The German Shepherd Pitbull Mix is a large mixed breed dog combining the best traits of both the German Shepherd and the Pitbull.
This dog has several other names, including the Shepherd Pit, German Pit and German Sheppit.
This is a hybrid dog, which is commonly used as a guard dog.
Despite the stereotypes surrounding both parent breeds, the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix can be an excellent family dog if raised well and trained properly.
Some people have a misconception that this dog is ferocious. If socialized well, however, this dog has the potential to be a great companion for almost any family.
When it comes to physical appearance, the Pitbull cross German Shepherd looks more like his Pitbull parent with his short muzzle and slightly bent ears.
Nonetheless, the appearance can vary and the dog may even inherit the longer face of his German Shepherd parent.
Generally, this short-haired canine inherits the coat color of a full grown German Shepherd with the most common colors being tan with black markings. However, he can also have black or fawn patterns.
Here, we bring you all the facts and information, separating the facts from the myths.
So keep reading this article to view pictures and learn more about the adorable German Shepherd Pitbull Mix.
Table of Contents
A Quick Look at the Breed Characteristics
| Good with cats | No |
| Good with kids | Yes |
| Tolerates Being Alone | No |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | No |
| Good for Apartment Living | No |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Easy To Train | Yes |
| Shedding Amount | High |
| Good with other Dogs | Yes, If socialized properly. |
| Good for first time owners | No, Needs Experienced Owner. |
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 15 years |
| Price | Around $500 to $800 from responsible breeder. |
An Overview of the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix
Over the last 20 or so years, the popularity of designer dogs has increased considerably.
Also known as hybrid dogs, these canines have little information about their breeding background.
As for the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix, the goal was to combine the loyalty and intelligence of the German Shepherd with the agility and power of the Pitbull.
Nonetheless, there is no guarantee about how the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix puppies will turn out. This means that you can get puppies with different looks and personality traits.
To get a good idea of what you are getting yourself into, let’s take a closer look at each parent breed.
The Origin of the German Shepherd:
The German Shepherd dog was developed in 1879 with the aim of creating an ideal service dog.
In Germany, he was also used to herd sheep, to control them and protect them.
A German Calvary officer, Max Von Stephanitz decided to develop a dog that would be intelligent, athletic and skillful. He wanted the dog to be a real workaholic.
Moreover, the German Shepherd had to be tough to withstand long periods in the harsh climatic conditions that he was designed to work in.
The German Shepherd was officially recognized by the AKC in 1908. These dogs are now commonly used for police, military and service work.
The Origin of the Pitbull:
Another dog breed with its roots in Europe, the Pitbull was originally developed in the UK.
Ancient Terriers and Bulldogs were crossed to produce a brave and athletic dog. Strong and fearless, the dog was originally used for hunting purposes.
Pitbulls were also used for a brutal sport known as bull baiting, until the practice was declared illegal in 1835. Once the breed was introduced to the US, these dogs were more commonly used to herd and drive livestock.
The American Pitbull Terrier comes in a wide range of colors and has several variations, including the Blue Nose Pitbull and the Red Nose Pitbull.
The Pitbull breed has not been officially recognized by the AKC, but the United Kennel Club officially registered the Pitbull breed in the year 1898.
The Physical Characteristics of a German Shepherd Pitbull Mix
So, what does a German Shepherd Pitbull Mix look like?
Well, it is always difficult to predict what a mixed breed dog will look like.
Nonetheless, the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix tends to resemble his Pitbull parent. The dog will probably have the face of a Pitbull with a short muzzle and slightly bent ears.
When it comes to the coat colors, you can expect several variations. The most common colors are black and brown with gray and white markings or fawn and tan patterns.
How Big Will My German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Get?
The size of your German Sheppit dog will depend on the actual size of his parents.
Considering that both the German Shepherd and the Pitbull are large dogs with strong physiques, we can safely conclude that this mixed breed dog will be large and strong as well.
A full grown German Shepherd Pitbull Mix can reach a height of around 18 to 25 inches while his average weight is around 65 to 85 pounds.
German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Behavior and Temperament
Sadly, both the German Shepherd and the Pitbull have a controversial reputation.
Both breeds are often blamed for being ferocious, and for biting both humans and other dogs. But that is not necessarily the case.
Pitbulls were developed for hunting purposes, so chances are your mixed breed dog will show an intrinsic desire to hunt or chase after small animals. Pitbulls are also known to be protective of their family members.
