The Pitbull Rottweiler Mix: Get To Know The Pitweiler Today!

While both the Pitbull and the Rottweiler might have a scary reputation, this mixed breed dog is as sweet as can be when it comes down to it. They always say to never judge a book by its cover, and in this case, you should never judge a dog by its breeds!

Mixed breed dogs take on the characteristics of both parents, and this is no different for a Pitbull Rottweiler mix. You’ll find that a dog with this lineage will behave at times like a pitty at other times like a rotty.

What does that mean for you if you have a mixed breed dog like this one? Well, that means a whole lot of fun! Let’s learn more about this interesting mixed breed so that you can get an idea of if this type of dog is right for you and your family.

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Common Characteristics

Before we get too deep into the appearance and origins of this mixed breed, let’s take a look at all the different names used to refer to the Pitbull Rottweiler mix:

The most popular name for this breed is definitely the Pitweiler, though I have heard the phrase RottenPit used many times when owners are joking about all the trouble their pups can get into!

While all of these words may be used to refer to the same breed of dog, the best way to be clear about what type of dog you are talking about is to refer to the dog as Pitbull Rottweiler mix. By doing this, you will not confuse anyone who hasn’t yet learned all of the different fun names that the Rottbull has been given.

Pitbull Rottweiler Mix - Origins

Photo: zoldzebra.wordpress.com

To understand the origin story of any mixed breed dog, the best thing to do is to look to the parents and gain an understanding of where the lineage can be traced.

The Rottweiler originates from Germany, where these dogs were once used to drive cattle and pull heavy carts. The use of this dog dropped significantly as rail and road travel became more efficient, but they are now used as service and law enforcement dogs around the world.

This dog is very intelligent and brave. While they can be aggressive if provoked, a well-trained Rottweiler makes a great, affectionate pet that will love spending time with you.

The American Pit Bull has a bad reputation for being part of dog fighting rings, but you have to remember that the people, not the dogs, are to blame for allowing and encouraging dogs to be aggressive. The Pit Bull was originally bred for dog fighting, but they were also trained to be kind to their human owners, proving that they are not a vicious breed.

Over time, Pitbull breeders have shifted their focus to make a dog that is still strong and brave but will be gentle with families. They are a very loyal and intelligent dog.

The Pitweiler mix can be expected to have a mix of these traits, so it is important to understand that you will have a very affectionate dog if you adopt this mixed breed of dog! Both parent breeds are very loyal and intelligent, so a Pitweiler friend is a friend for life.

Size & Appearance

Everyone has a specific image of a big, bad Pitbull or Rottweiler, right? They’re expected to look like little hulk dogs and be very scary.

While it is true that this dog has a strong, muscular build, their appearance doesn’t mean that they can’t be total sweethearts.

Size:

This is a large dog that can get very large and heavy depending on their exact lineage. On average, this dog will weigh around 40-90 pounds. Pretty big, right? Their height from the ground is usually around 18 to 25 inches.

Appearance

The Pitweiler looks like a lean, muscular dog. Depending on whether their features follow their Pitbull or Rottweiler lineage, you might notice some differences, but it’s safe to say that this dog will appear to be a strong, muscular dog.

Their bodies are very powerful, and they will also have large feet and, usually, a long curled tail. There were times when you would see this dog with cropped ears, but that practice is being slowly stopped by breeders since it is not necessary for the dog.

Common coat colors include:

Coat

The Pitweiler can have one of two different coat types, depending on which parent breed their coat ends up taking after.

Rottweiler coats tend to be fairly thick, but they still do not shed very much. On the other hand, the Pitbull coat tends to be thinner and shorter, with much less shedding.

Grooming Requirements

Thankfully, the Pitbull Rottweiler mix is very low when it comes to required grooming maintenance.

This mix does not shed very much at all, and only need to be brushed one or two times a week to keep their coat looking nice.

Like all dogs, your RottenPit should receive the following, regular grooming treatments to stay in the best condition:

Because this type of dog has a very low maintenance coat, you won’t need to devote extra hours to caring for it, making this mixed breed a great option for those owners who aren’t ready to learn all about grooming dogs or to spend a fortune on professional grooming.

