German Shepherd Pit Bull Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

18-40 kg

Height

45-60 cm

Lifespan

10-12 years

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About the German Shepherd Pit Bull

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Are you an experienced dog owner who loves a challenge? These hybrid dogs could be just what you are looking for! If you have the time to train the affectionate breed, you will be rewarded with a lifetime full of love and complete devotion from your canine companion.

Want to know more about German Shepherd Pitbulls? We have everything you could ever possibly need to know in our comprehensive guide below.

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What is the history & origin of the German Longhaired Pointer?

The German Shepherd dog breed was first deliberately bred by designer breeders in the 1990s as a mix of both the German Shepherd and Pitbull, unsurprisingly! However, likely, they were also bred long before this.

The idea of breeding these two dogs was to create a brave and fearless guard dog coupled with a loving canine companion.

Today, sadly, many of these dogs now end up in animal shelters, with their fearsome reputation having a lot to do with it and through no fault of the dogs themselves.

But, as we shall see, the mixed breed is a loving, goofy, fun and highly intelligent ball of playfulness that can make the ideal pet for many people.

What is a German Longhaired Pointer breed?

The Pitbull German Shepherd mix is fun-loving, beautiful to look at and extremely agile. With the right owner, they can be tremendously affectionate and keen to please.

There is a lot of misunderstanding around the breed, largely due to both the parent breeds also being viewed as aggressive and fearsome. This aggression is usually only present when the dog has been neglected, abused or hasn’t been socialised properly.

The mixed breed is known by a lot of different names, including the German Pit, the German Sheppit and the German Shepherd Pitbull, of course.

Who is a German Longhaired Pointer best for?

German Pits are full of energy and therefore need an owner with both the time and space to give them the physical exercise they require. They will need at least a brisk hour and a half walk each day and a large fenced outdoor area where they can play and roam around – and hopefully not dig too many holes, something which they love doing!

Due to their size, they are not suitable for apartment dwellings.

It isn’t just physical exercise these boisterous puppers require; with high intelligence also comes the risk of boredom, and these guys aren’t the best behaved when they have too much time on their hands!

They can soon begin to display destructive tendencies, including barking, urinating in the home, and ripping off any soft furnishings they can get their crafty paws on. Therefore, it’s important to have lots of toys and games to play with the dog, and again, the time to devote to interacting with them.

Similarly, if they are left on their own for too long, the same destructive behaviours manifest, so a potential owner will need to be at home for large sections of the day.

It takes an experienced owner to get the best out of these wonderful dogs, so if you are new to owning dogs, this breed isn’t the starting dog for you.

German Longhaired Pointer Grooming & Shedding

These dogs are a brilliant option if you aren’t keen on the thought of owning a dog with a high-maintenance coat.

The German Shepherd Pitbull mix has a medium-length coat, and it doesn’t shed too much, so a brush once or twice a week should be more than enough to keep its coat looking its very best.

The breed does tend to have sensitive skin, so baths are only recommended once a month. Any more, and their skin can become dry due to the removal of the natural oils that build up. And always opt for shampoos for sensitive skin, which your vet will be able to recommend.

Those gorgeous floppy ears will need to be checked over weekly, too. This is because folded ears are much more likely to develop nasty ear infections, which can be very painful for a dog.

Do German Longhaired Pointers bark a lot?

As protective dogs, German Shepherd Pitbull mixes can be prone to barking when they are wary of someone or something. Early training and puppy classes are the best options to reduce the noise levels in your home!

Any behaviour change should be closely monitored by your vet, so if there is no clear cause why the breed is barking, seek medical attention as it is sometimes indicative of ill health.

What is the average weight & height of a German Longhaired Pointer?

While each dog is different, many Shepherd Pits can weigh as much as 40 kgs and stand as tall as 60 cm.

Are German Longhaired Pointers easy to train?

It’s vital that the Pitbull German Shepherd mix receives proper training. They can be dominant and extremely stubborn when they want to be and attempt to manoeuvre themselves as the hairy ruler of their kingdom and subjects, aka your home and family!

Successful training can get rid of this behaviour, thanks in part to the high intelligence of the breed, who are quick to learn and often terribly keen to please – but it takes time. Positive reinforcement makes them happy, so lots of playtime, treats (within reason, of course!), and praise can go miles in helping your pup become a well-mannered adult.

If you are adopting an adult, don’t worry; this breed is easy to train when they are a bit older too. Yes, it’s true; you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

How do German Longhaired Pointers behave? A look at their temperament and personality

These dogs can adopt the characteristics of either one of their parent dog breeds. While Shepherds are known to be protective, highly intelligent and loyal, Pitbulls are affectionate and doting dogs.

What’s most common, though, is that the breed displays a good mixture of each of these traits.

When the dogs are raised well, live in a happy home, get all the exercise they need and have lots and lots to do, they thrive and are intensely affectionate when it comes to their family.

They do have a domineering side when it comes to other dogs, as they do very much want to be the leader of the pack! This tendency to domineer can be stripped back with training and early socialisation with other dogs.

Does the German Longhaired Pointer have any common health issues?

The mixed breed is largely more healthy than its parent breeds; however, it’s a good idea to know what these potential predispositions are.

Some common health concerns include hip dysplasia and bloat, which come from the German Shepherd side and Demodex or skin irritations, conditions inherited from the Pitbull.

What is the lifespan of a German Longhaired Pointer?

In the right environment and in good health, a German Shepherd Pitbull mix can live to between 10 to 12 years of age.

How much does a German Longhaired Pointer need to be fed?

Large dog breeds such as the GSD Pitbull mix need a high daily intake of calories to keep them in tip-top condition – some males will require as much as a whopping 2700 calories each day!

While your vet will be able to tell you everything you need to know about feeding your particular dog, based on size, age and activity level, it’s generally recommended that they are given 4 cups of high-quality kibble/dry food. However, this is just a rough guide – each dog is different.

How much can you expect to pay for a German Longhaired Pointer in Australia?

The price of this breed can vary wildly, anywhere between $500 and $2000. If you want to purchase a German Sheppit puppy, ensure you look out for a reputable breeder.

However, the German Shepherd Pitbull mix is commonly found in animal shelters across the country due to the bad rep that is so often – and unfairly – attached to them. Please consider adopting this beautiful breed over shopping.

What could be more fulfilling than giving a wonderful dog a second chance at life?

German Longhaired Pointer FAQs

Are German Shepherd Pit Bulls hypoallergenic?

The breed is not a good fit for anyone with dander allergies. This is because their coat can shed and, when coupled with an allergy sufferer, depending on the severity, can be extremely troublesome for the human!

Do German Shepherd Pit Bulls like to swim?

It depends on who the particular dog takes after more, the Pitbull lineage or their German Shepherd lineage. Pitbulls aren’t known to be great swimmers, while German Shepherds are. However, it is absolutely possible to get any dog swimming happily with the correct training.

Are German Shepherd Pit Bulls ideal for first-time dog owners?

The Shepherd Pit mix takes a lot of dedication to train properly. This needs to be both constant and consistent over a period of months, particularly with a puppy, and the owner needs to be experienced enough to do this properly. Otherwise, it can cause problems further down the line with dominance issues and destructive behaviour.