What do you get when you mix two incredibly friendly dogs? The friendliest puppy ever!
World, meet the Golden Retriever Pitbull mix, a loyal companion with the best traits from both worlds.
This uncommon crossbreed has a sweet nature and a fierce devotion and loyalty to its humans.
Still, they’re not that sweet when you dig a bit deeper. Taking care of the Golden Retriever Pitbull mix requires time, hard work, and a lot of commitment.
If you look past this and believe you can handle the Pitbull Golden Retriever mix, what’s stopping you from adopting one… NOW?
What Happens When A Golden Retriever And Pitbull Mix?
Photo from:@simba_the_goldenpit
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is a cross between two purebred dogs, the Golden Retriever and the Pitbull.
This is one of the rarest hybrid dogs. Very little is known about them. No, these dogs don’t date back to the 19th century. They’re quite young!
Unfortunately, the bad reputation of Pitbulls and other bulldogs has greatly affected this hybrid’s status.
When it comes to this breed’s temperament, expect to see both the retriever breed side as well as the Pitbull side. It’s quite a lottery.
These mixed breed dogs are very playful, and their energy levels are quite high.
It’s almost impossible to predict their behavior and temperament. So, if you’re set on adopting or buying one of these pups, you should investigate both parent breeds first.
Pros And Cons Of Golden Retriever/Pitbull Mix
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A calmer alternative to Pitbulls | Grows up to be a very large dog |
| A terrific family dog | Destructive behavior when bored |
| Helpful and protective watchdog | Unpredictable behavior and temperament |
| Loves to socialize | |
| Excellent emotional support dog |
How Big Will A Lab Pitbull Mix Get? General Appearance Traits
This hybrid, like many others, has no official standard, except the one that states all pups should embody the positive traits of both parents.
These hybrid puppies can look like either one of the parent breeds or an ideal mixture of both.
The appearance depends on gene expression.
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix should be a large dog, well-built, with the males being usually around 24 inches tall. Their female counterparts stand between 17 to 22 inches tall.
They can be either thin or lean or have a wide, more muscular body. The average weight for this mix is between 30 to 75 pounds.
Read More: Male Vs Female Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever Mix With Pitbull: Coat And Colors
Photo from:@simba_the_goldenpit
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is a dog of many colors. Usually, these hybrids have a solid color, but there are also mixes of dark colors against a white base. Your mix can be a solid-colored one, bicolored, or tri colored.
The most commonly seen colors are:
• Golden
• Yellow
• Black
• White
• Brown
Considering that both parent breeds have completely different coats, it’s no surprise that their puppies can sport nearly any coat length. Depending on which parent breed the puppy takes after, it can have a short, medium, or long coat. The short coat is thin and fine, while the long coat is usually wavy or shaggy, sometimes even curly.
Short to medium-coated dogs shed mildly and need brushing once or twice a week. A long coat requires frequent brushing and grooming.
Golden Retriever Pitbull mix puppies have either a single or double coat.
5 Fun Facts About Pitbull Golden Retriever Mixes
1. Pitbulls are usually trained as guard dogs, but they’re also terrific emotional support dogs.
2. The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is not recognized by any official organization, and there are no breed clubs or specific rescue centers.
3. This hybrid’s extreme loyalty to its family has roots in the old pack mentality all dogs have.
4. The Golden Retriever parent used to be a hunting partner used to retrieve waterfowl.
5. There is no cool name for this hybrid, but it’s often referred to as the Retriever Pit. Also, they can be known as the Labrador Pitbull mix.
Are Lab Pitbull Mixes Dangerous? Personality And Temperament
The hybrid’s personality should be the perfect mixture of a friendly dog and a confident, loyal companion.
Still, this dog’s personality and temperament vary, just like with any hybrid dog. It’s not easy to predict whose temperament the puppy will inherit. Thus, it’s hard to train and handle them.
However, one thing is certain: their fun-loving and active nature.
Since this is a mix of a sporting dog and a terrier, it means the puppy will have a bunch of energy to waste. In other words, do these pups ever stop for a second and chill?
It’s highly important to let them vent and expend that energy every day. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise as well as mental games for brain stimulation.
Pitbull Labs are social butterflies. They love making new friends; it’s in their blood! They won’t have any problems getting along with other dogs and people, but they may act too excited.
