When a Golden Retriever and a Pitbull are crossed, the resultant offspring is called a Golden Retriever Pitbull mix. Also, they are known as “Pitbull Golden Retriever” or “Retriever Pit.” However, “Retriever Pit” is also referred to as Labrador Pit bulls. The Golden Retriever Pitbull mixes are highly energetic large breed dogs with unpredictable personalities. However, inheriting the common traits from their parents, these dogs are highly protective and social. They are friendly, affectionate, loyal, and devoted, which makes them ideal family pets. They are also wonderful companion dogs who love to help their pet parents and offer emotional support. Additionally, they are good watchdogs who are very keen on their surroundings.
Table of Contents
Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Pros and Cons
PROS
CONS
Great family pets
Barks loud
Excellent watchdogs
Irregular behavior and temperament
Excellent companion dogs
Can involve in destructive behavior when bored
Socializes well
Unpredictable personality
Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Basic Information
Name: Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix
Height: 17 to 24 inches
Weight: 35-75 lbs.
Size: Large
Coat: Short, manageable coat, or long shaggy coats
Color: Dark Golden Hue, Black, Brindle, Brown, White, Solid, Bi-colored, Tricolored
A Golden Retriever Pit Bull’s personality depends on an individual dog’s gene expression. He may either exactly resemble one of his parents or maybe a perfect hybrid of both. Therefore, his personality is entirely unpredictable. However, these dogs have a well-built stature that may be lean or muscular. In addition, they may have brown or blue-colored eyes with floppy ears.
Golden Retriever Pit Bulls’ coats can vary in appearance: they may be elongated, medium or short, wavy, straight, and curls. In addition, they may come in a combination of black, golden, brindle, yellow, brown, or white. Golden Retriever Pit Bulls can have a single or double coat depending on the dominant parent gene.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-Friendly
High
Kid-Friendly
High
Pet-Friendly
Medium to High
Strangers-Friendly
Medium to High
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
Medium
Good for Apartment Living
Low
Sensitivity Level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold Tolerance
Low to Medium
Heat Tolerance
Low to Medium
Golden Retriever Pitbull Temperament
Due to their large and athletic stature, the Golden Retriever Pit Bull dogs are confident and energetic. They are well-mannered, fun-loving, loyal, and friendly. These dogs are very affectionate to their pet parents as they consider each family member as its pack. These dogs are prone to separation anxiety; they shouldn’t be left alone as they may develop destructive behaviors such as digging, chewing, and barking. Additionally, they are incredible nanny dogs who are gentle and highly protective of kids. However, they are wary of strangers and need time to warm up with them.
Being quick learners and having a pleasing demeanor, Retriever Pits are easily trainable. This trait keeps them from getting aggressive. Also, they make excellent watchdogs and therapy dogs owing to their parent genes. As highly active breeds, they enjoy exercises and physical activities. With an innate protective instinct, they prove to be excellent watchdogs with a high prey drive. For this reason, they shouldn’t be left alone with other smaller pet animals.
Golden Retriever Pitbull Training
Although Golden Retriever pit bulls are easily trainable, they need a dominant trainer to assert the firm alpha position. This trait prevents your dog from becoming stubborn. Their training must begin early from puppyhood and can be kept short and positive. Additionally, these dogs must be crate trained. For this purpose, start associating your dog with the crate the moment he comes home. The crate has to be linked with positive experiences such as treat time, mealtime, and relaxation.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train
High
Intelligence
High
Prey Drive
Medium to High
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite
Medium to High
Tendency to Bark or Howl
High
Wanderlust Ability
Medium
Attention/Social Needs
High
Golden Retriever PitBull Exercise Needs
The Golden Retriever Pit Bulls are highly energetic dogs that require an hour of exercise per day in addition to their daily play-time. Inheriting the traits of a working dog, these dogs need to be mentally and physically stimulated. Physically, they can be engaged with long, intense walks in addition to mentally stimulating activities like a treasure hunt with treats, scheduling an obedience session, or a puzzle toy.
Number of walks in a day
1
Exercise time per day
60 minutes
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
High
Exercise Needs
High
Playfulness
High
Intensity
High
Golden Retriever Pit Bull Grooming
The Golden Retriever Pit Bulls can inherit a short, medium-haired coat from its Pit Bull parent or a long coat, like its Golden Retriever parent. Long-coated dogs shed more when compared to short-coated dogs. Hence short-coated dogs have to be brushed twice a week, whereas long-coated dogs have to be brushed daily. Additionally, they have to bathe once every three months. As a result, they don’t get dirty frequently.
