The Greyhound Pitbull mix is one of the designer dog breeds that is a pleasant surprise for many dog owners. Want to know why? Keep reading this article!
Both Greyhounds and Pit Bulls are extremely active dogs, but they’re also quite stubborn, so Greyhound Pitties might inherit this trait as well.
However, they are so adorable and loving that you’ll easily forget any time they misbehave just by looking into their eyes!
Today, we prepared a complete guide for this interesting crossbreed that will steal your heart in a matter of seconds!
Greyhound Pitbull Mix: Meet The Parents!
Greyhound
The initial purpose of the Greyhound was to serve as a hunting dog, and they were used to pursue hare, foxes, and deer.
These dogs are capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, which gives them the reputation of being the Ferraris of the canine world.
It should come as no surprise that Greyhounds have earned a reputation for themselves in the sport of dog racing.
The modern Greyhound can be seen competing in a variety of other canine sports, such as lure coursing, obedience, agility, and conformation.
Personality
People adore them not just because of their elegance and speed, but also because of the kind and gentle attitude that they display not only toward their family members, but people in general.
They are, however, quite sensitive, both to weather extremes and to being alone for long periods of time. This is a canine that might easily get separation anxiety as soon as you’re not around.
If you give them the attention, affection, and physical activity that they yearn for, you will have a devoted and loving furry companion for the rest of your life.
These canines have a propensity for getting along well with people of any background. They get along well with both family and children, as well as other dogs and strangers.
Despite this, one of the most significant problems is that they like to bark a lot, but they’re easily trained, so a good obedience program might fix that.
Appearance
Greyhounds are quite large canines – they can grow up to 27 inches in height, and usually weigh between 60 and 70 lbs.
The shape of their head might be narrow, with a long nose, but their body isn’t, as they’re generally well developed, although they have a rather slim, than stocky appearance.
When it comes to their coat, it’s important to say that Greyhounds have a beautiful short-haired coat in several shades, including brindle, black, fawn, blue, white, and red.
However, even though their coat isn’t short, Greyhounds shed a certain amount of hair – not as much as Huskies and German Shepherds, but they do leave a few hairs around the house.
You might come across a canine that is called the Italian Greyhound, which is related to this dog breed, but has quite different physical features, so the two should not be confused.
Pit Bull
The Pit Bull is quite an interesting term for a cross between a Bulldog and a Terrier. It isn’t recognized as a dog breed but as a category for purebred descendants:
• The American Bully
• The Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• The American Staffordshire Terrier
• The American Pit Bull Terrier
All of these canine breeds share a great number of similarities that they inherited from their ancestors. However, there are slight differences in their looks and personality, which separate them into different breeds.
Also, it’s interesting to notice that all Pit Bull types, except for the American Pit Bull Terrier, are acknowledged by the American Kennel Club (AKC), while American Pit Bulls are recognized only by the United Kennel Club (UKC).
Personality
Unfortunately, Pit Bulls have earned a bad reputation throughout the years because of their history as bull-baiting canines that were initially bred for dog fights.
Although some people still see these pups as hostile bullies, there are more and more dog owners who have finally realized how precious these doggies truly are.
Even though they can be strong-willed from time to time, Pit Bulls are usually obedient, loyal, and affectionate to their owner and their family members.
The belief that Pit Bulls are dangerous is just another common misconception. They are extremely sociable both with their family and with those they have never met before.
Due to the fact that they have such a wonderful relationship with children, many people used to refer to them as “the nanny dog”.
However, keep in mind that the Pitties that are good family pets are usually trained since early puppyhood, so if you have a small child in your house, I’d recommend getting a Pit Bull pup from a reputable breeder.
The American Pit Bull Terrier, like the Greyhound, is a dog that is very simple to instruct. It is a breed that has a high level of intelligence, and does everything in its power to make its family happy.
Appearance
Pit Bulls, in general, have almost the same head shape, which is wide and square-like, except for their crossbreeds (if they inherit the physical traits from another parent breed).
These pups are well-known for their almond-shaped eyes and long ears, which might either be upright or floppy (unless their ears are cropped).
