Pocket Pitbull – Everything You Need to Know

The Pocket Pitbull Terrier is a smaller variant of the American Pitbull Terrier, often known as a Miniature Pitbull or Pocket Bully. This dog is created by crossing a Patterdale Terrier with an American Pitbull or an American Staffordshire Terrier. It is not purebred, although it has many characteristics similar to the American Pitbull Terrier.

Pocket Pitbull Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Easy to groom	Health
Agile	Expensive

Pocket Pitbull Basic Information

Name: Pocket Pitbull
Height: 12 – 17 inches (male and female)
Weight: 30 –50 lbs (male), 25 – 45 lbs (female)
Color: Pite, Brindle, White, Gray, Cream, Brown, Black
Coat: Short and smooth coat
Hypoallergenic: No
Energy: Medium to High
Activities: Watchdogs, Companion dogs
Barking Level: Medium
Shedding Level: Medium
Group: Mixed Breed
Litter size: 2 – 5 puppies
Life span: 8 – 15 years
Breed recognition: DRA
Other names: Miniature Pitbull, Mini Pitbull, Pocket Pit, Pitterdale Terrier, Pocket Bully, Patterdale Pitbull

American Pitbull Terrier vs. Patterdale Terrier: A Comparison

Pocket Pitbull Personality

Pocket Pitbull is energetic, active, agile, loyal, and lovable. They are perfect watchdogs and can bond well with children and family. They have amber or brown eyes. Their nose is either blue, black, or brown. The features depend on the dominant parent. The nature of your Pocket Pitbull’s coat can be smooth and short with no undercoat if he inherits the Pitbull parent. On the other hand, it can be rough and wiry with a thick undercoat if he inherits the Patterdale Terrier’s gene. Generally, their coat type is the same as that of the American Pitbull Terrier.

Pocket Pitbulls are brachycephalic breeds and suffer from breathing issues. They have flat faces, wide floppy ears, strong jaws, square heads, and medium-thin tails.

Friendliness Overview

Affection level	Medium to High
Family-friendly	Medium to High
Children-friendly	Medium to High
Pet-friendly	Low to Medium
Stranger-friendly	Medium to High

Adaptability Overview

Apartment living	Low to Medium
Good for new owners	Low to Medium
Sensitivity level	Medium to High
Tolerates being alone	Low
Tolerates cold weather	Medium
Tolerates hot weather	Medium

Pocket Pitbull Mix Temperament

A well-bred and trained Pocket Pitbull will be a loving, lively, and loyal canine with a protective demeanor. They get along well with people of all ages. Still, despite being smaller than a standard American Pit Bull Terrier, this dog is mighty. Therefore, all associations between dogs and kids should be carefully monitored to avoid injury to the child or the dog. Although these mixes are typically friendly and easygoing with people, they are less so with other dogs. They have a high prey drive and prefer to be happier as the only canine in the house.

Pocket Pitbull Mix Training

From the moment you get your Pocket Pitbull home, you should begin training them. Pocket Pitbulls are easy to train because of their high intellectual abilities. Still, it would help if you spent time making sure they know what you want them to do, or they will begin to display undesired habits. Positive reinforcement training, such as verbal praise and reward-based training with treats, works effectively for these dogs.

Trainability Overview

Easy to train	Medium to High
Intelligence	High
Prey drive	Medium to High
Tendency for mouthiness	Medium
Tendency to howl and bark	Low to Medium
Wanderlust ability	Medium to High

Pocket Pitbull Mix Exercise Needs

Given their small size, the Pocket Pitbull breed has high activity requirements. You must ensure that you have the time to provide them with the exercise they require before acquiring one of these dogs. A Pocket Pitbull requires around one hour of activity each day, but this does not have to be confined to leash walking. These puppies need to be taken off the leash and let run around and burn off energy because of their high activity levels.

Exercise Needs Overview

Energy level	Medium to High
Exercise needs	Medium to High
Playfulness	High
Intensity	High

Pocket Pitbull Mix Grooming

Fortunately, because this mixed breed has a short, smooth coat, they only need to be brushed once a week. This should be done with a rubber mitt to protect their coat from tangling and remove stray hairs. Brushing will be necessary more frequently if they have a longer coat.

You’ll need to bathe your Pocket Pitbull when it’s necessary, as if they’ve rolled in something nasty!To avoid dental decay and illness, you’ll need to maintain their teeth clean as well. You can use dental sticks for this. Keep an eye on their nails as well, and trim them regularly.

Grooming Overview

Shedding level	Medium
Drooling tendency	Low
Easy to groom	High

Pocket Pitbull Mix Health

Diseases that are common in the parent breeds might affect Pocket Pitbull mixes. Therefore, the breeder should show a health clearance certificate. In addition, regular medical testing can aid in the early detection and treatment of certain illnesses.