The Pitbull Lab can’t tolerate boredom and hates being alone. Don’t expect them to entertain themselves. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a destroyed home when you get back from work.
They still have high prey drive ticking inside them, so you should know that getting along with small animals could take a while.
It’s impossible to determine which specific behavior your puppy will inherit. No matter what, you’ll end up with a friend who’s loyal to the bone.
Temperament
One of the friendliest dog breeds ever is a loving and devoted puppy, quite playful and happy. But, like all mixed breeds, his temperament is still unpredictable. Your puppy may act like the Golden Retriever or the American Pitbull Terrier.
Here are some traits most Pitbull Lab mixes show.
They don’t like being alone
As we already mentioned, the Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is a social dog that loves attention and hates being left alone. They can even develop separation anxiety, which is not that uncommon in dogs. This anxiety may result in barking, chewing, and digging.
Loud barkers that love to chew
They chew, play-bite, and bark excessively at night, hence why they’re not that good for apartments. You must train this hybrid using a lot of positive reinforcement to help your dog kick one of their nastiest personality traits. Fun fact: back in 2013, a Golden Retriever was proclaimed as a Guinness World Record holder for the loudest bark at 113.1 decibels. That’s as loud as a rock concert!
Their personality is unpredictable
Because they’re very loud and love to bark a lot at night, we can say this hybrid has an unpredictable personality. Depending on which parent your hybrid will take after, the barking may or may not be noticeable.
They’re not aggressive as you might think
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is not an aggressive or fighting dog. Still, it is in the Pitbull’s bloodline because they were bred for bull baiting. Also, because of its direct parents, the American Pitbull Terrier is more likely to show aggression than the Golden Retriever.
They prefer a warm climate
Because this mix has a variety of coats, the ideal climate for this hybrid depends on the coat type. Short and single coats will do better in warm weather, especially if the coat color is on the lighter end.
Long and thick double-coated dogs, especially the dark-coated ones, prefer colder temperatures.
Golden Retriever And Pitbull Mix: What You Should Be Aware Of
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is supposed to be good with kids and other pets. Also, they’re terrific service dogs and emotional support animals. But keep in mind that every dog has a character of its own.
Besides having great social skills, they’re good as watchdogs. However, serving as companions for senior citizens or living in apartments is only conditionally suitable.
Kid-friendly, but with caution
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is good with kids and families with kids because of their gentle nature and strong bond with small children. However, it’s advised that, due to the Pitbull blood, they shouldn’t be left alone with kids. No dog with an unpredictable nature should be left alone with children.
They’re not apartment-friendly
This hybrid is an active dog. Being a large dog with lots of energy means that they need regular exercise. They won’t do well in apartments unless you provide them lots of daily exercise, social interaction, and playtime.
They’re the perfect watchdog
The Retriever Pit mix is an excellent guard dog because it provides safety and protection to its owner and the whole family. Since one of the parents, the American Pitbull Terrier is a top-notch guard dog, and it’s only natural to assume hybrid puppies will inherit this trait too.
Not for senior citizens
Don’t get us wrong; it’s nothing personal. But, our beloved seniors do have a decreased activity level. Our mixed breed is a high energy dog, and he’s high maintenance. A dog owner of this breed must really devote time and nerves, as well as energy, to take care of the dog.
There are other choices that may be the best dogs for seniors.
Excellent service dog
The Retriever Pit is terrific as a service or therapy dog. Many people find the parent breeds as well as their mix to be the best dog for emotional support. Take the Golden Retriever’s loving and eager-to-please nature and combine it with Pit’s devotion and love for family, and you’ll get a support animal that will be your BFF too!
Tends to get along with other pets
The Retriever Pit gets along with other animals as one of the parents is the Golden Retriever, the best dog at getting along with other dogs. However, since this mix has an unpredictable nature, you should always introduce these dogs carefully to other pets.
Exercising A Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix
Because of its sporting origins, the Retriever Pitbull mix will need more exercise than your average pup. This is definitely not a couch potato pooch. Taking your dog out for long walks should help both you and your dog bond and stay fit.
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix needs at least an hour of daily exercise. The best way for them to lose lots of build-up energy, since they’re a large breed, is to go for a thirty-minute walk and then play for thirty minutes. This should be enough for your pup to vent all that energy.
Besides going for walks, running and playing fetch are two things this hybrid loves to do. They also like to jump, play frisbee, or catch the ball. To trigger their wild side, give them toys they can hunt.
