Adopting a Pitbull Rottweiler Mix

Also known as the Pitweiler, the Pitbull Rottweiler mix is a hybrid dog that combines the prowesses of a Pitbull and a Rottweiler. Everything from what the dog looks like to its temperament will take after its parents’ so you can expect an independent dog that if trained well, will make not just the perfect addition to the family but a protective guard dog as well.

Things you should know before owning a Pitweiler:

Before adopting a Pitbull Rottweiler mix, you need to close your eyes and ears to the barrage of “Are you sure?” questions that will be hurled your way by concerned and downright nosey friends, family and neighbors. There is no denying that both pure breeds have a reputation for being strong willed, but they are also known for their intelligence. So long as you know that you are adopting a dog with leadership characteristics and realize that you will be putting in plenty of hard work to train it, you will be just fine.

1. What are their physical traits like?

The Pitweiler is a beautiful creature indeed. The color of its coat will vary according to what its parents look like, namely the Pitbull side. You will see everything from black and brown puppies to brown, black and white ones. Overall, you can expect a dog with a proud appearance and depending on which parent has the slightly stronger genes, your dog may either have a more obvious Pitbull or Rottweiler look and gait. It will have strong legs and large paws with thick pads. It will have a long and curly tail. It is up to you if you want to leave your dog’s ears naturally droopy or cropped. No matter what, you can be sure that you dog will be huge and weigh between 50 to 100 pounds. As for the thickness of its coat, it will either have a short mane like its Pitbull parent or something thicker if it follows the Rottweiler side of the family. Either way, they are not huge shedders so you need not worry about that if you want your dog indoors. Just remember to regularly groom it so that it looks and feels its best.

2. What about their characteristics?

The best part about owning a hybrid is having the best of both worlds. Owners of this mix have attested that the Pitweiler is very sensitive to its owner’s mood. If you are feeling down, your dog will sense it and act accordingly whereas if you are feeling happy, your dog will get excited and eagerly go along with your mood. As the Pitweiler has high energy levels, you can be sure that it needs sufficient exercise on a daily basis. Be sure to dedicate enough time for walks, runs and play time to avoid any form of destructive behavior. This hybrid is great with children but it is best to supervise them every time they are around anything smaller than them as play time can get a little rowdy if left unchecked.

No matter what, be sure that you start training your dog when it is a puppy as the older it gets, the more challenging it will be to train it. Also remember to heavily socialize them as puppies. The good news is that they are highly intelligent creatures who respond well to their masters. They are obedient and protective and will be sure to respect you.

3. Do Pitweilers come across many health problems?

The same way your Pitweiler can take after its parents when it comes to its outward appearance, the same can be said for its health. Rottweilers and Pitbulls both tend to have problems with their hips and this problem is known as hip dysplasia, a deformity whereby the femur does not fit well into the hip socket. Dogs who have this problem have to live with a considerable amount of pain but thankfully it can be rectified through surgery. Unfortunately it will cost you thousands of dollars. Allergies and cataracts in older dogs are also common. So long as you pay attention to symptoms and get your dog taken to the vet quickly, your Pitweiler will be just fine and will live to a ripe old age of up to 15 years.

4. Are they as ferocious as people say?

People tend to jump to this conclusion because both dogs are renowned as excellent guard dogs, hence stereotyping the Pitweiler as a very fierce hybrid. Just like owning any type of dog, your dog’s personality will all depend on its upbringing. If you train it to be aggressive towards strangers, then it will probably grow up to be the most feared creature in the neighborhood. However if you regularly socialize your dog and expose it to people and other canines from a very young age, you will probably end up with a Pitweiler that has a sweet and calm demeanor who loves kisses and playtime. Sure, the argument that nature trumps nurture still stands but at the end of the day, so long as you train your dog to behave the way you want it to, you can be sure that you will have nothing to worry about.

5. Will this dog suit my lifestyle?

Like owning any type of dog, you have to be absolutely sure that you can set aside plenty of time and energy to train and love it. The worst thing that you can do is to delegate these mandatory tasks to someone else as this may confuse the Pitweiler in determining whom its owner is. Be sure that you have a yard as these dogs require plenty of exercise and love spending time outdoors. Apartment living is certainly not suitable for a dog of this size and strength so unless you live in a penthouse with a balcony and its own patch of grass and tons of sunshine, do not even consider adopting a Pitweiler. You also have to be sure that you have the physical and mental strength to train and own this hybrid. It is not going to be easy as this dog is very strong willed but if you dedicate the time and energy to socializing and training it well, you will emerge out of this with a best friend who features unflinching loyalty and love, and one that is even willing to die for you.