A Complete Guide to Caring for a Pitweiler Puppy

Pitweiler Dog Breed Overview

This popular new dog mix, the Pitweiler, combines the strong American Pit Bull Terrier and a muscular medium-sized dog and the Rottweiler. As with many mixed dog breeds, this hybrid was granted multiple names, and some people will call these dogs Rottbutt, Bullrot, American Pitweiler, Rottenpit, Rottie Pit, or Prott. 

This crossbreed is a very strong and muscular dog, but its heart remains bigger than its muscles still. These dogs are very smart and have well-honed protective instincts. Even though they can be wary, a well-socialized Pitweiler can be one of the most sensitive and loving pets a person can have. 

Some folks like to rescue these dogs because they love the look, some people have become addicted to rescuing Pit-mix type of dogs, but no matter their reason for picking this dog, they always see how excellent this pet is when they’re trained correctly. Pitweilers will let their best personality traits shine through when given plenty of attention and training. These dogs also require a lot of activity, which can be too demanding for some people’s lifestyles, and it’s why you should ensure you have plenty of time to dedicate to exercising these pets before adopting one. 

Any potential Pitweiler owners should ensure they are prepared to offer this dog everything it needs to make them happy. Because of their natural energy, they can become quite rowdy and anxious if they don’t get their daily needs met. Don’t be tricked by their muscular look. These dogs make excellent family pets, hiking buddies, or best friends for single individual homes. Whether you’re looking to get a sweet family dog or a guard pet, the Pitweiler can do it all with the right owner.

History of the Pitweiler and Its Parent Breeds

These hybrid breeds come from two different breeds that don’t have the most transparent beginnings. The Rottweiler is a German native dog breed and is well-known for its excellent guarding capabilities. At the same time, the American Pit Bull Terrier was bred in the 1800s in the United States and often worked as an all-around farm dog. Both of these parent breeds have unmatched talents compared to some other breeds. Rottweilers are still some of the best guard dog breeds in the world and have maintained this role in many homes, even if it is just their family they’re guarding. On the other hand, the American Pit Bull Terrier was trained to listen to their owners, complete many tasks, and some people decided to use the breed’s unmatched strength to enroll these animals in dog fights. 

It’s undeniable to acknowledge the history of this somewhat controversial breed. Still, it’s imperative to understand that many different breeds were abused in dog fights. American Pit Bull Terrier dogs just happen to be incredibly muscular and fierce-looking, and the media often takes this to villainize these poor animals. 

The same often goes for Rottweiler pets, where many people have a misconception that these pets are naturally standoffish and don’t enjoy familial affection, but this just isn’t the case.

Some dog owners might mix up similar breeds with the American Pit Bull Terrier, like the American Staffordshire Terrier, and while these breeds are very similar, the American Pit Bull Terrier has a greater variation in size and color than the Staffordshire Terrier.

This distinction is important to remember as the hybrid breed Pitweiler is a mix between the Rottweiler and the American Pit Bull Terrier. A Rottweiler and American Staffordshire Terrier mix would produce a different hybrid breed called a Staffweiler. 

The Rottweiler dog breed saw has a much longer history than their Pit Bull Terrier companions. The Rottweiler breed has been around since ancient Greece, although the birth of the modern-day Rottweiler breed can be traced back to Germany in the 1900s. This breed’s formal history only began in the 1900s after its near extinction in the 1800s. 

Breeds like the Rottweiler were often used to guard farm animals like cattle or sheep. During the industrial revolution (the mid-1800s), the need for the guarding capabilities of the Rottweiler declined, and demand for these dogs declined. 

Thankfully, as demand grew for high-quality security police, military, or personal guard dogs, the Rottweiler breed boomed again and is now one of the world’s most easily recognizable dog breeds. 

While the Rottweiler is a resilient dog breed, the Pit Bull Terrier stayed a steady favorite dog breed for the last few hundred years, but their history is nowhere near as long as the Rottweiler breeds. The American Pit Bull Terrier had a huge demand in the early 1900s, and they became almost a national symbol for the United States of America. The U.S.A.’s nationality and pride only grew during World War I and II, making these strong dogs a proud representation of the people. In fact, this breed is considered one of the most popular breeds in the United States, with it ranking within the top three favorite dog breeds in over 28 states. This amazing pet is also one of the only dog breeds to grace the cover of Time Magazine and is the only breed to have landed on the front cover a total of three times, more than any other breed ever has. It’s easy to understand why two dog breeds with such a rich and beloved history make a great hybrid mix.

