Pitbull German Shepherd Mix Facts

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix

Also known as German Pit or German Sheppit, the German Shepherd Pitbull is the product of mixing two breeds both misunderstood because of the stigma associated with them. It’s a crossbreed of the German Shepherd and the American Pitbull Terrier.

Both parent breeds have a bad reputation for being aggressive, but that is not actually the case. While they may have a strong personality than other breeds, they can also be very loving and playful companion pets with the right training and environment. The offspring of mixing the two breeds would produce a beautiful hybrid that has an intelligent, loyal and loving personality. This dog would be eager to please and spend time with the family.

It is crucial that you check first which breed is the right match for you and your family before adopting or purchasing one. Read on to know more about the German Sheppit and if it’s the right dog for you.

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a German Shepherd Pitbull

• Not an Ideal Dog for First-time Dog OwnersKeeping a dog like the German Shepherd Pitbull mix requires constant and consistent efforts to train them patiently. Proper training, timely socialization and daily exercising are vital for this crossbreed.No leeway can be taken, otherwise, your pup might develop rude behaviors. For instance, not being able to give proper exercise to this breed may fall into a pattern of excessive barking and unwanted chewing. So if you’re a first-time dog owner, the German Sheppit is not for you.Another red flag that potential owners should know is that the Pitbull German Shepherd is not the easiest dog to train. While the amazing combination of the athletic prowess and intellect of its parent breeds allows this hybrid to pick up commands rather quickly, they’re also smart and independent enough to become the alpha dog if you show any signs of weakness.If you haven’t had any experience with dog ownership before, training this crossbreed can be a challenge so it may be better to look at other breeds instead.
• Not Suited for Small Apartment LivingThe German Shepherd Pitbull mix is a high energy dog and doesn’t appreciate being cooped up in apartments all day. These dogs need a spacious area to match their high energy as they love to move around a lot. A backyard where he can play and run around freely is recommended.
• May Not be Ideal for Homes with Young ChildrenThese dogs may also be the perfect breed for children; however, supervision is much needed for infants and young kids. The lack of training for this breed makes them not suitable to be around children as they have an inclination to bark a lot and chew on anything. Moreover, small children should also know how to care properly for their four-legged family companions.

3 Reasons Why You Should Get a Pitbull German Shepherd

1. Loyal and Loving Pet Companions

Contrary to being mistakenly known as aggressive, the Pitbull German Shepherd mix is a very affectionate dog when raised correctly. These dogs can be good at entertaining themselves, but they still prefer to be around you and make an excellent family companion dog. They also have a very protective nature due to their German Shepherd breeding lineage, who were bred to guard and herd livestock.

2. Excellent Guard Dogs

Both parent breeds of the German Shepherd crossed with Pitbull are excellent choices as guard dogs. The German Shepherds are an intelligent, loyal and at times over-protective breed. While the ferocious Pit Bulls were bred to be fighting dogs and they have a characteristic intimidating appearance which helps keep strangers at bay.

When trained correctly, the offspring of the two mighty dog breeds is an ideal choice for a guard/watchdog which will bark only when necessary

3. Intelligent Crossbreed

It’s no surprise that the German Shepherd Pitbull is a smart hybrid since both of its parent breeds are known to possess high intelligence. These dogs learn quickly than other breeds and respond incredibly well to training and commands.
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It is important, however, to keep an eye on them while training as these dogs tends to exhibit remarkable leadership qualities and a desire to dominate. It’s crucial that you control this type of behavior because if it gets out of hand, it can turn into aggression.

Other German Shepherd & Pitbull Mixes

Choosing the dog breed that aligns with your lifestyle is the most important decision you can make. Every year tens of thousands of dogs are abandoned or put up for adoption because the owner was irresponsible and didn’t do their research before choosing a dog that isn’t a great for their lifestyle.

Not sure the Pitbull German Shepherd aligns with your lifestyle? Consider adopting one of 50+ popular German Shepherd mixes or Pitbull mixes.