Don’t forget you own an intelligent dog, which means you will need to take care of their mental health too. Invest in some fun puzzle toys. You can hide treats in puzzle balls and let your dog figure out how to get the treat. It’s super fun, and it exercises their brain, as well as stopping boredom from entering the room.
Grooming And Shedding: How To Take Care Of The Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix
Photo from: @camberandmugen
If you own a short-coated Retriever Pit, grooming needs will be much less intensive than they would be for a mix with a longer coat.
Short and medium-coated dogs need brushing once or twice a week. However, long-coated dogs require daily brushing and special brushes and combs to control the shedding.
Most dog owners are tempted to give them a bath as soon as the pup gets a bit dirty. This isn’t advised at all! Too much bathing may wash out their natural oils and dry out the skin, making it prone to infections and sensitivity.
Your Retriever Pitbull mix should be bathed every three months, but daily dirt should be wiped away immediately.
Golden Retriever/Pitbull Mix: Feeding And Diet
These are large and active dogs that need plenty of healthy dog food to satisfy their daily needs and make them able to work and play. A dog’s diet is based on numerous factors, such as their age or activity level. Of course, your dog won’t eat the same food in puppyhood as in adulthood.
This hybrid benefits from having raw food in their diet. If you’re giving your dog only dry kibble, you should squeeze in some raw meals from time to time. For example, substitute one of the dog food cups with some cuts of raw pork or chicken.
Your dog will need 1,600 calories a day divided into four cups or servings.
These dogs should have a protein-based diet, followed by healthy fats because they’re muscular dogs.
Fruit and vegetables are an excellent and healthy treat for your dog. They’re packed with good vitamins and minerals, but don’t give them too often.
An occasional bite of a turnip or papaya off your table should be just fine.
Most Common Health Problems
Photo from:@tedandmori
Every dog owner should care about their dog’s health. Unfortunately, having a pet isn’t as easy as you might think, especially if you own one that’s prone to many diseases. Add vet expenses to that, and you may end up with a headache.
Golden Retriever Pitbull mixes are prone to several diseases. Here’s a list of them!
Bloating (or Gastric Dilation Volvulus)
Bloat may occur 2 to 3 hours after a meal or even at any time. Your dog may dry heave or show symptoms like a swollen, hard stomach. It may have difficulty breathing and getting up. Also, the dog may drool or be in distress.
Bloat is a serious condition and must be treated by a vet immediately. Otherwise, it may result in death.
You can send your dog for a preventative surgery called gastropexy to prevent bloating. Also, to decrease the chance of bloating, feed your dog twice a day and make those meals ample. Don’t let the dog exercise heavily before or after a meal.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary health issue, but it may be preventable by feeding your dog food rich in supplements for bone health, exercising adequately, and maintaining a normal body weight.
As your Retriever Pitbull mix ages, it may develop this health condition if you don’t meet all the needs above.
Hip dysplasia will make it hard for your dog to walk, run, jump, or move in general and will cause tremendous pain.
Before purchasing a puppy, you should ask to see hip scores for each hip.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a developmental problem that results in issues with the genes that develop the elbows. An overweight puppy who undergoes too much exercise, or a fast growing rate might develop elbow dysplasia. It will make it hard for the dog to move and cause lameness.
Elbow dysplasia is also hereditary. But, it may be prevented if you keep your puppy away from strenuous exercises in the first year of life when its bones are forming.
Control the dog’s weight, give it supplements for joint health, and always ask to see elbow scores before purchasing a puppy.
Cancer
Unfortunately, Retriever Pitbulls are prone to getting cancer. One of the parent breeds, the Golden Retriever, has a 60% chance of getting any type of cancer. That’s the highest of any breed! The symptoms may vary from lumps to lethargy and loss of appetite.
Selecting a reputable breeder that runs tests for cancer is half the work done. This is important in helping decrease the risk of cancer.
Spaying and neutering dogs also helps, as well as keeping the dog away from cigarette smoke, dangerous chemicals, and harsh sunlight.
Heart Disease
The Retriever Pit mix is prone to heart disease as it ages, especially if it’s overweight or has heartworm.
The dog may not have any symptoms at all. But, usually, the symptoms include fatigue, frequent coughing, shortness of breath, reduced appetite, weight loss or gain, and stomach swelling.
