Pitweiler Dogs

The Pitweiler is not a particularly widespread or well-known breed, so its origin is not entirely clear , although it is thought that the first intentional crosses between Rottweilers and American Pit Bull Terriers took place in the United States. Probably the objective of this hybridization was to create a working dog that combined the fidelity and agility of the pitbull with the power, cunning and guarding instinct of the Rottweiler.

Being a mixed breed dog, its physical and morphological characteristics can vary greatly from one specimen to another depending on the traits they inherit, so it is sometimes difficult to determine if a dog is really a pitweiler or if there is any influence on it. another breed, especially other bull-type dogs such as the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier .

This frequent confusion has caused many people to refer to the pitweiler using the generic “bandog”, a term that literally means “chained guard dog” and that has been used for centuries to define breedless, imposing-looking dogs, a cross between molossoids. (such as the Rottweiler) with other powerful dogs (such as the pit bull) that have historically been used to protect houses, factories and land.

We talk to you about other ” Mestizo dog breeds ” in the following article that we recommend.

As we have already mentioned before, the size and physical characteristics of the pitweiler, as well as its coloring, can vary greatly as it is a mixed breed. However, some aspects are common to all individuals and a clear example is their robustness and physical power . Both parents of the pitweiler are muscular dogs and, as a consequence, this one is too.

On the other hand, pitweilers have high-set , relatively short ears that tend to rise at their base and whose triangular tip hangs downward. Their eyes are expressive and round and their snout is of medium length, although certain individuals may have it shorter, like some Rottweilers. Its tail is thin, long and muscular.

The weight of an adult pitweiler in good physical condition usually ranges between 25 and 40 kilos, but some specimens, especially males, can exceed this weight. Its height up to the withers is around 50 or 60 centimeters.

Pitweiler dog colors

As for its coat, the pitweiler has a short, soft coat with a wide variability of colors, especially if the individual is the descendant of several successive crosses. Many Pitweilers acquire the typical Rottweiler coat (black and tan), although they can also be blue, chocolate, or light brown. They are often tri-colored and usually inherit the characteristic spots on the eyebrows of Rottweilers.

A dog’s temperament is determined by a series of factors, including its genetic inheritance, its parenting style, its education and the type of stimuli that surrounds it. This means that, even belonging to the same breed, each individual can have different character traits and when we talk about mixed breed dogs, this variability increases.

In general, the pitweiler stands out for being a very familiar and affectionate breed of dog , which loves to spend time with its guardian, with whom it establishes a very intense bond. Being a very observant animal that is always attentive to what is happening around it, it needs to be properly educated and socialized to avoid problems related to territorial behavior or the protection of resources. Although it is an imposing animal, the pitweiler should never be used as a “defense dog” or left alone in yards, gardens or fields.

The pitweiler is also a dog with a lot of vitality and, although it loves to run, jump and play outside, it tends to be calm and sleepy indoors, as long as it is provided with the necessary stimulation and daily exercise.

Finally, it should be noted that this breed is usually very patient and tolerant so, if they get used to it as puppies, they are excellent companions for children and other animals. However, as with any breed, you should avoid letting the little ones in the house bother you or make you uncomfortable.

The pitweiler is not a breed that requires very specific care, although there are several aspects that must be taken into account to keep this dog in good health, both physically and psychologically.

• Diet : on the one hand, your diet must be controlled. The pitweiler is a strong dog with a robust build and requires quality food to stay in shape and be properly nourished. Regardless of whether you provide feed, BARF or mixed feeding, the amount and type of food must be correctly adapted to your age and weight to avoid metabolic problems. Likewise, it is important to wait between one and two hours before and after each feeding to go out to exercise with the dog, as this will prevent dilation and torsion of the stomach, a very serious pathology that frequently occurs in large dogs. and giant.
• Hygiene : Regarding the care of its coat, the Pitweiler tends to shed a lot of hair, despite having it short, as a result of seasonal shedding, which is influenced by the climate. To prevent your dog from leaving everything covered in hair, he should be brushed at least once or twice a week to remove all the dead coat. On the other hand, it is not necessary to bathe him frequently , unless he has some dermatological problem that indicates otherwise.
• Exercise : Finally, note that the pitweiler is a very intelligent animal with a lot of energy, which means that it needs a lot of stimulation, both physical and mental, to stay healthy. Going outside for walks, offering interactive toys, and training skills with him can be good options to keep him active. We talk to you about ” The best toys for dogs ” in the following AnimalWised post.

Pitweiler education should begin from the moment it is a puppy. It should never be adopted before eight or nine weeks and it is important that, until then, it remains with its mother and littermates because only then will it be able to learn to relate and interact properly with other dogs, something that we cannot. we can teach you completely.

Once in its new home, the pitweiler must be properly socialized to prevent behavioral problems. The sensitive period for socialization lasts until three months of age, so this period of time should be used to very gradually introduce the puppy to different stimuli (children, vehicles, other animals, noises, etc.) and associate them with experiences. positive. This will allow the puppy to become properly accustomed to these stimuli and not generate phobias in the future . As the pitweiler is a very familiar dog and attached to its guardian, it is also important to teach it little by little to be independent and to be left alone for short periods of time to prevent it from suffering from separation anxiety problems .

A solid foundation of basic obedience education is also essential not only to establish a bond with the guardian but to guarantee good coexistence and prevent dangerous situations. For example, having the call or the “stay” command well trained is essential in case the dog goes out for a walk, since it is easy for him to start running after some stimulus that catches his attention, which poses a risk. Likewise, we recommend never taking dogs loose in the city or busy areas; in these cases it is better to get them used to walking on a long leash.

Although, in general, the pitweiler is a resistant and healthy dog, it may present some pathologies more frequently than others. The main health problems you can suffer from are:

• Eye problems : both Rottweilers and pit bulls are susceptible to certain eye pathologies such as cataracts , progressive retinal atrophy or entropion .
• Hip dysplasia : this degenerative pathology, of the osteoarticular type, causes pain in the animal and difficulties when walking or exercising. It is much more common in large dogs and is hereditary. Fortunately, if detected in time, it can be treated and even operated on.
• Allergies : Allergic problems are very common in bull-type dogs, such as the pit bull or the American Staffordshire, so it is common for them to also appear in the pitweiler. Dermatitis caused by contact with certain substances, parasites, foods or environmental causes is the main allergic pathology for which Pitweilers go to the veterinarian, especially those with lighter skin.
• Obesity : the pitweiler is a very muscular dog that needs a considerable amount of daily physical exercise to stay in good condition. If the guardian does not have enough time to exercise the dog, provides it with an excess of daily food or it is very fatty (as is the case with certain wet foods), the animal will tend to become overweight with all the associated health problems that This supposes.

Like any other breed, pitweilers are also susceptible to diseases transmitted by parasites or vectors, as well as viral pathologies, so it is essential to correctly comply with the vaccination schedule indicated by the veterinarian and protect the animal through the use of antiparasitics, both internal and external.

Unfortunately, the pitweiler is considered a potentially dangerous dog in our country , as it is a cross between two breeds that are already part of this list. This entails a series of responsibilities on the part of the guardians that, on many occasions, they are not willing to assume and end up abandoning their animals. Furthermore, the fact that the pitweiler is a mixed breed dog, large, strong and about which there are many prejudices, means that shelters and shelters are full of dogs with very similar characteristics that are looking for a permanent family.

If you would like to give a wonderful dog such as the Pitweiler a chance, at we recommend that you contact the animal protection associations in your city or visit the municipal kennel. On the other hand, if you already have a dog, you can buy a customizable tag with his name where you can record important data such as a contact number or your home address in case of loss.