German Shepherd Pit Bull

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-12 years
The German Shepherd Pit Bull is a hybrid breed of the German Shepherd and the American Pit Bull Terrier. This breed is considered to be a relatively healthy breed, but is not free from major medical conditions, especially if poor breeding takes place. Some of the conditions you need to watch out for include bloat, hypothyroidism, allergies, heart problems, joint dysplasia, and EPI.

Bloat can be a fatal condition if it is not treated in time. If you suspect that your pup has bloat, you need to take him or her to the vet immediately. Bloat occurs when too much air gets into the stomach. Veterinarians closely relate this condition to the act of swallowing too much air. As the air is trapped, the stomach cannot expel it and in return, it expands and places pressure on the surrounding organs. This can lead to blood flow problems and complications with the function of other organs.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid does not function properly. You may notice that your puppy either gains too much weight or has trouble gaining weight. Often, hypothyroidism is controlled with medication.

Allergies are not new to dogs and they can present themselves in a variety of different forms. For example, your German Shepherd Pit Bull may have skin allergies to environmental elements or your pup may have food allergies.

Another medical condition you need to look out for is heart problems. Often times, your pup may exhibit signs of heart disease, heart failure, or even trouble with their heart beat.

Joint dysplasia affects a lot of breeds of dogs and is common in larger breed pups. Your German Shepherd Pit Bull may have joint dysplasia and it can be present in the form of elbow or hip dysplasia. Each one either affects the front or back limbs of your pup and causes pain. It can potentially lead to arthritis over time.

Lastly, EPI, or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, is a condition where the pancreas is unable to function properly. This can cause a variety of problems in your pup, but the condition can be properly controlled with the help of your veterinarian.

The German Shepherd Pit Bull has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The German Shepherd Pit Bull has a good temperament and makes a great pup for most homes. For the most part, this pup is calm indoors, but very active outdoors, so this may spill over into each other at times.

You have to make sure that you train and socialize this breed early on, otherwise he or she may become aggressive and have aggressive tendencies towards other dogs. If you do not believe you can put in the time to train a pup, this would not be the best breed for you. You will need to be alert and pay attention because this breed will always try to be dominant, but with training, they are dominant without the aggression.

The German Shepherd Pit Bull is not an overly affectionate pup and will come to you when he or she wants to receive a tummy rub. You do not have to worry about this breed forcing himself or herself on you while you relax on the couch. Even though this pup is not big on affection all of the time, he or she will not do well alone in your home for a long time and may become destructive.

You will find that your German Shepherd Pit Bull needs a lot of exercise and a fenced-in yard to run around in. This is not a good choice of dog for an apartment or condo. You will need to take your pup for a walk at least twice per day too.

Training can be a challenge with this breed since your dog will likely try to be alpha and control you. If you allow it to, you will have a hard time regaining your position in the pack. You need to be assertive and consistent with training to ensure your pup knows who the boss is. This breed is not ideal for someone without experience. You should be experienced in training to handle a German Shepherd Pit Bull effectively.

Grooming

Your German Shepherd Pit Bull does not have too many demanding needs when it comes to grooming, but a daily brush is ideal. You will notice that your pup does shed and you need to keep up with brushing to limit how much shedding occurs.

You do not need to bathe your pup until he or she really needs it; however, baths can help when it is time for your pup to shed his or her coat. When you choose a shampoo, go for one that is mild.

It is important to clean your pup’s ears once per week to prevent ear infections. You should use a warm cotton ball with a cleansing solution. Also, make sure you trim his or her nails once per month to prevent overgrowth.

Diet

Your German Shepherd Pit Bull will consume three to four cups of dry food per day. When you look for a brand of food to feed your pup, make sure you choose one that is high quality and contains wholesome ingredients.
 

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Cost

A German Shepherd Pit Bull puppy will cost you anywhere from $150 to $600 depending on the breeder, the exact hybrid breed, and the demand at the time of purchase.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The German Shepherd Pit Bull is a loyal and protective pup, but does need a lot of socialization and training to ensure that he or she is not aggressive. This breed is not recommended for the weak alpha leader or someone who will not be able to consistently train this breed. This breed ranks a 4.

 

German Shepherd

American Pit Bull Terrier

Rottweiler

Staffordshire Bull Terrier