Mastiffs have been around for millennia and have been kept for everything from guarding to companionship. I truly believe that they are very underrated dogs with their awesome personalities and general versatility. Their designer doggy pairing with the infamous Pitbull makes for a very interesting mixed pooch with a lot to offer.
The Pitbull Mastiff mix is a blanket term used to describe mixed breed dogs developed from a dog in the Mastiff group and one in the Pitbull group. The Mastiff could be an American, English, or Neapolitan variation. On the other hand, the American Bulldog and the American Pitbull Terrier are the most commonly used variations in the pairing on the Pitbull’s side.
Taking care of a Pitbull Mastiff mix can be a bit tricky, especially for first-timers. However, with some understanding of the mixed breed and their needs, you should be able to give your doggy a great home. Here is all you need for this.
How Big Will A Mastiff Pitbull Mix Get?
Mastiff Pitbull mixes are large dogs that take physical traits from both the Pitbull and Mastiff parent.
The two-parent breeds have somewhat similar build and physical features, which makes it easier to predict what the Pitbull Mastiff mix will look like compared to other designer doggies.
Here are some of these defining physical features of a Mastiff Pitbull:
Large Size
Mastiff Pitbull mixes weigh between 100 to 140 lbs and measure 25 to 29 inches tall. They get this large size from the Mastiff parents that are considered to be giant dog breeds.
However, it is possible to have a Mastiff Pitbull weighing as heavy as 60 lbs which is still heavier than most Pitbulls.
Compact, Muscular Build
Here, the Mastiff Pitbull resembles both the parents with their muscular build. They are, for the most part, proportionally built but may have slightly short legs, especially if the Mastiff is mixed with Pitbull varieties like the American Bully and the Staffordshire Terrier.
Short, Smooth Coat
The coat is another feature common to the Mastiff and Pitbull breeds. The resulting mix will have the same short, smooth, and straight fur that these parents have. Color coat variation is also more or less the same, with most being either black, red, or brown.
Large Head
Most Mastiff Pitbull mixes have a large head that is very similar to Pitbull breeds. The ears are usually wide set and may either be upright or semi-upright, with the top half drooping forwards or sideways.
Besides the large droopy ears, they may also inherit other droopy features of the Mastiff including saggy cheek skin, and facial folds.
How Long Will A Pitbull Mastiff Mix Live?
Pitbull Mastiffs have a lifespan of about 8 to 10 years. This is pretty much what you would expect from such a large dog breed.
However, it is not uncommon to find Pittie Mastiff crossbreeds living up to 15 years, especially when they are healthy.
Speaking of health, Pitbull Mastiffs are generally very healthy dogs. The health problems that they do have are usually manageable with healthy lifestyles and good care. Here are the most common of these health problems that you have to look out for with a Pitbull Mastiff dog.
Bloat
Bloat can be a devastating condition in Pitbull Mastiff mixes and is caused by the stomach dilating and twisting on itself.
If you notice your dog’s abdomen getting swollen and other signs of distress like hypersalivation and whining after meals, it may be a sign that the Pittie Mastiff is experiencing bloat.
Heart Defects
Congenital heart defects are a common issue in many Pitbull Mastiff mixes. The causes vary from environmental risk factors to genetics. If not managed when the mixed pooch is a puppy, these conditions severely impact the length and quality of the dog’s life in a bad way.
Skin Diseases
Skin irritation in Mastiff Pitbulls is usually a result of flea or mite infestation. They tend to react aggressively and may scratch too much for their own good. This results in open wounds that often get infected. To avoid this, just find a grooming routine that works for your dog and stick to it.
Obesity
Pitbull Mastiffs have both active and lazy sides. In cases where they are allowed to spend all their time indoors then, the latter side thrives and gives way to issues like excessive weight gain.
If not managed early, obesity in these mixed doggies could result in life-threatening complications like heart failure.
How To Take Care Of Pitbull Mastiff Mixes?
Pitbull Mastiff mixed doggies are large and may be intimidating for first-time dog owners or people handling large dogs for the first time.
Interestingly, Pittie Mastiff mixed dogs are very easy to take care of, only if you understand what they need. That is what we are about to get into so that you have all the information you need to adequately prepare for the responsibility of taking care of a Pitbull Mastiff.
Dietary Needs And Supplementation
To a large extent, your Mastiff Pittie mix is what you feed them, and if you invest in a healthy diet, you will have yourself a very healthy dog. We recommend you try Pet Plate for high-quality ingredients and recipes that your dog will actually enjoy.
In addition to a high-quality diet, you have to supplement your Pitbull Mastiff’s meals with multivitamins and other important minerals and compounds. These offer a boost in the levels of important micros that may not be enough even in the healthiest of diets.