German Shepherds are also considered to be aggressive, but they are also intelligent and highly trainable. These canines will attack only when given the appropriate command.
They are also loyal dogs who are protective of their territory and family. They are wary of strangers and unfamiliar animals.
The Pitbull German Shepherd Mix is also very affectionate, especially if raised properly.
Although they enjoy entertaining themselves, these dogs will still enjoy being around their owners and can make excellent family dogs. Therefore, you should avoid leaving them alone for an extended period of time.
Due to their parents, the German Sheppits might also be quite aggressive. Therefore, proper training and socialization is a must.
It is also important that you visit and spend some time with both parent dogs to ensure they are comfortable and confident around people and other dogs.
How to Train A German Shepherd Pitbull Mix?
Both the German Shepherd and the Pitbull are highly intelligent and their offspring is no different.
For that reason, your dog should learn fast and respond well to commands and training.
However, no two German Shepherd Pitbull Mix puppies are the same. Therefore, they need proper training from the word go. For that reason, these canines are more suitable for experienced dog owners.
It is strongly recommended to start training your mixed breed dog at the earliest possible opportunity.
From as young as seven weeks old, your puppy will be able to learn and respond well to basic commands such as “Sit” “Come” and “Stay”. Therefore, you can start training them as soon as you bring your new Pitbull German Shepherd mix puppy home.
Since these dogs are also strong and energetic, you should be firm and authoritative while training them or they will end up dominating you.
Nonetheless, don’t give up and more importantly, don’t use harsh or punishment-based methods. Use positive training methods such as treats and praises. Your dog will definitely appreciate that since he is intelligent.
Due to his German Shepherd parent, your Pitbull German Shepherd Mix can easily take control and assume the role of the pack leader. It is extremely important to watch out for this behavior since it can lead to aggression. You can prevent this by socializing your pup early.
Make sure to introduce your dog to different people and other dogs while he is still a puppy. Also, take him to the nearest dog park to interact with as many dogs as possible.
Otherwise, you should consider enrolling your dog in puppy classes. That way, your pup will learn the do’s and dont’s of dog greeting.
Behavior With Children and Strangers
As we’ve mentioned above, the German Shepherd and Pitbull Mix might be aggressive towards strangers if not socialized and trained well from a young age.
You should socialize them with both children and adults to help prevent this behavior.
Young kids should also be taught to interact with this dog appropriately and safely to avoid triggering aggression on your dog’s part.
Behavior With Cats and Other Animals
Pitbulls are generally known to get along well with cats. However, German Shepherds are large, strong and powerful dogs who are often prey-driven.
This means that they might be tempted to chase after cats and other small animals in their home or neighborhood. Your German Sheppit may inherit this trait.
Due to their size, a German Sheppit that is aggressive towards other pets can pose a serious danger to them.
Therefore, make sure to introduce your dog to cats and other household pets while he is still a little puppy. That way, they will get used to each other, learn to cohabit amicably and can even become playmates.
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Exercise Requirements
All dogs require regular exercises to remain healthy and this dog usually needs plenty of it.
Both parents were developed to be working dogs, so it’s advisable to give your dog enough exercises each day. Plan for playtime, daily walks and mental stimulation.
It is a good idea to offer him at least a 60-minutes walk each day, provided you have a spacious yard where he can play and burn off any excess energy later on.
If you don’t have a large yard, your dog will also need another walk of around 30 minutes later in the day.
By providing him with the exercises he requires, you’ll help prevent destructive behaviors such as excessive barking, digging and chewing on your shoes. If he gets enough exercises, your dog should be happy to relax with other members of the family.
In addition to physical activity, it is very important to keep his mind stimulated. For that reason, be sure to provide him with lots of interactive dog toys to keep his intelligent mind busy and well stimulated.
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Grooming Requirements
To keep your German Shepherd Pitbull Mix clean and healthy, he should be well groomed.
Since this dog is strong and powerful, he may try to avoid grooming sessions. A German Pit may consider grooming to be a bad thing, thereby making him fearful and aggressive.
Therefore, you need to start grooming the dog early. That way, your dog will learn to settle down and even enjoy the grooming sessions.
Although this crossbreed does not need much maintenance, it is important to brush him with a bristle brush at least once a week. This will help prevent any shedding and maintain his coat in good condition.
It is important to avoid over-bathing your dog since this Mix is prone to skin irritation. Do it just once per month if necessary.
It’s also recomended to invest in a quality doggie shampoo that is specially formulated for canines with sensitive skin. Additionally, it’s wise to use deodorizing wipes to clean your dog when you are not bathing him.
