Doberman Pit Bull Dog Breed

The Doberman-Pit Bull, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about the exact origin of these hybrids--and while Dobie-Pit Bull mixes may have existed for a long time, this specific crossbreeding probably became popular during the "designer dog explosion" in North America in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In any case, these strong, protective hybrids will make fantastic guard dogs, or will be protective pets for families willing to provide the dog with proper training and socialization.

A few facts about the Doberman-Pit Bull mix: they're large-sized, averaging 22 inches at the shoulders in height and 70 pounds in weight; they have short, smooth coats that shed pretty regularly; and because of their high energy levels, they'll need a lot of exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a PitBull mix with Doberman:

The Doberman-PitBull mix is the offspring of two breeds that are both prized by owners and feared by many--facts that will make this hybrid tricky to own. Both the Dobie and the Pit Bull are known to be affectionate and fun-loving with their owners, but they're also infamous for being dominant if not properly trained, and they can be overprotective to the point of possible danger. This mean that these hybrids must receive a great deal of training and socialization by confident, firm trainers who will establish themselves as unquestioned leaders.

That said, a properly trained PitBull-Doberman mix will make an excellent addition to families. They're also intelligent, and will need plenty of mental stimulation to keep them from getting bored (which can lead to destructiveness). They can get along great with kids and other pets, especially if they're raised together--and of course, their watch- and guard dog abilities will be phenomenal. The Pit Bull-Doberman--even a thoroughly trained one--will, however, need close supervision around strangers, as the dog may see them as threats. Some apartment complexes and neighborhood associations have rules against owning breeds like these, so potential owners will need to check to make sure Pit-Doberman ownership is even allowed where they live.

The Doberman and PitBull mix will also be very strong and energetic, and will need a lot of exercise on a daily basis.

The Doberman-Pit Bull mix will be powerful, muscular, and athletic. Depending on inherited traits, the dog will be either streamlined or muscular--or a fearsome combination of both.

The head will be moderately square, and the muzzle will usually be medium in length. Some Pit Bulls have "blue" noses (with "blue" actually being a grayish tint), so a Blue-Nose PitBull-Doberman mix is possible, but rare. The chest will be deep and broad, the body muscular, and the legs medium-long.

Ear cropping and tail docking is common among both parent breeds, so some Doberman-Pit Bull owners will have their dogs' ears and/or tails surgically altered. Otherwise, this hybrid has ears and a tail of medium length.

Coat length and texture is consistently short and smooth.

The Doberman-Pit Bull, because of hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Still, these hybrids may suffer ailments common to both parents including hypothyroidism, bloat, and various heart issues. Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or the owners can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for these hybrids is 11-14 years.