Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Owner’s Guide

Are you looking for an extremely unique dog, one who is loyal and highly intelligent? Then you may want to consider the Golden Retriever Pitbull mix!

In this guide, we’ll review what is known about the mix of these two dog breeds, the mix’s characteristics & personality, and more! Let’s get started!

What is a Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix?

The Pitbull Golden Retriever mix is a hybrid dog, which is the result of breeding a purebred American Pitbull Terrier with a purebred Golden Retriever. This is one of the most uncommon mix of breeds around—you really don’t hear about them very often.

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dogs around! And it’s one of the friendliest. These dogs were originally bred to retrieve game for hunters. For this reason, Goldens were bred to be extremely intelligent, energetic, and easy to train. Plus, they love people.

The American Pitbull Terrier was once bred as a bull baiting (fighting) dog. However, that practice ended long ago. However, these days Pitbulls are sometimes still used in illegal dog fight competitions. For this reason, Pitbulls have a reputation for being aggressive. Even so, when these dogs are properly bred and raised by reputable breeders, they can be gentle, loving, loyal and friendly companion dogs.

When it comes to a mix of the Golden Retriever and the Pitbull, you never know what the resulting puppies will be like. The puppies inherit genes from each parent, but it’s impossible to know if the puppies will be more like their Golden parent or their Pitbull parent. They’ll be a mix, but generally will follow more after one of their parents.

For this reason, it’s difficult to know what the puppies will look like, or even predict what their personalities will be like.

Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Characteristics

Because these are hybrid dogs, there is no one standard when it comes to how they look. However, these dogs tend to be large, strong and well-built. They may be thin and lean, or have a wider, muscular body.

Pitbull Golden Retriever mixes can stand from about 17-24 inches tall, and weigh between 30-75 lbs. And they have an average life expectancy between 10-15 years.

When it comes to their coats, a Pitbull Golden Retriever may come out in any number of ways! For instance, if the puppies take after their Golden Retriever parent, they may have longer, fluffier fur. They may also have an undercoat and their fur could even be wavy. On the other hand, if the puppies are more like their Pitbull parent, their coats could be short, thin and fine.

These dogs can come in a wide variety of colors, too:

• Golden
• Black
• White
• Brown
• Yellow

Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Personality

Because these dogs are a mix, it can be difficult to predict their temperament. However, you can generally say that a Pitbull Golden Retriever mix is extremely loyal and devoted to their pet parents and families. While they may be wary of strangers, these dogs are definitely devoted to their families. So much so that they tend to count everyone in the family as part of their pack.

Expect your Pitbull Golden Retriever mix to be extremely social, too. They need to be with their pet parents and family most of the time. If you need to be away for long hours almost every day, then this may not be the right dog for you. When left alone for long periods, a Pitbull Golden Retriever mix may develop separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviors.

Having said that, as long as you’re there, your mixed fur baby will love being the center of your attention! When they’re with you, they may also enjoy meeting new people. That is, as long as they’ve been properly socialized from a young age.

Along with being a devoted best bud, your Pitbull Golden Retriever mix is also extremely intelligent. These dogs are fast learners and they’re eager to please, which makes them easy to train.

Did we mention the Golden Retriever Pitbull mix will be very energetic? These are very active dogs who need plenty of exercise on a very regular basis. They need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. These dogs will love to join you on long walks, jogs, or even swimming. Plus, they love to play!

Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix Health Issues

Most hybrid dogs are usually healthier than their purebred parents; however, they can still develop some of the same health issues as their parents including:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cancer
• Cataracts

Care of a Pitbull Golden Retriever Mix

When it comes to grooming, it will depend on your fur baby’s hair as to how often they need to be brushed. A long-haired dog will need to be brushed every day, while a short-haired dog can get by being brushed about once a week.

Your Pitbull Golden Retriever can be bathed about once a month, or sooner if he happens to become very dirty and/or stinky.

These are large, active dogs and will need more food than dogs that aren’t as active. A Golden Retriever Pitbull mix may require up to 1600 calories a day, depending on his age, size, and activity level.

Training a Golden Retriever Pitbull Mix

These dogs are very eager to please their pet parents, and they’re highly intelligent. Both of these traits make them easy to train. And training will be necessary with these dogs.

They excel at obedience training and do need to be socialized from a young age. These hybrid pups also do well under positive reinforcement training methods. Physical punishment should be avoided with these dogs, as it can make them aggressive.

Do Pitbull Golden Retrievers Make Good Family Dogs?

Yes, they can be wonderful family dogs. Both breeds are extremely loving and loyal to their families, which includes children. Having said that, no dog should ever be left unattended with children. Dogs and children should be supervised at all times, regardless of the dog’s breed.

As long as you can give your Pitbull Golden Retriever plenty of exercise and attention, you’ll end up with a dog who’s your best pal for life!