According to the American Kennel Club, Pitbull Terriers are considered among the most dangerous of all dog breeds. For a long time, larger breeds like Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers took this infamous title. However, the Pittie has held its position since the early 2000s and with all the incidences associated with this problematic dog breed, this trend doesn’t show signs of letting up any time soon. This is probably why Pitbull Terrier mixes that solve the temperament problem are so popular.
A Pittie mix is any mixed breed dog developed from breeding between an American Pitbull Terrier and a second dog breed. Due to the medium build of the Pitbull, they can be mixed with both large and small dog breeds without too much consequence.
One of the most celebrated things about Pittie mixes is their more agreeable and manageable personalities. This is especially the case when the Pitbull is mixed with a calm and friendly dog breed. If you are considering getting yourself a Pitbull Terrier mixed pup, here is all you need to know in preparation.
A Pittie mix is a mixed breed dog from a Pitbull Terrier and any other dog breed.
Some of the most commonly used dog breeds for this mix are large dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Australian Cattle Dog, and Siberian Husky. For small and medium Pittie mixes, the dog breeds commonly used include the Dachshund, Border Collies, Beagles, and Frenchies.
Due to all these possible variations, the expected size and physical appearances of a Pitbull Terrier mix vary greatly from one specific pairing to another. Here is a brief description on some of the most predictable features that you can expect.
How big a Pitbull Terrier mix gets when fully grown depends entirely on the dog breeds used for the pairing with the Pitbull. If it is a large to giant dog breed, you could have a Pittie mixed pooch weighing between 60 to 100 pounds and measuring up to 30 inches in height.
When mixed with a medium-sized dog like the Pitbull itself, the Pittie mix will often fall within the 30 to 50 pounds and 17 to 21 inches ranges.
Finally, Pittie mixes involving pairing with small dogs are usually smaller than 20 inches and weigh less than 30 pounds.
The build of a Pittie mix also varies based on the second dog breed used. However, it is very common to find the resulting mix taking strongly after the Pitbull terrier’s strong, muscular body and proportional features.
The other often predictable trait with Pittie mixed puppies is the coat. The resulting mix may have the Pitbull’s short, smooth, and thin coat in red or black colors. They very rarely have long fur even when mixed with long-haired dog breeds.
The lifespan of a Pitbull Terrier mix ranges from 8 years to 15 years like the Pitbulls themselves.
The length and the quality of the dog’s life is determined greatly by genetics and health which depends on the breeds used in the pairing with the Pitbull terrier. Mixes with healthy dog breeds and especially those that are medium-sized to small will usually live longer.
If you are considering a Pitbull Terrier mix, you also need to be prepared for the common health issues in addition to their lifespan. Here are some of these conditions that you will have to keep an eye out for.
Hip dysplasia is already common in Pitbull Terriers in the purebred form. It becomes an even bigger risk for Pitties mixed with large or medium dog breeds that have the same problem. It can be a seriously debilitating condition resulting in arthritis and impeding mobility.
Patella luxation affects Pitbull mixes involving pairings with small dog breeds like Dachshunds and Chihuahuas. In these cases, the patella becomes loose which makes the knee joint very unstable.
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the dog does not produce enough thyroid hormones due to issues with either the thyroid gland or regulatory mechanisms.
It can seriously lower the quality of life for the Pittie mix as it affects their metabolism and other important functions like temperature regulation.
Congenital heart defects are quite common in Pitbull terrier mixes and is usually a condition inherited from the Pittie side. Some of the most common of these are septal defects and a patent ductus arteriosus.
Congenital heart defects often result in early death for puppies that have not been diagnosed on time.
Every Pitbull Terrier mix is different in terms of their specific care needs. However, they all need more or less the same things in order to keep them safe, happy, and healthy.
If you are considering getting one of these designer doggies, here is everything that you should know to take good care of your furry best buddy.
Pitbull Terrier mixes are usually very strong and athletic dogs. They naturally have a muscular form and will maintain it even with little effort. However, when mixed with dog breeds that are prone to developing obesity, you need to ensure that your Pittie mix gets enough exercise as a preventive measure.
1 hour every day for Pittie mixes involving small dog breeds and 2 hours every day for larger and more athletic Pittie mixes should do the trick.
You also have to keep things fun and interesting in which case we recommend the iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs. The best thing about this launcher is that it allows you to calibrate the distance to which you want the ball thrown.
