In the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of hybrid dog breeds. And while some are somewhat normal, others are a bit on the weird side. The Pitbull Mastiff mix is one of those combinations.
But when you consider the personality traits of both parent breed dogs, you might think, hey, this might actually work.
What you get is a large dog that is a great family companion. This family pet is a bit larger than the Pitbull and might have some guarding instincts as well. Let’s take a look.
Meet The Breed
First, let’s talk about this affectionate companion. Now, before we start, we have to warn you, this canine needs an experienced dog owner.
A cross between an American Pit Bull Terrier and an English mastiff, the Pitbull Mastiff mix was bred to be a companion and protective canine.
This loving dog has retained some of its protectiveness instincts. That can sometimes lead to aggressive behavior towards strangers. Yet, with socialization and training, you can easily eliminate it.
This puppy is sometimes known as Pit Mastiff and American Bandogge. But the latter nickname is wrong because that is a cross between an American Bulldog and a Mastiff. Yes, Pitbull is an umbrella term that includes the American Bulldog, but you should not call this mix a Bandogge.
As a mixed breed, it is not recognized by The American Kennel Club. Yes, it is recognized by the Designer Breed Registry and the International Designer Canine Registry.
Fun fact: a mix between a Mastiff and an American Staffordshire Terrier is called Amstiff.
Meet The Parents
The best way to get to know more about a potential Pitbull Mastiff puppy is to look at its parents. This will help you understand its personality traits.
Mastiff
First, let’s start with the big and some might say the giant breed. That is the Mastiff. Historically, this dog has been bred as a guard dog. Yes, it is a patient and lovable companion, but one with guarding instincts.
This puppy is one of the most loyal dogs in the canine world. At the same time, they have a natural wariness toward strangers. It can be solved with early socialization and training. Here are some common personality traits of the English Mastiff:
- Patient and lovable companion
- Eternally loyal puppies
- Wary of strangers
- Dignified yet good-mannered animal
- Loving and affectionate with his family and children
Pitbull
Now let’s talk about the second parent breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier. This dog has received a lot of bad reputation over the years. And it is all because of its history as a fighting dog. Yes, back in the day, the American Pitbull Terrier was used in dog-fighting sports in England.
And once the bloody sport was banned, people emigrated to the United States and brought their dogs with them. That is where they continued the sport.
Over the years, people recognized the lovable and affectionate nature of the Pitbull. The dog fighting sport was banned, and it stopped. Once it stopped, families could enjoy the lovable companion. Here are some personality traits of American Pit Bull Terrier.
- Lovable and affectionate pet
- Zero guarding instincts
- Friendly with everyone they meet
- No tendency for barking
- A dog that is all smiles and nothing more
Appearance
We said that Mastiff is a large dog, and some might giant dog breeds. On the other hand, you have an American Pitbull terrier that is medium to large size. What do you get when you mix the two together?
The looks of the Pitbull Mastiff mix dog might vary, mainly because there are different combinations possible. There are no standards because the dog is not part of The American Kennel Club registry.
Yet, we can talk about some common appearance features. For example, these puppies usually have a broad skull, droopy ears, and a short muzzle. They look like strong, yet sweet puppies.
The size is between the two parent breeds. They are a bit smaller than their Mastiff dog parent but bigger than the Pitbull.
Generally speaking, a Mastiff Pitbull mix can grow between 25 and 29 inches and weigh between 100 and 140 pounds. Females are a bit smaller and lighter.
Their coat is short and fine, usually in black, brown, red, blue, and white color. Some puppies might have a brindle pattern.
Temperament
Now let’s take a look at the temperament aspect. When you talk about a Pit Bull Mastiff mix, you have to talk a lot about temperament. And that means, talking about the stigma associated with both parents.
This mixed puppy is incredibly sweet, the same as its parents. We said that both dogs suffer from a bad reputation. Truth be told, this mixed breed might be one of the sweetest dogs you will meet.
One bad thing they inherit from their parents is they are strong-willed. Some might say stubborn. But make no mistake, a Pit Bull Mastiff mix is bold, courageous, and purpose-driven. They will take charge if you do not.
You have to establish yourself as a leader to control the temperament of your puppy. When you have a big dog, you have to be careful. People will be scared of your large canine. And if that pet starts pulling, people might panic.
This puppy retains some of its protective nature and instinct. It is no surprise they will make an excellent guard dog.
But with the family, they are known as loyal and affectionate. Now, your mixed breed might not be as good a guardian as the original Mastiff. There is some friendliness to strangers of the Pitbull in there as well.
As for other dogs, they do not get along with canines as much as Pitbulls. One of the parents has some guarding and territorial instincts. This combination makes for an excellent and loyal pet at home, but not as much in the dog park.
As for socialization, it is not the best idea to go to the dog park. With a large dog, you will be the target there of any incidents. Do not put your puppy in a stressful situation.
Training
We said in the beginning that this puppy needs an experienced dog owner. And that is because there are some challenges and behaviors you need to pay attention to. All dogs need appropriate training and socialization, but big dogs even more.
The first thing you have to teach your puppy is to walk on a leash. If they start pulling, you have a problem. This is a big dog that has the strength to pull you. And you definitely do not want that.
Because of their strong will and stubbornness, these canines might not be as easy to train. Positive reinforcement will go a long way, but you might need to include some balanced training as well.
The most important part is to find out what drives your puppy. Find out their instincts and then use them to your advantage. In this case, that is affection. Working with a loyal puppy like a Pitbull or a Mastiff means you have to praise a lot.
Pitbulls are also athletic, so playing some games to burn their energy will help as well.
The most important part is to socialize your giant dog with people early on. Meet different types of people, children, babies, elderly people, females, males, and everything in between. Your goal is to make your dog a bit friendlier around strangers. Working on their guarding and protection instincts is a must.
Exercise Needs
When it comes to the exercise needs of your Pitbull Mastiff dog, it is right in the middle of the two parents. For example, the Pitbull breed is one of the most energetic and athletic dogs in the canine world. On the other hand, the large Mastiff breed needs less exercise. That body cannot take as much exercise.
So, with that in mind, make sure to provide between 30 and 45 minutes of physical exercise for your puppy. Some mental stimulation will help as well.
Health
The biggest reason for the rise of the popularity of designer breeds is health. Crossbreeding two purebred canines eliminates many health risks and issues.
And in this case, that large Mastiff dog has some risks and issues. Most of them are eliminated, and for the ones that are still there, the percentage is considerably lower.
That being said, your Pitbull Mastiff mix is prone to bloating, eye disease, skin disease, hip dysplasia, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and hypothyroidism.
Grooming
The coat of this puppy is short and fine. That means moderate shedding. Brushing your new puppy once every week will be more than enough.
Do They Bark A Lot?
When you have a dog with guarding instincts, the first thing you want to know is whether they bark a lot or not.
Well, that is not the case here. Your Mastiff Pitbull mix might have an intimidating size and appearance. But that is a gentle giant who doesn’t bark a lot.
Why Shouldn’t You Get One?
- Because of their large size, these puppies need a big house
- They are prone to separation anxiety because of the neediness of the Pitbull
- They might not work in a household with other dogs or other animals
Why Should You Get One?
- A gentle, affectionate, and loyal family member
- They need a moderate amount of grooming
- A guarding dog that doesn’t bark
