Rottweiler Pitbull Mix: An Essential Guide to the Pitweiler

Is the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix a good fit for your family? If you’re considering bringing a Pitweiler home, or currently own this mixed dog breed, this guide is for you!

Every prospective dog owner enters into their research looking for the best dog for their lifestyle.

Some people want a friendly breed that will spend hours playing fetch with them. Others prefer dogs who enjoy a sedentary lifestyle, lounging on couches and enjoying long afternoon naps.

There is no such thing as a perfect dog, though you can find a breed that will fit well into your family and lifestyle.

Mixed breeds dogs often give owners the best of both worlds. You can combine the best attributes of two separate breeds to create one hybrid that forms the perfect partner.

Many people consider the Pitbull Rottweiler mix to be one of these incredible designer dog breeds. Also referred to as the Pitweiler, this large-breed hybrid dog is powerful and loyal almost to a fault.

If you have been on the fence about purchasing your own Pitbull Rottweiler mix, you probably have a few questions.

Here are the answers you need to help you decide whether this mixed breed is the ideal choice for you.

Rottweiler Pitbull Mix: A History of the Pitweiler

Designer breeds created from the blend of two separate breeds have risen in popularity of the past decade. Dog breeders are putting more thought and effort into creating the perfect blend of temperaments and traits into one rather large dog.

The exact history of the Pitweiler is unknown, but a lot can be learned about the temperament of these dogs by examining the history of their parents.

Pitbull

The Pitbull, sometimes referred to as a Staffordshire Terrier, was originally bred to serve as bait for bears and bulls back in the 1800s.

When this practice was outlawed by the authorities in Britain, they developed a much more violent history.

You could expect to find one of these dogs in a fighting ring, trying to become the last dog standing. It was a barbaric practice that still sometimes occurs today.

Their connection to dogfighting is undeniable. The Pitbull was bred to be strong and aggressive in order to win their fight at the end of the night.

Because many owners bred for these traits, the breed has developed something of a bad reputation over the years. Many areas have breed-specific legislation (BSL) that bans them from certain cities and places restrictions on their breeding.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers actually have a rather surprising history that can be traced all the way back to ancient Rome.

These dogs were originally used by the conquering Romans to herd the cattle that traveled with them on their journeys. The cattle served as the food source for the soldiers, so this was a serious task that was entrusted to these ancient drover dogs.

Their natural herding instinct has gone unnoticed for many years, but the Rottweiler has not faded from popularity.

During the World Wars, they served faithfully in many roles including as messengers and guard dogs. Their extreme work ethic also allows them to be helpful members of many search and rescue teams.

Is the Pitbull Rottweiler Mix Illegal?

Unfortunately, the Pitbull often gets a bad reputation for being overly aggressive when owners fail to properly socialize their dogs.

Their aggressive tendencies put many people on edge, including the authorities. One poorly bred Pitbull can set the stage for generalization to the entire breed.

As a result of this, it may be illegal for you to own a Rottweiler Pitbull mix.

Some cities have passed ordinances that put strict guidelines on pet owners for those who have Rottweilers, Pitbulls, or a combination of the two.

A few of these potential guidelines include purchasing extra liability insurance, placing the dogs behind higher fences, and muzzling them whenever in public. In some areas, it is illegal to own the breed all together or you must pay a license fee in order to own one.

All military bases in the United States have a ban on Pitbulls. Individual cities have their own rules about which breeds are or are not allowed.

Most notably, the United States Public Housing Authority in New York City bans the breed. Some states are notorious for these breed-specific legislations including Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

Keep in mind that breeding your Pitbull might be illegal in your area. Some states have ordinances that regulate the breeding of Pitbulls to create a mixed breed while others will ban the sales of pure Pitbulls.

Owners are beginning to challenge these ordinances and some are being overturned. However, you should educate yourself on local laws.

Before you move too far ahead with your search for the perfect Pitweiler, you may want to check with your local authorities for more information. This can save you from potential heartbreak in the future when you attempt to bring your latest furry friend home.

Is the Pitbull Rottweiler Mix Dangerous?

Many people have been conditioned to believe that any Rottweiler mix is inherently dangerous.