It’s interesting to notice that there are quite a few dog breeds that resemble Pit Bulls such as Cane Corsos, Bullmastiffs, Dogo Argentinos, Boxers, etc.
RELATED: Cane Corso Vs. Pitbull: Which One Is The Best Dog For You?
The main reason for this is the fact that they all belong to the same category of bully-breed canines.
Pit Bulls usually have a short coat that can be colored in wonderful shades and markings, including tricolor, merle, black and white, blue fawn, black, champagne, gray, and other hues.
What Is The Greyhound Pitbull Mix?
Now that you are familiar with the qualities shared by these two canines, it is time to go into detail about the offspring of these two amazing dog breeds.
A Greyhound and an American Pitbull Terrier are the two parent dogs of the hybrid breed known as the Greybull Pit.
These pups are fearless, but dependable beings that are completely devoted to their families and very affectionate to those they live with.
However, this breed might not be the easiest one to work with as they inherit the stubbornness from both parent breeds.
Therefore, even though they are unconditionally loyal to their dog owners, these pooches still might ignore them from time to time.
They have a good nature and a kind demeanor, which is why they’re an excellent choice for family pets in environments with youngsters and small animals.
Although this crossbreed is obedient and loyal to its humans, it’s usually recommended for more experienced owners who know how to deal with stubbornness in canines, especially during training.
The Appearance Of The Greyhound Pitbull Mix
Greyhounds are tall and long, while Pit Bulls have a more stocky build; therefore, you can expect your mixed-breed doggie to be a large dog indeed.
Everything hinges on which side will be able to make the greatest impact.
In the event that the Pit Bull wins, you should prepare for a medium-sized pet with a thick neck and lots of muscles, which might eventually be on the borderline with large-dog dimensions.
If, on the other hand, the gene from the Greyhound turns out to be the dominant one, then you can expect a tall canine with a long neck and probably strong musculature as crossbreeds usually inherit at least a few traits from the less dominant side as well.
Size
When we talk about the size of these pups, it’s important to separate the male canines from their female counterparts as they usually grow to different heights.
Female pups often measure between 17 and 18 inches until they’re fully mature.
On the other hand, the average height of a male Greybull Pit might range anywhere from 19 to 30 inches depending on which gene is more dominant.
However, when it comes to their weight, female and male Greyhound Pitties can often weigh the same… up to 85 pounds.
This might be a rather unusual occurrence as female pups usually weigh less, but it just proves the point that they can be as strong and as muscled as their male counterparts.
Types Of Coat And Colors
One thing is for sure – the Gray Pittie is bound to have a short-haired coat, and they might shed moderately.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re hypoallergenic, so I still wouldn’t recommend them as pets for people with allergic reactions to dog hair.
Most short-haired pups have wiry fur, and the Greybull Pit is no exception. However, when it comes to the shades of the coat as well as the markings, the situation might be quite interesting.
Greyhounds have far fewer coat shades than Pit Bulls, so there is a high chance your pet will inherit the genes from its Pittie parent.
You can expect all kinds of colours from the Greyhound Pitbull litter, including:
• Red
• Gray
• Blue
• Fawn
• White
• Brown
• Black
Most of these colours will not appear as solids, but rather as base colours of brindle combinations, especially white shades.
If your pup’s coat is completely coloured in white, without any markings on the coat, and has any other nose color than black, then there are high chance that your pup is an albino canine.
These pups are as equally adorable as other Gray Pittie pooches, but they might have certain health issues, including hearing impairment.
Temperament Of The Greyhound Pit bull Mix
The Greybull Pit bull terrier is a kind, friendly, and loving breed of dog that adores spending time with its owner. Even when its owner is around, a Gray Pittie might become agitated and worried if the owner gets out of their sight.
Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise you if your pup ends up sitting on you all the time or even follows you to the bathroom.
This type of behaviour is a direct result of separation anxiety, which might turn into destructive behaviour if you don’t find enough time to spend with your pet.
Early socialization is the key to this issue as it’ll open them to other people and animals, and it might even help your pup deal with the anxiety in a better way.
Greyhounds are one of the fastest dogs, and with high energy levels, and their crossbreeds might be just as energetic as them. If you fill their days with physical and mental activities, Gray Pitties might feel less anxious as well.
