The Rottweiler pit bull mix, or commonly known as the Pitweiler is an incredibly strong and loyal companion that is a mix of the Rottweiler and the American pit bull terrier.
With his high energy and intelligence, this is definitely a hybrid dog that will keep you on your toes.
He loves being active and thrives when he has a job do to, he is suited to most families if they have the time and experience he deserves.
They are instinctively loyal and loving – you can thank both of his parents for those qualities. The silliness from the Rottie and the zest for life from the pit bull makes this hybrid dog a character of foolishness and folly; you will never have a dull moment.
Both friendly and aloof, let’s find out more about this hybrid mix.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Breed Type | Mixes and More |
| Purpose | Companion |
| Suitable For | Most families with experience of large and powerful dogs |
| Size | 18-25” to the withers and females are generally smaller |
| Weight | Between 40 to 100lbs (females are generally smaller) |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Color Variations | Chocolate, brown, black, speckled, golden, white, blue, merle, and brindle |
| Temperament | Affectionate, loyal, obedient, trainable, intelligent but can carry the aloofness from the Rottweiler |
| Activity Levels | High – Upwards of 60 minutes each day |
| Daily Food Consumption | Between 1,000–2,000 calories per day |
| Known Health issues | Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Cataracts, Bloat (Gastric Torsion/GDV), Addison’s Disease, von Willebrand’s Disease, and Aortic Stenosis |
What is a Pitweiler?
A well socialized and trained Rottweiler and pit bull mix can be incredibly loving, loyal, and affectionate. They are super energetic and will definitely keep you on your toes.
The Rottweiler pit bull mix is not a purebred dog but as a result of mating a purebred Rottweiler with a pit bullterrier.
This is a stocky, muscular dog and often finds its way into homes to be their protector (i.e. guard dog). Some say they are an intimidating dog, but we wonder if their ancestor’s history has more to do with this perception than how the dog actually behaves.
FAQs
What is the lifespan of a Pitweiler?
On average you should expect your pit bull Rottweiler mix to live between 12 and 15 years.
How big is a pit bull Rottweiler mix?
He should grow anywhere between 18” and 25” in height and weigh anywhere between 40-100lbs – females are generally smaller.
How much does a Rottweiler pit bull mix cost?
You can spend anywhere between $150-800. This will vary from breeder to breeder. Ensure you seek out a reputable breeder where you can ask questions about your puppy’s parents and his early socialization.
To consider this crossbred dog in more detail let’s look at his origin.
The American Pit Bull Terrier
Pit bull terriers were originally used in Britain for bear and bull-baiting. Thankfully, bull and bear baiting was eventually outlawed but this meant the barbaric Brits then turned to dogfight as it was easier to conceal.
Pit bull terriers were bred to be stronger and more aggressive to stand a better chance of winning their fight. Their tenacity won them popularity which has made them ideal candidates for illegal dogfighting.
However, what we consistently miss throughout this saddening history is how trainable this dog is. When he finds himself in the right hands with an experienced owner, the Pit is the most loving, affectionate, and loyal dog you could ever wish to meet.
They are alert and intelligent and have thrived as service dogs.
Unfortunately, because Pits are considered one of the most dangerous dogs they have found themselves subject to much breed specific legislation which means they have been banned in a number of municipalities or at least restricted.
So the one half of the mix has a controversial past, what about the other one, the Rottweiler?
Rottweiler – aka Rottie!
They are actually the oldest herding dog dating back to Roman times. It is believed that the present-day Rottie descends from the Roman drover dogs, which were very mastiff-like.
When the Romans were conquering Europe, they traveled with cattle as their food source. They used the drover dogs to keep the cattle with them.
Fast forward to the World Wars and interest in the Rottweiler peaked yet again – they were used as a messenger, ambulance, draught, and guard dogs.
Their work ethic hasn’t been forgotten to this day, with many Rotties being used in search and rescue capacities acting as key members in the rescue efforts for both the Oklahoma City and World Trade disasters.
They are large and muscular, presenting with an unwavering endurance.
One more thing to note; catch them at the end of the day when their family is together and you will have the silliest dog you could ever wish to meet. They have no concept of personal space or their great size. They will jump on your lap and chase flies into the side of the sofa. The Rottie will have you laughing until your sides hurt.
Rottweiler Pit Bull Mix Temperament and Personality
We know it’s difficult to predict the temperament of a cross-breed dog or a hybrid as they could possess any characteristics of their parents; the Pitweiler is no different.
You may end up with a more Pit temperament, a more Rottie temperament, or a mix of them both. The best chance you have of predicting their temperament is by asking questions about their parents and how they have been socialized as a puppy.
As we have mentioned, both parents have working backgrounds with an incredible prey drive.
Thanks to this, the pit bull Rottweiler mix has an unfaltering love to play. Ensure you have a box full of toys to throw around the yard and the lounge.
The Pitweiler is best suited to those families who have experience with large dog breeds.
These guys are super intelligent and highly trainable for those who have the time to commit.
Expect to spend upwards of 60 minutes per day exercising these cheeky guys, with additional time spent working on some training or brain games. The Pitweiler loves to be busy and can get bored easily, for that reason they don’t tolerate being left alone for long periods, if you do leave them expect to see the following behavior:
- Going potty in the house
- Chewing /digging at exit points (doors, windows, gates, barriers)
- Pacing
- Excessive panting
- Escape attempts
- Vocalization (howling, barking, whining, crying, etc…)
This guard dog can be super-friendly with anyone you meet however, we have to consider their ancestors and their roles as protectors.
Rottweiler and pit bull hybrids can be alert and wary which is why socialization is so important with these guys.
It is also worth noting the aloof quality that Rotties are renowned for. It is quite common for a Rottie to just ignore people. This can be passed on to your dog.
Don’t take it personally – I bet there are some days you feel like ignoring certain humans too.
Let’s have a look at what it takes to care for this incredible mix on a daily basis.
How to Care for the Breed
They are high-energy and super intelligent – he will definitely give you a run for your money.
As we’ve already mentioned, the Rottweiler pit bull mix is suited to most families if they have experience of large breed dogs and have the time to commit to training and socializing.
As with any dog you bring into your home, all family members need to be on the same script – consistency is key.
Food and Diet Requirements
This dog is classed as a large breed as it can potentially grow up to 100lbs in weight.
We know that Rottweiler’s are prone to bloat or gastric torsion/gastric dilation volvulus, unfortunately, this risk is passed on to the Pitweiler. Despite the unknown cause of bloat, it is advised to feed small meals more often to large breed dogs to reduce the risk.
Your pit bull Rottweiler mix puppy should be fed 4 meals throughout the day in small, but even, portion sizes. When fully grown, between 12-18 months old, you could reduce this to 2 or 3 meals per day.
Most large breed dogs continue with this for the duration of their life.
It is also advised to avoid feeding at least 1 hour before or after exercise.
Opt for a high-quality dog food that meets his daily nutritional requirements. As an adult, he will need 1.6g of fat per kg of body weight and 2.62g of protein per kg of body weight and your Rottweiler pit bull mix’s calorie intake will vary depending on his age and his activity level:
| 50lbs | 1350 | 2000 | 2000 |
| 70lbs | 1680 | 2500 | 2500 |
| 100lbs | 2400 | 3600 | 3600 |
Exercising a Rottweiler and Pit Bull Mix
Your Rottweiler pit bull mix will love being busy and having a job to do; not faring well being bored. Expect to spend upwards of 60 minutes per day exercising him plus additional time training and playing.
Despite this guy’s friendly nature, you have to consider the legal requirements of owning a Pit Mix. Firstly, Pit Mix dogs may not actually be legal in your municipality. Even if they are, they could be restricted; this means that you could potentially be limited to leash walking only.
Going back to Rottie’s aloof nature, this could be a good thing.
If your pup has inherited this aloofness, recall can be an issue. That trash can on the other side of the park is just far more interesting than you… better to be safe than sorry and keep him on leash.
Whilst the Pitweiler is happy hiking up trails or playing in the yard, they do have an off switch. They will happily chill out on the sofa – though, like their Rottie parent, have no concept of personal space or their size. They truly believe a human’s lap is the best place to be.
Training a Pitweiler
Here are some puppy training tips for your Pitweiler.
As with all dogs, they respond best to positive reinforcement and reward based training.
We know that aversive techniques and punishment actually create and exacerbate problematic behaviors!
Use food and toy rewards when your guy is behaving how you want him to, ignore and re-direct when he is demonstrating less than desirable behaviors.
Again, coming back to the aloof nature often found in his parent, training can sometimes be challenging if he continually ignores you.
We know that memories are made more effective in the brain when the neurotransmitter dopamine is released.
What this means is that our dogs are more likely to learn and retain those memories when we make them motivating and exciting (i.e. when our happy hormone is released).
Set your Rottweiler pit bull mix up to succeed with training! Is he ready to learn? Is he distracted? If he’s losing interest or just not succeeding, switch to behavior you know he can perform, and end the session on a high. Come back to the more difficult command or behavior another day and start with the basics again. Stay positive and keep your tone of voice high pitched and exciting.
As we’ve mentioned, your dog will need early and ongoing socialization.
Known Health Problems
To finish off this care guide, let’s have a quick look at the know health problems in the Rottweiler and pit bull mix:
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – this is when there is abnormal development in either the hip or elbow joint. A common issue in large breed dogs.
- Cataracts – a common issue in both the pit bull and the Rottweiler, not surprisingly we are seeing this eye disorder in the Pitweiler. Cataracts; when the lens becomes opaque, can often be successfully surgically treated.
- Bloat (Gastric Torsion/GDV) – common in large breed dogs, can often be fatal. This is where the stomach enlarges and twists.
- Addison’s Disease – this is when the adrenal glands does not produce enough steroid hormones which are vital in your dog’s internal organs and body systems, resulting in lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite, and sometimes lesions.
- Aortic Stenosis – this is a condition that reduces blood flow through the heart. The aortic valve becomes narrowed and stiff. Lethargy and intolerance of exercise are usually the first symptoms.
Rottweiler Pit Bull Mix Appearance: Coat, Color, and Grooming
As it’s a cross-breed, the Rottweiler pit bull mix can vary in appearance. They can look more like their Pit parents, or more like their Rottie parents. They are generally muscular and stocky dogs with short coats.
They can range from 40lbs to 100lbs in weight and stand anywhere up to 25” in height; females are generally smaller and will have a more petite frame.
The Pitweiler has been seen in a range of colors, but most commonly:
- Chocolate
- Brown
- Black
- Speckled
- Golden
- White
- Blue
- Merle
- Brindle (After the brindle pit bull)
As both parents are short, smooth-coated, you can be pretty certain this is what you will end up with.
Relatively low maintenance on the grooming front, a couple of brushings per week will be ample to keep his coat in tip-top condition. Introducing grooming and health checks from a young age will keep it as stress-free as possible for both you and your pooch. Regular teeth brushing is a must; whilst you’re at it check over his eyes, ears, and nails.
Summary
So if you’re looking for a loyal and loving companion, the Rottweiler pit bull mix is definitely a contender.
He suits most families if they have experience of large breed dogs and have plenty of time for exercising, training, and socializing.
He responds well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training but remembers his potential to be aloof. Don’t take it personally and warn family and friends of the same. After all, why would he leave his comfy bed to meet the neighbor for the millionth time?!
An active lifestyle would suit him best; that intelligent mind needs working.
But when all is said and done, when he’s explored the woods, played tug in the garden, and patrolled the perimeter of the garden for squirrels, you can be sure he’ll either be practicing some sort of dog yoga by your feet or will indeed be curled up on your lap. Let us know what you think about this hybrid in the comments below.
Other American Pit Bull Terrier and Rottweiler Mixes
If you’re interested in learning about other American pit bull terrier mixes or Rottweiler mixes, check out the hybrid dog breeds below.
American Pit Bull Terrier Mixes
- Pit bull dachshund mix
- Pit bull Lab mix
- Pit bull Chihuahua mix
- Pit bull mastiff mix
- Pit bull boxer mix
- Pitsky
Yes my Nelson had some issues, but so do many people. Nelson has anxiety issues mostly to the veterinarians. We have always loved our cats and dogs, but Nelson is special. He feels like he is our child. There is something special about this guy. He has won our hearts over and over.
I have this mix and love him. Otto has been with us 8 months so far and stands as tall as his Pyra-poo sister. He’s a lover, and gets so happy and excited getting the attention of people around him. Sometimes he likes to prance around his other sister mamma kitty (but she doesn’t care for him much) but he likes to hop around and try to get her to interact. He loves hiding things in his sister’s crate and rediscovering then when we go to bed. So far head has taken 8 orange peels and a potato!
Where did you get yours from? I have been looking for a breeder!
I have a Pitweiler. She is 6 months old. We have had her since she was 5 weeks. Her name is Gracie Lou. She is golden brown and his hazel eyes. She is everything they describe in the previous article. I now understand why I can’t get her to stay off my lap. She is an Angel when we are gone but the minute we get home she is wanting to play, play, play. She is a very loving dog, I would highly recommend owning a pitweiler to anyone who has the time to exercise them but they are hard dogs to train. It would be easy to get frustrated with teaching this breed. They require patience, constant reinforcement and redirection.
Best dog I ever owned. 2 months old and she is already trained. These are large super intelligent dogs.
I have chosen the cutest little female. She has the Rotty markings, but momma is pure pitty. She will be 8 weeks old this week. Next month she is shipping to me. She will be my service dog. Being the kindest of the litter, obedient and loving, I am certain she will do a stellar job.
What did she cost? We have an 11 yr old pitweiler love her to pieces. Its not easy finding a mix with the rottie markings
Our family has owned our Pitweiler Dexter since he was just a pup and he’s now almost 6yrs old. He is a huge cuddle bug that loves to be on our lap and is still learning new tricks. He weighs just over 80lbs and is colored just like a Rottie with a white stripe down his chest. No major health issues thus far and still full of energy and loves to go places with us. If you want a loving protector I highly recommend, but only if you have the time to spend to give this breed the exercise and attention that it needs.
My family has a pit-bull and a rottweiler. They mated and had nine puppies. The Pit-bull’s very first litter so she was happy, but tired. We now have six pitweiler’s at home!
I have A female Pitweiler named Covid. We gotten her in March of 2020 at 4 months old. She very loving but very needy. She needs 100% of your attention. She’ll knock the phone out of your hand and lay on top of you. She also has high anxiety. I don’t know if she can sense my anxiety (I gotten her for my anxiety). Im not sure what to do to calm her but when we leave she’s kenneled now because she’s torn down all my blinds, chewed up important cords. Now she escapes out of the kennel. I don’t know what to do to ease her anxiety when I have little control of mine.. help.
There is dog calming oil? At petco that’s what I use for my dog anxiety. I saw another dog owner used CBD oil Too. I am newbie.
I have a 3 year old pitweiler that I love with all my soul,his name is Coco.
unfortunately he fights with my other dogs.and I wonder if he can be trained ad old as he is .help.please or I will ha e to look for someone who wants him.