The GermanShepherdPitbull mix is the best of both worlds that are widely known as GermanPit or ShepPit. Individually, these dogs are fierce, bold, and strong, and their hybrid is equally the same, but with double strength. In other words, you are going to get the bravest dog, which is the most loyal companion at the same time. However, many people tend to avoid them because of their ferociousness and aggressive behaviour. But like any other dogs, if they are appropriately trained, they will not only inherit the loyalty of their parent breed but will also become a lot playful as well as mischievous.
German Shepherd Pitbull Mix:
Quick Breed Summary Table Shepherd Pit (German Shepherd Pitbull Mix)
| Height | 18”-26” for males & 17”-24” for females |
| Weight | 40-90 pounds for males & 30-70 pounds for females |
| Lifecycle | 10-12 years |
| Colors | Fawn, Black, Tan, Grey, Brown, and White |
| Intelligence | High |
| Breed Type | Mixes |
| AKC Breed Popularity | Not recognized |
| Temperament | Bold, Intelligent, Loyal, Loving, Aggressive (sometimes) |
| Daily Food Consumption | 1200-2700 calories per day (male); 900-2100 calories per day (female) |
| Common Health Issues | Canine hip dysplasia and skin allergies |
Facts about German Shepherd Pitbull mix:
- Though the GermanShepherdPitbull mix is one amongst the many designer mixes available in the market, it is a favorite of a lot of people because of Pitbull being banned in a lot of countries.
- They were introduced in the United States in the early 2000s.
- The main intention of this breed was to combine the agility and strength of the Pitbull and intelligence and loyalty of the GermanShepherd.
- The cost of the GermanShepherdPitbull mix ranges from $200 to $600.
- The dogs are available in 4-different colors and are listed under the Tall dogs.
- They are very energetic and love to play. That is why they require a large yard.
About the German Shepherd Pitbull mix:
Weighing about 70-90 pounds and 24 inches in height, the GermanShepherdPitbull mix has a large and muscular build. Hence, they are great guards for any family. Since the dogs of this breed are a combination of GermanShepherd and Pitbull, the dog can have similar characteristics of both the parent breeds. However, GermanPit looks more like a Pitbullas compared to a German Shepherd. Usually, they have a short nose, a large head, and folded-over ears. Some of them have a long snout like a German Shepherd, but it depends on the dominant breed. The coat of these dogs can be thick, dense, and short to medium in length. Their coat colour may vary from tan, black, white, fawn, and grey. These dogs can have moderate shedding. Hence, they are ideal for people who suffer from allergies or respiratory diseases. The dog requires a lot of physical activity as it can get restless and start to bite and chew everything that comes in front of them (except humans). Usually, 90 minutes of exercise is necessary daily. However, this power-packed energetic breed is not loved by everyone because of their aggressive behaviour, but if you want to adopt this breed dog, you need to train them properly from their childhood.
The appearance of the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix:
The GermanShepherdPitbull mix has a large size as both the parents are large build. The height and the weight of the dog are determined by the genes of the parent dog. If the genes of the puppy are favoring the genes of the German Shepherd, the puppy will be bigger, but if the genes are going to favor the Pitbull, the puppy is going to be smaller.The weight of the GermanShepherdPitbull mix is about 40 to 90 pounds, the reason behind this is that GermanShepherd weighs around 50 to90 pounds and the Pit bulls weigh approximately 30 to 70 pounds. Their height is going to be 17 to 24 inches. Unlike other dogs, the color of these dogs is entirely unpredictable. The dog can be of any color, depending upon the colors of the parents. Now, this is so because the GermanShepherds are bicolor dogs, and the Pitbull is available in single, bi, or tricolors. Since GermanShepherd is in brown or black color, and the Pitbull can either be blue, grey, black, brown, fawn, white, red tan. The resulting color of the crossbreed is always going to be a mystery. As far as the coat of the crossbreed is concerned, it will also vary. If the crossbreed has GermanShepherdfavoring genes, then the breed can have a double coating of the medium length. The undercoat will be thick and soft& the outer coat will be coarse; it requires weekly brushing, and the coat will shed a lot during the shedding season. On the other hand, if the genes favor the Pitbull, then the breed will have a smooth coat.