Selecting a reputable dog breeder and preventing heartworm are the only ways to decrease the risk of heart disease in your Retriever Pitbull.
Cataracts
Golden Retriever Pitbulls are prone to cataracts, too, which may be present at birth or develop later in life.
Cataracts are hereditary, but they can be caused by diabetes or eye trauma.
First, the dog will have trouble seeing, and its eyes will look cloudy or have a bluish-grey color.
Cataracts can’t be prevented but can be avoided.
Select a good breeder who can provide you with test results from the dog’s ophthalmologist. Then, you can maintain a proper diet and weight for your dog to prevent diabetes and thus cataracts.
How Long Does A Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Live?
The average lifespan of your Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is 10 to 15 years. That’s quite a nice lifespan, but it can be improved with regular checkups to prevent health issues, as well as with proper care and diet.
How Much Does A Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Puppy Cost?
Since this hybrid has no official organization, finding a breed would be quite problematic. However, if you do find one, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for this hybrid puppy. A Golden Retriever Pitbull mix puppy can cost $2,500 and even more!
How To Train A Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Puppy
Dog training, and how successful it will be, depends on the puppy’s personality.
However, it’s important for you to focus on obedience, housebreaking, socialization, and behavior.
Immediately upon buying or adopting a Retriever Pitbull, you should start with its first training session.
The first step is creating an area in your home where your new dog will relax and feel safe when you’re away.
Crate training is there to step in and help. You can get excellent crates and kennels online on Amazon, but make sure you choose the proper size for your dog.
Many people make the mistake of using harsh correction and physical discipline when training Pitbulls and Pitbull mixes because they assume they’re aggressive by default.
Using these methods can only make things worse. They may instead create aggression!
Positive reinforcement is the best approach, considering who the parent breeds are.
Always make sure your dog knows you respect him and that you’re proud of everything he does.
Pitbull Golden Retriever Mix Breeders
Photo from:@simba_the_goldenpit
As we mentioned early, Retriever Pitbull mix puppies can cost $2,500 and more. But, what’s more important than the price is the puppy’s health, which can only be ensured if buying from a reputable breeder.
A reputable breeder provides health certificates and registrations for the parents and the puppy. We strongly advise visiting the parents first and then deciding to buy a puppy.
Watch out for breeders who won’t let you meet the parents or see the litter first. They shouldn’t be trusted as they only care about profit and not about the dog.
How To Adopt A Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Puppy
Since this is a relatively young and rare breed, finding a rescue center or a shelter that carries Retriever Pitbulls can be challenging.
You should first check out the Humane Society in your area, as well as numerous Pitbull and Golden Retriever centers since they’re more popular breeds.
Last Chance Animal Rescue center may have the hybrid you’re looking for, but online ads on Facebook and Craigslist are also helpful.
Mixed Puppies Similar To The Golden Retriever/Pitbull Mix
If you want a puppy like this hybrid but can’t get your paws on one of them, there are some mixes similar to the Golden Retriever Pitbull mix. Those pups sport either the Golden Retriever or the Pitbull side, or even both combined with another dog.
Here are the popular mixes:
• Pitbull Golden Retriever Husky mix
• Pitbull Golden Retriever Rottweiler mix
• Pitbull Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever mix
• Pitbull Golden Retriever Australian Shepherd mix
• Pitbull Golden Retriever German Shepherd mix
• Golden Retriever and Siberian Husky
• Pitbull English Golden Retriever mix
• American Pitbull Golden Retriever mix
• Pitbull Terrier Golden Retriever mix
• Pitbull Golden Retriever Boxer mix
• Pitbull Terriers and English Springer Spaniels puppies
• Golden Retriever Pyrenees mix
• Dachshund Pitbull mix
• Border Collie Golden Retriever mix
• Scotland Terrier Pitbull mix
In The End…
The Golden Retriever Pitbull mix is truly a wonderful hybrid, both physically and mentally. Why wouldn’t it be? It comes from terrific parents, some of the best in the canine world. So it’s only natural to assume their puppy will be a charming pooch ready to become someone’s best friend.
Are you ready to let this unique and rare crossbreed into your life?
Read Next:
• The Pitbull Dalmatian Mix: An Intro To The Pitmatian Breed
• Vizsla Pitbull Mix: Will This Pooch Be The One For You?
