All About the Doberman Pitbull Mix AKA Doberman Pit

I may have the perfect dog breed if you want an active family companion. The Doberman Pitbull mix combines the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pitbull Terrier. This medium to large breed will do great around kids; it is active and a loyal, loving furry friend. If that interests you, continue reading to learn more about the Doberman Pitbull mix, also known as the Doberman Pit.

Doberman Pitbull Mix History

Purebred dog breeds have much historical information, but it is quite the opposite for mixed dog breeds. It is unknown when the first Doberman Pitbull mix was created and if this happened accidentally or intentionally. Since we do not have much information on the history of the mixed breed, I will give you historical information on the parent breeds that make up this mix.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher was first created in the 1800s by Karl Friedrich Louis Doberman. This dog breed was created to protect and guard this man, a tax collector. The dog would be able to guard and ward off people who may want to rob the taxman.

The Doberman Pinscher was created by combing various dog breeds, including Shorthaired Shepherd dogs, Rottweiler, German Pinschers, Weimaraners, Greyhounds, and some Terriers.

The AKC accepted the Doberman Pinscher in 1908. Today this dog breed is very popular and has a misconception that it is aggressive. On the contrary, they are very sweet, loyal, and protective of their owners.

American Pitbull Terrier

The American Pitbull Terrier has a very interesting history. This is an older breed but not as old as others. It was first created, seen, and documented in the 1800s. The American Pitbull Terrier was created by combining two dog breeds, the Old English Terrier and the Old English Bulldogges.

The sad truth about this breed’s history is that it was used for a terrible job. Unfortunately, this job was bull baiting which is thankfully outlawed today. This is, of course, how the breed has developed and got some aggressive tendencies.

Immigrants brought the breed to the United States, where it transitioned to working on farms. It was used as a guard dog and also a family companion. Today the Pitbull is extremely popular and found worldwide, and it also makes up a variety of mixed-breed dogs.

People still think the Pitbull is aggressive; while some are, most are not. This is a very loyal, friendly, and affectionate dog breed. Unfortunately, bad dogs are just bad owners that cause a dog to be aggressive or even fearful.

Doberman Pit Appearance

Appearance is a very difficult thing to determine when it comes to mixed-breed dogs. Not one Doberman Pit could look like the other due to the various traits the dog could take on. However, we can look at the parent breeds and estimate how the Doberman Pit may look.

Both parent breeds are very muscular, so your Doberman Pitbull mix will likely have that too. The Doberman has a wedge-shaped head, while the Pitbull can have a wide head. Pitbulls also have very broad muzzles. Dobermans have naturally erect ears, and the Pitbull has high, almost erect-like ears. Overall, your dog will vary in appearance but will take on traits from both parent breeds.

Pitbull Doberman Mix Coat

Both parent breeds that make up the Pitbull Doberman mix have very similar coats. They both have a very short coat, but the Doberman has a sleek, smooth coat, and the Pitbull’s coat can be coarse. However, the coat will be straight and easy to manage. While this mix will still shed, the shedding will be minimal and tiny as the hairs are short. Below you will find colors that your Doberman Pit may come in.

What Colors Do They Come In?

Here you will find the colors that your mix may possibly come in:

• Brindle
• White
• Brown
• Fawn
• Gray
• Blue
• Red
• Tan
• Golden
• Black

Your Doberman Pitbull mix will most likely have a black nose and brown eyes.

Doberman Pitbull Mix Temperament

Temperament is another one of those things that can be difficult to determine in all dogs. Just like with people, all dogs are different. What we can do is estimate the temperament of the breed. When people see the breed or hear what parent breeds make up this mix, they think it will be very mean, but in reality, this is a very loyal, sweet, and friendly dog breed.

This is a very active dog breed that can affect your dog’s temperament if you do not provide enough exercise. What I mean by this is that your dog may develop destructive tendencies if it is bored.

This mix is also has protective instincts. This can be useful if you live on a farm or out in a rural area. Also, the breed’s activity can have a prey drive. Overall, you should have a friendly, happy family companion that can make a great addition to an active family’s home.