Origin and history of the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix:
In the past 20 to 30 years, we all have seen a rise in hybrid dogs. Like any other designer breed dog, the GermanShepherdPitbull was also made to favor the people who were in awe of the personalities of both the individual dogs.While there are many fascinating stories about the origin of the GermanShepherdPitbull mix, no one is very sure about the actual origin of this dog. They are a mystery to a lot of people. Some people believe that this breed was bought into life because of the trend in the designer dog breeds such as the Cockapoo and the Labradoodle.
Another theory states that this cross came into existence as a lot of people wanted to have a dog that can be as protective and agile as the Pitbull and intelligent and loyal like a german shepherd at the same time. The combination of these two breeds actually results in the ultimate working dog. Despite their features, both of these breeds had a negative stigma around them. That is why their crossbreed has started to gain a lot of bad reputation. These dogs are believed to be seen in the USA in early 2000.
In order to better understand the fact behind this story, it is vital to know the origin of parent breeds. The German Shepherds are known as guard dogs in the US. They are famous and loved by everyone because they are excellent and are capable of doing hard tasks. Moreover, they are intelligent, loyal, and versatile. These are the reasons why they are the first choice of the police force and military organization. On the other hand, the Pitbull is a short-haired, intelligent, and a medium-sized dog who has its ancestors in the British isle.
The Pitbull’s were created in the early 19th century. They get their aggressiveness because they were used in dog fighting as well as a bullfight. The Pitbull came to the USA to be used as a farm dog, and later they were used for hunting, security, companionship, etc. They evolved from being a farm dog to an all-rounder dog to a nanny dog as they were very good with children. They got bigger after they came to the USA, as their owners wanted them to be huge in size. In 1989, the American kennel club renamed the dog (Pitbull) as the American Staffordshire Terrier for keeping their reputation of being aggressive away, and they are still known as American Staffordshire terrier by everyone. So, these are the history related facts of theShepherdPitbull.
Considering their traits, it is better that you make up your mind properly before indulging in them. If you are sure that you are going to adopt a ShepherdPitbull, then go to a responsible breeder who has a good reputation. Do proper research& take all the information about the dog from the breeder. Spend some time with your furry pal to understand it in a lot better manner.
Is German Shepherd Pitbull Mix good with children?
Since Pitbull is famously known as the nanny dog due to its soft demeanour and awesome repertoire, and this mix breed trait the characteristics of Pitbull, it is perfect for children and a family. They are friendly as well as a loving dog. However, you have to follow some precautions before you introduce them to your kids. Make sure you train your furry pal as well as young kids and taught them the basic dos and don’ts of treating a dog. Make sure you don’t leave them alone, as it can make them aggressive. As long as you are giving an adequate amount of exercise to your dog, it will not cause any issues.
Care of the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix:
Food and nutritional requirements:
Since they are huge dogs, we assume that they require a lot of food, as their activity level is high. But this is where we go wrong. Like humans, even dogs need a properly balanced diet, which means it should have all the essential nutrients and the proper number of calories as well as protein intake. The ShepherdPit has a very high-calorie requirement. A male ShepherdPit will require about 1,200 to 2,700 calories, and a female ShepherdPit will require about 900 to 2,100 calories. They should be fed with 4 cups of dry-kibbled diet that is specially designed for large dogs. The best way to feed them is to split up their feedings in two or three small meals in a day. Don’t sparsely feed them human meals as it is not good for the canines.The puppy ShepherdPit will have a lot more energy requirements since they will grow at a very fast rate. They require about four meals in a day so that their stomach doesn’t overstretch. The main ingredient in their meals should be proteins, as it is a major source of energy and bodybuilding.Lastly, their meal should always be adjusted, depending upon their activity level age as well as size.
Exercise Requirements:
These dogs are very hyper and need a lot of exercise. Otherwise, they can turn ferocious and start to bark, bite as their energy has not been used productively. That is why you should take the dog out on a walk and exercise for about 90 minutes. By looking at this breed, it is pretty evident that their physical built is strong and solid. The GermanPit is also known as the gym junkie because they love to exercise a lot, and their body requires it too. Please keep in mind that the exercise requirements are not a guideline; it is mandatory. Otherwise, within no time, your dog can fall into a destructive pattern. Their workout should be a combination of walking, running, and playing with you. It will not only use their energy but will increase the bond between you and your dog. Bonding time between you and your dog is a great way of mentally stimulating their mind. Play games with them that will make them patient and use their energy. You will realize that the negative conation of these dogs will start to vanish.
Training requirements:
Apart from being intelligent, these dogs are very stubborn, especially when it comes to exercising. So, if you are someone who is an experienced dog owner, then go for this breed. One thing that you need to keep in mind is that this dog is a combination of two very strong breeds who have always taken the position of a leader. That is why their training plan should be made in a very thoughtful manner. You need to have a lot of time, patience, as well as a positive attitude to train them. The reason why patience is required is that at times, you will feel like giving upon them; it will do more harm than good. The feeling of negligence and abandonees create a negative impact on the dog, and all your training can turn ineffective in a fraction of seconds. Dogs are like babies; the more appreciation and love they get, the more they will listen to you and appreciate what you do. Another thing that should be a part of their training is socialization. It is a proven fact that if the puppies are given socializing as part of their training, it will reduce their aggressiveness as well as anxiety. Socializing will always be a difficult task; so, you will have to introduce them to humans, other animal species, and different kinds of environment. Start to give them toys as it will mentally stimulate them and keep them busy all day.
Grooming requirements:
As stated earlier, the ShepherdPit will either inherit the coat of the GermanShepherdor the Pitbull. In some cases, it can be a mixture of both dogs. If the dog has the GermanShepherds coat, then you should brush their coat weekly. Once a year, they will have a complete blow out of their coat.If the dog has taken the fur of the Pitbull, grooming is not very difficult, because the coat is going to be stiff& you will have to brush it rarely. These dogs don’t require a lot of maintenance, as they don’t need any kinds of excessive needs. They should be given regular baths, and their nails should be regularly trimmed as they mind end up splitting. Do not forget to brush their teeth regularly.Lastly, you should check their ears regularly for the build-up of wax as well as debris. Take them to the vet periodically as it will make you keep a check on their health or any other underlying issues.
Common health problems:
A functional ShepherdPit has a life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years, but only if they are given proper care and food. The crossbreeds are always healthier than the parent breed, and the reason behind this is the genetic variation.The common health problems that these dogs have are Canine Hip Dysplasia, skin allergies, eye diseases, dental diseases, etc.One thing that the ShepherdPit share with their parent breed is that all of them have can suffer from Hip Dysplasia. This health problem can lead to them having arthritis. Pitbull, as well as ShepherdPit, can suffer from skin allergies that are caused by fleas, and they also suffer from food allergies. The Pitbulls are known from suffering through a metabolic issue known as Hypothyroidism, in this, their metabolic rate will go abnormal, and they may end up gaining weight. Lastly, like humans, even Pitbull’s are prone to obesity and bloating because of gas formation in their stomach. It happens because of them either eating too quickly or exercising just after their meal. In order to avoid obesity, they must exercise every day and not receive a lot of treats.
Conclusion:
If you are an experienced dog owner who doesn’t have other pets or small babies at home, then this dog is the best for you. These dogs are like babies, and they don’t like staying alone for so long, so you have to commit yourself in the same way you engage in a baby.
These dogs may be anti-social in the beginning, but if they are given proper care and training, they will start to relax around you. Give them a proper diet, exercise, attention, and mental stimulation regularly, and they will turn out to be the most loyal dog you ever had.
Another thing that you need to take care of is that these dogs require a huge yard to run around, so if you are someone who stays in an apartment, then refrain from buying them.We hope that this article was helpful, and if you feel like this dog is the one for you, then go for it without any second thoughts.
Dr. Aram Baker has been with Santa Clarita Animal Hospital since 1995 and his special interests include behaviour medicine and dermatology. He graduated from the Cleveland Humanities Magnet Program in Reseda, CA and attended California State University at Northridge where he received a Bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to pursue his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis. He also spent time in the zoological medicine department at U.C. Davis during his Junior and Senior years. He is dedicated to caring for all pets big or small, young or old with compassion, patience, kindness, and love.