Skip to content
Home » Pitweiler Dog Breed – Facts, Temperament, and Proper Care

Pitweiler Dog Breed – Facts, Temperament, and Proper Care

We all love dogs! Some like them tiny, while others prefer more gigantic breeds. But what if we told you that some breeds are so perfect they only need to have one thing? A bone!

The Pitweiler might be small or big, long or short; it doesn’t matter because he loves its owner as much as she loves him back. This sweet-looking puppy will ensure his family has no worries when they least expect it. It’s exceptionally affectionate with people who know how to handle it – not aggressive despite its size; Pitweilers are often described as “gentle giants.” They love children and other animals.

The history of the Pitweiler dog

The Pitweiler came about as a crossbreed between the American Pitbull Terrier and the Rottweiler, a German guard dog. The name was later changed to “American Pitbull Terrier” (APBT), but this didn’t help the reputation of these dogs. Unfortunately, many Pitweilers were used as guard dogs or military working dogs during World War II, especially in Europe. Many of these dogs died from overwork and neglect.

But fortunately, after the war, the Pitweilers became an official breed, and breeding programs began. As time passed, Pitweilers became known mostly being gentle giant pets. However, some Pitweilers grow to become a bit bigger than most Pitbull mixes. These larger Pitweilers are called Giant Pitweilers. These dogs can weigh up to 100 pounds and measure around 20 inches from head to toe.

Most prevalent Breed Characteristics

As mentioned above, the Pitweiler dog is mainly known for its gentleness. It is also noted to be a loyal companion since many Pitweilers become part of the family. Despite being a great pet, unlike the Pitbull, Pitweilers don’t mean any harm to anyone. Pitweilers possess intelligence which makes them fun to train and exercise. These dogs will learn quickly and quickly adapt to new situations.

While they look friendly, Pitweilers have a strong protective instinct, making them excellent guard dogs. And although they appear to be gentle giants, Pitweilers aren’t shy when they see strangers. As such, they may display aggressive behavior towards strangers.

As a result, the Pitweiler is usually neutered before reaching adulthood. And although Pitweilers generally live longer than most dogs, Pitweilers still average 10 years. And the lifespan of a Pitweiler can reach 13 years depending on the individual’s health condition. They also require regular checkups to ensure that everything in their bodies is working well.

How big does the breed get?

The Pitweiler is a giant dog that can weigh between 65 and 100 pounds. The breed possesses a well-defined musculature, a deep chest, and a square build. They also have a broad head, with strong jaws and a broad muzzle. They have dark brown eyes that vary in shape, and the ears may frame the face or fall to the sides; they also sit erect on the head or fold forward. But like most Pitbulls, Pitweilers vary significantly in coloration, so you should keep that in mind while choosing what you want your dog to look like.

How many years does the breed live on average?

When it comes to the lifespan of a Pitbull Terrier, we find that Pitweilers tend to live just as long as other breeds. While Pitweilers are relatively short-lived compared to many other breeds, it is not unusual for a Pitweiler to live 10 to 12 years old.

How much does the breed cost?

The price of a Pitweiler varies depending on many factors. Such factors may include whether the dog had puppies before, where it grew up, breeding, etc. You can get an adult Pitweiler for about $400, and this includes all necessary supplies for training. If you choose to adopt a puppy, then expect to spend about $850. This includes initial vaccinations, deworming, spaying or neutering, microchipping, heartworm test, and other necessary procedures.

Breed temperament and personality

Pitweilers are brilliant, affectionate dogs that love attention. With a bit of practice, Pitweilers are eager learners and easily trained. Their loyalty is legendary, making them an ideal pet.

Caring for the Pitweiler Dog Breed

The Pitweiler will require about an hour of exercise per day as a big dog. You should always divide the time frame into three sessions for a more favorable result. Some owners have taken the training to a higher by using weight vests on their Pitweilers to increase or maintain their masculine appearance. Before engaging in such, it is best to consult with your vet to ensure that the joints are fully developed and strong enough to carry such weight. You can engage your dog in other activities such as herding cattle events, rallies, or freestyle dancing competitions for canines.

In addition, you can teach your dog obedience exercises through clicker training and a reward-based learning system to increase social behavior. Such activities include tricks like standing on command, fetching balls, playing tug of war, etc. You can start working with your dog by giving it the basic commands like Come, Sit, Stay, Wait, Down and others. These commands would benefit your dog no matter which kind of home it lives in.

Breed nutrition

Pitweilers need to be fed both dry and wet food, and you need to keep the diet very balanced, from protein to fat to carbohydrates. The best way to feed your Pitbull terrier is to buy their favorite foods and mix them so that he gets the right balance of nutrients. Since Pitweilers are usually larger than other dogs, some owners feed them more. A good rule of thumb is to give your Pitweiler twice the amount you would typically provide any other dog breed. For example, if you usually feed a small dog 1 pound of meat, then do the same but double it up for an 8 pound Pitweiler.

How to groom breed

Keeping your Pitbull Terrier clean isn’t hard; you need to brush the coat regularly. Make sure not to pull too much hair off in the process. It’s better to brush your dog every few days instead of brushing once a week to avoid pulling out too many hairs. If your dog has long, thick fur, you might want to consider grooming his tail on occasion. However, make sure that you only comb it if it becomes tangled. Otherwise, leave it alone. Wash only those parts that are exposed to water, such as your dog’s ears and eyes. Lastly, let the coat grow slowly and naturally until you’re satisfied with how it looks. Then, trim it whenever needed.

You don’t have to worry about your Pitweiler chewing his nails or toys because of their tooth structure. And you wouldn’t be able to find any problem regarding fleas or ticks since they stay away from any animals that live outdoors. So, all that remains now is to just take good care of your Pitweiler and watch out for any diseases that could affect your Pitweiler’s health.

Pitweiler activity levels

If you want to see your dog develop a strong character, you need to expose it to regular physical activities. While you won’t want your dog to play rough games like football or soccer inside your house, it does mean you need to provide him with adequate physical stimulation outside. You can enroll your Pitbull Terrier in sports clubs, go swimming with him, or join a hiking club where you can carry all of his belongings while walking.

You can also use a treadmill if you think that your Pitbull Terrier is physically capable of riding it. At least 2 hours of strenuous exercise each day will help strengthen the bones, muscles, and body frame. Make sure to supervise your Pitbull Terrier at all times to prevent accidents. Remember that a young puppy cannot take heavy impact or stress very well; therefore, limit your dog’s activities to what he can handle.

Breed Health

While most Pitbull Terriers aren’t prone to any major illnesses, they sometimes fall prey to minor ones. An upset stomach caused by overeating or drinking too much water is one common ailment. Your Pitbull Terrier may also suffer from respiratory problems after inhaling dust particles. Most of these symptoms can easily be eliminated or treated if you know what you are doing. Regularly check your dog’s temperature using a digital thermometer and treat him accordingly if necessary. Also, keep his food and water fresh every day to eliminate potential digestive issues.

In some cases, an owner needs to seek medical assistance due to their dog suffering from severe conditions. Examples include allergies, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism. Fortunately, if detected early enough, most of these conditions can easily be treated using medication and dietary changes.

The main concern for most Pitweiler is obesity. However, with proper nutrition and exercise, most dogs can avoid becoming overweight. When dieting, you’ll have to reduce the number of calories your dog consumes. Do so gradually, so your dog doesn’t become overly stressed during the adjustment stage. Also, it’s essential to reward your dog with smaller meals throughout the day to ensure he doesn’t go through hunger pangs. Of course, please don’t force your animal to eat, but encourage him to do so. Remember that all animals have different feeding preferences.

Cataract eye disease is another problem that Pitweilers suffer from. It occurs when the lens becomes cloudy. The condition can lead to blindness if left untreated. However, surgical procedures are available that can help treat cataracts, although not always successfully.

Hip Dysplasia also affects these dog breeds. Hip Dysplasia occurs when the ball joint of the hips becomes dislocated such that the thigh bone comes up high on the hip socket. The condition can cause pain and other health complications. If diagnosed early enough, the first line of treatment involves surgery followed by rest. Exercise therapy is also used to aid recovery. In some severe cases, corrective surgeries must be performed.

Breeds Similar to the breed

There are other breeds that are similar to the Pitbull Terrier, such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. However, it is important to note that these are not direct copies of the Pitweiler. There are specific differences between the two breeds – mainly regarding temperament and appearance. The Pitweiler has longer legs than its counterpart, making them slightly faster than most other breeds. They also tend to be more agile and lighter when compared to the Staffy.

Another thing to consider is that these dogs tends to look a little bigger than its Staffordshire Bull Terrier cousin. These are just a few differences between the two, but you will soon notice distinct differences in training methods, appearance, and overall temperaments between the two. It would be wise to read up on both breeds before adopting one.

Conclusion

After reading about the Pitweiler breed, we hope that you now see why people love owning these dogs. For starters, they don’t need much attention because they already get that from you. You can teach them new tricks without worrying that they might try to bite you or run away from home. Their intelligence level ranges anywhere from average to super smart depending on the individual. This makes them popular pets who are good watchdogs, indoor housemates, companions, and even personal protection units!

fb-share-icon
Instagram