Everything You Should Know About German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Dogs

When it comes to mixed-breed dogs, some people may have some specific opinions. However, that does not take away from the fact that mixed breeds deserve as much love as purebred dogs. The German Shepherd and Pit Bull mix is no exception! These active and lovable dogs are loyal to a fault and will do anything to please their people. Could this breed be the right fit for you and your family? Read on to find out.

What Does a German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Look Like?

Many hybrid dog breeds will all look somewhat different. Their size, coat texture, coat color, and other physical features will all depend on the traits that they inherit from their parents. German Shepherds always have a distinct look, but Pit Bulls have more variety. These dogs also have an estimated lifespan between 10 and 12 years.

In general, the resulting puppies when these two breeds mate are medium-to-large in size, ranging from about 30 to 90 pounds. Their height may range from 17 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. ^[1] Males are usually larger than females. Some puppies have a more muscular and stocky build like many Pit Bulls, and others have a more extended and lean look like German Shepherds. Their coat texture and thickness will also depend on the traits they inherit from their parents. Their coats are almost always two or more colors.

Breed History

It is believed that German Shepherd Pitbull mixes may have existed naturally throughout history, but designer breeders intentionally began breeding them in the 1990s. Their breeding likely began somewhere in North America. In the present day, this breed is recognized by the Dog Registry of America (DRA). Their breed may also be called a German Sheppit, German Pit, or Shepherd Pit. ^[1]

Only a little is known about the history of these dogs, except for the desire of breeders to create the perfect mix of a guard dog and a companion dog. Though they began as a designer breed, many German Shepherd Pitbull mixes end up in shelters or dog rescue groups. Unfortunately, the popularity of this breed is believed to be declining due to breed restrictions in living situations and laws in some cities.

Personality and Temperament

Overall, the Pitbull German Shepherd mix is friendly, playful, high-energy, loves physical activity, and enjoys having a home with a large yard and a tall fence. They get along well with young kids and other dogs as long as they are properly socialized with them. Some more information about their personalities and temperaments can be found below.

• Adaptability: 2 out of 5
• Adapts to apartment living: 1 out of 5
• Adapts to being alone: 2 out of 5
• Energy level: 5 out of 5
• Tolerates cold weather: 3 out of 5
• Tolerates hot weather: 3 out of 5
• All-around friendliness: 4 out of 5
• Affectionate with family: 5 out of 5
• Kid-friendly: 4 out of 5
• Dog-friendly: 4 out of 5
• Cat-friendly: 3 out of 5
• Friendly with strangers: 4 out of 5
• Health and grooming: 4 out of 5
• Shedding: 5 out of 5
• Drooling: 1 out of 5
• Easy to groom: 4 out of 5

Activity Levels and Exercise Needs

If you are somebody who prefers to spend their days indoors lying on the couch, a Pitbull German Shepherd mix is not the right dog for you. These dogs are high-energy and love activity. They need a lot of daily exercise and love long walks and playing fetch outdoors. They will quickly exhibit destructive behavior if they do not get out enough to burn off their pent-up energy.

You should plan on setting aside at least one to two hours per day of rigorous exercise for your Shepherd Pit. This amount of exercise time will be higher when they are younger and will gradually decrease as they age. Remember to be careful when exercising your dog outdoors in very hot or very cold temperatures. Some exercise ideas include going for a long hike, jogging, biking with your dog, trotting on a leash beside you, playing fetch, or running around with dog friends at the park.

RELATED: Best Outdoor Activities for Dogs?

Compatibility with Children and Other Pets

Speaking of dog friends, early socialization is a must for German Shepherd Pit mix dogs. They can sometimes have a protective nature, so they need to know how to interact well with other dogs. If you adopt your German Pit as a puppy, take them to puppy classes or socialize them with dogs belonging to your family and friends. If the dog is adopted as an adult, learn as much as you can from the shelter or rescue group about their socialization history and tendencies.

Overall, these dogs are generally very friendly with both other dogs and children. They are great family dogs and protectors. Larger German Pits may knock over a small child by mistake, so always make sure they are supervised. It is also important to teach children to not touch a dog’s food bowl, pull on their tail or ears, or climb all over them. Remember that no matter how friendly a dog is, it should be supervised around small children at all times.