Alpha Paw has conducted the most in-depth research into the most popular German Shepherd Mixes in America:

Lab German Shepherd Mix	Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix
Pitbull German Shepherd Mix	Beagle German Shepherd Mix
Poodle German Shepherd Mix	Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix
Rottweiler German Shepherd Mix	Doberman German Shepherd Mix
German Shepherd Great Dane Mix	Border Collie German Shepherd Mix
German Shepherd Great Pyrenees Mix	Boxer German Shepherd Mix
German Shepherd Malamute Mix	Chow German Shepherd Mix

Appearance, Personality, and Traits of a German Shepherd Pitbull Mix

Weight	Male: 40-90 lbs. Female: 30-70 lbs.
Height	18-24 inches
Size	Large
Coat Type	Short-medium sized coat; straight
Coat Color	Black, white, grey, fawn, brown, tan
Amount of Shedding	Moderate
Eyes	Hazel, brown, amber
Nose	Black, brown, Isabella
Ears	Floppy
Temperament	Loyal, energetic, loyal and loving
Life Expectancy	10-12 years
Hypoallergenic	No
Kids Friendly	No, unless socialized
New Owners Friendly	No
Breed Recognition	DRA (Dog Registry of America, Inc.)

Generally, the German Shepherd Pitbull mix resembles more its Pitbull parent, with a broad head and a short muzzle, while some may also have a longer muzzle just like the German Shepherd. It prefers the warmer climates due to its shorter coat. Shedding occurs throughout the year but in moderate amount. Overall, the German Sheppit has a muscular and lean physique.

The parents of this crossbreed are well-known to be fearless and powerful, that is why it’s important to take note that this dog is not for everyone. If raised correctly, the naturally aggressive nature of this crossbreed can be eliminated. Despite this negative temperament, the Pitbull mixed with German Shepherd is a very loyal and affectionate breed to his family members. With correct socialization, this breed can be great for children, making them a terrific choice as a family companion pet.

Pitbull German Shepherd Mix Puppies for Sale

When purchasing your German Shepherd Pitbull puppy, it’s crucial that you negotiate with a trusted dog breeder. A responsible breeder will show you with proofs of health clearances for both parents of the pup. Your new family pet companion should be screened for any possible conditions it might have. Make sure you also ask the breeder if he used purebred dogs and if he can show them to you, to ensure that you’re adopting a Pitbull crossed with a German Shepherd puppy.

Be careful from purchasing your dog from puppy farms or puppy mills, which are places where they breed dogs in conditions considered inhumane. Dogs bred from these places are mostly not healthy.

Moreover, avoid buying puppies online. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) strongly discourages this act. It’s still best to talk with the breeder in person and meet your potential new-addition-to-the-family pup. This is also to ensure that you’re getting your puppy from a reputable breeder.

Here’s a list of breeders to help you start off your search:

• Southernwind Kennels; Brooksville Florida
• Von Der Otto; Rockwall, Texas
• www. lancasterpuppies.com

Moreover, don’t forget to check on rescue or animal shelters near your area. Adopting a German Shepherd Pitbull mix from an adoption center is the best thing you can do. You’re not only giving a puppy a warm home, but you also serve as his new family to spend his life with. It can be life changing – not only for the dog but to you as well.

Grooming Your German Shepherd mixed with Pitbull

The grooming requirements for the Pitbull German Shepherd is quite easy compared to other breeds. He requires a low-to-medium maintenance level due to its short coat and a moderate amount of shedding. Brushing his coat can be done weekly, or three times a week if you are the type of person who is greatly bothered by scattered dog hair.

When it comes to bathing, your German Shepherd Pitbull should only be given a bath when needed, such as when its coat becomes too soiled, but otherwise, this dog doesn’t need a lot of water time to preserve its natural oils and prevent dry skin. Also, he doesn’t have a lousy doggy odor so bathing can be very infrequently.

Make sure to clean his ears often since this area is common to accumulate dirt, moisture, and bacteria. Nail trimming should be accomplished every few weeks to keep his paws clean and healthy.

Moreover, don’t forget to bring your dog for dental check-ups to avoid the likelihood of unwanted dental problems. Brush your dog’s teeth around 3-4 times a week.

Pitbull mixed with German Shepherd Health Problems

Provided that he is given the proper care and is living a healthy lifestyle, this crossbreed can live up to 12 years. Every breed is susceptible to specific health issues, and so it is essential that as a dog owner, you are aware of these things so that you know how to take care well of your dog accordingly. It is worth remembering that the Pitbull crossed with German Shepherd may suffer from the following diseases.

