Rottweiler Pitbull Mix: The Ultimate Watchdog

Gone are the days of people describing hybrid or cross-bred dogs as “mutts”. Today, dogs are purposely cross-bred to create new designer breeds that incorporate the temperaments, personalities, and appearance of both dogs. The Rottweiler Pitbull mix, also known as the Pitweiler, is an interesting example of this.

For both dogs, their reputation precedes them regarding their perceived temperaments. There can be a lot of confusion surrounding what a mix of the two would be like as a pet.

We’re here to clear that up with a breakdown of exactly what to expect from a Rottweiler Pitbull mix, particularly in terms of the temperament and what is involved with owning this impressive animal.

While the Pitweiler is a new hybrid, the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Rottweiler have strong and interesting histories, dating back to 700 A.D. Understanding the history behind these two breeds, particularly why they were bred, helps to get a clearer idea of why they behave the way they do.

The Rottweiler was born out of a need for a sturdy dog that could drove cattle back in Roman times.

Roman soldiers would travel with herds of cattle as a source of food and did so into an area of Southern Germany, now known as Rottweil. It was there that these ancient drover dogs were bred into the Rottweilers that we see today.

The American Pit Bull Terrier, on the other hand, has a slightly more violent history – it’s said that this pit bull was bred as a stockier and more agile version of the Bulldogs used in pit fighting in the 1800s.

Interestingly, despite the name, the American Pit Bull Terrier is actually a British term, with the American version more commonly known as the American Staffordshire Terrier.

It pays to check out dog breed regulations where you are living as it differs from place to place.

In some areas, it is illegal to breed any Pit bull mix, while in others, mixes are fine but it’s illegal to sell any purebreds.

This is because these dogs can be aggressive if they are not socialized properly, which requires a high level of commitment from the owner. Authorities are wary that people won’t commit to this and dog bite statistics of badly socialized and poorly-bred breeds can be high.

Like with any mixed-breed dog, the appearance and personality of these dogs differ quite widely, although there are a few standard characteristics:

You automatically think muscular when you hear Pitbull or Rottweiler so it makes sense that this mixed terrier is also of a strong build.

Their stature is medium to large – male dogs can weigh up to 100 lbs and get to a height of 23 inches.

Their build is stocky, square and very proportionate. It’s rare to see a Pitbull Rottweiler mix looking like it can’t carry its own weight around.

The breed has a short coat that comes in a mix of colors, from brown to white, to blue.

When this bull mix is trained well, you truly see the historical traits of the breeds coming out.

Historically, both dogs are excellent guard dogs, which, in modern times, translates to a vigilant obedience. This is ultimately why it’s such a shame that their reputation has been so tarnished.

If breeds of this nature are trained well, they don’t misbehave. Rather, these crosses have an affectionate manner that is highly attuned to their owner’s needs.

Pitweilers possess a great deal of both mental and physical stamina. They’re highly intelligent dogs with high amounts of physical energy.

Rottweilers require intense socialization from birth and throughout their lives.

As guard dogs, they instinctively take a while to warm to new people. This trait when bred into unstable bloodlines is how they achieve their fearsome reputation but you shouldn’t find it in a well-bred animal.

As befits its stocky demeanor, there is a plentiful supply of courage in a pitbull.

While not naturally aggressive towards people, the pitbull has a protective and strong-willed demeanor that makes it a fiercely loyal pet.

Investing in a Rottweiler Pitbull mix puppy ensures that you will be able to train them to be a loyal, faithful and non-aggressive companion.

Trying to train them later in life can be difficult, particularly if you don’t know what their past experience with people was. A Rottweiler puppy, particularly, has a tendency to be affectionate, sweet, fun and high-octane when it comes to energy levels.

Owning a Pitweiler is a truly satisfying, two-way relationship.

If you’re willing to put the ongoing work and energy into training and socializing your dog, you’ll have a truly caring and loyal dog by your side for many years. Take a look at some Rottweiler Pitbull mixes that are for sale.

The lifespan of this breed tends to be between 10 and 15 years, depending on health issues.

Generally, they don’t have a tendency to suffer from debilitating health issues. One of the major concerns is the pain in the hip socket, which can be fixed with surgery.

Owning a truly intelligent and caring breed of dog is one of life’s great pleasures that will constantly bring warmth and affection into your life.

The Pitweiler’s sharp mind is bound to always keep you on your toes and add a great deal of interest to your life. Their instinctive ability to guard and protect, when trained properly, translates to a loyal and affectionate friend.

The mixed breed of a Rottweiler Pitbull sometimes has the misfortune of having adopted a negative reputation due to sloppy, lazy training and bad bloodlines. If you train a dog like a Pitweiler to be intimidating, then it will certainly become a fearsome and aggressive dog.

However, if you are willing to put the training in, particularly when they are young, you’ll find a spirited, fun, energetic, courageous and loyal companion that is truly worth putting in the effort for.