While there is some experience that points to the fact that Rottweilers tend to act aggressively, this is not always the case. Rottweiler mixes can be perfectly safe for owners that understand how to train their dog well and how to socialize them properly from a very early age.

Socialization is the key component that determines whether your Rottweiler mix is going to be aggressive.

From the moment they are born, owners and breeders should be committed to exposing the dog to as many different types of people and animals as possible. They should be exposed to people of different races, ages, sizes, and genders.

Puppies can make tremendous progress with this process fairly quickly. If you wait until the dog is older to begin this socializing, then you may have a much harder time seeing the fruits of your labor.

In general, a Rottweiler Pitbull mix has the potential to be dangerous, but it is easily preventable with the right training.

If you feel uncomfortable training and socializing your dog on your own but are committed to owning a Pitweiler, seek help from a professional trainer as early as possible.

Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Cost

Unlike some of the other designer dogs available for purchase today, Pitbull Rottweiler mixes are relatively inexpensive. You can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $1,000 depending on your area and the breeder.

Be aware that more competent breeders may charge more because they have more costs associated with your puppy.

Many of these reliable breeders will have veterinary examinations done to check for hip and elbow problems so that you can minimize the chances of owning a dog that is prone to dysplasia and the associated medical bills.

The price may also depend on the status of the parents. If the parents are premier show dogs or have a history of serious work, a Pitweiler breeder may charge more for the puppies.

Always be sure to ask what sort of work or show history the parents have if you feel like the price is too high on a litter of Pitbull Rotweiler mix puppies.

You may be pleasantly surprised to hear about the impressive things that the mom and dad have done over the years.

Pitweiler Temperament: Are Rottweilers and Pitbulls Good Together?

The first thing you must understand about the Pitbull Rottweiler mix is its overall temperament.

Predicting how each individual puppy will develop is nearly impossible, but you can take a few good guesses by asking educated questions about the parents.

Both dogs have a history of being a working breed, so it comes as no surprise that you will need to be prepared to play.

Experts recommend that you spend at least an hour engaging in vigorous exercise with your Pitweiler. This can mean anything from playing fetch, working on training, playing games, or going for a long jog with your canine companion.

If you don’t spend enough time working with your pup, you can expect to see some bad behavior in the form of chewing, housebreaking accidents, digging, pacing, or barking.

Because of their history as working breeds, both Pitbulls and Rottweilers are very easy to train. They have a great work ethic for someone who is committed to giving their dog a job. This might be in the form of service work, agility, or other energy-consuming activities.

It should be noted that both breeds tend to act aggressively toward people and other animals. They have a high prey drive and may be particularly prone to act aggressively toward smaller animals.

Socializing your dog from a very early age is absolutely crucial to nipping this aggressive behavior before it can transform into a larger problem. Your dog should be exposed to as many people and animals as possible to learn that there is nothing to gain by acting aggressively in these situations.

A Rottweiler Pitbull mix also prefers to be the dominant one in any particular relationship. You may have to work to establish your role as the leader in the relationship from an early age.

However, once you cement this fact, your dog will be extremely loyal and protective of you. In fact, their protective nature is the very reason why many people flock to the Rottweiler Pitbull mix.

Pitbull Rottweiller Mix Health Problems

Every large breed dog has a few common health problems that you may encounter.

Under normal conditions, a Pitbull Rottweiler mix is likely to live anywhere from ten to fifteen years. They may still live this long, even if they suffer from one of these common ailments.

Bloating, or gastric torsion, is perhaps the most common and the most preventable issue they suffer from. A well-planned diet can reduce some of the stress on their digestive system and minimize their overall bloat, a condition that can be quite uncomfortable for your furry friend.

Try feeding your Pitweiler several small meals each day instead of one large meal. You may also want to slow down their eating by purchasing special bowls that force your dog to eat their kibble more slowly.

Like most large dogs, the Pitweiler is also likely to develop issues like joint dysplasia.

This occurs when there is a malformation in the joint, most likely the hip or elbow. The ball and socket don’t connect at the proper place, causing painful rubbing and grinding. A competent breeder should have the dog’s hips and elbows inspected before selling a litter of puppies.

