Sunday, March 24, 2024
HomeMixGerman Shepherd Pit Bull Mix

German Shepherd Pit Bull Mix

Intelligence Can Pose Unique Challenges

Pet of the Week: German Shephard, Pit Bull mix puppies

German Shepherds remain in high demand for their intelligence. As working dogs, they serve in a variety of capacities because of their obedience.

The GSD ranks second in working intelligence according to Yummypets.com on the renowned canine psychologist Stanley Corens work.

The Staffordshire Terrier, and presumably the Pit Bull, rank in the mid-30s. However, an intelligent dog does not necessarily mean training will be a cakewalk.

German Shepherds can have a problem accepting authority and, in rare cases, display dominance aggression.

Shepherds are large and forceful dogs, requiring a self-assured handler who can gain their respect.

A self-confident owner also needs to establish order in the family household.

Experience with dog ownership is beneficial with the GSD as evidenced by the many experts who report ease with training Shepherds.

Pit Bulls are tenacious and can be stubborn. It makes it challenging to get their attention once they become attracted to or fixated on an object or the task at hand.

However, Pit Bull Terriers also have a high willingness to please, making them moderately easy to train for someone who has plenty of patience and can offer a lot of positive reinforcement.

Your mixed breed is likely to have a combination of personality qualities from the German Shepherd and Pit Bull. Expect a brilliant dog with a mild stubborn streak.

Also, your dog will likely have a strong personality and thoughts about how things should go.

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix: Top Ways To Make The Best

What do you get when you combine one of the most popular breeds with perhaps the most controversial dog of the twenty-first century?

Can you expect a dangerous crossbreed or a fantastic family pet? What two dog types would spring to your mind?

The German Shepherd is the second most popular dog in the US and the world, according to Highlandcanine.com.

Despite its reputation, the American Pit Bull Terrier sits at a not-so-shabby No. 15.

So what is a German Shepherd Pit Bull Mix all about?

There is no denying the considerable controversy that surrounds Pit Bulls and, more recently, German Shepherds, but the mix remains familiar and well-loved by those who have one.

Also going by the name German Sheppit or German Pit, the German Shepherd APBT mix is a medium to a large balanced and friendly dog with short fur that is commonly fawn, cream, blue, brindle, or black and tan.

Usually intelligent and easy to train, German Sheppits can learn to be social, are loyal family companions, and have minimal grooming needs.

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Breed Info Characteristics And Pictures

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix is a cross of German Shepherd and American Pitbull, also known as Shepherd Pit or German Sheppit. Its a medium to large size dog, at about 17 to 26 inches tall, weighing between 65 to 85 pounds. The lifespan of this crossbreed is around 10 to 12 years.

I always emphasize the importance of checking that a breed is the right match for you and your family, so read on to see if the Pitbull German Shepherd mix is the dog for you.

Contents & Quick Navigation

Don’t Miss: How Many Vaccinations Does A German Shepherd Need

The American Pit Bull Terrier

Pit bull terriers were bred from English bulldogs and terriers in the 1800s to make them quicker and more athletic. At the same time, specific traits were encouraged, such as not biting humans. This also led to them being some of the most human-friendly dogs in the world.

Pit bull terriers are working dogs that were used to herd and guard livestock. However, many were treated as companions due to their loyal and caring nature in the early 1900s. Despite American pit bull terriers protective nature and bad reputation, they are incredibly loving towards people they know and children.

Despite the stigma surrounding pit bull terriers in the late 20th century, they are now being seen as the loving dogs that they are. Many participate in competitions, work as police and army dogs, and even service and therapy dogs.

A Temperament Better Than Expected

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix

Pit Bulls passed temperament tests that gauged fear and aggression with an 86% rate in close to 1000 dogs. Similar numbers of Golden Retrievers passed with 85% success.

Even accounting for breed misidentification and Pit Bull prevalence, Pit Bull Terriers continue to account for the majority of fatal dog attacks on both humans and domesticated animals.

However, most bites still occur due to squalid or criminal environments from whence the Pit Bulls originate.

Behaviorists and scientists frequently attest environment has the greatest effect on a dogs likelihood to bite, although you cannot completely disregard genetics.

Once you account for Shepherds popularity, they rank No. 39 of dogs most likely to bite.

Unfortunately, publications usually only show that Shepherds rank No. 4 in incidents behind Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and mixed-breed dogs.

All this to say, you will have a mixed breed with negative publicity and stigma that you will have to invest a lot of time socializing and training.

Otherwise, Pitbull Shepherds are good-looking, friendly dogs, loyal and affectionate to their owners and fun-loving, willing to please, and work-oriented.

Also Check: What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix History

The parent breeds of this cross have interesting origins. A member of the herding group, the German Shepherd was developed with the hopes of creating the perfect herding and service dog.

Because of the cold and wet European climate, the German Shepherd had to be very hardy to handle long days in often brutal conditions. The German Shepherd was eventually recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908. At that time, it became popular with military, police, and service work.

