If you love adventurous Dachshund but can’t resist the friendliness of the Pitbull, a Dachshund mix with Pitbull is a perfect cross for you.
Pitbull mixes are very popular and common, but the Dachshund Pitbull mix is one of the rarest cross with Pitbull. This relatively new and rare mixed breed came to the media’s attention after Rami, a Doxie Pit, was found wandering somewhere in Georgia in 2015. Since it was not bred on purpose, we can’t classify Rami as a designer dog.
This wonderful mix is created by crossing a Dachshund with a Pitbull, particularly the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT). The resulting crossbreed is a medium-sized dog with a muscular look famous for being loyal, smart, affectionate, and energetic. These characteristics make them great pets for most families.
So, are you wondering whether the Dachshund mix with Pitbull is the right crossbreed for you?
This article comprehensively discusses all you need to know about this exceptional Pitbull mix before you take your puppy home. From appearance to temperament, caring for your mix, price, and more, you will find this article very helpful.
Continue reading to learn more about the Dachshund mix with Pitbull.
What is a Pitbull Dachshund Mix called?
A Pitbull Dachshund mix is commonly known by sweet names such as Doxie-Pit, Dox Bull, and Pitwee.
Other names for this mixed breed between a Pitbull (APBT) and a Dachshund are Bull Dach, Dull Dach, and Dox-Bull.
Doxie-Pits are not designer dogs or purebreds like their parents. For this reason, major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and Kennel Club UK (UKC) do not recognize them as a breed.
Soon, the Doxie-Pit may find its acceptance to registries such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Why mix with Pitbull?
Breeders use Pitbulls, especially the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) to create mixed dog breeds for many reasons. In spite of their dull and hostile past, Pitbulls have big personalities. They are outgoing, affectionate, loyal, comical, and easy to care for due to their short, low to moderate shedding coats.
Pitbulls are affectionate with both kids and adults which makes them excellent companions and family pets. In addition, they have physical and behavioral characteristics that make them great protectors. This, particularly, makes them excellent guard dogs.
Pitbulls tend to get along with other dogs and animals. When crossed with a Dachshund, it balances the likelihood of Doxie’s possible aggressiveness towards other dogs. Like Pitbulls, Doxies are moderate shedders which means that the mixed breed will inherit these traits.
Pitbull Dachshund Mix Puppy
Dachshund Pitbull mix puppies are adorable small fur babies that come in a range of cute colors. These gorgeous pups can come in a range of coat types depending on the parents. It is unlikely to predict with certainty the type of coat these pups will have.
On the one hand, Dox-Bulls can inherit the single, short coat of the Pitbull parent. They also can, on the other hand, take after the wire-haired, long-haired, or smooth-haired coat of the Doxie parent.
Doxie-Pit pups are playful, curious, and devoted to their owners but tend to be stubborn and can inherit the independent streak of the Dachshund parent. Doxie-Pits might be small in size, but they boast great personalities. Even better, they adapt quickly to any kind of environment and handle heat perfectly.
Unlike most mixed breed puppies, however, Dox-Bull puppies are kid-friendly but are best suited for families with older children.
Early training and socialization are recommended for the Dachshund x Chihuahua to ensure you raise a well-mannered doggie.
If you are interested in keeping this mixed breed, you can search for Pitbull Dachshund mix puppies for sale near me. Expect to spend $400 to $800 for a Doxie-Pit puppy. These dogs are just becoming popular which explains the cost. You will have a hard time getting a breeder who specifies this cross.
Full Grown Dachshund Pitbull Mix
When fully grown, Dachshund Pitbull mixes are classified as small to medium-sized dogs that stand 8 to 13 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 20 to 30 lbs.
The Dox-Bull is a suitable choice for moderately active families and single-pet households. Both parents of the mix are known to be stubborn so, expect the same characteristics in your mixed breed. As for the temperament, they still have an incredibly sweet and devoted disposition as they do when they are puppies.
