Rottweiler Pitbull Mix: Pitweiler Personality, Health and Care

Unfortunately, there is a lot of negative connotation surrounding Rottweiler Pitbull mix breeds, mainly due to people’s preconceptions about the two parent breeds – Rottweilers and Pitbulls. However, we can confidently say there is a lot to be gained from a Rottweiler Pitbull mix, as they are far from what meets the eye. If you can rise above the bad press these dogs get, you could find yourself a very loyal and loving new friend. As with any dog breed, it is always a good idea to research what you are getting yourself in for before inviting the pup into your home.

Fortunately for you, we have compiled an all-you-need guide on Rottweiler and Pitbull mix dogs below!

Characteristics

The following are the main characteristics shown by the Pitweiler:

Height	18-25 inches
Weight	40-100 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years
Coat	Short single coat
Colors	Chocolate, black, brown, golden, white, blue, brindle, merle, and speckled
Shedding	The single coat doesn’t shed much
Temperament	Loyal, confident, and energetic
Intelligence	High
Social skills	Pretty friendly with people but can also be aloof on other days
Destructive	If not kept busy, they can be destructive out of boredom
Other issues	Predisposition to Health problems
People skills	Loyal and protective but often friendly to people you meet
Children	Best for families with big dog experience
Energy levels	Lots of energy – needs lots of exercises

Breed History

The Rottweiler Pitbull mix comes from a Rottweiler and Pitbull parent. Unlike some others mixed breed dog, the Rottweiler Pitbull is known by many different names. They all mean the same thing, but they could be called a Pitweiler, Rotties, Rottweiler mix, Pitbull Rottweiler mix, Rottweiler Pitbull mix, Rottbull, Rottie Pit, Prott, Rotten Pit, etc. However, we find that most people refer to them as Pitweiler.

The Pitweiler is a mix of purebred parents. When two purebred breeds are intentionally mixed, it is referred to as a ‘designer dog’ and despite their rough and tumble reputation, the Rottweiler Pitbull mix comes under this category.

The Rottweiler is a purebred large dog and was originally used to herd cattle by Roman soldiers, which explains their tough nature. The Rottweiler made the ideal guard dog for the cattle, which was Roman’s primary food source as they traveled from place to place due to their heightened discipline, endurance, and alertness. The Rottweiler was even used during World Wars as messengers, ambulance dogs, and guard dogs, and they would provide safety and support and proved useful in search and rescue missions. Basically, if you are looking for a tough dog to get a job done, the Rottweiler should be pretty high up on your list.

On the other hand, the Pitbull dates back to the 19^th century United Kingdom. At the time, there was a desire to breed a dog that would be effective in blood sports and entertainment. This included things like dogfighting, bull-baiting and bear-baiting, which is a rather sad origin story for the Pittbull. English Bulldogs and Old Terrier dogs were bred together to create the Pittbull cross for this very purpose. Not only did they have the Terrier’s cunning and clever attitude, but they also had the bravery and ferociousness of the Bulldog. In 1845, the Pitbulls made their trip to America, still being used as fighting dogs. However, this is where the story changed. People soon saw the fighter’s soft side, and the Pitbull became widely known as ‘The Nanny Dog’.

It is not exactly known when the Pitbull and Rottweiler were first bred to create the Pitweiler or, for that matter, why people chose to do so. The likelihood is that people spotted the similarities between the two breeds in their loyalty, strength and intelligence, and thought they would mix well. Fast forward to modern times, and the Pitweiler is a popular breed, slowly gaining more and more fame as a family guard dog, despite its troubled past.

READ MORE: American Bulldog and Pitbull Terrier Differences and Similarities

Interesting Facts

• The Rottweiler is the oldest known herding dog on Earth – dating all the way back to Roman times.
• Original Old English Bulldogs and Old English Terriers, the parents of the Pitbull, are now both extinct.
• Dog bloodsports were banned in the UK in 1835 thanks to Animal Welfare Laws.
• In 1976, dog fighting was banned in the United States.
• The Rottweiler Pitbull mix is listed as a dangerous dog in some countries and is, therefore, banned.

Rottweiler Pitbull Mix Temperament and Personality

As explained above, the Rottweiler and Pitbull both have great characteristics regarding loyalty, strength, and intelligence. That is no different with the Rottweiler Pitbull mix. They really do get some of the best traits from their parent breeds. The Rottweiler Pitbull mix dog is known for its playful attitude, boundless energy, and limitless strength. This is why they are gaining popularity as family guardians as they are equally at home playing with toys in the living room as they are keeping the house safe at night.