Space Requirements

If you live in an apartment, this is definitely not a dog that you should get. This dog simply has too much strength and too much energy to be able to be contained to such a small space all the time. There might be exceptions, but they’ll be much happier in a home that has a yard.

This is a dog that likes to play and needs to exert their energy every day. If you have a house with a fenced in yard, your Pitweiler will be the happiest dog around. This will allow them to spend time playing out in the sunshine every day!

Exercise Needs

The Pitweiler is a very active dog that wants to run and play every single day. If you keep them cooped up for too long, they may start misbehaving, so it’s important to make sure that you have enough time to exercise this dog before you bring them into your family.

You should expect to spend at least one hour per day playing with your dog to work them out and keep their energy levels in check.

Dog parks are a great place for your dog to get to play and to socialize with other dogs, so consider bringing them there a few times a week as well.

Nutritional Needs

This is a fairly large dog with a muscular body build, so it is important to feed them a diet that will keep these muscles strong. Their food should have a good amount of high-quality protein and should also provide a lot of energy from carbohydrates.

Since both Pitbulls and Rottweilers can have some food allergies, it is important that you pay attention to how your dog eats and handles their food. You may even want to consider feeding them a grain-free diet to make sure that their digestive systems work smoothly.

You should note that this is a mixed breed that can become overweight very easily! While it can be tempting to sneak your sweet puppy treats every chance you get, this can actually cause them to gain extra weight. If they have too much weight, it can cause damage to their joints, so pay close attention to how you are managing their weight.

Temperament

Because you are thinking about adopting that is a mixed breed of two dog breeds that are often stereotyped as dangerous, you need to be prepared to deal with people making that kind of assumption about your dog.

The truth of the matter is that no matter how great of guard dogs the Pitbull Rottweiler mix can be, this dog will only be as aggressive (or nonaggressive!) as you train it to be. Your dog’s personality will largely be based on their upbringing. There is no reason to believe that a RottenPit cannot be raised into a sweet, gentle dog that is loved by all.

This dog LOVES to spend quality time with their family, and they will even mope when they don’t feel like they are getting enough attention. I’ve seen it happen before. A friend of mine had Pitbull Rottweiler mix. While visiting for a week, I noticed how forlorn he would look when left alone for too long!

Trainability

There is no doubt that your Pitweiler is likely to be a strong willed dog, but this does not mean that they cannot be trained. It will take a strong will and a clear expression of dominance by you to train your dog right, but they are a very trainable pet when handled properly.

This is a very intelligent breed of dog that will do its best to follow and understand the tasks that you set up for them, so you can expect them to learn very quickly.

It is very important to train and socialize this dog firmly from a young age. They are great guard dogs and very intelligent. Directing their attention properly and keeping them under control will ensure that they follow directions when asked.

Children & Other Animals

Should you be afraid of this dog being near other dogs or children? Absolutely not - if you have socialized them properly.

RottenPits are actually fantastic with kids and other dogs. Seriously, they just want some love:

Any dog that has been raised to be wearing of strangers or other pets can be a danger to children or other animals. By socializing your dog in safe, comfortable situations with children and other animals from a young age, you will teach them that there is no threat.

Always supervise your dog when they are interacting with something new for the first time, and express your ownership of them so that they do not act out.

Common Health Issues

Like all pets, it is possible that your Pitweiler will become sick one day. Many dogs (even mixed breeds) are predisposed to certain health issues because of their lineage and parental history.

Mixed breed dogs with Pitbull and Rottweiler parents are more prone to dealing with the following list of health issues:

Their normal life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years, however, and regular vet visits to monitor for these health problems will ensure that they get to live a happy, comfortable life at your side.

Ready To Get One Of Your Own?

Have you learned enough about the Pitbull Rottweiler mix for them to steal your heart? This dog has a bad reputation because of the rough past that the Pitbull and the Rottweiler both have in terms of being known as aggressive dogs, but that doesn’t need to change your opinion of this breed.

The Pitweiler makes a strong, fun-loving, and affection companion that will be loyal to you. They are a bit head strong but are very trainable as long as you exert your dominance clearly and directly. If you want a dog that is sure to add some fun to your life, consider the Pitweiler!