The Dachshund Pitbull mix — sometimes called a Doxiebull — is a cross mixed breed that can be fairly rare but incredibly sought after by those interested in this particular breed of dog.
The Doxiebull first gained attention in 2015 when one of these dogs was discovered in Georgia, assumed to have been the product of accidental mating.
This dog, named Rami, became an internet sensation, and word of this crossbreed spread like wildfire across social media.
However, despite the hype surrounding this crossbreed, it is currently unknown if there are breeders who specifically create them.
This means finding them can be incredibly difficult to find these unique dogs if they’re the ones you have your heart set on.
However, if you are willing to search out this breed, here are some things that you’ll need to know before bringing it into your home.
The Lineage of the Doxiebull
The Doxiebull is the product of two unlikely parents, the American Pitbull Terrier and the Dachshund.
The pitbull that we know today stems from an ancestor breed that was bred in England during the 19th century for pit fighting and bull baiting.
Once these blood sports were outlawed in the Isles, people moved these dogs to America, where they continued to breed them to be larger and stronger.
On the other hand, the Dachshund stems from Germany, where it has been used for hunting badgers and foxes due to its elongated size, which made it easier to get into burrows.
What these dogs lack in raw strength they make up in fearlessness.
When placed side by side, you may never expect these two breeds to produce offspring, but interestingly, when it does happen, the mixed breed combines some of the best traits of its parents.
The Appearance of a Doxiebull
When a Doxiebull is produced they can weigh up to 25 pounds when fully grown and they will usually be around medium-sized.
One of their most interesting traits is their pitbull-shaped heads and Dachshund bodies with short legs and long bodies, which is what helped to make this breed such an internet sensation.
The type of fur that these dogs have will depend on their Dachshund parent, and a smooth-haired Dachshund will produce offspring with a short coat.
However, if a Pitbull mates with a wire-haired Dachshund, the resulting puppy will have medium-length fur.
Regardless of the type of fur they have, Doxiebulls can be found in a variety of fur colors including black, brindle, merle, brown, and piebald.
Temperament and Personality
Having a pitbull as one of its parents, many people may be concerned about the temperament of Doxiebulls.
However, the popularized aggressiveness of the pitbull is actually untrue, and ultimately it comes down to poor ownership.
As a breed, Doxiebulls are incredibly loyal, affectionate, and intelligent.
While they can inherit some stubbornness from their parents, with the proper training they can be incredible companions.
Doxiebulls can be great for families with older children, or younger children who know how to properly interact with dogs.
Socialization will be key to making sure that your pup is able to get along with everyone.
With other dogs, they can get along well provided they are socialized together and introduced properly.
Although often this breed will prefer humans to other dogs.
That being said, smaller animals like cats and rodents can trigger their inherent prey drive.
While training and socialization can help mitigate this, if you have smaller animals it’s worth keeping in mind.
Another thing to keep in mind in terms of personality and temperament includes separation.
Doxiebulls love to be close to their humans and they won’t do well if you leave them alone for long periods of time.
Separation anxiety can be triggered by leaving them alone, and it’s always preferred that someone is able to look after them throughout the day so that they aren’t alone for too long.
Training
Training is a must with any breed, but it’s especially important for Doxiebulls.
When it comes to training, you need to keep in mind their stubborn personalities and make sure to stay firm with every lesson.
If you become too lenient, these pooches will walk all over you because they won’t perceive you as the pack leader.
Although it’s important to be firm, it’s also important to remember to never use force or aggression during training.
Using methods like this is a sure-fire way to break the trust between you and your Doxiebull which can cause them to lash out.
It’s not that they are inherently aggressive, it’s that they’re responding to perceived aggression in their environment.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to train your Doxiebull, and you should take care to give them ample praise when they complete a task or command as they are supposed to.
Health
Although mixed breed dogs tend to have fewer health concerns than purebreds, unfortunately, there are several health concerns a Doxiebull may inherit from its parents.
Some health concerns to be aware of include:
- Back problems such as intervertebral disc disease
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cerebella ataxia
- Patellar luxation
- Leg-calve Perthes disease
- Cancer
Some less severe, but still notable concerns also include:
- Hypothyroidism
- Glaucoma
- Skin allergies/sensitivity
- Distichiasis
- Demodicosis
Despite these concerns, the average lifespan of a Doxiebull is between 8 and 12 years.
While not the longest living breed of dog, they can still expect several great years of unwavering companionship from a Doxiebull.
Adding a Doxiebull to Your Family
If you want to add a Doxiebull to your family, you can expect to have to do a bit of searching.
Because this crossbreed isn’t as commonly bred, it can be difficult to track down someone who is offering them.
Additionally, while going through a breeder, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Pitbull is one of the most abused dog breeds, and one of the most common to be crossbred.
Because of this, backyard breeders or puppy mills may not be the best places to buy from.
If going through a breeder, you should thoroughly research them before deciding to buy from them.
Similarly, you may also be able to find a Doxiebull through a shelter or adoption facility.
The first known Doxiebull, Rami, was discovered when he was put up for adoption by the Humane Society.
Although it may take some waiting, you may be able to find one to adopt this way.
We got our doxie pit in 2014 in the Augusta, GA area. That suggests that the some breeding may have already started prior to the discovery of Rami.