Big dogs have a special place in our hearts.
They are large, loveable and lazy and are a perfect couch buddy on lazy Saturday nights.
The pit bull and the mastiff are both very large breeds that are very loveable and that introduce their own traits to the Pitbull Mastiff.
Here, we will discuss what makes this breed so special.
Appearance
Pitbull Mastiffs may look large and in charge but in fact, they are large and cuddly.
These are a very loveable breed that despite their size, is not intimidating at all.
These dogs often look like very large pit bulls.
They have the large square heads that are particular to both breeds, large barrel chests that are strong and powerful, and long legs that make them rather tall and imposing.
They are a large dog, they have tons of muscles and they do have very large heads which can make them look a bit mean, but they are generally a very gentle breed despite their size.
They can look more like pit bulls or they can resemble mastiffs, both breeds do favor one another.
Overall, this combination makes for a very beautiful dog that is regal, strong and elegant and absolutely stunning to look at.
Attitude and Behavior
As mentioned before, these dogs are very gentle.
They are watchful and smart and will take time to look at their surroundings and pay attention to what is happening around them at all times.
This may be off putting for some people as it does look like they are watching you when in reality they are just taking account of what is going on around them.
They are very intelligent as well and are eager to please and protect their owners and their family.
They will work to make sure that you are happy at all costs and they can be taught a ton of different tricks and commands to help make managing their very large size easier.
They make great guard dogs as they are watchful and they are not afraid to bark and let you know when something is wrong or when something is amiss.
Though they do like to snuggle up to you on the sofa, they also have a great deal of energy making them an ideal family dog that will go on hikes and adventures with you eagerly.
They like to be active and you can get them to stay with you as a companion.
They are very social, this means that they do not like to be left alone.
They enjoy being with you and staying close to you at all times.
If you are going to be gone for long periods of time you may want to think about taking them to a sitter or getting someone to check on them so that they do not get anxious or develop separation anxiety from being away from you.
Separation anxiety can make it hard for them to eat, it can be very stressful and it can be severely detrimental to their health as well.
As a general rule they do best as lone dogs.
They do have hunting instincts that are common with both the pit bull and the mastiff side so you want to give them plenty of attention and make sure that there are no smaller animals around them that might become prey animals.
They do well with kids if they are supervised so that they do not get too rough.
If you are going to have them around new people or animals, they should not be left alone and they do need a great deal of training.
They can be trained to co-exist with other animals but if they feel threatened they may become aggressive.
If you have more than one pet, gradual introduction is suggested at a very young age for the Pitbull Mastiff.
Health Issues
With very large dogs comes a list of issues that you do need to pay attention to and watch out for.
These dogs are predisposed to obesity, they like to eat and they eat a great deal when they do get a meal.
You want to make sure you are feeding them a balanced diet with plenty of veggies and protein and that you are also exercising them regularly.
Kidney failure is another issue that is common with both pit bulls and mastiffs.
It is a genetic condition that cannot be avoided and that should be monitored closely to make sure your pet has a long and happy life.
You should take them to the vet for regular blood work to catch these issues before they become too serious and lead to further issue.
They are also prone to skin disease and skin problems like dry skin, yeast infections of the skin in their folds, and itchy skin.
These are all issues that can be kept in check with regular bathing.
Larger dogs are also prone to cardiovascular issues due to their size and regular vet visits can catch these problems early on.
Your pit bull mastiff may also get hip dysplasia due to their size, back problems and joint pain with age.
They only live to be around 10 years old due to their large size.
Food and Grooming
They need a diet high in protein and low in fat since they do get obese quite easily.
You should be feeding them a balanced diet that is geared toward large breed dogs and make sure that they get out and exercise.
They are not that hard to care for when it comes to grooming as they do have a short coat.
You do want to wash them regularly to make sure that their skin folds are clean and to make sure that their skin is well hydrated and clean.
They may require brushing to remove loose hair but they are otherwise easy to groom.
This is a friendly dog that is going to love being with you for every single journey that you might ever want to have.
They are smart, loyal, loving and kind and can be a great family dog if you take the time to train them and stay with them always.
They do not live long but the time that they are with you is going to be filled with love and dedication.
They are kind and can be trained to do tricks and follow commands and can be a great companion if you give them the time and take the time to train them properly and love them the way that they deserve.