1. Hip Dysplasia: The German Shepherd breed is genetically susceptible to this condition, and the possibility of passing it to its offspring is highly possible. The disease is characterized by malformation of the hip joints which may cause lameness and ongoing pain.
2. Atopic Dermatitis: It is an inflammatory skin condition which may be triggered by exposure to certain environmental factors such as grass sprayed with pesticides and mold spores. To avoid this condition from affecting your pup, make sure to keep your house clean. Also, keep an eye for increased use of pesticides at dog parks.
3. Skin Irritation: The Pitbull German Shepherd is prone to skin irritation, which it inherits from the Pitbull side of the family. They have a more sensitive skin, which can react strongly to insect bites, such as fleas and ticks.

German Shepherd Crossed with Pitbull Food Requirements

Since the Pitbull German Shepherd is a large-sized breed, it has a high caloric requirement. Generally, feeding him 3-4 cups of good quality dry food daily in combination with nutritious homemade diet would be sufficient.

A well-balanced diet covering all the essential nutrients, including an appropriate protein and calorie intake, is vital in an active breed like the German Sheppit. On average, the German Shepherd Pitbull needs 1200-2700 calories for males, while 900-2100 calories for females.

Consider the following high-quality dog food options in deciding the best diet plan for your dog:

• Holistic Select Large & Giant Breed Puppy Health Dog Food: It’s an all-natural dog food that is ideal for your German Sheppit puppy. Its core ingredients include ground brown and white rice, lamb meal and chicken meal.
• Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula: This food’s phosphorus and calcium levels have been formulated to match dogs that have already attained full size. It’s the best organic food choice with oatmeal, ground brown rice, chicken meal and chicken fat as its primary ingredients.
• Purina Beyond Grain-Free Adult Canned Dog Food: This dog food is the top choice if you’re aiming for grain- and gluten-free diet for your dog. It has all-natural ingredients infused with additional minerals and vitamins. Its main components include chicken, real beef and salmon meat products.
• Blue Buffalo Wilderness: If your Pitbull German Shepherd has food allergies, this dog food is the right choice for you. It is a grain-free turkey and potato recipe dog food supplemented with antioxidant-rich kibble. This dog food is formulated to minimize food sensitivities while maximizing the nutritional value dogs receive.
• Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient: This dog food is formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It’s a limited-ingredient dog food that is kept simple with a single source of protein (high-quality lamb as the main ingredient) and easily digestible carbohydrate, without extra fillers or additives.

In order to ensure that your German Shepherd crossed with Pitbull is receiving the optimum nutrition it needs, it’s strongly recommended to visit your dog’s veterinarian. Your pet dog’s doctor can give you a piece of advice on which food is appropriate for your dog adequate for its size and health condition.

In case you are in a search for the best nutrition for your sweetheart, you’ll find our suggestions for best dry dog food extremely useful. While here, check out Wellness Core Dog Food, Dog For Dog Food and Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. Don’t consider purchasing the worst dry dog food and bringing it into your home. Your pup won’t benefit from it.

If your pooch is still a munchkin, you should go through best puppy food brands. Senior, gray-coated dogs require different diets. Their nutrition should be well-rounded so it’s best to stick to the best senior dry dog food brands.

Your pooch takes genes from two parents. This means you could also take into account buying the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Always check with your vet if you should change your dog’s diet entirely.

Pitbull Crossed with German Shepherd Exercise Requirements

The Pitbull German Shepherd mix is an active and high-energy dog, so it might get destructive if he gets bored. This breed love to move around and therefore enjoys doing exercise activities.  It is recommended to exercise him at least 90 minutes daily.

Their exercise requirement is not just a guideline, but it is crucial that they are met. Without enough exercise, this breed may fall into a pattern of aggressive and destructive behaviors, such as excessive barking, unwanted chewing, and digging.

Mental stimulation exercises should also be part of your routine to keep them from getting bored and further improve its social interactions. You can provide your pet with interactive dog toys.

