In the 90s and early 2000s, the Rottweiler was widely considered the most dangerous dog breed. This is a title that has been passed down to Pitbulls with this group of dogs accounting for the most dog attacks and casualties in current record. So what exactly would one expect from a pairing of such problematic dog breeds?
The Pitweiler is a mix between Rottweilers and Pitbulls with the American Pitbull Terrier being the most commonly used dog breed in this pairing. Due to their confidence and strong distrust towards strangers, Pitweilers are usually kept as working dogs for tasks like personal protection.
If you are interested in getting yourself a Pitweiler, you have your work cut out for you with these strong-willed doggies. However, with an understanding of this mixed dog breed and the right care practices, you should be able to have a pretty decent experience with your Pitbull Rottweiler. Here is more on exactly what you need to know in preparation.
How Big Will A Pitbull Rottweiler Mix Get?
A mixed breed dog developed from a Pitbull and a Rottweiler is referred to as a Pitweiler in most designer doggy circles.
This is quite a controversial breed given the problematic personalities associated with both parent breeds including aggression and a predisposition towards violent behavior.
This is why Pitbull Rottweiler mixes are usually considered either illegal or strongly regulated in most parts of the country.
If you do manage to get your hands on one, one of the most important things you know is what the Rottweiler and Pitbull mix will look like. Both these dogs have pretty similar aesthetic features which makes it a bit easy to predict what the resulting mix will look like. Here is what you can expect.
Size And Build
Pitweilers can weigh anywhere between 40 to 100 lbs and measure 17 to 25 inches in height. They are smaller than the Rottweiler but larger than Pitbulls.
When it comes to the build, they tend to be muscular and proportional and may have the broad, boxy chest aesthetic that Pitbulls are known for.
Head And Skull
If the Pitweiler takes after the Pitbull’s features, they will have a large head with wide set ears and eyes. The ears are also half erect and folded sideways.
If, on the other hand, the mixed dog takes after the Rottweiler, the head will be a bit narrower and more proportional to the body with the ears appearing fully floppy from the base.
Coat
Pitweilers more often than not have short, smooth coats which is the same for both the Rottweiler and Pitbulls. However, when it comes to colors the options are a lot more.
Black and tan from the Rottweiler side is the most common color in which case you can expect the classic tan facial markings of Rotties with the two tan dogs over the eyes. The Pitweiler may also get a red, brown, or fawn coat or genetic color variations like merle and brindle patterns.
How Long Do Pitbull Rottweilers Live?
Pitbull Rottweiler mixes can live for 12 to 15 years. The reason for such a long lifespan despite being a medium to large dog breed is their health status.
Pitweilers have very few health conditions and the few that they do have are rarely life-threatening. Here are some of these common health problems that you will have to deal with.
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia can really affect the quality of life for the very active Pitbull Rottweilers. The abnormally formed joints eventually undergo degenerative changes and could result in painful debilitating arthritis for the dog.
Fortunately, diet changes including multivitamin supplements could really help slow down the progression of this condition in the dog.
Cancer
Cancer is one of the few conditions that Pitweilers suffer from that could actually shorten their lifespan. The tumors can occur anywhere but mostly affect the digestive tract, reproductive system, and the skin.
Cataracts
Cataracts occur mainly in older Pitbull Rottweiler mixes and may result in total blindness. While the condition itself is not usually painful for the dog, it is very disorienting so your Pitweiler will need as much support as you can offer to adjust.
Bloat
Bloat is very common in large and medium sized dog breeds including both the Pitbull and Rottweiler. It comes as no surprise that the resulting Pitweiler mix inherits the physical traits that makes them more susceptible to the condition.
Bloat occurs when the Pitweiler’s stomach is dilated by food or gas and twists on itself resulting in obstruction.
How To Take Care Of Pitbull Rottweiler Mixes?
Taking good care of a Pitbull Rottweiler mix is one of the best ways to get the most out of the experience raising and living with these dogs. The mixed pooches are very sensitive and reactive to their environments both in terms of health and temperament.
If you have no idea where to start when it comes to giving your Pitweiler adequate care, here are some tips that should come in handy.
Feed Your Pitweiler The Right Amounts Of The Right Food
Feeding a Pitweiler for the sake of their health is about balancing portions and proportions. When it comes to portions, your Pitbull Rottweiler should eat 2 to 4 cups of food depending on their age and activity levels.
When it comes to proportions on the other hand, you need a healthy balance of all the major nutrients with an emphasis on proteins for muscle strength, carbs for energy, and fiber for a healthy gut.
Pet Plate ticks all the boxes in terms of these important markers of a healthy Pitweiler diet. The best part is that they take your dog’s age, gender, and health needs into consideration for a customized meal plan.