However, with all this energy and strength comes a need to work out. They require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day, although we will detail this in the exercise section below.

One day, your Pitweiler may be extremely loving and friendly and affectionate, then the next they may completely ignore you. Don’t worry, this is normal with the Rottweiler Pitbull mix. They are known to be rather aloof dogs at times. Essentially, they will show a distinct lack of interest if they are not in the mood. Can’t we all relate to that a little though? This attitude also carries over to strangers. If your Pitweiler sees someone who is not a known member of the family, they will likely show them little attention. However, they will not be aggressive and rarely bark. Rottweiler Pitbull mixes are very good at only alerting you when they feel there is a real danger.

Pitweilers love their owners, even if they do appear aloof at times. They are very independent dogs and can often fend for themselves, dealing with life in a laid-back manner. This means they do not suffer from separation anxiety at all, making them perfect for anyone who isn’t in the house 24/7. If you have a day job and no one is left to watch the Pitweiler, it shouldn’t be a problem as long as you ensure they are sufficiently exercised throughout the day.

One thing worth mentioning is that the Rottweiler Pitbull mix does not thrive in a household with other pets. Ideally, you want the Pitweiler to be your one and only animal if you will welcome one into the home. If you insist on getting a second dog, it should always be one of the opposite sex. Cats are really not recommended due to the Piweiler’s strong prey drive. Keep an eye on them when they are around small animals.

Activity and Exercise Requirements

As we previously discussed, short walks alone are not enough for a Rottweiler Pitbull mix. At the very least, you should be taking them on hour-long walks per day, which could be split up into one or two sessions. However, ideally, you should mix up the activities and let them do fun activities too. This can include fetch, tug-of-war, rally, etc., which should amount to 30 minutes of playtime. Because the Rottweiler Pitbull is so intelligent, they need variation to stay stimulated, providing them with mental and physical challenges. If you don’t have time to play with your Piweiler all the time, then invest in some tools that can keep their big brain ticking over while you are busy.

We find that the best way to tire out a Rottweiler Pitbull mix is to hold short obedience training sessions, and this mental and physical training mix can tire them out in just 15-minute bursts. You can also hide special treats around the house for them to run around and find, which again provides mental stimulation, physical exercise, and positive reinforcement.

READ MORE: Best Interactive Dog Toys

Pitweilers thrive when given a lot of space to work with, meaning extensive gardens and big rooms rather than small apartment living. If a Rottweiler Pitbull mix is happy and engaged inside, they will not be destructive. However, things can change if you do not provide them with the mental and physical stimulation they need. Their energy builds up and you may find they make an incredible mess due to their hyperactivity. For this reason, puppy Pitweilers need even more exercise than adult ones.

Feeding and Diet

The Piweiler is a large dog with lots of energy, so their diet should reflect that. Your Rottweiler Pitbull mix’s mealtimes should be split between two or three sessions, depending on what fits best with your particular dog. Stick to a regular feeding schedule and try not to deviate from it if possible. Always leave a decent amount of time between meals to allow for digestion and to avoid bloating. ^[2]

As with any dog, your Pitweiler’s diet will change as it grows from a puppy into an adult and then into old age, while it can also be affected by their activity levels and even the season. It is always a good idea to ask a vet about your specific Pitweiler during your next check-up and ask them for recommendations as there is a huge amount of variation from dog to dog. Generally speaking, the average calorie requirements for Piweilers are between 1000 and 2000 per day.

RELATED: Best Dog Food For Large Breed, According to Veterinarian

Grooming and Shedding

If you are looking for a low-maintenance dog in terms of grooming, there are few that stand about the Rottweiler Pitbull mix. The Pitweiler does not require as much professional grooming as most other breeds, saving you both time and money. However, the nails of your Rottweiler Pitbull mix do need to be clipped at least once a month and, if you don’t want to do it yourself, you will have to take them to a professional.

Pitweilers inherit a short coat from their parents, requiring very little grooming. We recommend that you give them a quick brush once or twice a week. The longer their coat, the more often the brushing is needed. However, beyond that, very little is needed on your side when it comes to grooming. Rottweiler Pitbull mix-breeds often take after their Pitbull parent when it comes to shedding, and their single coat means it’s a year-round activity.