Doberman Pit Size

Size is another thing that can vary with mixed breed dogs. You also have to take in consideration the size of the parent breeds that are bred together. For example, Dobermans can weigh between 71 and 100 pounds, and the Pitbull can weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. In addition, Pitbulls have a height between 17 and 19 inches, and the Doberman has a height of 24 to 28 inches.

With that information, we can estimate the Doberman Pitbull mix to be a medium-sized mixed dog breed and weigh between 55 to 100 pounds. Additionally, the height can be estimated anywhere between 17 to 28 inches.

Pitbull Doberman Mix Health Problems

All dog breeds can inherit certain health conditions. Even though mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier than purebred breeds, it is still important to be aware of health conditions your dog may possibly inherit.

Hip Dysplasia – I have mentioned hip dysplasia before, and it is a very common condition that many bigger dogs can get. This is when the hip bone doesn’t fit correctly inside of the socket. It can rub and cause pain for your dog. A veterinarian can get this fixed; most breeders do hip scores.

Thyroid Disease – The development of thyroid disease in dogs can bring on a lot of symptoms, such as lethargy, obesity, not wanting to exercise, etc. This is an issue with the thyroid gland, but you can help some of your dog’s symptoms by getting help from your veterinarian.

Von Willebrand’s Disease – This is a bleeding disorder that dogs and even humans can get, and it is brought on by a protein deficiency that is important for helping clot blood. The vet will tell you how to manage these symptoms.

Wobbler’s Syndrome – This is a disease that affects the dog’s spine, specifically the cervical spine. This disease is a spinal cord compression that can cause nervous system defects and a lot of pain.

Keep in mind, I am not saying that your dog will get any or all of these health conditions, but it is important to be aware of these conditions in case your dog does get one.

Life Expectancy of a Doberman Pitbull Mix

Life expectancy is very hard to judge because mixed breeds can vary in their life expectancy. For example, the Doberman Pinscher can live between 10 and 13 years, and the American Pitbull Terrier can live between 8 and 15 years. With this information, you can expect the Doberman Pitbull mix to live between 8 to 15 years. Again, all dogs are different; some live longer and some shorter.

Living Conditions

This is a very active mixed dog breed. You need to make sure you can accommodate the Doberman Pits exercise requirements. If you cannot do this, this will not be the dog breed for you. This is also a medium to large size dog breed that will need some space. Having space and a yard for your dog is ideal as your dog can roam around outside and have room to stretch its legs.

I wouldn’t recommend the Doberman Pitbull mix for first-time dog owners. This breed is very intelligent, active, and needs the training to learn obedience. However, this is a very loyal dog breed as well as a great family companion. Doberman Pits can get along fabulously with children as long as they have been introduced to them.

This mix can also suffer from separation anxiety, so keep that in mind if you work outside the home. Overall, this is a great dog, but it should definitely live with an owner who can give the breed the attention and exercise requirements it needs.

Doberman Pit Exercise

Exercise is extremely important for the Doberman Pit. The Doberman and the Pitbull parents need a lot of exercise to get all that pent-up energy out. This will definitely be passed down to the offspring of this mix.

It is very important that you give the Doberman Pitbull mix between one hour to an hour and a half of exercise each day. If you cannot commit to giving your dog that much daily exercise, this is not the breed for you.

Remember that you do not need to do all these exercises all at once. You can break up those 60 to 90 minutes into smaller increments throughout the day. During those 20 to 30 minute exercise sessions, make sure it is fun. There are so many fun things to do with your dog, from running, hiking, swimming, dog park, or even playing with dog toys outside in the yard.

Pitbull Doberman Mix Feeding

Remember, the Pitbull Doberman mix is a medium to large dog that will need enough food to sustain itself throughout the day. Your dog’s weight calculates the amount of food your dog needs. Again, this will range from each dog. Generally, this mixed breed will need one to three cups of food per day. This is just an estimate because you need to factor in your dog’s weight. Your veterinarian can completely help you with this.

It is very important that you feed this breed a very protein-rich dog food. If you read the section above on the exercise requirements for this mix, you will; see your dog needs a lot of exercise and will burn many calories. So, giving your dog its correct amount of food will keep it healthy each day.

Doberman Pitbull Mix Grooming

Grooming will not be as intense as other dog breeds. This breed will have a very short coat that won’t need much care and attention. However, you can still brush your dog once a week to distribute the natural oils on your dog’s skin. Then, brushing the coat with a simple dog brush will do the job.

Always check your dog’s skin as Pitbulls can have sensitive skin and break out in a rash. It is important that you do not over-bathe your dog as this can also cause sensitive skin. Always wash your dog with a sensitive shampoo or dog shampoo. Bathing only needs to be done around once a month.

During your grooming routine, look over your dog’s skin for any sores, rashes, or anything concerning. Make sure your dog’s ears are clean and free of infections, and also clip your dog’s nails as needed. Remember, if you are not confident in clipping your dog’s nails, you can take your dog to the vet or the groomer to have it done.

Doberman Pit Training

When training a Doberman Pit, it is very important to be consistent as this dog needs a strong and dominant trainer. Therefore, you should train your dog, preferably when it is a puppy. This will give you plenty of time to build that training and authority with your dog.

Training can be a very fun and rewarding thing for you are your dog. It is great bonding, and you will be able to teach your dog what you want it to know. When training your Doberman Pitbull mix, always raise and train your dog with positive reinforcement. This helps keep your dog very sound and not fearful.

If you do not have the time or willingness to train your dog, I highly suggest still taking your dog to a professional to get trained. A trained dog is very important; if you do not have the time, don’t just put it off. Instead, find someone who can train your dog adequately.

Doberman Pitbull Mix Puppies

Mixed breed puppies can be quite difficult to find for sale. Finding a reputable breeder that can get you your dream Doberman Pitbull mix may take some time. When you find a breeder, do a lot of research and ask the breeder questions about the parent breeds that are expecting to have puppies.

You want to feel safe and trust the breeder you are going to work with. If you do not get that feeling, I suggest you keep looking for other breeders. You can also search for a Pitbull Doberman mix through a rescue. This may be a very difficult task but just know it is possible.

Doberman Pitbull Mix Litter Size

Again, just like with other things in this article, litter size is very hard to determine. Some factors will affect the litter size, such as which parent is female having the puppies and the size of the female.

Generally, female American Pitbull Terriers can have a litter size of five to ten puppies. Dobermans can have a litter size of six to eight puppies. With this information, you can estimate the Doberman Pitbull mix to have between five to ten puppies in a litter. Again, keep in mind your dog can have a range of puppies, and the best way to know how many puppies your dog will have is by giving your dog an ultrasound at the vet’s office.

Key Takeaways

Here you will find the key points of information about the Doberman Pitbull mix.

• The Doberman Pitbull mix is a mixed dog breed that combines the Doberman Pinscher and the American Pitbull Terrier. This mix is often referred to as the Doberman Pit or the Dober Pit.
• This is a medium to large dog breed that will need space to move around in the home as well as a yard.
• This mix will have a short coat that can easily be managed through light brushing of the coat.
• Doberman Pits may also have a very muscular body type as both parent breeds are strong.
• This is a very loyal and friendly dog breed. It will make a great family companion but shouldn’t be particularly owned by first-time dog owners.
• There are some minor health concerns to keep in mind. Again, your dog may not inherit any of these, but it is important to be aware.
• The Doberman Pitbull mix needs a lot of exercise each day. This is a very active dog breed, and it is important that you know this upfront when deciding if you are going to purchase this breed.
• You always want to feed your dog a balanced diet with a good protein source. Some dog owners make their own dog food which is always a wonderful idea.
• The grooming requirements for this mix are minimal. This mix will shed, but the hairs are very short, so it won’t look as much as other dogs.
• Training should definitely be done to give this mix some guidance and obedience. However, I highly suggest hiring someone to help train your dog if you don’t have the time.
• Always purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder or rescue. Make sure you feel comfortable with who you purchase from, and stay away from pet stores and puppy mills.

FAQ

Below you will find common questions that people have about the Pitbull Doberman mix.

Close relatives of the Doberman Pit

Here are some breeds that are closely similar to the Doberman Pit.

• Doberman Pinscher
• American Pitbull Terrier
• Beagleman
• Mountain Cur Pitbull Mix
• Australian Kelpie
• American Bulldog