The German Shepherd Pitbull Mix tends to have floppy ears, which implies that air circulation is limited and therefore, they are more vulnerable to wax build-up and ear infections. Therefore, be sure to check and clean their ears on a regular basis.
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Feeding Information
When it comes to diet and nutrition, you may feed your dog either commercial or homemade food.
The most important thing is to give him high quality dog food with the right nutrients for his growth and development.
Fruits and vegetables are also good for your pup’s health. However, avoid giving your dog human food because most of it is dangerous to them.
Keep in mind that the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix is vulnerable to skin irritation, which is often inherited from his Pitbull parent. In order to avoid this health problem, make sure to provide your dog with a diet rich in Omega fatty acids and one that’s low in grains.
These dogs are also vulnerable to zinc-responsive dermatitis. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your dog is getting a sufficient amount of zinc in his diet.
Moreover, make sure your dog has access to fresh and clean water at all times.
In order to ensure your dog is getting the right nutrients, it is highly recommended to contact a professional vet, who can suggest a proper diet for your dog based on his age, size, health and activity level.
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Lifespan
Provided that your German Sheppit has a healthy lifestyle, he has the potential to live for around 10 to 15 years.
German Sheppit Health Problems
Every dog breed is prone to certain health problems and it’s a good idea to be aware of such issues so you can take proper care of your pet and treat him accordingly.
If you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder, you’ll be able to view the health records of the puppy’s parents. In the meantime, you need to be aware of the diseases that this crossbreed is prone to.
Common health problems found in both German Shepherds and Pitbulls include skin disease, allergies, hip dysplasia, heart disease and bloat.
A German Shepherd Pitbull Mix might also experience these health issues, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for each of them.
It’s also very important that both the Pitbull and the German Shepherd parent dogs are tested and cleared of all the above conditions before they are used in any breeding program.
Make sure that you buy your new furry friend from a reputable breeder who should honestly tell you if your puppy’s parents are healthy.
We also recommend using a reliable dog DNA test like the Embark Dog DNA Test Kit, which enables potential dog owners to ascertain the parentage of their new pets as well as any health problems. That way, you’ll know whether you are getting a genuine German Shepherd Pitbull Mix or not.
Finding Healthy German Shepherd Pitbull Mix Puppies
When trying to find healthy German Shepherd Pitbull Mix up for sale, there are several things you need to bear in mind.
First of all, you need to note that there are many good breeders in the market, but you might also come across bad ones who are in the job for their greed rather than their love for the breed.
Such breeders keep on creating new puppies without taking into account the health of those dogs.
In order to buy a healthy German Sheppit puppy, the first thing to do is to look for a reputable breeder who is dedicated to the breed.
Unlike backyard breeders and puppy mills, good breeders are only interested in creating healthy puppies with good temperaments. Therefore, any puppy you get from them will need a better chance of turning out to be a dependable family dog.
There are a lot of breeders out there, so do your homework and find the best one.
Once you’ve chosen a good breeder, meet each parent dog and their puppies to check whether they are healthy and friendly.
If you find a reputable breeder offering German Sheppit puppies, you can expect the price to go up depending on the value the breeder attaches to the parent stock.
The price of a German Shepherd Pitbull Mix puppy will range from around $500 to $800 or even more.
Otherwise, you can visit various animal shelter organizations to find out if they have this mix available for adoption.
Is the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix a Good Family Pet?
Whether a German Sheppit is the right family dog for you is a good question to ask.
The ideal place for a German Shepherd and Pitbull Mix is a home with a secure, fenced-in yard. The fence can help keep the dog safe while the yard can allow him enough room to play and exercise.
Small spaces or apartments are not recomended for this crossbreed. The dog will get bored, start barking and become a nuisance to your neighbors. Moreover, apartments have little or no space for this canine to exercise or play.
Also, you should not leave this dog alone for far too long. The dog craves attention and you should take the time to play with him each day.
ALSO READ: A Complete Guide To The Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix
Conclusion
The German Shepherd Pitbull Mix puppies are some of the cutest you’ll ever see! This dog enjoys quality playtime and can be very loyal and affectionate.
Despite the fact that both the German Shepherd and the Pitbull are considered to be aggressive, you can train and raise this Mix to be a loyal companion.
Before buying your puppy, make sure to choose a reputable breeder. German Sheppit puppies from such breeders have a good chance of growing into excellent family dogs.
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