Another native of Europe, the Pitbull hails from England, Ireland, and Scotland. Early Bulldogs and Terriers were crossed to create an athletic, bold dog. They were primarily used for hunting.

Specifically, these early Pitties were used for bull baiting, until it was banned in 1835. This is a practice where the dog would grasp a bull, bear, or other large animal around the head. Their powerful jaws were developed to grip, as opposed to dart.

Once Pitbulls made their way to the United States, they were commonly used by farmers and ranchers to round up livestock, to hunt, and as pets. Today, Pitbulls are still very agile dogs that make excellent contestants in agility, weight pulling, and tracking tests.

How Do They Reproduce

The average litter size of these dogs consists of five to 10 puppies. The German Shepherd’s litter size is around four to nine pups while the litter size of the Pitbull is around 5-10 puppies. Thus, it is quite evident that the Pit German mix puppies have a litter size that is similar to the Pitbull.

In the case of breeding, the German pit has habits that are similar to any other dog. Both the males and the females become mature enough to mate around the age of two years. The females go through the heat cycle every six months and males breed with them at that time.

You May Like: Best Wet Puppy Food For German Shepherd

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Training Tips

Usually, its not that easy to train hybrids. Thats why we dont recommend this breed for first-time dog owners. The bull shepherd needs a confident parent wholl keep it under control. Its not going to be a breeze, but youll achieve great results with a bit of patience.

Here are our best tips:

  • Make a schedule for your pet, and dont miss a session. Practice makes perfect.
  • Keep it positive. Praises and treats are the best way to teach your dog how to follow every command.
  • Start introducing your four-legged friend to other people and canines as soon as you get them. Socializing can help with your pets anxious behavior.
  • It also helps to take your dog with you to different places to help it get used to unfamiliar environments.
  • Incorporate leash and crate training to manage the excessive barking specific for this breed.
  • Stay calm and dont rush the training. The Shepherd Pit is usually easily trained, but you might have picked a stubborn dog, which requires more time to achieve results.

Training should start when theyre still puppies, ideally seven weeks old. Adults dogs are a bit more challenging to train.

What Are The Common Health Problems

German Shepherd and Pit bull mix “Trunks”

Providing that she has a healthy lifestyle, as we mentioned above this breed can live for up to 12 years. Every dog breed is susceptible to certain health difficulties, however, and it is good to be aware of these so that you can treat your dog accordingly. If you buy from a reputable breeder, you should be able to request the medical history of the dogs parents. In the meantime, it is worth knowing that this breed can suffer from the following diseases:

You May Like: German Shepherds For Sale Mn

Early Socialization Of The Sheppit Prevents Bad Behavior

These breeds can exhibit bad behavior from an early age if they arent appropriately stimulated and socialized. Both dogs do best when they grow up being used to interactions with strangers and new situations. Isolated Sheppits can become more aloof or aggressive than one who has had lots of time away from home.

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Care And Grooming

Regular vet checkups could prove beneficial for early disease detection and prevention. Besides, a specialist could help you learn the care and grooming routine your pet needs.

Since these dogs gain weight quickly, we highly recommend you to stick to a meal schedule and tire them out daily. You can find more nutrition guidelines in the next section.

As for grooming, you must check their ears every day to get pests and clean them following your vets instructions. Also, remember to trim the nails once a month.

Maintaining the oral health of your German Sheppit could prove a challenging task. Most dog breeds are vulnerable to dental issues, so brushing their teeth daily is essential. Be sure to follow the vets instructions closely to do it properly.

As a result of their thick coats, these dogs are prone to pests. They also shed a lot, which is why you should brush them three times a week. Be careful not to bathe your furry pal too often, as that could remove the natural oils of their coat.

The German Shepherd Pit mix could handle extreme weather as long as its for a short duration. But that depends on which parents genes are more dominant. To be on the safe side, dont let your four-legged friend stay in the sun too long.

Don’t Miss: What’s The Average Lifespan Of A German Shepherd

Be Cautious With Any Breed Having Pitbull Blood

Anymore, consider carefully before acquiring a dog with Pit Bull heritage. We believe them to be sweet, docile, and loyal in the right hands, but it may not be worth the headache for you.

While you may get a little leeway for a dog you have owned for several years, public and government sentiment seems intent on abolishing the breed, although we do not see that happening either.

Mixed dogs are under the gun also. Some regulations prohibit dogs with as little as 10% of Pit Bull in their bloodlines.

While the tide is shifting away from breed-specific legislation in some states, like Washington, change is slow and global attitudes are not likely to reverse anytime soon.

In a few locales in Canada, decreases in Pit Bull numbers from breed bans have corresponded with a rise in bite cases in other canid types such as Herding Dogs like the GSD or Working Dogs like the Siberian Husky or Rottweiler.

Doberman Pinschers appear on more dangerous dog lists than German Shepherds, but poor breeding, overwhelming popularity, and insufficient training and socialization have begun to put negative attention on the GSD.

As German Shepherds join the ever-growing list of dangerous dogs, more countries will begin to ban them.