Make Time For 60 To 90 Minutes Of Exercise
Pitbull Rottweiler mixes are very active dogs that are happiest when they are outdoors running and jumping about. Most could do with 60 to 90 minutes of activity which is great both for their psychological wellbeing and physical health.
iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs is a great tool for Pitweiler owners as it gives the dog a chance to explore their physical capabilities with fun running and jumping exercises. The ball launcher also stands out in that it allows you to determine the distance to which the ball will be thrown.
Supplement The Diet With Micronutrients
In addition to healthy food, you will also have to include supplements in your Pitweiler’s diet. These include vitamins and minerals that are useful for improved immunity as well as general wellbeing.
You should also supplement bone friendly compounds including glucosamine and chondroitin which help with bone healing and joint pain relief. This is great for Pitweilers that suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia or arthritis.
Are Pitbull Rottweiler Mix Good Dogs? Temperaments Of Pitweilers
Both Pitbulls and Rottweilers do not necessarily have the best reputations as far as temperament goes. They have both held the title of most dangerous dog breed over the years and it is with good reason.
Unsurprisingly, Pitweilers take after some of these less-than 4-desirable traits which can make them a bit mean. However, they are not all bad. Here are both the good and problematic personality traits you may have to deal with.
Alert
Pitbull Rottweiler mixes are very popular for use as watchdogs and their alert nature is what comes in very handy in this application. They are also very sensitive and reactive to their environment.
Intelligent
Pitweilers are not the most intelligent of all dog breeds but they are quite smart. They pick up very quickly on new skills as long as you are patient and use good training techniques.
Stubborn
The biggest challenge you will face when training and living with a Pitweiler is the fact that they can be very stubborn and non-responsive. It is very important here that you establish yourself as the alpha which triggers their pack mentality and makes them more agreeable to work with.
Mistrusting Of Strangers
Pitweilers do not like unfamiliar people or places and may get agitated and aggressive. It is best to socialize them consistently and from a young age in order to avoid any unpleasant incidences.
Potentially Aggressive
Pitweilers take after both their parents when it comes to their aggressive tendencies. They react very violently to provocation especially by other pets and even by their human companions. Pitweilers are therefore not great dogs for families or first-time dog owners.
Are Pitweilers Hypoallergenic? Grooming Tips For Pitbull Rottweiler Mixes
One of the best things about owning a Pitbull Rottweiler mix is the fact that they are very low maintenance as far as coat care is concerned. Though the mixed pooches are not hypoallergenic, they shed very minimally.
They are also not very likely to get stinky especially if they are regularly washed and have no skin issues.
For some perspective on just how easy it is to take care of your Pitweiler, here are 2 of the most important aspects of coat care that you need to cover.
Brush The Fur 2 To 3 Times A Week
Even though they do not shed very heavily, Pitweilers need regular brushing to get rid of the little loose fur that there is. A 2 to 3 times a week schedule should do the trick.
Furminator Undercoat Tool is great for the job with its curved ends ensuring that your Pitweiler is comfortable and safe as there is not much coat between the bristles and the skin for protection.
ConIt is also a good idea to invest in automated vacuum units to help with clean-up of any loose fur that you may not have brushed off. We recommend the iRobot Roomba i3+ which is actually specifically designed to help with collection of fur and pet dander.
Wash The Pitweiler Every 6 To 8 Months
Pitweilers have very resilient and healthy skin for the most part and can get away with a bath once every 2 months. You just have to use good shampoo that will offer long-lasting results.
We recommend Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner which stands out with its multipurpose functionality. One good wash will leave your Pitweiler’s coat clean, soft, and smelling great. The shampoo also offers relief and promotes healing in case your Pitweiler has skin issues.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Pitweiler Cost? The price of a Pitweiler ranges from $500 to $800 from most dog breeders. However, you could get some going for more than $1,000 especially where prized Rottweiler bloodlines are involved in the breeding. The reason they are so expensive is that the parents and the resulting mixes are strongly regulated in most parts of the country and thus availability is not always at par with demand.
Can A Pitbull And Rottweiler Live Together? Pitbulls and Rottweilers and Pitbulls can live together but this does not mean that they should be allowed to. They are both very dominant dogs with strong, aggressive tendencies which could prove disastrous. The Pitbull is usually the more aggressive and reactive one compared to Rottweilers and should receive more obedience and socialization training if the two really must live together.
What’s Stronger Rottweiler Or Pitbull? Rottweilers are stronger than Pitbulls. Both are very muscular dogs with strong personalities. They can also both get very vicious during violent confrontations. However, it is the Rottie’s 70 to 130 lbs that give it an edge over the smaller Pitbull that ranges in weight from 30 to 60 lbs.