This is also one of the reasons why they are not suitable for living in a city or in a flat unless they are able to do several hours of activity every day.
Because of their high levels of activity and intelligence, these dogs are a significant responsibility to their owner. In order to be successful at managing your pup, you will need to have a strong, but not too firm of a hand, as well as patience and calm leadership.
They are fantastic companions to have if you have the time and dedication to devote to this robust breed, both physically and mentally.
Are They Good Family Dogs?
Since Greybull Pits adores the company of people, they make wonderful pets for families with children. They form a strong attachment to their owner, which might turn into clingy behavior.
In spite of the stereotypes associated with their parent breeds, Greyhound Pitties are excellent with children, and they make trustworthy watchdogs that are willing to give their life for the safety of their family.
Of course, loyalty and obedience are, in a great manner, the result of successful training, but their guard dog skills are mostly impacted by the strong prey drive that they possess.
The Greybull Pit mixed breed will get along nicely with other pets most of the time, but because of their intense drive to hunt prey, smaller animals might not be too excited about having them inside the house.
In most cases, your Greybull will not have any problem around other dogs, particularly if it has been neutered or spayed.
You have to keep in mind that these are energetic dogs and that their energy has to be expressed in one way or another. That’s why it would be best to take them outside regularly and involve them in different activities, so they can feel relaxed at home.
Common Health Issues Of The Greyhound Pitbull Mix
When we consider the potential health issues that our dogs may face, it never produces an exciting feeling.
Having said that, this is a topic that simply cannot be side-stepped. You absolutely must get ready for the possibility that one day, your four-legged companion might go through one of these issues.
Even before you purchase a Greybull Pit, your way of thinking must be adjusted in order to avoid potential health problems. It is essential to perform research on the breeder from whom you intend to get your dog.
Hypothyroidism
The Greybull Pit may have certain issues connected to the synthesis of hormones. Hypothyroidism is the medical term for the condition in which the thyroid gland produces an abnormally low amount of hormones.
Hypothyroidism can include several negative symptoms such as a lack of energy, weight gain, or mental fogginess.
On the other hand, hyperthyroidism can cause your dog to be hyperactive, lose an abnormal amount of weight, urinate frequently, and have a wide variety of other issues.
If you notice any type of abnormality in your pet’s weight, behaviour, or well-being in general, you should react immediately and take it to the vet.
That is the only way to be exactly sure of what the cause of those certain issues is.
Hip Dysplasia
I have no doubt that you have encountered this term quite frequently. The disorder known as hip dysplasia is quite widespread, particularly among large dog breeds such as Greyhounds, Great Danes, Cane Corsos, Alaskan Malamutes, and even Pit Bulls because of their muscled body.
This is due to an abnormality in the ball-and-socket hip joint seen in canines, which causes it to be positioned incorrectly. This makes it impossible for dogs to freely walk and run around.
Depending on how far the illness has progressed, it may produce a wide array of issues. A reduction in energy, poor mobility, pain, and other connected difficulties are all symptoms of this condition.
A diagnosis can be made either by recognizing the early signs of this condition or by the use of an X-ray.
Surgery is the only form of treatment that is proven to be effective.
On the other hand, if the situation does not appear to be particularly alarming, there is typically no need for such interventions.The veterinarian who is treating your dog might just recommend certain treatments.
Bloat
Although it doesn’t sound all that serious, this is one of the most important health problems for which you need to keep an eye on.
The condition known as bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach becomes distended as a result of the accumulation of food, fluids, or gasses.
If you discover that your Greybull Pit is affected by this issue, you should start looking into treatment options as soon as you can.
Stomach bloating is the most obvious sign of this issue. Your four-legged pal will have a belly that looks like a blown-up party balloon.
Drooling, the urge to throw up, restlessness, and anxiety attacks are some of the additional symptoms.
Gastric torsion crises can be brought on by things like consuming huge amounts of food or liquid in a short amount of time, having one particularly large meal every day, or being under a lot of mental stress.
Several distinct treatment strategies may be implemented depending on the gravity of the condition.
The most common approach that veterinarians take to fix this issue is to place a tube down the animal’s throat and attempt to release some of the pressure that has built up in the stomach.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-lasting health issue that can strike almost every dog breed. This type of condition cannot be cured; however, it can be very effectively managed with the help of a veterinarian and medications.
Diabetes mellitus, sometimes known as “sugar diabetes”, is the form of diabetes that manifests itself in dogs the most. It is a metabolism issue that is caused by a lack of insulin, which leads to abnormal sugar levels in the blood.
The most common symptoms of this illness are excessive thirst, sudden weight loss, increased appetite, loss of balance, etc.
Greyhound Pitbull Mix Diet
Greyhound Pit bull terriers are huge and stocky canines with high levels of activity and vitality. Because of their size, these pups require a diet that is able to keep up with their level of energy.
We suggest feeding your pet approximately three cups of high-quality dry kibble every day, preferably in the form of two meals of a more manageable size.
However, when it comes to these imposing canines, quality matters a great deal more than quantity.
Try to find the best food available for your pup. It can be either food recommended for Greyhounds or the best food for Pit Bulls… what matters the most is that it fits your pup’s needs.
You can check Amazon, Chewy, or other online stores to find a good brand of dry or wet dog food (although I’d recommend you mix them occasionally).
These dogs will require larger levels of protein than the majority of other breeds, and in addition to their regular food, fish, lean meats, organ meats, and bone broth are all excellent sources of this essential nutrient.
If you’re not sure about the right way of feeding your Greyhound Pittie, you can check the Pitbull feeding chart until you learn your pup’s dietary habits.
Training And Exercise Requirements
The Greybull Pit Bull Terrier is a highly clever breed of dog that is very eager to learn new things. If given the time and patience, training one of these dogs can be a real treat.
Having said that, the Pit Bull Terrier heritage will require more work and patience, a light hand, and training tactics that emphasize calm assertiveness.
Instead of punishments and criticism, positive reinforcement might just be the right training method.
Your Greybull Pit needs to become accustomed to being around other animals and people in order to maintain its composure and obedience when it is exposed to unknown circumstances.
The Greybull Pit will require a minimum of two good quality workout sessions, each lasting at least one hour per day.
This should include activities such as jogging, running, and fast walking, as well as mentally challenging play, with games such as fetch and frisbee.
These are the types of dogs that, if allowed to become bored, can rapidly start behaving destructively; therefore, it is important to keep them occupied at all times.
Grooming Requirements For The Greyhound Pitbull Mix
The Greybull Pit is a breed of dog that does not require a lot of grooming or exercise.
You will, nevertheless, be required to do certain things in order to maintain the clean and tidy appearance of your dog.
Even though Greyhound Pitties usually have a smooth coat with moderately shedding fur, these pups will still require regular brushing. The best way to keep dead hair away from your furniture is by using a slicker brush.
Baths are required, although you won’t have to bathe them as often as Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds. Good-quality shampoo and warm water will clean all stains from their fur.
Due to the fact that the Greybull Pit is susceptible to dental problems, you will need to brush its teeth on a daily basis.
In addition to brushing its teeth once per day, it must also consume food of high quality in order to preserve its oral and digestive health.
In addition to this, you should trim your dog’s nails on a regular basis.
There will likely be instances when your dog is difficult to handle and will not allow you to groom it.
You have to realize that these sessions are for more than simply grooming your dog; they are also a wonderful opportunity for the two of you to strengthen your friendship with one another.
Therefore, instead of trying to force it, turn the grooming sessions into a fun activity. Add some favorite treats of your pooch, some music, and cuddles, and your pup will immediately love it!
Final Thoughts
Owning a Greyhound Pit Bull mix is truly a joy, especially for those who love their Pit Bull and Greyhound parents.
These pups are truly amazing in every possible sense, but they’re often misunderstood because of their parents’ history (the Pit Bull, to be exact).
I’m sure that once you meet these wonderful canines, you’ll immediately recognize the lively spirit and gentle demeanor that they have.
However, keep in mind that they aren’t fit for apartment living, so if you live in a smaller flat, you might have to consider getting a different dog breed or having enough time to take your pup out for several hours every day.
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