The Pitbull Dachshund Mix, also called the Doxie-Pit, Doxie-Bull, and Dox-Bull is a hybrid breed that is the result of combining the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Dachsund.
This is a rare mix that is slowly gaining popularity. If you get a Doxie-Pit, you can expect a committed dog that is highly affectionate, intelligent, and up for any fun activity you have in store.
That said, the Pitbull Dachsund Mix is not a dog for the novice owner, and their unique personalities and needs will require an experienced owner ready to put in the time required to raise this hybrid breed.
Highlights
- A hybrid breed, the mix between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Dachshund
- A very high-energy dog
- Highly intelligent and driven
- Can be stubborn and difficult to train
History
The first Pitbull Dachshund mix is said to be a dog called Rami, who was found in a Georgia resident’s backyard. Rami quickly gained fame on the internet and has become an ambassador for therapy dogs.
Since Rami’s discovery, the Pitbull Dachshund mix has gained more popularity, but this is still an incredibly rare hybrid breed.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is not an AKC-recognized breed, but is nearly the same breed as the American Staffordshire Terrier which dates back to England in the 1800s. During this point in history, these Terriers were used in violent and bloody sports like dog fighting and bull baiting. These games became outlawed in the mid-1800s, but many American Pit Bull Terriers still carry the stigma associated with these violent sports. However, today, most American Pit Bull Terriers get to enjoy comfortable and loving homes around the world.
The Dachshund originates from Germany. Artwork from the 15th century contains representations of Dachshund-like dogs, meaning we can plausibly date the breed to around this time. They were bred to have long bodies and short legs, making it easy for them to dig in burrows and hunt animals like badgers and rabbits.
Appearance and Vital Stats
General Appearance
Since both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Dachshund are such distinct-looking breeds, the Doxie-Bull has a unique appearance as well. However, like most hybrid breeds, there can be a lot of variation within Doxie-Bulls.
Most of these dogs will have longer bodies and shorter legs, like a Dachshund. They are also likely to have the large, broad head of a Pitbull.
Dog Breed Group
As a hybrid breed, the Doxie-Pit does not have its own dog breed group. Its parent breeds, on the other hand, do.
The Dachshund is part of the Hound Group. These dogs were bred as highly effective hunting dogs, and have keen senses of smell and hearing.
American Pit Bull Terriers come from the Terrier Group. Dogs in the Terrier Group are bred to be active and feisty. Many of them were bred as hunting dogs or guard dogs, protecting farms, livestock, and families.
Size
The Pitbull Dachshund mix is a medium-sized dog. While there can be some variation within Doxie-Pits as it is a hybrid breed, most of them will weigh somewhere between 20 to 30 pounds. You can expect the Doxie-Pit to stand between 8 to 13 inches tall.
Life Span
The Pitbull Dachshund mix has an average lifespan. As long as you keep your Doxie-Pit healthy, you can expect him to live around 8 to 12 years.
Coat and Colors
The coat type that your Doxie-Pit has will depend on his parents. American Pit Bull Terriers have short coats that shed infrequently and require very minimal maintenance.
Dachshunds, however, may require a little more upkeep. There are 3 different coat types for Dachshunds—smooth-coated, longhaired, and wirehaired. Smooth-coated Dachshunds have shorter fur, while longhaired Dachshunds have longer, silkier fur. Wirehaired Dachsunds, meanwhile, have wiry coats that require specific maintenance.
So, the coat type that your Doxie-Pit has will depend on whether the dog has taken after the Pitbull or the Dachshund. If the dog has taken after the Dachshund, then it will also depend on what coat type the Dachshund parent had.
Doxie-Pits can have coats in a range of different colors, including black, brown, red, cream, wheaten, and a combination of these colors.
Tail
The Pitbull Dachshund Mix is likely to have a long, thick tail carried low. There may be some feathering on the tail from the Dachshund’s side of the dog’s parentage.
Ears
Both the Dachshund and the American Pit Bull Terrier have ears that naturally flop over. The Dachshund’s ears tend to be long, hanging down against the sides of the dog’s face. Pitbulls, on the other hand, have more upright ears that will fold over.
Your Doxie-Pit mix may have either type of ears.
Personality
There is no dog like the Pitbull Dachshund mix, with its incredibly unique personality. Both the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Dachshund have big, distinctive personalities, and the Pitbull Dachshund mix takes after both breeds in this sense.
Doxie-Pits will be incredibly affectionate and loving dogs that want nothing more than to spend time with their humans. They are highly intelligent and active and will want to play games and go exploring.
At the same time, this is an incredibly stubborn breed. This can make training a serious challenge. You will need to use a lot of positive reinforcement, keep training sessions short and fun, and stay patient while you are training your Doxie-Pit. You might also find that your Doxie-Pit can be pretty moody on occasion, but these mood swings tend to be short-lived.
You should also be aware that these dogs don’t enjoy spending time alone. If you are away from home most of the day, then this hybrid breed may not be right for you.
All that said, the Doxie-Pit is an incredibly loving dog that, for an experienced owner, will prove an engaging and rewarding challenge.