Health Overview

Basic health	Medium to High
Weight gain possibilities	Medium
Size	Low to Medium

The health issues which the Pocket Pitbull mixes are susceptible to are:

Heart disease: When a Pocket Pitbull’s heart can no longer pump a specific quantity of blood to the brain and the rest of the body system, he is said to have congenital heart disease. This type of health problem might also develop over time. As a result, there are times when this condition cannot be avoided and may even result in death. In addition, cardiovascular disease in Mini Pitbulls can sometimes be triggered by age.

Heartworm infection, commonly known as dirofilariasis, is another cause of heart disease. Dirofilaria Immitis, a blood-borne parasite that lives in the heart and major blood arteries, causes this deadly disease.

It can also be detected in the vascular system in some circumstances, which can lead to problems. These components can survive for up to five years, but some canines with a flawed body system will not live that long.

Skin Problems: Pocket Pitbulls aren’t the only ones who have skin problems. It may impact other dog breeds as well. However, both Pitbulls and their puppy breeds are susceptible to skin disorders.

Yeast and bacteria can live in your pet’s skin folds, in addition to parasites that can cause dermatitis. This is a simple condition to overlook, especially given the fact that these factors might conceal. Eczema, Canine Seborrhea, Acute Moist Dermatitis are some common skin issues that Pocket Pitbull faces.

Allergies: Atopic allergies, food allergies, flea allergies are very commonly found in Pocket Pitbulls.

Joint Dysplasia: Joint dysplasia is a health issue that affects the hips and elbows of Pocket Pitbulls. Depending on which organ is damaged, it’s called hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. It is characterized by abnormal joint development. In addition, the cartilage that links the dog’s femoral head is deteriorating due to uneven growth.

This health problem will induce malformation of the ball and socket joints if the Pocket Pitbull’s hip is damaged. If it is not treated as soon as possible, the dog will be in excruciating pain.

Eye Issues: Like any other breed, Pocket Pitbulls are prone to developing various eye issues. The veterinarian’s diagnosis determines the therapy.

It can also have various reasons. Understanding each one will help you discover the best remedy for your dog if they suffer from it. Some of these difficulties are caused by hereditary abnormalities, so check if the Pocket Pitbull you wish to adopt has healthy parent breeds.

Entropion, Cherry eyes, Dry eyes, Glaucoma, and Cataracts, are few optical issues to which a Pocket Pitbull is susceptible.

Hypothyroidism: This disease affects just a small percentage of middle-aged Pocket Pitbulls and is frequently linked to cancer. Hypothyroidism can cause thyroid gland inflammation, which is dangerous to your pet’s health.

Excess hair shedding, rough skin, frailty, a dull and thin coat, and weight gain are some indicators that the dog has this condition.

Idiopathic Thyroid Gland Atrophy, Lymphocytic Thyroiditis are two leading causes of Hypothyroidism.

Brachycephalic airway syndrome: Owing to their short and flattened heads and faces, Pocket Pits are prone to this syndrome. If they get exhausted or strained, it leads to loss of breath and other breathing issues. Treatments range from visual examination of your pet to cervical and thoracic radiographs of his respiratory system.

Pocket Pitbull Mix Diet and Nutrition

Premium dry dog food is required for Pocket Pitbull. All your dog needs to live a long and happy life is, kibble prepared from high-quality ingredients and designed to fit his specific needs. You’ll need to choose a kibble that’s appropriate for their age (puppy, adult, or senior), size, and activity level in the case of these mixed breed dogs. These dogs may be small, but they are highly active, and the food they eat should reflect this.

You can provide your pet 2.5 to 3 cups of premium dog food every day or keep him on the BARF diet (Bones And Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). This includes raw muscle meat, bones, organic meats, vegetables, and fruits.

Some pet parents assert that the BARF diet results in a glossier coat, better skin, and greater energy levels.

Pocket Pitbull Mix Living Conditions

Pocket Pitbulls are not suitable for apartment living. They require a backyard at the least to exercise daily. They thrive on training and exercises to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. They do not howl much, but lack of movement may trigger aggressive and ill behavior.

Adding Pocket Pitbull to Your Family

Things to remember before buying a Pocket Pitbull Mix

The best choice is to buy from a respected local breeder who guarantees the health and happiness of both the parents and the puppy. For a vaccinated dog, the breeder should give health clearance certifications as well as gene testing. It would be ideal if you could pay a visit to the puppy’s parents. You’ll receive a healthy puppy while also learning about the parents’ traits.