Golden Retreiver Pitbull mix - Everything You Need to Know

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
Energy: High
Activities: Agility, obedience, or fly ball
Group: Working
Barking Level: High
Shedding Level: Medium
Hypoallergenic: No
Litter Size: 5 to 10 puppies
Life Span: 8-15 years
Other names: “Pitbull Golden Retriever” or “Retriever Pit”

Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Comparison

Golden Retriever Pitbull Personality

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.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia in dogs include:

Reduced activity and movements
Reluctance to rise, jump, run or climb
Lameness in the hind limbs
Reducing thigh muscle mass
Swaying, “bunny hopping” gait
Grating in the joint during movement
Enlarging shoulders
Pain
Stiffness

Elbow Dysplasia

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.

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