In this article you will read about
1 Pitweiler – History
2 Pitweiler – Appearance
3 Pitweiler – Personality And Temperament
4 Pitweiler – Health
5 Pitweiler – Diet
6 Pitweiler – Maintenance
7 Pitweiler – Price
8 For Whom?
9 Trivia

Pitweiler – History

The pure breed, Rottweiler is known to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Its name comes from the name of the German city, Rottweil. They developed from large-sized Roman dogs called Dover dogs. Sometimes they were referred to “Rottweil Butcher’s Dogs”, because the butchers used to breed these dogs, as they were employed to drive the cattle for them. During World Wars, these dogs were used as guards, messengers and police dogs.

The Pitbull, on the other hand, is a mix of other two breeds, Old Terrier and the Old English Bulldogs. The Pitweiler is known to be a very versatile dog and is often used as a working dog, guard dog, and as a pet. When these two breeds are combined, you get a dog that is both strong and fearless, but also loyal and very intelligent.

Pitweiler – Appearance

Pitweiler’s appearance is that of a large, muscular dog with short fur. They have short, shiny coats and are typically black and brown in color, but can come in other colors as well, such as brindle, fawn, white or sable. The coat may double-layered, like in the case of Rottweiler, or single-layered, just like the American Pit Bull Terrier. Single-layered coat is sometimes referred to as “hair” coat and means the dog’s hair does not lay flat against the skin and instead stands out from the body. They have a long tail, black nose, brown eyes and a deep bark. On average, male pitweiler weighs about 90 pounds and is 22 inches high, while female pitweilers weigh about 70 pounds and are 20 inches high. Pitweilers are bred for their strength, intelligence, and loyalty, making them excellent guard dogs. They are also known to be loving and protective of their family members.

Pitweiler – Personality And Temperament

Despite their intimidating looks, inherited from their parents, pitweilers are affectionate senstivie, loyal companions and great family dogs. Unpredictable behavior is more likely to occur when there are multiple dogs involved than during interactions with individual canines. This hybrid breed may be prone to dog-on-dog aggression. Although generally, pitweilers are friendly, children should be supervised when playing with them to ensure safety. As with any dog breed, it is important to begin socialization and obedience training early to create a well-balanced pitweiler. However, They’re trained in herding and tracking, so it’s bred into their DNA. They come from dogs that have been used for fighting, working, or guarding, so training is in their genes. The pitweiler dogs can also get along with other pets, but it is best to socialize them at an early stage. On some occasions, pitweilers may be aggresive and dominant.

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Pitweilers may suffer from separation anxiety, which means that they become anxious and stressed when left alone for longer periods of time. This can lead to destructive behavior, so it is important to make sure your pitweiler has plenty of exercise and toys to keep him occupied when you’re not home.

Pitweilers’ muscular physiques require around 60 minutes of exercise every day. This can include anything from a brisk walk to a more vigorous jog, but it’s important to make sure your pitweiler gets enough exercise to stay healthy. Without regular exercise, pitweilers are at risk for obesity and other health problems.

There is a difference between male and female dogs. It is worth to note that usually, male dogs tend to more aggressive. Female dogs are generally more affectionate and loyal. What is true to both female and male dogs is that they are incredibly intelligent, although they may be stubborn while training.

Pitweiler – Health

Pitweiler, as any other dog breed, can be prone to particular health issues. Among the major concerns are health issues such as:

  • Cerebellar abiotrophy
  • Elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia: a condition in which the elbow joint is malformed and can cause pain and lameness
  • Subaortic stenosis
  • Demodectic mange

Pitweilers are especially prone to develop these dangerous health conditions. Carebellar abiotrophy is a condition, found in many dog breeds, that results in the death of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. This can lead to uncontrolled movements, tremors, and seizures. Elbow dysplasia is a condition that affects the joint between the radius and ulna bones in the front leg. It can cause pain and lameness, similarly as hip dysplasia.

Subaortic stenosis is a condition that affects the aorta, the large blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This condition can cause a dog to faint or even die. Demodectic mange is a skin infection caused by mites. It is most commonly seen in young dogs, and can cause hair loss, skin lesions or sores, and scruffy coat.

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Among minor health conditions that can be seen in pitweilers are:

  • cataracs;
  • pancreatitis;
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus
  • retinal dysplasia;
  • cleft lip or palate;
  • Zinc Responsive Dermatosis

and other.

Cataracs is an eye condition that can lead to blindness. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, a small organ located behind the stomach. It can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Gastric Dilation Volvulus is a condition in which the stomach twists on itself, preventing food and gas from passing through. Especially large dogs with barrel-like chests are prone to this condition so the dog owner has to be aware of the potential risks and control the health condition of their pitweiler. This condition can lead to bloat, which is a life-threatening emergency. Retinal dysplasia is a condition that affects the retina, the part of the eye that converts light into images. It can cause vision problems and even blindness. Zinc Responsive Dermatotis is a skin condition that can be caused by a zinc deficiency. It is characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin.

These conditions are less problematic in case of Pitweiler, but nevertheless, regular check-ups by a veterinarian are recommended.

Generally, pitweiler are quite healthy breed, even healthier than their pure breed parents. It is important to be aware of potential health problems that they might face, in order to provide them with necessary care.

Pitweiler – Diet

The Pitweiler depends on high-quality dog foods for fulfilling their needs under direct supervision and approval of the veterinarians. Any food whether manufactured commercially or home-prepared must be given according to the dog’s age and needs. Generally, about three cups of food per day is recommended for an adult Pitweiler, divided between two or three meals.

Pitweiler – Maintenance

Pitweiler, due to its quite short coat does not require a lot of grooming. Typically, a brushing once a week should suffice. However, during times of heavy shedding you may need to brush your dog more often, so usually around spring and autumn, especially if your dog inherited a thicker coat. Also, be sure to check your dog’s skin condition, because pitweiler are prone to skin allergies more than other breeds. Pitweiler require to be bath just a few times a year, unless they get really dirty. Remember to use a use a special shampoo and control their skin condition since pitweiler are also more susceptible to problems of this kind than other breed dogs.

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Pitweiler – Price

Pitweilers are in less demand that their parents, Rottweilers or Pitbulls. This means that the price for a pitweiler pup is cheaper and also less popular. Pitweiler dogs are a mix of two specific pure breeds and therefore they are not recognized by the AKC. It means that not always the breeder can guarantee the quality of the pup. Generally, pitweilers cost around $850-$1,500. The price may depend on the breeder’s location, the breeding line, and other factors.

Since both parents are highly sought after and quite pricey, Pitweilers inherit a bit of that high cost as well. You should expect to spend about $800 minimum to bring a Pitweiler home, but prices as high as $1,200 or more are not uncommon. It is also harder to locate Pitweiler puppies because they are much less popular. Expect to do some searching if you want to add one of these dogs to your family.

For Whom?

Owning a pitweiler puppy requires some adjustment to your lifestyles but this mix will definitely become your best friend and rescue dog if neccessary. Pitweilers are bred as working dogs and make excellent guard dogs – this is their main purpose. Apart from that, they are very good family dogs and they are very protective of their owners and family members. If you want a dog that is good with both children and adults, a Pitweiler would be a great choice.

If your job requires you to be away from home for extended periods of time, it is better not to buy a pitweiler puppy. They become very attached to their family and can become destructive and anxious when they are left alone for long periods of time.

Trivia

  • Pitweiler can also be called Rottbull, Bullrott, Rottie or American Pitweiler.
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