Training

Any dog will benefit from proper training and structure, but that is especially true for German Shepherd Pitbulls. This dog breed needs to follow a strict and consistent training schedule so they learn that they are not the leader of the pack, you are. They are prone to stubborn tendencies and may try and challenge their owner. Luckily, they are also a very intelligent breed and enjoy pleasing their people.

Training a dog allows a bond of trust to be formed between the dog and the owner. Instead of paying for an expensive trainer, do your best to commit to training your Shepherd Pit on your own. Many resources from experts online can help guide you. While training, be sure to use a firm voice and reward with small treats when your dog performs something that you want them to.

Health and Potential Risks

The German Sheppit is quite a healthy breed overall, but they are predisposed to some health problems. Some common health problems that they may experience are allergies, skin irritation, hip dysplasia, heart disease, bloating, and hypothyroidism. ^[1] Remember to keep up with their annual vet visits so any potential health problem can be caught as early as possible. You should also keep up with the dog’s oral hygiene regimen since that is a key indicator of overall health.

Another important note is that the German Shepherd dog grows quite quickly between the ages of four and seven months. This can make them prone to bone disorders. It is also not recommended to allow young puppies to play on hard surfaces until they are at least two years old. ^[1] It is at this age when their joints are fully formed, and they will be less prone to injury. Allow puppies to play and wrestle on softer surfaces such as grass or carpet.

Nutrition

A dog’s diet and nutritional needs will change throughout its lifetime. A puppy does not eat the same diet as a senior dog. For a Pitbull German Shepherd mix, their diet should be formulated for their size, energy levels, and amounts of daily exercise they receive. Their food should be high-quality and not have any unnecessary fillers.

It is also a good idea to consider a feeding schedule as opposed to always leaving food out. This will help prevent overeating and potential excessive weight gain. You should also not feed your dog a large meal before exercising. Allow at least an hour for digestion. It is best to ask a vet for the ideal dog food brand recommendations and the daily amount your dog should be eating. There is also the option to feed them a raw diet but talk to your vet for more information on how to do so safely.

READ MORE: When to Switch to Senior Dog Food?

Grooming

The grooming needs of a German Shepherd Pitbull mix will likely change from dog to dog. German Shepherds have double coats and shed a lot. On the other hand, Pit Bulls still shed but are much easier to groom since their fur is shorter. The grooming frequency will all depend on the traits inherited from the parent breeds.

A general rule is that the longer the coat, the more often it will need to be brushed. Start with a weekly brushing and then evaluate if you need to increase the frequency. You should only bathe your German Pit as necessary so their skin does not dry out. Remember to keep their nails trimmed as well.

Where to Buy or Adopt

It is quite common to see this mixed breed in local animal shelters. Unfortunately, this is often due to overbreeding or people surrendering them. If you decide that a German Shepherd Pitbull mix is the right dog for you, it is strongly encouraged to check your local shelter first. Many animal shelters all across the United States are at capacity and cannot keep up with the constant intake of new animals. You have the chance to save a dog’s life if you rescue one!

Another idea for a place to look is dog rescue groups and organizations. It may be difficult to find a rescue specific to German Shepherd Pitbulls since they are a mixed breed but don’t get discouraged. If you find a rescue group that works specifically with either German Shepherds or Pit Bulls, they often have mixed breeds available for adoption, too.

Take your time and do your research before bringing a dog into your life. Sit down and ask yourself whether you have adequate living space, financial means, and commitment to training before deciding to adopt. This should not be an impulsive decision. Adopting or rescuing a dog is a huge commitment, but they will provide you with an endless amount of love in return!

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Final Thoughts

The German Shepherd and Pitbull hybrid is a loving family dog and a loyal companion. With the right amount of training, structure, proper nutrition, and enough physical activity, they tend to be the perfect dog. After doing your research and deciding whether this is the right dog for you and your lifestyle, visit your local animal shelter. Dogs of this nature are almost always available for adoption or rescue. A rescue German Shepherd Pitbull mix will show you endless amounts of love and affection for years to come!  

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