Pitweiler Size

Many of these dogs are very large and might stand anywhere from 20 to 23 inches tall at their shoulders. These dogs can weigh anywhere from 65 to 100 pounds, and females in this breed are usually on the smaller side of these scales.

Their size may be intimidating, but these dogs are just as much as a lap dog as a Toy Poodle if you let them be. These affectionate dogs are also blissfully unaware of their own massive size and have habits of bonking their skulls off of everything, so it’s a good idea to ensure nothing fragile is in the reach of these pets. Also, even though these dogs are great with families and children alike, their huge size means they could accidentally injure smaller children by just stepping on them. So only families with older children should consider getting one of these big dogs.

Pitweiler Temperament

Well-socialized dogs in this breed will give plenty of affection to their families and friends. This hybrid can get along with other pets as well as long as they’re socialized correctly. These dogs can become very anxious and nervous if they don’t get to expel all their energy or if they’re left alone for too long. 

A Pitweiler can be a destructive ball of hyperactivity or a snuggle bug that is patient with children and other animals. It’s up to you as the owner to give your dog all the training and socialization they need to become their best selves. 

Intelligence

Even though this hybrid is known for its brawn, they have plenty of brains to spare. This dog might not be able to learn a new command as quickly as some more intelligent breeds like the Poodle or Border Collie, but a Pitweiler puppy is no dumb dog. These pets have natural protective instincts, and because of this, they have a natural stubbornness that attributes to their fun-loving personalities.

Pitweiler dogs are very trainable, especially if owners provide consistent and concise training sessions. Many Rottweiler dogs and American Pit Bull Terriers have been trained to be police dogs or security animals, and these jobs are significantly more complicated than learning how to sit, stay, and rollover. The Pitweiler can be an overly sensitive dog, and it might hurt their feelings if you yell at them during training sessions. You should never chastise your Pitweiler for not completing a command. Instead, you should try to always encourage them with a calm and positive tone in your voice as well as plenty of verbal praise. This breed can be quite stubborn, but the best way to overcome this issue is to create a strong bond full of love, trust, and patience. Owners can easily accomplish this with their Pitweiler puppies by using treats and quick daily training sessions to create a relationship that shows your dog you know how to have fun. Then they’ll enjoy listening to you more often, and training sessions will become extra fun for you and your Pitweiler.

Pitweiler Shedding Habits

Breeds like the Pitweiler have very short hair, but they aren’t considered hypoallergenic pets. Even though Pitweiler puppies won’t shed very much, they will shed quite a bit of fur during the changes in season. Owners can take care of all of this extra fur by giving their pet a brush once a week and every other day during these heavier shedding periods.

Even though they have naturally shorter hair, these dogs will benefit from a bath once a month to protect their skin and smell. They might have white, red, black, blue, brown, sable, or brindle fur.

Pitweiler Hybrid Health Overview

Many hybrid breeds will be exposed to the risk of developing either of their parent breeds’ genetic health risks. This breed is at risk of some minor joint issues, although not every dog in this breed will experience any sort of physical health development. It’s infrequent for these dogs to suffer from any severe health ailments, and most dogs in this breed will live their full average life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. Also, because this breed can have such a large variation in size and weight, potential owners should keep in mind that a 60-pounds Pitweiler is more likely to live up to 15 years, while a 100-pound Pitweiler may only live 11 years. Larger dogs have shorter lifespans on average. This occurs within the same breeds as well, which is why Toy Poodles have a longer life expectancy than a Standard Poodle. However, this doesn’t mean a 100-pound Pitweiler can’t live 15 years long. It’s just less likely since their average life expectancy typically decreases with size.

Common Psychological Health Conditions

Every dog will eventually suffer from some psychological health conditions like stress and anxiety. Dog owners should not worry about preventing their dogs from experiencing anxiety altogether and should focus on how to help them overcome any stress symptoms when they arise. There are plenty of ways to help your Pitweiler puppy overcome these ailments.

Stress

As it was stated earlier, Pitweiler puppies can be quite the sensitive dog breed and might struggle with symptoms of stress more than other breeds do. It’s also worth noting that many Pit Bull and Rottweiler mixes fill most dog shelters, and shelter animals are much more likely to suffer from these psychological symptoms than other breeds. The reason shelter dogs struggle with stress so much is that they have experienced traumatic events like abandonment or abuse, and anything that reminds them of those times will upset them. 