Other grooming requirements include trimming their nails, cleaning their eyes and ears to avoid infections. In addition, brush their teeth regularly to get rid of gum diseases and periodontal diseases.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding
Medium to High
Tendency to Drool
Low
Tendency to Snore
Low
Easy to Groom
Medium
Golden Retriever Pit Bull Health
Hip Dysplasia: Hip Dysplasia is a heritable condition that occurs when the thigh bones don’t fit aptly into the pelvic socket of the hip joint.
Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia:
Injuries
Excessive weight gain
Wrong exercises
This condition causes defect or injury to the hip bones, joints and worsens without treatment.
Elbow dysplasia occurs when the bones of the elbow joint don’t align properly. This malalignment causes abnormal pressure at the joint, leading to chronic rubbing, resulting in severe osteoarthritis.
Symptoms
mild to moderate pain
lameness in the forelimbs
Although the symptoms begin to show as early as four months of age, some dogs will not show these signs until later in life. Further, the disorder may also injure both the elbows, but one of them may be heavily affected.
Bloat
Bloat or GDV is a life-threatening condition that is prevalent in deep-chested dogs. When bloat occurs, your pet’s gut becomes distended with gas and twists. The trapped gas hampers your canine’s ability to belch or vomit. This inability blocks the average blood flow back to the heart, causing a drop in blood pressure leading to shock. If untreated, this shock could eventually lead to death.
Causes Of Bloat:
When they are fed more than one large meal per day
They eat rapidly
Drinks large volumes of water after eating
Exercise vigorously after eating
Symptoms of Bloat:
A distended abdomen
Excessive salivation
Retching without vomit
Restlessness
Depression
Lethargy
Weakness
Rapid heart rate
Cataracts:
This condition is caused due to the thickening of the eye lens, which leads to cloudy vision. Although it occurs primarily because of their age, you can treat this condition either with medications or surgery.
Canine cancer:
Golden Retriever Pit Bulls are prone to develop cancer.
Symptoms of canine cancer:
Lumps and bumps underneath a dog’s skin
Abnormal odors emanating from the mouth, ears, or any other part of the body
Abnormal discharge from the eyes, mouth, ears, or rectum
Abdominal swelling
Non-healing wounds or sores
Sudden and irreversible weight loss
Changes in appetite
Coughing or difficulty in breathing
Lethargy or depression
Changes in bathroom habits
Evidence of pain
Cardiovascular disease:
Pit Bulls are prone to cardiovascular diseases, which may be congenital or inherited. Some of the most prevalent cardiac diseases in Pit Bulls include:
Aortic stenosis
Valve malformations
Irregularities in heart rhythm
General signs of cardiovascular diseases in dogs:
Exercise intolerance
Weakness
Coughing
Breathing difficulty
Increased breathing rate
abdominal swelling
Loss of consciousness
A bluish tinge to skin and membranes
Loss of appetite and weight
Some more symptoms that occur rarely include:
Swelling of the legs
Jaundice
Coughing up blood
Your veterinarian may recommend that you count the number of breaths your dog takes per minute when your dog is resting at home. This can be an effective way for you to monitor the development or progression of congestive heart failure in dogs with heart disease.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium to High
Weight Gain Possibilities
Medium
Size
Large
Golden Retriever Pit Bull Diet and Nutrition
The Retriever Pit is an agile and large dog that requires a high-quality meal with a rich protein content that constitutes about 18% of its diet. An adult Retriever Pit requires 1600 calories per day that can be divided and served as two meals. Raw pork or poultry should replace a cup of your dog’s formula. On the contrary, a puppy should eat four balanced meals per day. However, the right combination of exercise and a proper diet can prevent obesity.
Golden Retriever Pit Bull Living Condition
The Golden Retriever Pit Bull has an urge to expend its energy, making them unsuitable for apartment life. Being loving and gentle, these dogs are excellent service dogs who offer valuable service to their pet parents. These canines are also kid-friendly but quite wary of strangers. Dogs with short coats tolerate a warm climate, whereas those with a long coat tolerate colder weather.
Things to Remember Before Buying a Golden Retriever Pit Bull
The Golden retriever Pit Bull is pretty rare to find; hence they can be expensive. Additionally, these dogs grow up to be very big, and they also require a physically active pet owner.
Cost of a Golden Retriever Pit Bull Puppy
A Golden Retriever Pit Bull Puppy costs up to $2,500. Ensure to meet the puppy’s parents and check for health certifications and registrations for the parents before buying.