Another great way to support your Pitbull Terrier mix’s health is through a healthy diet. This means meals made from real and high quality ingredients and not chemical substitutes or byproducts. It also means a health balance of nutrients including proteins, carbs, healthy fats, minerals, vitamins, and fiber.
Pet Plate covers all these bases to ensure that your Pittie mix is consuming the best quality food out there. They also customize meal plans based on any special needs your pooch may have from nutritional requirements for specific conditions to age-specific needs.
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In addition to your Pitbull Terrier mix’s healthy diet, invest in micronutrient supplements to ensure that they get everything they need including trace minerals and rare vitamins. Supplements offer a convenient way to add to any important compounds that may be absent or inadequate in the dog’s diet.
This is easily the biggest concern for people considering Pitbull terrier mixes. Not many people are comfortable dealing with the aggression associated with Pitties especially first-time dog owners and family setups.
With Pitbull Terrier mixes, you get a healthy compromise with the strong and loyal features of a Pittie without the intensity of the negative personality traits. Here are some of these temperament features you may encounter
Pitbull Terrier mixes bark a lot and can be very noisy whether it is due to excitement or agitation. This makes them great for use as guard dogs but may be a bit of a nuisance if you just want a companion pet.
Pittie mixes have a way of livening up a home. They are usually very lively and are always excited to spend time with their favorite humans. One way to temper this excitement is by ensuring they get daily workouts to burn off some of that excess energy.
Pitbulls and their mixes are very loyal dogs. The mixes are particularly loyal especially when the Pittie is paired with dogs known for the same trait including German Shepherds and Labradors.
Pitbull Terriers mixes are also quite active dogs. They love the outdoors and any activity that involves things like running and jumping. This makes them great companions for outdoorsy dog owners.
Pitbull Terriers mixes are considerably easier and safer to live with than pure Pittie. However, this does not mean that the mixed pooches do not have a little aggression in them.
They are prone to aggressive outbursts especially if they feel threatened by strangers. This makes them a bad idea for use as family dogs.
If the Pitbull Terrier mix takes after the Pittie’s coat, you will have a bit of a hard time when it comes to grooming. This is because Pitbull Terrier coat traits make the Pittie mixes heavy shedders and prone to skin issues as well as odors.
However, you can find ways to take great care of your pooch without spending too much time or energy. You just need to be consistent and to invest in the right tools. Here are some tips that should come in handy in this case.
The best way to deal with shedding from your Pitbull Terrier mix is by brushing their coat regularly. A daily brushing may seem like a lot but all you need is about 5 to 10 minutes with a high quality brushing tool like the Furminator Undercoat Tool.
The awesome thing about this brush is that it is self-cleaning which makes it even more convenient to use on a regular basis.
Pittie Mixes sometimes have very sensitive skin and this can be triggered or worsened by a dirty environment. This includes dander and fur accumulation on the floor or on carpets.
To take care of this, we recommend you try the iRobot Roomba i3+ whose pet-specific suction mechanisms make it perfect for cleaning up after your Pittie Mix’s shed coat.
To deal with odors and other skin issues that your Pittie mix may have, you need a combination of a high quality shampoo and a good washing interval. 4 to 6 weeks is ideal for most Pitties mixes and helps manage odors while still keeping the skin and fur protected by natural oils.
For the shampoo, we recommend Seamus Cherry Blossom Whitening Dog Shampoo whether or not your Pittie mix is white. This shampoo is great at not only cleansing but also conditioning the coat for a glossy and color-intense final look.
Are Terrier Mixes Good Family Dogs? Terrier mixes are good family dogs especially if the Terrier breed used in the mix is the friendly and affectionate Yorkshire Terrier. This will usually happen to most Terrier mixes if the other dog breed is matched with a Yorkie whose personality is stronger and features more positive traits. These include a calm predisposition and friendliness even towards strangers.
Are Pitbull Terriers Banned? Pitbull Terrier dogs are banned in many places around the country and around the world. The limitations vary from full on bans on breeding and ownership to strict restrictions on where you can take a Pitbull if you are allowed to own one. American Pitbull Terriers are usually banned or heavily restricted due to their predisposition to violent behavior towards people and other pets.
Can Pitbulls Be Around Small Dogs? Pitbulls can be around small dogs if they are well trained and socialized but it is still not advisable to let this happen. This is even the best trained Pitbull Terriers will have a short temper and instinctual drives to react violently when provoked. This means that something as innocent as playful nibbling by a pup or rough playing by a cat may be perceived as attacks and met with violence.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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