Also, dogs who don’t get socialization training will suffer from stress symptoms anytime they meet new people, animals, or places. Often, shelter animals have not had the opportunity to be properly socialized yet. Do not let this information deter you from getting a Pitwieler puppy because contrary to popular belief, you can teach an old dog new tricks. 

Owners will be able to notice symptoms of stress in the Pitweiler puppies if their dogs lower their heads, hold their ears back, or tuck their tails between their legs. This breed might bark in moments of stress and can cry when they’re nervous. Sometimes these dogs will hide behind their owners if they’re fearful of something, or they might even try to growl or bark at whatever it is that’s scaring them.

Any Pitweiler owner that sees their pet showing these symptoms should know that they can help their dog overcome these conditions by working with them over time. Poor socialization is often not something that can be fixed in one day, but it can be fixed over a few months with a little consistency and training. Pitweiler owners should provide treats and the necessary measures to help their dogs get past their traumas by allowing them to explore new areas at their dog’s pace. Always be calm and patient with your dog when helping them socialize, and never force them into a place where they don’t want to go. Some owners find that their dog may have chronic stress and then can get professional help from a dog behaviorist who can work with them to overcome their symptoms. 

Anxiety

Another very common condition all dogs experience is anxiety. Anxiety may occur in Pitweiler puppies who have separation anxiety or if they don’t get their daily amount of recommended exercise. Shelter animals are also much more likely to experience anxiety symptoms than other dogs, so if you adopt, you should be aware that your Pitweiler puppy might get very nervous when you leave. 

Anxious Pitweiler puppies might try to prevent their owners from leaving or destroy the house in their owner’s absence. Often, when dogs do this, they experience an anxiety attack. The only way dogs know how to communicate is through physical body language, resulting in torn-up trash cans and couch cushions. Some dogs might defecate, urinate, or vomit when they experience anxiety, and sometimes dogs refuse to eat or drink water when experiencing these symptoms. 

The best treatment for your dog depends on the severity of their anxiety. Commonly the intensity of their symptoms will reflect how severe their condition is. Less severe cases of anxiety might be successfully treated with calming supplements or special snacks to distract your dogs from anxious situations. Some owners find that their dog needs more help, and they can also hire a trainer to help their dog with counter-conditioning, a treatment process that helps change a dog’s negative reaction to a positive one. If Pitweiler owners still see their dogs struggling, they might be able to get anti-anxiety medication from their vet, but these medicines often have a lot of side effects and should only be used as a last resort. 

Calming Dog Products 

Many owners can give their dogs calming products to help them manage their anxiety symptoms. Some owners like to create safe spaces for their pets that provide plenty of comfort measures like nice dog beds or calming treats. Often these owners will make this safe space in an area far away from foot traffic and quiet, so it can be a relaxing place for their dogs to retreat. 

Common Physical Health Conditions 

Hip Dysplasia

When it comes to muscular dog breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Rottweiler Terrier, many joint issues often accompany their strong muscles. Pitweiler puppies are at risk of experiencing a common dog condition known as hip dysplasia. 

Pitweiler puppies who experience this condition might develop a strange walk or lose muscle mass in their back hips as they gain some in their shoulders. This happens because the dog is trying to overcompensate their weight in the front to remove extra weight from its painful joints. Some dogs with hip dysplasia will cry or yelp when anyone pets their hip or when they stand or lay down. 

The best way owners can treat their Pitweiler puppies’ hip dysplasia is to provide enough daily exercise, so they don’t let their dog’s joints stiffen. They should also have a comfortable resting place to ease their joints, and owners should purchase anti-inflammatory supplements to aid their dog’s hip.

Elbow Dysplasia

Another very common joint issue that many dogs experience is elbow dysplasia. The elbow joint is comprised of three bones that have to meet together perfectly not to cause this condition, but for some unknown reason, many dogs are born with these bones just barely out of place. Elbow dysplasia is a minor condition that often has no effects on a dog until they are much older.

Dogs with this condition might try to avoid running on one of their front legs every now and then. Pitweiler puppies with this condition might not run as much as they used to and might avoid stairs or jumping at all costs. These dogs are likely to suffer from inflammation and arthritis when this condition occurs.

Owners can easily help their pets overcome these symptoms by providing them with joint supplements to help grease up any inflamed joints. They can also provide their pets with dog CBD as it has many special properties, including being an anti-inflammatory and a pain management aid. 

Patellar Luxation

One more common joint issue that a Pitweiler puppy might develop is patellar luxation. Patellar luxation is the most minor of all the joint issues and often requires little to no treatment to help their pet overcome any symptoms.

When dogs have patellar luxation, their kneecap pops out of place randomly, and it may seem like they skip a step when they’re running around. 

Owners can help their pets with this condition, similar to how they can treat the previous two conditions, by providing joint supplements as well as anti-inflammatory agents and pain management aids, all of which can be found in most local pet stores. 

Joint Health Options We Love

Oral Health 

Although many owners aren’t aware of this, a dog’s oral health can directly affect their physical health. It’s very important to brush your Pitweiler puppy’s teeth at least once a week, although three times weekly would be best. Many owners find this to be too demanding and use oral health treats to help take care of any bacterial build-up in their dog’s mouth.

When dogs eat, food, tartar, plaque, and bacteria all build up in their mouths and can lead to issues like a dental disease. Periodontal disease (dental disease) can cause inflamed gums, and at its most severe, it may require your dog to lose its teeth. Also, poor oral health can lead to issues such as respiratory and heart disease, and this is why it’s so important to keep your Pitweiler puppy’s teeth clean and fresh.

Oral Health Options We Love

Pitweiler Breed Needs

Exercise

This active breed needs at least one hour of vigorous exercise to maintain its average fitness. Some of the dogs in this hybrid might require about two hours to stay mentally and physically healthy, and it mostly depends on the individual dog and their energy levels. Owners can figure out if their dogs are getting enough exercise based on how well they behave or how depressed they may seem at home. If you’re giving your dog an hour of exercise daily, but they still manage to behave badly or ignore commands you know they know, the answer is probably to provide more exercise. 

There are plenty of ways to provide this for their dogs, and owners should keep in mind that this breed needs to be mentally stimulated. Owners can find enrichment activities to partake in with the Pitweiler puppy.

Exercise Toys We Love

Nutrition

Because these dogs can have such a large variation in size, they have a large variation in the number of daily calories they need. Some Pitweiler hybrid mixes will only need 3 cups of high-quality dry dog food, whereas some dogs might need closer to 5 cups of food. Owners can check in with their vet to ensure they’re giving their dog enough daily calories and should include any treats they give their pet as an addition to their pet’s daily calorie intake.

Also, dogs with deep chests are more likely to experience a condition called bloat, which can cause their stomach to twist and ultimately lead to death. Owners can help lessen the risk of their pet experiencing this by splitting their meal into three or more meals throughout the day, and this will also help your pet feel full for longer periods. 

Dog Food Based On Age We Love

Grooming

Short-haired dog breeds like the Pitweiler have very low-maintenance grooming needs. They should be brushed about once weekly just to keep their fur clean of any dirt or debris that might have stuck onto them. Typically, owners can expect to bathe them every six to eight weeks. Pitweiler puppy owners should also clean their dogs’ ears with a cotton ball and canine ear-cleaning solution once a month. 

Top Product Picks for Pitweiler Dogs

If you are excited to adopt a Pitweiler puppy, you’re not alone, and many people love this new hybrid breed as well as its two-parent breeds. Ownes should keep in mind that it can be a very stress-inducing period of change when bringing a new dog home. The best way to help your dog adapt to their new home is to have plenty of dog-friendly things readily available to them before they even walk through the door.

Before bringing your Pitweiler home for the first time, you should have a bowl of dog food and water ready for them. Owners should purchase a dog bed and crate before bringing their pet home, especially because sometimes new pets aren’t yet housetrained. It’s necessary to have at least one leash and collar ready but buying two just to have a backup is a good idea. Owners might want to purchase a harness, but you should hold off if you don’t yet know your dog’s size. 

More experienced dog owners might want to buy other luxuries like dog food storage containers, poop bags, portable food bowls, tasty treats, or fun toys. The most important part of bringing your new Pitweiler home is to give them plenty of space and do your best to let them know they are in their new forever home. These pets won’t take long to warm up to their new families.

Other Resources

1. National American Pit Bull Terrier Association

2. Pit Bull Rescue Center

3. American Rottweiler Club

4. United States Rottweiler Club