A summary table for the Dachshund Pitbull mix
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Breed | Crossbreed |
| Size | 8 to 13 inches |
| Weight | 20 to 30 lbs. |
| Grooming | Low-maintenance |
| Best Suited for: | Experienced dog owners |
| Lifespan | 8 to 12 years |
| Temperament | Active, affectionate, loyal |
| Coat | Short coat length, average density, and straight |
| Coat Colors | Brindle, fawn, brown, and more |
| Energy Levels | High |
| Exercise Requirements | At least 90 minutes per day |
| Health | Average |
| Price | $400 to $600 |
We shall discuss this and more in the description section below.
History of the Breed
Where the Dachshund mix with Pitbull came from is unknown. The cross, however, gained popularity in 2015 after Rami, a stray doggie, wandered into a humane society in Georgia. VCA Hospitals says that most mixed breeds have unknown parentage. In simple terms, this means that there are no usable records about their ancestry or how many different breeds are used to create them. That is why we assume that most of them first existed as a result of accidental breeding.
Designer dogs are gaining popularity as breeders mix one breed with another intentionally to get the best characteristics of both worlds. The advantage of creating a designer dog like the Doxie-Pit is that it helps avoid undesirable recessive traits in either parent or both. With careful and responsible breeding, breeders create a crossbreed that is healthier than its parents.
For any crossbreed dog to be listed in the kennel club as “a breed”, it must have been bred from F2 generation crosses resulting in a multi-generational cross or F3 Gen. It is likely that Doxie-Pits have not reached there yet. Reaching this level requires unscrupulous dog breeding and the creator of designer dogs says it is impossible.
That being said, we are sure that designer dogs have been around for the last 2 to 3 decades.
To know more about the Pitbull Dachshund cross, let us take a look at their parents.
Parents
The Dachshund – Also known as the Sausage Dog, Weiner, Doxie, among other names, the Dachshund dog breed came from Germany. While its origin traces back to the 15th century, the Doxie’s development started in Germany in the 17th century. This dog breed was created as a hunting dog breed and comes in three varieties, including long-coated, smooth-coated, and wire-coated. The Dachshund was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1885.
Dachshunds have a great history! These dogs were used during World War II by soldiers in many strategies, including hunting for food that humans could not reach. They served bravely and died in large numbers, but some still survived. The adventurous spirit is what makes Doxies special doggies as well as an affable personality.
Dachshunds make excellent family dogs and companions for most families. In fact, they ranked as the 10th most popular dog breed here in the US according to the AKC in 2021. In terms of dog IQ, Dachshunds are considered average-intelligent dogs at 92nd position in the AKC listing. Doxies come in colors such as black, black & tan, chocolate & tan, chocolate & cream, blue & tan, cream, tan, and red.
This dog breed has a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years but is susceptible to certain health issues that may affect this lifespan. Some common health problems in Dachshunds include patella luxation, intervertebral disc disease, eye problems, obesity, and hip dysplasia.
The Pitbull – The history of Pitbull terriers dates back to the 1800s in the UK and they were originally bred from Old English Bulldogs. Being the descendants of bull-baiting dogs, these medium-sized dogs have retained a reputation for bad temperament.
And while Pitbulls are stubborn, their loyal and protective nature, plus their love for kids make them excellent family dogs. There are 3 types of Pitbulls, with the American Pitbull Terrier (APBT) being the most common followed by.
When fully grown, an ABPT male stands approx. 18 to 21 inches with a weight of between 35 and 60 lbs. while females are 17 to 21 inches tall and 30 to 35 lbs. in weight. This breed has a life expectancy of 8 to 15 years. However, common health problems such as hip dysplasia, kneecap dislocation, and degenerative myelopathy can shorten their lifespan.
Although Pitbulls are not accepted by the AKC as a breed, the UKC recognized them in 1898. In terms of IQ or smartness, the ABPT is an average to the above-average dog.
Table comparison of Parents of Dachshund Pitbull mix: Comparative features of Dachshund and Pitbull
| Feature | Dachshund | Pitbull (APBT) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 8 to 9 inches | 18 to 21 inches |
| Weight | 16 to 32 lbs. | 30 to 60 lbs. |
| Temperament | Playful, devoted, clever, Loyal, independent, and active | Friendly, loyal, affectionate, obedient, smart, brave, gentle, clownish, and stubborn |
| Energy | High | High |
| Health | Average | Average |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 years | 8 to 15 years |
| Puppy Prices | $300 to $3,500 | $1,000 to $2,000 |
Appearance
The Dachshund cross Pitbull is a hybrid dog, so you can never be sure what your Doxie-Bull will look like. Your doggie might resemble both parents or favor one most and you can only tell when they are mature.
So, how big is a Pitbull Dachshund mix?
The Pitbull Dachshund mix is a medium-sized dog that stands between 8 and 13 inches tall at the shoulders when fully grown. These hybrids weigh 20 to 30 lbs.
Doxie-Pits tend to take after the Weiner Dog parent’s long body and short legs as well as the face and head of the Pitbull parent. Like the Pitbull parent, expect these pups to be muscular. They even forget how big they are and pretend to be lap dogs.
The type of coat that your Doxie-Pit will have depends on the type of Dachshund that was used to create the mix. If, for instance, the mixed breed is developed using a smooth-haired Doxie, it will have short hair. If the cross, on the other hand, is created using a long-haired or wire-haired Doxie, you will have a Dox-Bull will have medium-length fur.
Common possible coat colors for the Dachshund mix with Pitbull include black, brown, brindle, merle, and piebald.
Temperament and Characteristics
Just like with the appearance, it is hard to know what to expect from mixed dog breeds such as the Doxie-Pit. Both parents tend to be aggressive, and while one is independent, the other one is stubborn. A mix of these two can take after any parent or both.
A Pitbull and Sausage Dog mix is a highly active dog and remains like this almost throughout the year. Generally, Pitwee dogs are intelligent, smart, loyal, and loving just like their parents. If well-trained, this hybrid makes an excellent therapy dog. You can read this AKC article on how to train a therapy dog.
That being said, however, this mixed breed can inherit the stubborn streak of both parents since they are known to be obstinate. All in all, Pitwees make superb family dogs, especially in homes with older kids. This does not mean that you cannot adopt a Doxie-Pit if you have small kids. However, proper socialization is required from a young age.
Due to the Dachshund parent hunting ancestry, most Doxie-Bulls have a high prey drive. As such, it is not a good idea to have small animals in your household. In addition, a Doxie-Pit may inherit the aggressive streak towards other dogs, but not humans, from the Pitbull parent. So, early socialization would help prevent this possibility.
Typically, if you are in search of a loyal and affectionate mixed breed that makes an excellent guard dog, the Pitbull Dachshund cross is a good choice. However, this mixed breed is prone to separation anxiety due to its tendency to cling to its human companions. A Doxie-Pit should not be left home alone for long periods.
Ease of Training
On the one hand, Pitbulls are famous for being eager to please their owners. Although they can be stubborn and willful at times, this makes training them relatively easy. Dachshunds, on the other hand, are famous for their independent streak and can be stubborn as well, hence not easy to train.
Thankfully, a Pitbull mixed with Sausage Dog comes from two parents that are extremely smart. For this reason, this mixed breed can be very easy to train if you begin from an early age. Like other dogs with a stubborn streak, positive reinforcement is required when training the Doxie-Pit.
Use healthy treats and verbal praises to reward a Dachshund Pitbull cross for a job well done. As a rule of thumb, avoid harsh training methods and limit the number of treats you give them.
Exercise Requirements
As mentioned earlier, Doxie Pits have a lot of energy which means they have high exercise needs. This helps burn off the excess energy that they would otherwise use destructively if they got bored.
Doxie Pits have short legs like those of the Dachshund parent which limits how long they should exercise. As such, long walks of at least 90 minutes per day are sufficient to keep this mixed breed healthy and fit.
Dachshund Pitbull mixes are playful and will enjoy chasing your kids in the backyard. If you do not have a backyard, make sure that you take them for walks to the dog park. Also, ensure that you engage them in mind-stimulating tasks such as puzzle toys as well as hide-and-seek.
Due to the high prey drive, Dox-Bulls should be walked on a leash to prevent them from running when they pick up a scent or chase other animals. This, however, will require hours of leash training because these pooches hate being on a leash.
Nutritional Requirements
An ideal Dachshund mix with Pitbull diet should be balanced, as detailed in this academic PDF article on dogs nutritional needs. That means that it must comprise the 6 basic nutrients including water, proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. All these vital nutrients must make up your dog’s regular diet for proper growth and optimal health.
So, how much food should you feed your Dachshund Pitbull mix per day?
PetMD has very clear guidelines on dog feeding. These experts say that your dog suffer from nutritional deficiencies when fed too little food, while too much causes obesity. The nutritional needs of your Dachshund Pitbull mix will, therefore, change slowly from their puppy stage to adulthood, and senior age.
That being said, a Pitbull Dachshund mix should eat 1½ to 2 cups of high-quality kibble split into 2 small meals to prevent overeating.
If you are unsure about the exact amount of food that your Dachshund mix with Pitbull should consume, talk to your vet. They will help you come up with a perfect feeding schedule that is tailored for your Doxie Pit nutritional needs.
Pitbull x Dachshund: Health Issues
Being a hybrid, a Dachshund mix with Pitbull tends to be healthier than its parents because of its big genetic variation. However, this mixed breed is still prone to some health issues that affect their parents.
Serious health issues in Doxie Pits include patellar luxation, hip & elbow dysplasia, back issues, progressive retinal atrophy, and Legg-Calve Perthes disease.
Minor health issues in Dox-Bulls include glaucoma, skin allergies, cataracts, distichiasis, demodicosis, and hypothyroidism.
Always make sure that you take your Doxie Pit for regular vet visits, feed them appropriate diet, and exercise them sufficiently if you want a health furball.
Life Expectancy
A well-fed, healthy, and well-exercised Dachshund mix with Pitbull has a lifespan of between 8 and 12 years.
Proper feeding, adequate exercises, and regular vet visits are crucial to your Doxie Pit’s lifespan.
Pitbull x Sausage Dog: Grooming
Like both parents, most Doxie Pits have a short coat that is wiry, so that their grooming needs are not as demanding.
If a Dachshund mix with Pitbull inherits the Pitbull parent’s coat, they will not shed much. As such, brushing them once a week is enough to keep them looking great and minimizing the among of shedding.
Doxie Pits with droopy ears need more attention since they are more predisposed to ear infections. Therefore, check and clean their ears often to remove dirt and prevent wax accumulation. If you can check your dog’s floppy ears daily, the better.
Make sure that you clip their nails every 3 to 4 weeks to prevent overgrowth and brush their teeth daily or at least 3 days a week for optimal dental health.
Pitbull Dachshund Mix Price
The Dachshund mix with Pitbull is a relatively new and rare hybrid that is rapidly gaining status. There are not many breeders specified to cross this mix, but if you find one, expect to spend $400 to $600 for a well-bred puppy.
Never buy a puppy online or from puppy mills. Instead, purchase a well-bred puppy from an honest and dependable dog breeder. If possible, visit the breeder’s location and demand to see the parents of the mix as well as the breeding environment. That should give you insight on the type of Doxie Pit you are taking home.
Where to Adopt
Adopting a Dachshund mix with Pitbull is always better and cheaper than shopping, especially when you do not know where to find a responsible breeder. As such, start by asking workers from your local shelter whether this mixed breed is available.
You can also check from rescue organizations of the Dachshund and Pitbull parents.
FAQs
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