German Sheppit

The German Sheppit is a first-generation hybrid between a German Shepherd and a Pit Bull. German Shepherds are big herding dogs that excel at many different tasks, including police work, search and rescue, and home protection. The Pit Bull, by contrast, is a group of several different breeds, including the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, all united by a muscular, short-haired appearance.

As a result of this breeding, the German Sheppit can have a wide variety of different appearances and temperaments. This dog is more likely to look like a Pit Bull than its German Shepherd parent, including a large head, a shorter muzzle, and folded ears. The coat will be a mix between two or more of the following colors: black, white, tan, fawn, and grey, as well as brindle. Temperamentally, the German Sheppit is likely to be loyal and protective, but it may mix different characteristics in unusual and unexpected ways.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a German Sheppit

Size and Weight

Depending on the size of its Pit Bull parents, the German Sheppit can be a medium or large dog. It also tends to have a very muscular frame. German Sheppits are usually 17 to 26 inches high, and weigh between 30 and 90 pounds.

Common Health Issues

The German Sheppit will almost certainly inherit some health problems from both of its parent breeds. This may include allergies, skin problems, heart disease, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, bladder stones, cancer, bloating, patellar luxation (essentially, a chronically loose kneecap), or hypothyroidism (the signs of which are lethargy and weight gain). Another potential problem you should look out for is a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand’s disease, caused by low levels of the clotting protein.

A good breeder will try to reduce or eliminate the risks of many conditions, but there is always the chance that some problem will arise. That is why you should schedule regular checkups at the vet for tests and an examination. If everything goes well with its health, then the German Sheppit should have an average lifespan of around 10 to 12 years.

German Sheppit Temperament

The Pit Bull (and to a lesser extent, the German Shepherd) has a poor reputation as an aggressive and dangerous breed, but this is somewhat unfair. As long as it’s well-trained and properly socialized as a puppy, your dog should have very few behavior problems and exhibit no aggression toward people. In fact, these dogs have many positive qualities. With their hard-working, fiercely loyal, intelligent, and people-oriented personality, they can make excellent police dogs, guard dogs, or watchdogs. But in order to remain happy and content, this dog will require plenty of attention and care from its owner. If ignored or left alone, then it may resort to destructive behavior and other unwanted traits.

How to Take Care of the German Sheppit

The German Sheppit is by no means an easy hybrid dog to care for. Its exercise, diet, and social needs are quite high. Since it will demand so much of its owner’s time and attention, this is probably not a good choice for novice or first-time dog owners. If you have any other questions or concerns about how to raise your dog, then you should consult a trainer working with power breeds or the local vet.

The Best Dog Food for German Sheppits

A full-grown German Sheppit probably needs around 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food, designed for active dogs, every day. If your dog suffers from bloating (a very serious condition that can cause the stomach to expand rapidly), then it’s not a good idea to leave out all of the food at once. Instead, you should divide up its daily diet into several meals per day and stick to a regular schedule that the dog will anticipate and understand.

This breed can suffer from heart disease, so stay up-to-date on the connection between legumes in dog food and heart failure in dogs. Try to prioritize finding a legume-free dog food. Also, German Sheppits can have a propensity for allergies, which makes allergy-care dog food a good idea.

Maintenance and Grooming

Despite its short hair, the German Sheppit is actually quite a heavy shedder, and you may need to buy a special vacuum just to clean it up. This dog will probably need to be groomed at least three times a week with a hard-bristle brush. Since the dog’s natural oils should serve to keep the coat clean, you will only need to bathe your dog about once a month or whenever it becomes particularly dirty. Use a mild shampoo to prevent skin irritation. Proper dental hygiene can be maintained by brushing the teeth at least three times a week to prevent bad breath and disease. Check the ears and clean them out with cotton at least once a week to prevent obstructions and infections. Finally, you should trim the nails before they become long and unwieldy.

Training

The German Sheppit should undergo rigorous obedience training and socialization so it will learn how to properly interact with people and other dogs. It does tend to take charge and boss everyone around, so owners will need to demonstrate that they’re the leader. Positive reinforcement methods and rewards work best for this type of dog, but you should also not let it get away with disobedient behavior. If you are struggling to train it, then you might want to contact a professional trainer in your area.

Exercise

The German Sheppit is a very energetic dog that needs around 60 to 90 minutes of exercise per day, preferably in the form of long walks, runs, hiking, and free-roaming in a park or yard. It also needs additional activity time, like toys, ball games, or simple tasks throughout the day. Without enough exercise, this dog may become anxious and destructive.

Puppies

In order to become a well-behaved full-grown adult, German Sheppit puppies need to begin obedience training, house training, and proper socialization within the first few months of life. Many owners of the German Sheppit may want to add crate training as well. Not only does it provide puppies with a safe space, but it also assists with house training; the dog will not want to release its bladder or bowels as long as it remains in the crate. But owners should try to treat the crate like a second home and not a cage or prison.

German Sheppits and Children

Despite their reputation for aggressive behavior, a properly socialized German Sheppit should be very kind and protective around children. But just as your dog needs to understand how to socialize with children, it is important to teach smaller kids in particular how to behave around a larger dog. The German Sheppit needs to be treated as a proper member of the family with a mind of its own and not just a toy or plaything.

Dogs Similar to the German Sheppit

Besides its two parent breeds, the German Shepherd and Pit Bull, the German Sheppit may resemble the following dogs in both physical appearance and temperament:

• Boxer: The Boxer is a big, strong, intelligent working dog with a remarkable work ethic and drive. Physically, it has a square body, short hair, a small stub for a tail, very pointed and erect ears, a broad muzzle, big eyes, and a wrinkled forehead.
• Bullmastiff: As a cross between a Bulldog and a Mastiff, this is another big, muscular, and intelligent working dog that was originally bred to keep away poachers from gamekeepers’ land. Today, it still makes an excellent watchdog and guard.
• American Bulldog: A descendant of the English Bulldog, this breed combines strength, agility, and endurance into a friendly package. Black, white, red, brown, tan, and brindle are all accepted coat colors.