Mixed-breed dogs are an enigma for owners and governments.

People who intentionally breed hybrids often seek to improve their characteristics, and many mixed dogs are friendlier than the breeds involved in their ancestry.

Are German Shepherd Pitbull Mixes Aggressive

Learn About the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix aka Shepherd Pitt

The Pitbull was first bred to fearlessly attack large animals and later to work, hunt and protect. This means that they are strong and agile enough to chase after such animals as cattle and hogs. Also, if needed, they can grasp and hold a moving animal with their powerful jaws.

Because of this, its possible that a German Shepherd Pitbull mix can inherit the Pitbull parents urge to chase or attack other animals. They can also be territorial. Interestingly, according to a 2008 study of canine aggression, the most common human-directed attacks were actually attributed to Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell Terriers.

However, more than 20% of Pitbulls, Akitas, and Jack Russell Terriers in the study were more likely to show increased levels of aggression toward strange dogs. Furthermore, fewer Pitbulls in the study had attempted to bite their owner or a strange human than those who had attempted to or had attacked a strange dog in the past.

While these findings do not guarantee that every dog with Pitbull blood will display aggressive behavior, they do mean that proper socialization with other dogs and humans is imperative if you plan to own a Pitbull or a Pitbull hybrid, preferably from a young age.

You May Like: German Shepherd Puppies For Sale In Vermont

Grooming Of Pitbull And German Shepherds Mix:

The German shepherd Pitbull Mix got a coat that is ranging from short-medium in measurement. But it will not require much maintenance, to ignore any shedding and keep them looking trim. So, it is advisable to brush at least once in a week with the hard bristle one. It is also recommended starting the rule for the grooming when you find the dog happy, by doing this it would get used to it.

Its also not advisable to over bath the Pitbull shepherd over bathing but should be only once in a month due to they get prone skin irritation. It is highly recommended to use shampoos which are designed specifically for dogs who have sensitive skins.

The German Pits ears are in floppy shape, which means they get very less circulation of the air and then tend to get build-up more earwax or ear infection. So its also recommended to get their ears checked by a professional and experienced Vet or a reputable groomer.

Is A German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Right For You

The German shepherd pitbull mix is an affectionate and loyal dog that loves pleasing its owners. The mixed breed is playful, energetic, and well-suited to people that lead active lifestyles.

However, the dog isnt ideal for all families because it needs more training and socialization than other breeds.

Recommended Reading: How Long Do German Shepherds Live Up To

Exercise Regime For The German Shepherd Pitbull

Start by walking your puppy for 5 minutes at a time. You can increase this by another 5 minutes every month until youre walking them for about 45 minutes at a time twice a day. While this sounds hard, its a simple walk to the park and back.

Your pup should be fine if you happen to skip a day but try to keep their regimen the same while theyre training. Since walking in public and walking on a leash will feel strange to them at first, you have to try to do this regularly so that they become accustomed to commands like stay and sit.

Getting A German Shepherd Pitbull Mix

GERMAN SHEPHERD PIT BULL MIX / DOG TRAINING

Rescue centers are a great idea, but you should still do thorough research. Numerous shady websites give false information or even the wrong breed. Make sure you visit legitimate websites and organizations for your future Pitbull Shepherd mix.

How Much Does a German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Cost?

A puppy of this breed costs between $200 and $600. You should also add extra expenses to that, such as neutering, blood tests, and general pet safety items. That said, we encourage you to adopt one from a local shelter or rescue center.

On average, the dogs medical cost ranges from $485 to $600 annually, including checkups, flea prevention, pet insurance, and shots. Whats more, expect to spend around $500 to $600 more every year on food, treats, toys, and license.

Animal Shelters or Rescue Centers

These are the go-to for people looking to adopt animals. Shelters and centers are usually managed by people who love animals and want to provide the best home for them. A decent place will have the dogs health history and details stray dogs typically dont have any.

Professional Breeders

Legitimate Websites

Reputed sources online offer plenty of information about the American Pitbull Terrier German Shepherd mix and guide you on how to rescue and adopt one.

Recommended Reading: Why Do German Shepherds Whine A Lot

German Shepherd Pit Bull Mix Care

A German Shepherd Pit Bull mix may require more time and effort on your part than some other designer breeds. As with all other dogs, you should keep up with your German Pits regular veterinary checkups and develop a care routine as soon as you bring your puppy home.

German Sheppits have a dominant personality, so you must start training and socialization early on . Otherwise, you will end up being bossed around by your dog and may have trouble controlling them once they reach their full size.

Here are some things you should pay attention to:

What Is A German Shepherd Pit Bull Mix

A German Shepherd Pit Bull mix is a cross between a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier and German Shepherd Dog breeds. Also known as German Sheppit, German Pit, and Shepherd Pit, this dog breed isnt recognized by the AKC.

However, the German Shepherd Pit Bull mix is currently recognized by the Dog Registry of America.

Read Also: How Many Cups Of Dog Food For German Shepherd

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular