Mixing two dog breeds can produce a beautiful combination, with the best of both included in a handsome, good-natured, and intelligent dog. The problem is that the mixed-breed pup can also retain the negative characteristics of each parent, which is the worst-case possibility or be somewhere between the two extremes. The dachshund pit bull cross is one mix that has worked.
The first dachshund pit bull mix wasn’t a deliberate crossbreeding, and no breeders seem to be actively producing litters of what are called doxie pits or dox bulls. However, the mix exists and is becoming popular as an unusual “designer” pet with an endearing appearance and character.
As someone who owns a dachshund and loves pit bulls, I was intrigued to find out what the mix of the two breeds would produce. You’ll be interested in what we found. First, we’ll look at the two breeds, their physical and temperament details, and what makes them special. That will give us a clue of what to expect in a dachshund pit bull mix. Or will it?
The Dachshund Pit Bull Mix – How Does It Work?
To understand how a mixture of two breeds will hopefully turn out, it’s vital to understand the physical attributes and the personality that makes each one popular in its own right.
The Dachshund – Character and Characteristics In The Mix
Dachshunds are very popular family dogs and for good reason. They have the mentality of a much larger dog. They’re brave and courageous, fiercely loyal, and pretty low maintenance in terms of keeping them fit and healthy.
Appearance: Dachshunds are known as sausage dogs for a reason! With short legs carrying an elongated body, these “wiener” dogs were bred to hunt badgers and needed to be small enough to burrow below their dens. They have long, floppy ears and a tapered muzzle.
Size: Dachshunds are bred in two sizes: standard and miniature. They reach eight or nine inches in height and weigh between sixteen and thirty pounds in standard form and less than eleven pounds as miniatures.
Coat: Dachshunds come in three varieties of coat, smooth-haired, wire-haired, and longhaired. There are thirteen recognized coat colors, ranging from various shades of brown to white, gray, and black. Black and tan dachshunds are the most common, but coats may be solid colors, dappled, brindle, or piebald.
Nature: Dachshunds are affectionate, courageous, and highly loyal to their owner. They are excellent watchdogs but have a tendency to bark at shadows and can be quite aggressive, despite their size, to other dogs and strangers. They love burrowing and will create a nest under a blanket to sleep in.
Grooming and care: Generally low-maintenance dogs, the dachshund requires little grooming, except for the longhaired variety, which will need more regular brushing. They do shed a little, but less than most dogs, so a weekly brush is more than enough.
Despite their small stature, dachshunds need regular exercise, as they tend to put on weight as they age. A thirty-minute walk is sufficient to strengthen their back muscles and control their weight.
Health Issues: Because of their shape and extended spine, dachshunds are far more prone to IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) than other breeds and should be prevented from jumping off beds or any raised platform. Other common ailments include epilepsy, heart disease, skin allergies, and Cushing’s disease.
While this sounds quite scary, dachshunds are generally quite hardy. They can live, on average, for twelve to fifteen years and, in many cases, longer than that. The one aspect that needs to be controlled as they age is the dachshund’s tendency to put on weight, as this affects both their back and their heart.
The American Pit Bull – What It Brings To The Mix
Despite their appearance, American pit bull terriers don’t make very good watchdogs – they like people too much! Bred in the US, they are recognized by the American Dog Breeders Association and the United Kennel Club but not by the American Kennel Club, which apparently still associates the breed with illegal dogfighting.
Appearance: Well-muscled, medium-sized terrier with a smooth coat, square-jawed muzzle, and small to medium rose-or half-prick ears. Their eyes are described as round to almond-shaped. The tail is slightly thick at the base and tapered.
Size: There’s not much difference between male and female pit bull, with the female reaching twenty inches and the male one inch higher. The maximum weight of the female is around fifty pounds and the male around sixty to seventy pounds.
Coat: The pit bull’s coat is smooth, and colors range from tan to red, brown, and fawn, and from white to grey to black. The colors may be combined or even brindled.
Nature: Despite the bad publicity they have received because of their past, pit bulls are generally affectionate, friendly, and playful by nature, gentle and eager to please their owner- family. They are very trainable, enjoy discipline, and as a result, make excellent service dogs. Because of their athleticism and strength, they need to be exercised on a daily basis, or they may become bored and badly behaved.
Grooming and care: with their short coats, pit bulls are very easy to groom – a weekly brush is sufficient, and as they shed only moderately, there’s no reason to do it more often. As mentioned, exercise and training are the most crucial aspect of care – Pit bulls love company and will respond positively to being with people throughout the day. Conversely, they don’t enjoy being isolated – try and avoid leaving them on their own for long periods.
Health issues: Very few problems are generically prevalent in pit bulls, but there are a few issues that may arise.
- Hip dysplasia, which affects the function of the hip joint, may occur in older dogs and those who have put on weight.
- Hypothyroidism is not that prevalent but does occur in pit bulls and is signaled by lethargy, loss of hair, and weight gain.
- Dermatitis and other skin complaints are known to trouble pit bulls.
Generally, pit bulls are as tough as they look, and you can expect them to live for between twelve and fifteen years.
Combining The Two Breeds – The Dachshund Pit Bull
Having looked at the characteristics of the two parents in this “designer” mix, it’s time to examine what the product of such a liaison will produce. The following table will give some idea of what we can expect.