Apartment Living
The Pitbull Dachshund mix is an incredibly active dog, which means that your Doxie-Bull will need a lot of space to run around in. That means that a fenced-in yard is a must. These dogs don’t tend to do well in apartments.
If you are thinking about looking for this super rare hybrid breed and you live in an apartment, you should consider another breed or wait until you can afford a home with a large yard.
Children and Other Pets
Doxie-Pits love to play and are naturally very affectionate dogs. They make great family pets for families with older children. Families with younger children should consider another breed, as these high-energy dogs can forget their own strength and could easily knock younger kids over.
As long as you properly socialize and train your Doxie-Pit, he’ll make a wonderful family companion. Remember never to leave your dog unattended with your children, and make sure you teach your children the right way to approach and interact with a dog.
Most Doxie-Pits would prefer to be the only animal in your home, but proper socialization can help him learn to tolerate other animals he might be living with.
Care
Feeding
If you want to keep your Pitbull Dachshund mix happy and healthy, then you should make sure to feed him high-quality dog food that will provide him with all the nutrients he needs.
You should feed your Doxie-Pit 1 ¾ to 2 2/3 cups of quality dry dog food every day. These dogs are not prone to obesity, but you should still keep an eye on their caloric intake and exercise to prevent overeating. It’s best to split your dog’s food into 2 to 3 separate meals each day to help your dog stay full.
Grooming
The type of grooming that your Doxie-Pit requires depends on which parent breed’s coat he’s ended up with. American Pit Bull Terriers require very low-maintenance grooming, and will only need to be brushed once or twice a week. Smooth-coated Dachshunds have similar grooming needs.
Longhaired Dachshunds tend to shed more and will require to be brushed every 2 or 3 days. Wirehaired Dachshunds need to be hand stripped which is best done by a professional groomer.
Your Doxie-Pit may have any of these coat types or a coat type that is somewhere in between the Pitbull and the Dachshund.
Exercise
Both American Pit Bull Terriers and Dachshunds are super high-energy breeds. They require a lot of daily exercise to stay fit, healthy, and to prevent boredom.
Most Doxie-Pits will require around 90 minutes of moderate exercise every day. You can help them meet their exercise needs by going for walks, hikes, and playing fetch in the yard. Signing your dog up for dog sports is another great way to keep your dog fit and healthy.
The Doxie-Pit’s high exercise requirements are part of the reason why these are not good dogs for novice owners. You will need to make sure you can put in the time to keep these dogs healthy and active.
Health
Overall, the Doxie-Pit is a hearty breed, as most mixed breeds are. However, like all dogs, they might be more prone to some conditions than to others.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
This is a health condition that is associated with Dachshunds. Because the Doxie-Pit tends to share the same long back as the Dachshund, they can be prone to this condition as well.
Intervertebral disc disease is the degeneration of the discs that separate the bones in the dog’s spine. If your Doxie-Pit has this condition, he may experience weakness, pain, and difficulty jumping. Depending on the severity of your dog’s condition, it can be managed through medications, physical therapy, or surgery.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition most commonly affects medium to large-sized dogs, like the Doxie Pit. It is caused by the dog’s hip bones not fitting together properly. Instead of gliding into place, the bones will grind together.
The treatment options available for this condition will depend on how severe the dog’s condition is. It can be managed with medications, or surgery might be required.
Cataracts
Dachshunds tend to be prone to cataracts, which means that your Doxie-Pit may experience this condition as well.
Cataracts are a cloudy film in the dog’s eye’s lens. This film prevents light from entering the dog’s eye, impeding his ability to see. Cataracts can be removed by surgery, but many dogs are able to live happy and healthy lives even with cataracts.
Similar Breeds
Dachshund
The Dachshund is one of the Doxie-Pit’s parent breeds. These are incredibly active and intelligent dogs that love to spend time with their humans. Originally bred to seek out and hunt burrowing animals, Dachshunds are consistently high up on the list of popular breeds around the world.
It’s not hard to see why. With their interesting and quirky personalities, unique stature, and endearing appearance, it’s no wonder so many people are interested in this breed.
If you decide to adopt a Dachshund, you’ll get a loving, fun, and active dog.
American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is the other breed that makes up the Pitbull Dachshund mix. This breed is a variation of the American Staffordshire Terrier, a dog originally developed in England. Eventually, these dogs made their way overseas where they gained popularity in America.
While these dogs were originally used in incredibly violent and bloody sports, these sports have long since been outlawed. Many American Pit Bull Terriers still get a bad reputation as violent dogs. However, owners of American Pit Bull Terriers know this reputation to be false. As with any breed, proper training and socialization will teach this breed to be well-mannered, friendly, and loving.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
These super intelligent and driven dogs have long bodies and short legs, similar to the Dachshund. However, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has a different history. Originally bred as sheep and cattle herding dogs in England, this breed is a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II.
When you adopt a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, you can expect an affectionate but still independent dog. These lively dogs will need a lot of daily exercise, but once they’re done, they’ll be happy to snuggle up with you.