Exercise Intensity And Duration
Exercise is a great way to not only keep your Mastiff Pitbull healthy but also entertained. These mixed doggies need at least 1 hour of exercise every day. They tend to get bored very easily, so you have to be very creative in terms of exercise ideas and toys to keep them engaged.
iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs is a great accessory to have around if you want to make playtime fun for the Pitbull Mastiff. The best part is that it is automated and allows you to choose the distance you want the balls thrown to.
How To Train A Pitbull Mastiff Mix? Temperaments Of Pitbull Mastiff Mixes
When it comes to personality and temperament traits, a Pitbull Mastiff mix takes a few features from both parents. Generally speaking, the Pitbull Mastiff mixes are not as volatile and reactive as their Pitbull parents.
However, they do have an aggressive side that is thankfully mellowed out by the gentle nature of the Mastiff breed. Here are a few more traits you may find in your Pitbull Mastiff.
Strong Willed
Once a Pitbull Mastiff sets their mind to something, it can be difficult to get its attention. They are very focused and goal-oriented, which is why it is important to find positive outlets, including exercise.
Above Average Intelligence
Your Pitbull Mastiff may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but they are still pretty smart. This will come in handy during training as all you need is to find ways to keep them engaged in which case treats and praises should do the trick.
Protective
Pitbull Mastiffs are very protective over their human friends. They will not hesitate to bark at or even attack anyone or any other animal they feel poses a threat to humans that the pooch considers family.
Aloof Toward Strangers
Pitbull Mastiff mixed doggies need early socialization as they are not very friendly to strangers. Unless you want to keep yours as a guard dog, this is an instinct you will have to train out of them to avoid incidences like cold treatment or even attacks on your guests.
Affectionate
They may look hard and intimidating, but Pittie Mastiff mixes are very loving and affectionate. They are content just cuddling with their favorite humans and will be loyal to anyone who treats them kindly.
Do Pitbull Mastiff Mix Shed? Grooming Tips For Pitbull Mastiff Mixes
Mastiff Pitbull mixes are not hypoallergenic. However, they only shed minimally.
While these traits make them less than ideal for people with dog allergies, they make it easy to take care of the dogs as far as coat grooming needs.
Pitbull Mastiffs are very low maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs and simply needs regular brushing for deshedding and monthly baths for skin and fur health. Here are three very simple but important tips that should help make taking care of these mixed pooches easier.
Use Strong-Bristled Coat Brushes
Pitbull Mastiffs have short and straight fur with coats that are more often than not single-layered. Despite the coat being thinner than other double-coated dog breeds, it is still a bit difficult for grooming tools with weak bristles to make it through the coat effectively.
The FURminator Undercoat Tool is a great deshedding brush to work with for Pitbull Mastiff mixes. Its strong, metallic bristles are just what the dog’s coat needs, and the ergonomic design sweetens the deal further by making the tool easy to use.
Clean All Surfaces Your Pitbull Mastiff Uses Frequently
This is a way to help with coat and skin care for your Pitbull Mastiff indirectly. A lot of the parasites and germs that cause skin problems for this mix thrive in dirt and grime left around the home by your pooch.
In addition to regularly laundering the dog’s linen, make sure you vacuum the floor for any stray strands of fur or dander that mites and fleas live on. For the latter, the iRobot Roomba i3+ would be a great help as it is specifically designed to clean up pet fur.
Invest In High-Quality Shampoos
Pitbull Mastiffs have sensitive skin and need washing products that cater to this need. Seamus Cherry Blossom Whitening Dog Shampoo is the perfect example of exactly what your Pittie Mastiff needs for adequate skin and fur care.
This shampoo has a hypoallergenic formula and skin-soothing ingredients, which will come in handy for Pitbull Mastiffs with problematic skin.
Related Questions
Can A Mastiff Kill A Pitbull? A Mastiff can kill a Pitbull. This is mainly due to the weight advantage that the much larger Mastiffs tend to have over Pitbulls. However, this does not mean that the Pittie will go down without a fight. Pitbulls are very vicious with their attacks and can very easily take on opponents much larger than them.
Do Pit Bulls And Mastiffs Get Along? Mastiffs and Pitbulls do not always get along. This is particularly the case if both dogs are male. The reason they don’t get along is the fact that they are both very dominant and confident dogs with the likelihood of becoming aggressive. More often than not, it is the Pittie that triggers the fight with the Mastiffs being a bit more tolerant and level-headed.
Are Bull Mastiffs Pit Bulls? Bull Mastiffs are not Pitbulls. Bull Mastiffs are actually a type of Mastiff dog that is a cross between the Old English Bulldog and the English Mastiff breeds. For comparison, Pitbull dog breeds tend to be smaller and more muscular and include dogs like the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully.