The Rottweiler and Pitbull mix is also prone to develop cataracts that can impair its vision. Fortunately, this can be treated by surgically removing the blue lens that coats the eye and makes sight challenging.

They may also be prone to developing certain heart problems such as aortic stenosis. This occurs when the aortic valve becomes too narrow and stiff, reducing blood flow through the heart.

You may notice that your dog appears to be more fatigued and uninterested in exercise when this type of problem begins to develop.

This breed is also particularly prone to developing food allergies and dry skin. Both of these are completely treatable conditions and can be cured by altering the dog’s diet.

Rottweiler and Pitbull Mix Size and Appearance

Both of these stocky dogs tend to be on the larger side, so you can expect the same from a potential puppy.

Predicting the exact size would be difficult because Rottweilers are much taller than Pitbulls. It depends on whether your dog takes after their Rottweiler parent or their Pit Bull parent, just as the rest of their appearance does.

Generally speaking, you can expect your dog to measure somewhere between 18 and 25 inches tall at the shoulder. Their weight can clock in anywhere from forty pounds up to one hundred pounds. Females are typically smaller than males in both height and weight.

In terms of their physical appearance, the potential variation is fairly significant.

While Rottweilers have a pretty standard black and tan appearance, Pitbulls can come in a wide variety of colors.

The puppies created when combining the two breeds may resemble either parent depending on the litter. They may come in colors including chocolate brown, black, golden, white, blue, merle, or brindle.

The one physical trait you can count on is a short-haired coat that feels smooth to the touch. Both Rottweilers and Pitbulls have the same type of coat, so it is a given that they will pass this on to their offspring as well.

Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Grooming and Maintenance

Because of their short coats, Rottweiler Pitbull mixes are relatively easy for you to maintain.

Their coats shed very lightly with more shedding seen as the seasons change, particularly in the spring. Brushing them a couple of times each week should be sufficient to keep your pup looking his absolute best.

As with all dogs, you should also make every effort to brush their teeth daily.

Many pet owners find that this is unrealistic for their schedule, but you should make it a habit to do it as often as possible. Whenever you must skip a day of brushing, try giving your canine a dental chew that can help improve his oral hygiene instead.

You should also be prepared to clip their nails every few weeks. Starting this practice early with your puppy will be essential to making it a stress-free experience for the rest of his or her life.

Many dogs are averse to having their nail trims, so be sure to reward handsomely for this chore and perform it often while they are little.

Food Requirements for the Pitbull Rottweiler 

Because these dogs can vary in size so much, determining how much they need to eat can be confusing.

Most Pitbull Rottweiler mixes can get away with eating less food in the spring and summer and more food in the winter as the temperatures begin to drop. However, the exact amount they need is determined by their overall weight.

A dog that ranges from forty to sixty pounds likely needs anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 calories per day. A dog from sixty pounds to eighty pounds needs roughly 1,600 to 2,500 calories in any given day. Dogs that weigh over this amount will likely require between 2,400 and 3,600 calories each day.

The activity level of your dog also plays a major role in how many calories he or she will need each day. If they are receiving the recommended sixty minutes of vigorous exercise each day, then they may need closer to the upper range listed above.

Keep in mind that puppies may require more calories because they are still in a stage of growth. Consider feeding your Pitbull Rotweiller puppy the upper limits on the calorie suggestions listed above.

For any further questions about what to feed your dog and how much, consult your veterinarian for specific answers.

Considering the Rottweiler Pitbull Mix

Pitbull Rottweiler mixes are some of the most loyal and fun-loving dogs that you will find anywhere as long as you are committed to training and socializing them. They are fiercely protective and make excellent watch dogs for your family.

However, training and raising a Pitweiler requires a great commitment from you as an owner. Consider whether you have the time and experience to give this dog everything that he or she will truly need.

If you feel that the Rottweiler Pitbull mix would still be an ideal dog addition to your family, then make sure to find a reputable breeder in your area.

If possible, request to meet both parents to determine if they are friendly and well-trained. This will help you to get a better sense of the temperament your puppy may develop.

Overall, your experience with a Pitbull Rottweiler mix might be everything you ever dreamed of in a canine companion.

[wpdatatable id=61]