The German Shepherd Pitbull mix is a combination of the German Shepherd and the American Pitbull Terrier. It might seem like a weird combination at first, but once you begin to understand the different traits of both of these dogs and how they have been brought together, you will realize that this mix was actually created for a very specific purpose.

This is a first-generation offspring of the German Shepherd and the Pitbull. Known to many as the Sheppit or the German Pitbull, or even the Shepherd Pit, it is quickly becoming popular as more and more people begin to understand further details regarding the animal and its behavioral patterns. More information about this breed is discussed below.

The Parent Breeds – German Shepherd

Before we talk about what makes this breed so unique, it is important to understand the traits of its parents. The German Shepherd is arguably one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. The present-day Shepherd has been bred from the olden German herding dogs. It is commonly used by the military, as well as the police. The dog is intelligent, strong, and most of all, very alert.

More importantly, the German Shepherd is one of the most loyal dogs that you will find. Once it has been trained and bonds to its owner, it will never move away. The dog is renowned for its fierce loyalty, and there are many cases where the Shepherd has laid down its life just to protect that of its master. If you want an intelligent dog breed that values friendship, this is the one to choose.

The Shepherd has become an iconic dog breed, and it’s incredibly versatile. It can be used for specialist police work, or it can become the perfect family dog as well. It is a medium-sized dog that requires a considerable amount of exercise, and you need to make sure that the dog gets it on a daily basis. It is also one of the breeds that has been mixed quite often with other breeds in the world.

The American Pitbull

The American Pitbull Terrier breed was developed in the United States, thus the name. However, its ancestors were from England and Ireland. The dog is medium-sized and can weigh anywhere between 35 and 90 pounds. It is relatively short in height, reaching just around 24 inches.

Perhaps the most noticeable thing about this dog is that it has an aggressive appearance. Do not let that fool you though because this dog is incredibly kind and well-mannered.

It is a relatively friendly dog breed and does really well with children. That is one of the main reasons why the Pitbull is such a popular pet for families and individuals. The dog exhibits incredible loyalty toward its masters, and is also fiercely protective of its owners.

One of the things that you should know about the Pitbull is that it is commonly mixed with various other breeds, and that is one of the main reasons why you will find so many mixes of the breed throughout the world. Breeders love to experiment and create different breeds with varying traits.

The Appearance of the German Shepherd Pitbull Mix

The appearance of a hybrid breed is often subject to various factors, so you should know that the appearance varies considerably. For starters, every litter looks different, and it primarily depends on the genes adopted by the hybrid from its parents.

However, you should know that the Shepherd Pit usually looks more like a Pitbull as compared to its German ancestor.

The physique is lean and muscular, and the dog is incredibly agile and active. That’s primarily because both of its parents are active and require lots of exercise throughout the day. Many of the dogs also have bent or ears that flop over. The dog is very mild-mannered, though it doesn’t take long to tick it off, especially if it notices its owner is in jeopardy.

Characteristics and Traits

Understanding the characteristics and traits of this breed is a slightly complicated issue. That’s primarily because the dog shares similar traits with both of its parents, and it all depends on the dominant genes.

However, one thing that you should know is that the dog tends to exhibit tenacious and territorial behavior. If it feels that it is being threatened, it is probably going to lunge.

Both the German Shepherd and Pitbull have been accused of biting and exhibiting territorial aggression. To prevent this behavior in your dog, it is important for you to make sure that you train it properly. You must make sure that you socialize the animal from an early age and give it proper training to ensure that it learns how to control such tendencies. If properly trained, the dog won’t harm anybody or anything.

The dog is quite loyal and loves its owners very much. However, you should know that both of its parents are incredibly active animals and are renowned for their work ethic. If you don’t give your dog anything to do during the day or fail to give it proper exercise, it won’t be long before the animal turns destructive. That’s definitely not what you want, because the dog will start chewing on furniture.

Training the Dog

Early training should begin for the animal from the first day that you bring it home. The German Shepherd Pitbull mix is an inquisitive creature, and it’s going to start exploring very quickly. You need to start by potty training the animal, primarily because that is also going to teach the dog a bit about obedience. Once you are able to reinforce such habits, you can work on other things.

It is important that you also teach the dog its name and various other commands. These animals are creatures of habit and like to be trained in a routine.

Therefore, consistency is critical if you want to ensure that the animal grows up obedient. More importantly, you should know that an hour of exercise in a day is of the utmost importance for your dog. If you fail to provide that, your dog will suffer.

The German Shepherd Pitbull does not have a very thick coat as compared to its German parent, so you won’t really have to worry about grooming as much as you would if you had the German Shepherd. So, you can easily let the dog be around the house, and you won’t have to worry much about its care either.

A Fine Crossbreed

To wrap things up, it’s important to say that this dog combines the best of both the German Shepherd and the American Pitbull Terrier. You will have an excellent pet around your house that is not only intelligent, but also loves you and your family dearly.

It also doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, so it’s a great choice for people who simply can’t devote a lot of time throughout the day to their dogs.