German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Training

If you’re a potential owner of a German Shepherd Pitbull mix, you should know that training this dog can be a little bit stubborn when it comes to proper training exercises. While it is true that they come from parent breeds with remarkable high intelligence, you should be warned that training them can be a bit overwhelming. It’s the reason why this crossbreed is definitely reserved for more experienced dog owners and is not ideal for first-timers.

The German Sheppit loves to take on the position of the pack leader, and therefore it’s essential that you set a proper training plan fit for him. Patience, attention, more time and positive reinforcement are the key components that owners should abide by in training this crossbreed.

Here are some tips to train your German Shepherd mixed with Pitbull:

• Start Training Them When They Are Still Puppies
  

Early training your German Sheppit is highly recommended. This is for your dog to learn the proper etiquette at a young age and avoid developing unwanted behaviors when it grows up. Remember to keep the pace of the training slow as your pup is still young and its body might still be fragile. After a year or two, however, you can increase the pace.

Moreover, take note that an experienced trainer is better than a novice trainer. You need to be strong and authoritative. Otherwise, this dog will try to dominate you. Gentle yet firm treatment is the way to go with the German Sheppit puppy.

• Use Positive ReinforcementEven if this mixed breed has a tendency to become stubborn, avoid taking extreme measures. Use positive reinforcement, instead, on training him which he is sure to appreciate since he’s an intelligent dog. Using negative punishment-based training will not do any help, he might just end up not respecting you as a leader.Make it a regular routine to reward him whenever he does something right. Implement simple rules that they can follow and in return, give them praises and treats for obeying the rules. Training your German Sheppit consistently in a positive method will provide you with pet companions that are obedient and good-natured.
• Socialize Them at an Early AgeProper socialization of your pet companion should be a part of any responsible dog lover’s training routine, especially for the Pitbull German Shepherd mix who are stigmatized by the label of belonging to an aggressive breed. It’s recommended to socialize your pet dog at a young age and make sure you make him interact with other animals as well to create a better sense of acceptability.Puppy socialization has been proven to reduce developing aggressive behaviors, anxiety, and fearfulness later on in their adulthood. Socializing your pup seems easy, but it’s time-consuming. You just have to introduce and desensitize your dog to different people and environments. You can try doing the following:
  1. Puppy classes
  2. Neighborhood walks
  3. Playing at dog-friendly parks
  4. Make him attend doggy daycares

The above activities ensure that your dog interacts with a range of fellow dogs and people as well on different environments, which may include on and off leash interactions.

• Include Mental Exercises on Their TrainingThe Pitbull mixed with German Shepherd is an intelligent dog, and they need stimulating mental activities to avoid developing aggressive and other unwanted behaviors. Mental stimulation activities can be in the form of games or puzzles.

German Shepherd Pitbull and Families

With consistent proper training, exercise and correct socialization, the German Shepherd Pitbulls are incredibly loyal, friendly and affectionate towards family members, making them an excellent choice as a family pet. This crossbreed can even be the perfect breed for children, especially that its parent breed Pitbull was previously known as a nanny dog.

Be sure that you introduce your Pitbull German Shepherd puppy properly to small children and orient them on the basic do’s and don’ts on how to treat your family pet. Young kids, especially those under 8 years old, may play rough with dogs and they may tire them out or provoke them unknowingly causing the dogs to react in aggressive behaviors. Children should be taught to love and respect all members of the family including your four-legged family companions.

This dog loves to spend time with you and other family members. It’s the reason why leaving them alone for an extended period is not a good idea since it’s tough for them to cope with solitude. It is not recommended to leave them by themselves for more than 3 hours, or they’ll get easily bored. So give love lots of affection to your German Shepherd crossed with Pitbull and expect an unconditional love in return.

References:

1. Madhusudhan, H. S., et al. “Estimation of Maintenance Energy Requirements in German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever Dogs in Bangalore, India.” Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, vol. 102, no. 1, 26 Apr. 2017, doi:10.1111/jpn.12709.
2. Harnarayan, Patrick, et al. “Pit Bull Attack Causing Limb Threatening Vascular Trauma —A Case Series.” International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, vol. 42, 8 Dec. 2018, pp. 133–137., doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2017.11.061.
3. Coile, D. Caroline. German Shepherds for Dummies. Hungry Minds, 2003.
4. Coile, D. Caroline. Pit Bulls for Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2002.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Shepherd
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull