The Doberman Pitbull mix is a curious breed of two animals that share similar physical features, and are bred by crossing a Doberman Pinscher with an American Pitbull Terrier to create the “Doberman Pit”. Unfortunately for the Doberman Pit, they have an unearned reputation for aggression, given their Pitbull parent breed. However, despite this reputation, they can be loving, loyal companions who are incredibly intelligent and playful.
Photo credit: novathedobermanpit
Doberman Pitbull Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 35–80 pounds |
| Height: | 22–28 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Coat colours: | Black & brown, black & white, black & red. |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, playful, loyal, loving. |
| Suitable for: | Families, couples without children. |
What Does a Doberman Pitbull Mix Look Like?
The Doberman Pitbull mix borrows a healthy amount of its looks from both of its parent genes. They will likely have a long and slender body, with floppy ears and a wedge-shaped head like a Pitbull. Though they may also inherit the genes of the Doberman, which will leave them with almond-shaped eyes and pointy ears!
Photo: @ms.barksalot
The History of the Doberman Pitbull Mix
Because the “Doberman Pit” is a relatively new mixed breed of dog, there is little available history of when the crossbreeding began, where and by whom. However, we do have plenty of available history of their parent breeds, so we’re going to dive into that instead – to give you a better idea of where the breed comes from.
Doberman History
The Doberman is German in origin and was created by a man named Louis Dobermann in the late 19th century. Dobermann was a tax collector in Germany during that time and wanted a fierce companion to accompany him on his collection rounds, as the job was often considered dangerous. Thus, he created the Doberman Pinscher – it is thought that Dobermann crossed several breeds to obtain the desired dog. These breeds included the Rottweiler, the German Pinscher, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Manchester Terrier and an English Greyhound.
How Popular Are Dobermans?
The Doberman Pinscher is quite a popular dog in the United States, mostly owing to its history as a guard dog and now occupies a firm place as a companion pet in many American homes. In fact, the Doberman Pinscher was the 16th most-popular dog in 2021, according to the American Kennel Club’s rankings.
Who Are Dobermans a Good Dog For?
Doberman Pinschers tend to be quick, excitable, energetic, strong and protective dogs. Thus, they’re great family pets and for those single individuals or couples who lead active lifestyles. Though perhaps they aren’t best-suited for the elderly.
How Did Dobermans Come About?
The Doberman Pinscher was created by German taxman, Louis Dobermann, who needed a protective dog while performing his job of tax collecting in Germany in the 19th century.
When Did First Cross-Breed Dobermans?
The history of crossbreeding of the Doberman is spotty, but we do know that today they are popularly crossed with a Great Dane, German Shepherd, Border Collie, the Beagle and more! This crossbreeding of dogs gained popularity in the United States in the 1960s and has recently accelerated over the last 15 or 20 years.
Pitbull History
The Pitbull has an unfortunate history of being bred for bloodsport Pitbulls were originally as “bull bait” and share an ancestry with the Old English Bulldog. The Pitbull was bred as a fighting dog in England, but later became a hunting companion for English gentry. Unfortunately, given their history, they have reputations for aggression that has lead to them being banned in many countries and some US states.
How Popular Are Pitbulls?
Given their history, unfortunately, the American Kennel Club has yet to formally recognize the Pitbull as a breed. However, other statistics seem to indicate that Pitbulls make up roughly 20% of America’s ‘strong breed’ household dogs.
Who Are Pitbulls A Good Dog For?
Pitbulls are a fantastic option for anyone seeking a medium to sized dog, and someone who has the muscle to control the power that’s harnessed within the Pittie’s strong frame. While Pitbulls do have a reputation for aggression, this is mostly unfounded and their temperament is all down to training and their environment. Pitbulls can be among the most loving and loyal dogs you’re likely to find.
How Did Pitbulls Come About?
The Pitbull was originally bred from Old English Bulldogs and various Terriers in the British Isles in the 19th century. Bred for bloodsport and dog fighting, they have become something of a persona-non-grata in the canine world.
When Did First Cross-Breed Pitbulls?
Given that Pitbulls currently enjoy a murky legal status in many countries, finding reputable history on when they were crossbred is challenging. However, there are many popular crosses with the Pitbull, such as the Pitahuahua, the Pitador and the Dox Bull (Dachshund/Pitbull).
What is the Temperament of the Doberman Pitbull Mix?
The temperament of the Doberman Pitbull mix is, well, a little mixed. They have a tough, intimidating exterior and a strong prey instinct. Doberman Pitbull Mixed are incredibly protective and loyal dogs, and relatively standoffish with strangers. They be strong-willed, stubborn dogs, but can be trained to be a little less-so with time and effort.
Are Doberman Pitbull Mixes Friendly?
Yes, in general, the Doberman Pitbull mix is a very friendly dog underneath a hard, hearty exterior.
Are Doberman Pitbull Mixes Easy to Train?
They can be stubborn at times, as they’re fiercely independent dogs, but expect them to warm up to training over time.
How Much Can Doberman Pitbull Mixes Weigh?
Most Doberman Pitbull mix owners claim that their dogs weigh somewhere between 35 and 80 pounds.
How Tall Can Doberman Pitbull Mixes Get?
Most Doberman Pitbull mixes will reach roughly 22-28 inches in height after around 12 months of growth.
Similar Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds that are stand-out likenesses to the Doberman Pitbull. These include the Australian Kelpie, Beauceron, Manchester Terrier, and the Black and Tan Coonhound.
Does a Doberman Pitbull Mix Shed?
You can expect your Doberman Pitbull mix to be a light shedder, as both parent breeds have short coats. Semi-regular brushing (say, once a fortnight) is still a good idea, but this is a fairly low-maintenance dog!
How Much Exercise Does a Doberman Pitbull Mix Need?
For those who love to get outdoors and exercise, whether you’re running, walking or hiking, the Doberman Pitbull is a fantastic companion. It loves nothing more than to go for a walk or a long hike with you. So, if you’re going to adopt/purchase a Doberman Pitbull mix, ensure you can take it for at least 45 minutes’ worth of exercise each day.
How Long Does a Doberman Pitbull Mix Live?
The lifespan of the Doberman is between 10-13 years, while the Pitbull is between 8-15 years.
Therefore we can assume the life expectancy of the Doberman Pitbull Mix is anywhere between 12-14 years.
Like with any dog, there are a number of factors that will determine the number of years your specific Doberman Pitbull mix lives like diet and exercise.
What Health Conditions Could the Doberman Pitbull Mix Have?
How Can You Find a Doberman Pitbull Mix For Sale?
While we strongly advise that you check adoption options before proceeding to look for puppies for sale. This means visiting your local vets or animal shelter to see if anyone has dropped off a Doberman Pitbull pup!
Another alternative is to look the breed up on https://www.petfinder.com/, to see if there any locals looking for suitors for their pups.
How Much Does a Doberman Pitbull Mix Cost?
A Doberman/Pitbull mix puppy will cost anywhere in the region of $500 to $1500 USD, depending on the breeder and location.
If you’re looking for information on reputable breeders, the American Kennel Club has compiled a great article on this very subject.
Is the Doberman Pitbull Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’re looking for an active dog that has some serious protection vibes and can double as a guard dog, whilst having a heart of gold and a gentle demeanour, despite its intimidating appearance, then look no further than the Doberman Pitbull mix.