Pitbull mixes are gaining popularity, along with other designer dog breeds. If you are looking for a sweet, spirited, and high-energy canine companion, the Pointer Pitbull mix might be the dog for you.
History and Where the Pointer Pitbull Mix comes from
The Pointer Pitbull mix is a designer dog breed. This means two pure-bred dogs of different breeds are bred to create a new breed. This may seem like a new idea, but it’s how many of today’s pure breeds were created. The Pitbull is a great example. English Bulldogs and Terriers were bred to create the Pitbull.
Like most designer breeds, no one knows when and how they were first bred. It’s thought to have occurred recently, and likely in the U.S.
However, there’s no information on exactly when they were bred or who created them. The Pitbull and the Pointer, however, have rich histories that can help you further understand the Pointer Pitbull mix.
Pointer History
There are two potential histories of the Pointer. One states that the Pointer was first noted in 1650. They originally worked alongside Greyhounds. The Pointer would point out hares, and the greyhound would then catch them.
The other commonly held belief is that they began in Spain, as the Spanish Pointer. In the 1800s, they were brought to England. Breeders in England bred them with other dogs to strengthen their hunting abilities.
There are also some historians who believe the first Pointers came from Italy or Portugal.
Sources state that early Pointers were bred with hounds, Pitbulls or Bull Terriers, and Bulldogs. They had a heavier build than modern Pointers. The improvements in guns led to a need for Pointers to be more agile and fast. Greyhounds were added to the gene pool, and today’s streamlined Pointer was born.
The Pointer is still used for hunting today. Their job is to point to birds or other game.
Pitbull History
Pitbulls have a controversial and sometimes sad history. The story begins in England, when English Bulldogs were used for bull baiting. This violent practice involved the Bulldog bringing down the Bull.
It was outlawed in England in 1835. Lovers of the blood sport took their activities underground. They began ratting. Rats would be placed in a pit, along with dogs. Dog fighting also became popular during this time.
The Bulldog was bred with Terriers. This created a smaller more agile dog that was better able to catch rats. These factors also made them popular for dog fighting. The name Pitbull comes from the practice of fighting in pits, and their bulldog lineage.
Eventually, Pitbulls found their way into the hearts and homes of dog lovers. Unfortunately, dog fighting still continues underground today.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Facts
There are two types of Pointer that can be bred with the Pitbull. The first is the English Pointer. The English Pointer is an excellent family companion. They are good hunting dogs, but do best when tracking birds.
The other is the German Shorthaired Pointer. They are better at all around hunting than the English Pointer, but they are also more intense. They have more energy, and require more training.
There are also several breeds that are known as Pitbulls. These include the Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, and the American Pitbull Terrier. Generally, Pitbull means American Pitbull Terrier, so that’s the one we will focus on today.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Appearance
The appearance of any mixed breed can be difficult to fully predict. They will naturally have some physical traits from both parents, but one will be more apparent than the other.
Some puppies will look more like their Pitbull parent, while others will closely resemble their Pointer parent.
The English Pointer is a bit bigger than the German, so puppies with an English parent will likely be a bit larger as well.
You can expect a Pointer Pit to be a medium sized dog. They will have a muscular build, but may inherit some of the sleek lines common to Pointers as well. Pointer Pits will have floppy ears, and a short coat.
Coat Colors
A Pointer Pit can inherit a wide variety of coat colors and markings from their parents.
The coat can be brown, white, red, black, or brindle. They may also have a liver, lemon, black, or orange coat, with white markings.
German Pointer Pits typically have black or liver markings or ticks, which are small spots of color. English Pointer Pits are more likely to have solid markings.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Price and Expenses
Dog ownership is expensive, so it’s important to be financially prepared before getting a new four-legged family member.
A Pointer Pit can cost between $800-$2,000. The price will depend on your location, the breeder, the bloodline, and the age of the pooch.
If the Pointer is registered, or if either parent has a prestigious bloodline, you can expect to pay higher than average prices for puppies.
You can adopt a Pointer Pit for $100-$500.
In addition to buying the dog, there are other expenses to consider as well. The costs of owning a dog ranges from $1,500-$4,000 a year.
The first year is the most expensive. Your pooch will need initial veterinary care and supplies. The average cost of first year dog ownership is $1,400-$2,500, although it can be much higher.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Rarity
The Pointer Pitbull mix is rare, for a few reasons. First, it’s a new breed. There aren’t many breeders who are breeding them yet, because it’s new. Remember, you can’t just wake up one day and decide you are going to begin breeding Pitbulls and Pointers.
Even established breeders must find dogs to breed, because it’s unlikely they have both Pitbulls and Pointers on hand. Then there’s health screenings, and the breeding process itself.
The other reason they are rare is because the Pointer is a relatively rare breed. These beautiful, graceful animals just aren’t around in high numbers. This makes crosses of the breed rare as well.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Life Expectancy
This breed has a big variation in life expectancy. They can live anywhere from 8-16 years.
This is affected by the type of Pointer. A German Pointer has a lifespan of 10-12 years, while the English Pointer can live for 12-17 years.
Pitbulls have a life expectancy of 10-12 years. So, a Pitbull bred with an English Pointer can be expected to have a higher life expectancy than one bred with a German Pointer.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Size and weight
The size and weight of a Pointer Pit is difficult to predict. It depends on which genes they inherit. Pointers reach 23-28 inches in height, and weigh 45-75 pounds.
Pitbulls are smaller. Their height is 17-22 inches. They weigh 30-60 pounds.
A dog who takes after the Pitbull parent will be significantly smaller than one who takes after the Pointer parent.
A Pointer Pit can reach 17-28 inches tall. They weigh between 30-75 pounds. They can be either medium, or large-sized dogs. Before getting one, you’ll need to be prepared to accommodate their adult size.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Health
Mixed dogs are usually healthy. Some conditions that are genetic must be passed on by both parents. These diseases are unlikely to develop in mixed breeds. However, some diseases can develop when passed on by one parent.
Pointer Pits are generally healthy. However, like all dogs, they can develop health issues.
Hip Dysplasia
Pointers and Pitbulls are prone to hip dysplasia. The condition causes the ligaments around the hips to be too loose. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility.
Cataracts
Cataracts is another condition that can occur in Pointer Pits. It causes clouds to form on the lens of the eyes, which impairs their vision. It is an inherited condition.
Allergies
Both Pointers and Pitbulls are prone to allergies, particularly skin allergies. This can lead to itching, hair loss, rash, and skin infection.
Food allergies, environmental allergies, and contact allergies can all cause skin allergies, known as atopic dermatitis.
Heart Disease
Pitbulls are prone to heart disease. It can be detected with a veterinary exam.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects metabolism. The thyroid is responsible for managing the body’s metabolism. When it is underactive, it can cause weight gain, shedding, and lethargy.
Bloat
Bloat can occur in any dog, but its more common in larger breeds. It causes gas in the stomach to not be released. As food digests, the gas and pressure continue to build.
If not treated quickly, this can cause the stomach to twist, which is often fatal.
Signs of bloat include severe pain, stomach bloating, and inability to poop, pee, or pass gas.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Behavior/Characteristics/Temperament
The Pointer Pitbull mix is a wonderful companion. They are friendly and loyal. They are spirited, and can be very playful. They require plenty of activity and exercise.
They may not do well if left alone for long periods. This is a Pitbull trait. The friendly and accommodating nature of the Pointer can contribute to this as well.
Are Pointer Pits Aggressive?
Pitbulls have a reputation for aggression, which may make you wonder if Pointer Pits are aggressive.
One way of measuring aggression is the American Temperament Test. This test measures several aspects of temperament, including aggression, stability, and friendliness.
The test is performed on individual dogs, but the results are compiled into statistics that give an idea of the temperament of the breed.
Pitbulls actually perform very well on this test. In fact, 86% of Pitbulls pass the test. German Shepards are considered a nonaggressive breed, but only 85% of them pass the test.
Bite statistics can also give a clue to their temperament. Chihuahuas are the most likely breed to bite. The Pitbull is 4th, and German Shepards are 5th.
Of course, this doesn’t take into account why they bite. The statistics do not differentiate between provoked and non provokede bites.
The biggest concern with Pitbulls is that an attack can be fatal. In fact, 75% of dog fatalities are caused by Pitbulls. Pitbull attacks without provocation are very rare, but they are often deadly when they do occur.
Pitbulls actually aren’t more aggressive than most breeds. In fact, the temperament test shows that they are typically very well behaved.
Pointers and Pitbulls are very affectionate and friendly. Pitbulls can be aggressive towards other dogs, if they aren’t properly socialized.
Pointer Pitbulls share the loving affectinate temperament of their parents.
Personality
Each dog has its own personality. It can be easier to predict personality in pure breeds, but mixed breeds are a bit harder to figure out. After all, even purebreed dogs of the same litter will have their differences.
This is part of what makes dog ownership wonderful. You’ll get to know your pooch, and their unique personality.
How to care for a Pointer Pitbull Mix
Caring for a Pointer Pit can be a very reawrding expereince, but it’s a lot of work. They do require good care to be at their best, and have a long, healthy life.
How much exercise do Pointer Pitbull Mixes need?
Pointer Pitbull mixes are high energy dogs. Both the Pointer and the Pitbull are energetic breeds, and the Pointer Pit is as well.
They need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and preferably 60 minutes each day.
In addition, they require plenty of mental stimulation. Puzzle toys and teaching them new commands or tricks are great ways to provide them with mental exercise.
You can also set up an obstacle course for them. This can provide them with both mental and physical stimulation.
Do Pointer Pitbull Mixes shed a lot?
Pointer Pits are considered moderate shedders. They shed all year round, but they don’t shed large amounts of hair.
Do you need to groom Pointer Pitbull mixes often?
Pointer Pitbulls are easy to groom. Their short coats should be brushed at least once a week. They need their nails clipped once every few weeks to prevent them from getting too long.
Their teeth should be cleaned daily. An easy way to do this is to feed them dental chews. Daily brushing is also a good idea.
Their ears should be cleaned at least once a week. Because their ears are floppy, dirt and debris can get stuck inside the ear. If not cleaned, this can lead to infection.
If you notice a yeasty or musty odor, dirt in your dog’s ears, discharge, or your dog scratching their ears, they need cleaning.
You can do this with dog ear cleaning solution. You should only use solutions designed for cleaning your pooch’s ears.
Fill their ear canal with the solution. Keep them still for 30 seconds. Then, you can let them shake their head. Wipe away any solution on them with a towel.
Then, take a cotton ball and wipe the ear canal. Don’t go further than your knuckle into the canal.
Do you need to train Pointer Pitbull Mixes a lot?
Both Pointers and Pitbulls are intelligent and highly trainable. However, they both have a stubborn streak as well. This is also true for Pointer Pits.
It’s important to train them early and well. They have a high desire to please, like their parents. Training them should be easy. However, Pointers can struggle to focus. Their sensitive eyes, ears, and noses can distract them easily, so you may have to get creative to keep their attention.
Training them helps establish you as the head of the household, or Alpha. Establishing this early will make your life with your Pointer Pit much easier.
Remember a Pointer Pit is a medium to large dog. They are difficult to control physically as adults. You’ll need to train them so you can use commands rather than physical force.
In addition to training, you’ll need to socialize them early. Pitbulls can be aggressive towards other dogs, and very rarely, strange people. Socializing them will teach them how to behave around others, and prevent unneeded aggression.
Training is also necessary for mental stimulation. Pointer Pits need plenty of mental exercise. Learning new commands requires mental work that can calm high energy levels.
Pointer Pitbull Mix Diet
A Pointer Pitbull mix requires a good diet. They are a medium to large breed, so they need a high protein diet. A high quality dog food designed for medium or large dogs is fine for them.
You’ll also need to feed them the right food for their age. Puppies need a puppy food, until they are 6 to 12 months of age. After they reach this age, you can switch them to adult food.
Puppies should be fed 3 to 4 times a day. Adults can be fed 2 or 3 times each day. They should be fed at least 2 times a day to reduce the risk of bloat.
Are Pointer Pitbull Mixes good family pets?
Yes, Pointer Pitbulls are great pets for families. You’ll need to remember that they need plenty of exercise. They also need lots of attention. If they don’t get enough, behavioral problems will develop.
The Pointer Pit is very friendly and loyal. Their playful nature makes them great with children. They are also very tolerant. They will not be angry if their tail or ears are pulled.
They can even make good watchdogs, particularly for children. Pitbulls are often known as “nanny dogs” because they are protective over children.
How do you buy a Pointer Pitbull Mix?
There are two ways to buy a Pointer Pit. You can adopt one from a shelter, or buy one from a breeder.
Adopting a Pointer Pitbull
Adopting a Pointer Pitbull is less expensive than buying one. However, they are difficult to find, since they are relatively rare. If you do find one, they will probably be adult dogs. Puppies are more rare in shelters.
If you want to find a Pointer Pitbull to adopt, you can check organizations devoted to Pitbulls or Pointers. Pitbull Resue Me is one option. You can also look online for Pitbull adoption organizations near you.
The Misidentification Problem
If you are looking at shelter listings, you can’t rely on their classification of the dog. Dogs are often claimed to be a Pointer mix when they aren’t. This isn’t necessarily an intentional attempt to lie. The shelter may have little information on the dog, and take their best guess.
Pointers’ rarity makes them popular, and popular dogs get adopted faster. This may play a part in the mislabeling. If you choose to adopt a Pointer Pit from a shelter, take a close look. If you don’t see signs that they are a Pointer Pitbull mix, they may just be a Pitbull.
Purchasing a Pointer Pitbull Mix
You’ll have an easier time finding a Pointer Pitbull mix from a breeder. Still, the breed is rare, so you may have a tough time finding a breeder.
There are a few ways to find a breeder. You can do a Google search for breeders near you. Since Pointers can be AKC registered, you can check the AKC breeder directory. The American Pitbull Registry also has a breeder directory.
It’s important to be sure a breeder is ethical. Unethical breeders focus on making money. Ethical breeders focus on the health and temperament of the dogs, and the breed in general. Unethical breeding practices increase the risk of health or behavioral problems in dogs.
Finding a dog with a registered Pointer parent can increase the likelihood that the breeder is ethical. AKC standards ensure that breeders are ethical.
Pitbulls can’t be registered with the AKC. Of course, Pitbulls can be registered with the American Pitbull Registry.
You can’t register the puppies, so you may choose puppies without a registered parent. You will need to screen the breeders more carefully.
One way to do this is to ask the breeder how they ensure the health of their puppies. Do they do genetic testing? Are the puppies screened for health issues?
Lastly, it’s a good idea to visit the puppies home. If the puppies are well cared for, this is an indication the breeder is ethical.