Shepherd Pit

Breed Information


Type

Is Shepherd Pit a purebred?

Cross Breed

Purpose

What were Shepherd Pits originally used for?

Work and Companion Animal

Lifespan

How Long Do Shepherd Pits Live? What is average life expectancy for a Shepherd Pit? How long can Shepherd Pits live?

10-14 years

The average Shepherd Pit lifespan is somewhere between 10-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Shepherd Pit Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Shepherd Pit?

What is the average height of a Shepherd Pit? How big is a Cross Breed Shepherd Pit height? Shepherd Pit dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 18-26 inches (45.7 - 66 cm) 15.0 inches (38.1 cm) 19.0 inches (48.3 cm) 23.5 inches (59.7 cm)
Female 17-24 inches (43.2 - 61 cm) 14.0 inches (35.6 cm) 18.0 inches (45.7 cm) 22.0 inches (55.9 cm)
What is the average weight of a Shepherd Pit? How much should Shepherd Pits weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 40-90 pounds (18 - 41 kg) 52.5 pounds (24 kg) 67.5 pounds (31 kg) 82.5 pounds (37 kg)
Female 30-70 pounds (14 - 32 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg) 50.0 pounds (23 kg) 62.5 pounds (28 kg)
Hypoallergenic

Are Shepherd Pits Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Shepherd Pit is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Shepherd Pit personality? What are Shepherd Pit dogs best known for?

Curious
Stubborn
Clownish
Alert
Courageous
Intelligent
Confident
Friendly
Affectionate
Obedient
Loyal
Strong
Willed
Aggressive
Watchful

Shedding Level

Are Shepherd Pits heavy shedders? How Much Does a Shepherd Pit Shed?

Shepherd Pit dogs are heavy shedders, they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Shepherd Pit. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Shepherd Pits come from?

United States

Ancestry

What are Shepherd Pits descended from?

German Shepherd, American Pit Bull Terrier

Date of Birth

When were Shepherd Pits first bred? How old is the Shepherd Pit breed?

2000's

Shepherd Pit Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Shepherd Pit eyes?

Hazel
Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Shepherd Pit nose be naturally?

Black
Brown
Isabella

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Shepherd Pit coat be naturally?

Brindle
Cream
Fawn
Brown
Gray
Black

Coat Length

How long is a Shepherd Pits coat?

Shepherd Pits are known for their short coat.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Shepherd Pit Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Shepherd Pit?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Shepherd Pit have in a litter? How many puppies can a Shepherd Pit have in her first litter?

6-10 puppies per pregnancy

A Shepherd Pit can have a litter of 6-10 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

The adaptability of Shepherd Pit dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.

Shepherd Pit Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Shepherd Pits have a lot of health problems?

The Shepherd Pit is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Shepherd Pit?

Demodicosis
Panosteitis
Hip Dysplasia
Pannus
Perianal Fistulas
Hemophilia
Degenerative Myelopathy
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
Renal Cystadenocarcinoma and Nodular Dermatofibrosis

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Shepherd Pits?

Elbow Dysplasia
Hemivertebrae
Von Willebrand's Disease
Cleft Lip or Palate
Footpad Disorder
Cervical Vertebral Instability
Cutaneous Asthenia
Idiopathic Epilepsy
Mitral Valve Dysplasia
Eye Conditions

Occasional Diagnoses

Patellar Luxation
Gastric Dilation Volvulus
Sebaceous Adenitis (SA)
Pulmonic Stenosis

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Shepherd Pit breed?

Dna For Pra
Eye Examinations
Blood Tests
Full Physical Examination regarding joint movement around the hip and kneecap
DNA for VWD
Heart Testing

Shepherd Pit Needs and Activities


Social Needs

Do Shepherd Pits need socialization? How social are Shepherd Pits?

Shepherd Pit have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Shepherd Pit have? Do Shepherd Pits sleep a lot?

Shepherd Pits dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Mouthiness

Are Shepherd Pits mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Shepherd Pit running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Shepherd Pit dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Shepherd Pits enjoy doing? How do I keep my Shepherd Pit busy?

Relaxing, Hike, Swim, Hide and seek, Cuddling, Car ride, Playing fetch, Car rides, Go for walks, Fetch, Walk, Digging, Dog Parks, Jogging, Tracking, Shake, Tug-of-war

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Shepherd Pit? How much energy does a Shepherd Pit have?

High

Shepherd Pits are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Shepherd Pit walk each week? How many miles should a Shepherd Pit walk every week?

16 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Shepherd Pit, it's at least 16 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Shepherd Pit should exercise a day? How much activity does a Shepherd Pit need?

180 minutes

In general most Shepherd Pits usually need at least 180 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Shepherd Pit?

The Shepherd Pit is a breed of dog that is known for its low grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Shepherd Pit?

Weekly

Shepherd Pit should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Shepherd Pits?

Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Shepherd Pit eat?

3 cups

For an average 40-90 pound (18 - 41 kg) Shepherd Pit feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Shepherd Pit Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Shepherd Pit is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Shepherd Pit Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Shepherd Pit is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Shepherd Pit Characteristic


Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Shepherd Pit dog?

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

Apartment Friendly

Do Shepherd Pit do well in apartments? Are Shepherd Pits good indoor dogs?

Shepherd Pits are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Shepherd Pits good with kids? Are Shepherd Pits good around children?

A Shepherd Pits typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Shepherd Pits good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Shepherd Pits good with cats? How friendly Shepherd Pits are toward cats?

Shepherd Pits are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Shepherd Pits can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Shepherd Pit dogs get along with other dogs? Are Shepherd Pits OK with other dogs?

Shepherd Pits are below average dog friendly dogs. Shepherd Pit dogs may not always get along well with other dogs they have not been raised with,

Pet friendly

How do Shepherd Pit dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Shepherd Pits friendly with strangers?

Shepherd Pits are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.

Playfulness

Do Shepherd Pits like to play? Are Shepherd Pits playful?

The Shepherd Pit is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Shepherd Pit is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are Shepherd Pit easily trained?

Shepherd Pit dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.