easy because of their shorter coat. They don’t shed much.
So, only requires minimal brushing. They don’t require to be bathed regularly. You can use shampoos formulated for dogs to keep their coat clean and protected from insects and fleas.
Health Problems
Pitweilers are generally a healthy dog breed. Their lifespan is around 8 to 12 years.
However, as with every other dog breeds, they are also prone to some diseases listed below.
- Bloat.
- Cataract.
- Allergies.
- Addison’s disease.
- Hip dysplasia.
Conclusion
Pitweilers are sensitive and loving despite their large size and fearsome appearance. They are loyal and make great family dogs even though they are a crossbred between breeds of dogs popular for dogfighting.
They are energy ball. They constantly move around and are mostly high on energy levels. They are pretty easy to care for and groom.
However, they demand a lot of exercise and proper training. And thus, they are not recommended for novice dog owners and apartment living.