Characteristic | Dachshund | American Pit Bull | Dachshund Pit Bull Mix |
| Breed Type | Hunting hound | Terrier | “Designer” mix |
| Size | Small 8-9 inches | Medium/ large 21 inches max | Medium 8-13 inches max |
| Weight | 11lb mini/30 | 50lbs max for female 75lbs max for males | 25-30lbs average females40-50lbs average males |
| Grooming | Moderate(longhaired) | minimal | minimal |
| Temperament | Clever, affectionate, courageous, loyal | Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent,Playful, trainable | Playful, intelligent, sensitive, loyal |
| Trainability | Difficult | Easy | Moderate |
| Sensitivity | Very sensitive | Sensitive | Sensitive |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate – 30 minutes daily | High – 60-90 minutes daily | Moderate -30-60 minutes daily |
| Compatibility with dogs | Moderate | Poor | Poor to moderate |
| Health Maintenance | Susceptible to back and heart issues | Very few genetic problems | Too early to detect, but hybrids are healthier. |
The table gives a snapshot of what one might expect from a dachshund pit bull mix, but let’s look at some of the more important details.
Appearance: Dachshund pit bull mixes are unpredictable in appearance but tend to have the elongated body of the dachshund and the solid square head of the pit bull. The body is also likely to be more muscular than the dachshund parents, and the coloring may be any combination of the two breeds. As we’ve said, these dogs are totally unique!
Size: The dachshund parent is always a standard size rather than a miniature, while the pit bull is a larger dog, so the doxie pit is classed as small to medium. Actual adult size will depend on which of the two parent breeds is dominant in the mix.
Coat: The doxie pit’s coat is likely to be smooth unless the dachshund parent is longhaired, which might result in a slightly longer-haired pup.
Nature: Boisterous, playful, and energetic best describes the doxie pit’s nature. At the same time, they display loyalty, affection, and love to be with their owners at all times. This attractive combination of characteristics makes them marvelous companion dogs, but possibly not for families with very young children.
Health Issues: With only a few years of history behind the dachshund pit bull mix, there is little evidence to suggest any serious health issues. However, while hybrids tend to be healthier than their purebred parents, there is a risk that some weaknesses may be carried through. Some doxie pits have been found to have the same back problems as those experienced by dachshunds, while hip dysplasia and Cushing’s Disease may also be found.
The Short History Of The Dachshund Pit Bull Mix
The first doxie pit, or dox bull, was discovered in Georgia in 2015 and was the result of an unplanned encounter between a dachshund and an American pit bull. The single offspring, a pup that was named Rami, was featured on the internet, and after two million hits, he became famous as a therapy dog in nursing homes and as an ambassador for adoption.
Since then, dachshund pit bull mixes have become increasingly popular. Although not officially recognized as a breed, they are seen more and more in American homes.
There Are No Established Breed Standards For Doxie Pits
Dachshund pit bull mixes can be unpredictable, and no two pups from the same litter will be identical. One may have more pachshund characteristics, while another may favor its pit bull parent, both physically and in temperament. There are some common traits, however, which will help you decide if a doxie pit is the right dog for you.
Reasons For Getting a Dachshund Pit Bull Mix
- Their appearance, with their long bodies, short legs, and pit bull head, is so appealing that many people will take one in preference to either a dachshund or a purebred pit bull.
- A hybrid is usually a healthier specimen than either of its parents, so some of the chronic health issues affecting the parents will not be present in the offspring.
- They’re a good size for a smaller house or an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise. If you don’t want a small dog like a dachshund but don’t have the space for a big dog, this is the ideal compromise – a big dog in a small body.
- Doxie pits have friendly, playful personalities and make excellent companions. They don’t like being left alone but will give loads of affection in return for human company.
Reasons To Think Twice Before Buying A Dachshund Pit Bull Mix
- Doxie pits are intelligent dogs but can be very stubborn, and training them requires a lot of patience. For this reason, they are not the right choice for people buying their first dog, as experience in training dogs is almost a prerequisite to ensure success.
- Finding a well-bred, healthy dachshund pit bull mix is not easy. Firstly, demand has pushed up the price of these “designer” dogs, and several questionable breeders are taking advantage of the situation and selling pups whose parents are unsuitable for breeding.
- Some diseases that affect dachshunds and pit bulls, such as IVDD, and hip dysplasia, are found in dachshund pit bull mix dogs, which is why it’s so important to buy only from reputable breeders.
- Doxie pits may be small, but they’re well-muscled and strong. They’re not aggressive by nature but will possibly be over-boisterous in a home where they are not given rigorous exercise for an hour a day. Walking the dog may be too much for an elderly owner to handle.
Where To Find Your Dachshund Pit Bull Mix
With any hybrid, there is a certain level of uncertainty in predicting how the characteristics of the parents will be reflected in the offspring. Buying from a breeder, therefore, has certain risks attached. We recommend that you look for your new pet from the shelters and adoption agencies in your neighborhood, where they are plentiful.
If you choose to adopt your doxie pit, you’ll not only be rescuing one of these marvelous dogs, but you’ll probably pay less, and you’ll know exactly what you’re buying.
Conclusion
The first dachshund pit bull mix may well have been accidental, but it was a happy accident, as the doxie pit has become a firm favorite in American homes. Still rare and not bred in numbers, they are a cute-looking, good-natured and family-friendly choice if you’re in the market for a dog.
Resources
https://www.dachworld.com/dachshund-pit bull-mix/