The Rottweiler Pitbull mix coat is not very weather resistant, so bear that in mind. However, because it is so short, you won’t have to give them a bath very often at all. Once every two or three months should be enough. You can probably judge the bath needs based on your sense of smell. It is usually a good idea to use a shampoo that also protects against fleas. We also recommend that you brush your Pitweiler’s teeth three or four times per week.

Known Health Problems

It is important to take them on regular check-ups with the vet in order to monitor their health. The two most common health problems are Demodectic Mange, Thyroid Problems, Congenital Heart Defects, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, Kneecap Dislocation, Gastric Torsion Volvulus (AKA Bloat, Skin Allergies, Food Sensitivities, Subaortic Stenosis, Cerebellar Abiotrophy (Ataxia), Cardiomyopathy, Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Eyelid Deformities.

However, that is merely an extensive list of all the health problems ever seen in Pitweilers. In general, they are usually healthy dogs, and as such, they usually live between 12 and 15-years-old. We should run you through the most common health risks, though:

• Hip dysplasia – most large dog breeds struggle with this. It involves the dog’s hip joint not forming properly, leading to long-term wear and tear. ^[1] Eventual symptoms include pain, stiffness, arthritis, and sometimes even lameness.
• Cataracts – Both parents of the Rottweiler Pitbull mix suffer from eye problems, which is passed on to the Pitweiler. Cataracts are when light is prevented from reaching the retina due to clouded lenses. The best way to keep an eye on this is regular vet visits.
• Bloating – This is common in Rottweiler Pitbull mixes. It is essentially the build-up of gas directly after eating and/or drinking. The stomach grows and twists, which can result in death in extreme cases. The way to fight against this is setting up a proper eating routine with gaps between meals and sticking to it.

RELATED: Joint Supplements for Dogs (Vet Approved Review)

Training

Pitweilers are generally pretty good trainers due to their high intelligence and willingness to follow orders. Training is very important when giving your Rottweiler Pitbull mix good social skills and keeping them under control. As we mentioned before, they have strong prey chasing skills, so you want to be able to control them around other dogs, cats and the like. You need to establish control when they are not on the lead. Comments such as ‘leave’, ‘stay’, ‘place’ and ‘watch me’ should be taught. This may be tricky for first-time owners, but you can invest in professional help. The earlier you start the training the better, but slow and steady wins the race. If you take things too fast, you may not see the best results. Going slow also helps you to build rapport with them. Leash and road training should happen when the Pitweiler is still a puppy. They respond really well to positive reinforcement and slow reward-based training. Never challenge or shout at them.

Adoption

You can find Rottweiler Pitbull mixes in shelters, offering a cheaper alternative that also gives a homeless dog a new family. However, there is no guarantee a shelter will have a Pitweiler when you want one. Adopting also comes with risks as the Pitweiler may be there for a reason. Abuse, neglect and personality problems may exist, which provide big speed bumps in your journey. Problems like these can have long-term effects so find out as much as you can about the Rottweiler Pitbull mix and their history from the shelter. You want to know what you are getting yourself into before you make a decision.

Breeders

The most direct route to sourcing a Rottweiler Pitbull mix is via a breeder. This is especially the case if you have your heart set on a Rottweiler Pitbull mix puppy. They are bred using purebred Rottweiler and Pitbull parents and there are a number of experienced breeders out there who provide regular litters.

In order to find the best breeder for Rottweiler Pitbull mix puppies, we recommend that you research online for your local options. There should be reviews for each breeder, so you can see who has a good reputation and who should be avoided.

Conclusion

And there we have it, our complete guide to the Rottweiler Pitbull mix. This should give you all the starter information you need to confidently decide whether you want to adopt or purchase a Pitweiler. Feel free to refer back as you welcome the new dog into your home for tips on training, health, exercise, and more. We wish you all the best with your new best friend!

FAQs:

Article Sources:

1. Laube, Rebecca L., and Kyle K. Kerstetter. “Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bilateral Meniscal Tears Identified during Treatment for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease Via Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy in Dogs.” Thieme E-Journals – Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 16 Oct. 2020, thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0040-1717134.
2. C. Beitz, Donald, et al. “Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs.” National Research Council Of The National Academies, nap.edu/resource/10668/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf.