Pitbull Dachshund Mix Breed Information, Traits & Characteristics

The pitbull dachshund mix is a rare crossbreed dog mix between a pitbull and a dachshund. Pitbull dachshunds are also commonly referred to as dox-bulls, doxie-bulls, and doxi-pits.

These dogs have lively, fearless personalities and oddly-shaped bodies that combine the large, muscular pitbull head with the small, dainty dachshund body. Pitbull dachshunds grow to 8–13 inches tall and weigh 20–30 pounds. They typically live for 8–12 years.

Ideal owners for pitbull dachshunds are adults who have a lot of time to focus on building a relationship with their pets, and families with teenage children.

Pitbull dachshund mixes typically cost $400–$800.

Pitbull Dachshund Mix Characteristics & Overview

Pitbull dachshund sitting on pavement

Common names:Pit bull dachshund mix, pitbull dachshund mix, pit bull dachshund, dox-bull, doxie-bull, doxi-pit, bulldach
Origin:Georgia, USA
Parent breeds:Pitbull and dachshund
Breed group:Hybrid
Size:Small
Height:8–13 inches
Weight:20–30 pounds
Colors:Black, brown, merle, brindle, fawn, piebald
Coat:Single coat, short length
Life expectancy:8–12 years
Temperament:Loyal, stubborn, affectionate, energetic, occasionally short-tempered
Shedding:Moderate shedder
Barking tendency:High
Cost:$400–$800 USD

Origin & Purpose

One of the pitbull dachshund’s parent breeds is the pitbull, which descended from the British bull and terrier, and was bred for bear and bull-baiting. It was imported into the US in the late 1800s.

The pitbull dachshund’s other parent breed, the dachshund, was created by German breeders from French, English, and German hounds and terriers, and was originally used for badger hunting.

According to anecdotal evidence, the first pitbull dachshund mix was discovered in 2015 in Georgia. The dog, named Rami, was found wandering in a backyard and achieved internet fame due to its unique, big-headed, and short-legged appearance.

Parent Breeds

The parent breeds of this hybrid are the pitbull and the dachshund. As a result, the pitbull dachshund mix shares the traits and characteristics of each of these purebreds.

Pitbull

The pitbull is a stocky, muscular, medium-sized dog with a long body and a short, whip-like tail. Pitbulls have short coats in black, white, brindle, fawn, tan, gray, blue, and brown colors.

They are intelligent, playful, people-oriented, and affectionate. Some pitbulls have aggressive tendencies due to their high prey drive.

Dachshund

The dachshund is a muscular, long-bodied, small dog with short, stubby legs and disproportionately large front paws. Dachshunds have three coat types: smooth, wire, and long, in colors including red, cream, chocolate, black, tan, and sable.

They are playful, clever, lively, and stubborn. They also have a tendency for aggression towards strangers and other dogs. Training them can be challenging.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a pitbull dachshund is 8–12 years.

Pitbull dachshunds that are fed a healthy diet, have regular vet checkups, and get plenty of exercise are likely to live longer than those that eat poor diets, receive poor-quality care, and live sedentary lifestyles.

Pitbull Dachshund Mix Appearance

Two pitbull dachshund mixes sitting in a grassy field

The pitbull dachshund mix is a short, stocky breed with a long body resembling the dachshund’s, and long ears that set off its pitbull-like large head.

This mix is found in shades of black and brown.

Height and Weight

Pitbull dachshund mixes are considered small dogs, with a height at the withers of 8–13 inches, and a weight of 20–30 pounds. The exact height and weight of the dog depend on the size of the parent pitbull.

Pitbulls are found in small, medium, and large sizes, depending on the exact breed type.

Colors

Pitbull dachshunds are typically black, brown, fawn, brindle, merle, or piebald. Some of these mixes have a white spot on their chests, passed down from the pitbull parent.

Shades of brown and black are the most common colors of this mixed breed. Merle and piebald are the least common colors.

Coat

The pitbull dachshund mix has a single coat. The coat length depends on the coat of the parent dachshund. Most commonly, these dogs have short, coarse, wiry coats. Some of these mixed-breed dogs have medium-length fur.

Pitbull dachshunds are moderate shedders, meaning they typically don’t shed much as other dog breeds.

Head and Facial Features

The pitbull dachshund mix has a classic wide, square-shaped pitbull head, with a wide, strong jaw, and almond-shaped eyes that can come in one of various colors.

Depending on the type of pitbull parent, this mix’s ears are either erect and curled at the tips, or floppy and curled forward over the dog’s forehead.

Personality and Temperament

Pitbull dachshunds take personality traits from their parents — the friendly, curious, courageous traits of the dachshund, and the intelligent, affectionate, loyal traits of the pitbull.

Like pitbulls, some pitbull dachshunds have short tempers, and, like dachshunds, some are stubborn.

Their affectionate, sociable nature makes this mix suitable for families with children, but the dog should be well-trained and socialized to prevent aggressive behaviors.

Barking

Pitbull dachshunds are compulsive barkers. Common causes for barking are separation anxiety, attention-seeking behavior, excitement, and alerting or protecting their owners.

Early training can reduce the dog’s barking tendencies.

Pitbull Dachshund Mix Care

A pitbull dachshund mix playing in tall grass
Caring for a pitbull dachshund mix is easy, as long as you train the dog from an early age to prevent unwanted behaviors, give the dog plenty of attention, and provide the right diet and exercise.

Food Needs

Adult pitbull dachshunds need between 1 and 1.5 cups of high-quality kibble per day, depending on the dog’s size and activity level.

Provide nutritious, high-protein food designed for small-to-medium dog breeds. These dogs aren’t good at self-regulating their food intake, so don’t overfeed them — provide three small meals per day.

Grooming Needs

Grooming a pitbull dachshund mix is easy because it doesn’t shed much.

Pitbull dachshunds with dachshund coats require more grooming than those with pitbull coats. Brush the dog every three days to remove loose hair.

They should be washed once every one to two months. The dog’s teeth should be cleaned professionally at least once per year, and its claws should be trimmed once or twice a month.

Exercise Needs

Provide this mix with at least 60 minutes of daily exercise, ideally broken into two or three separate sessions. Pitbull dachshunds are an energetic breed, becoming easily bored and restless when they don’t have the opportunity to play.

Because they are small dogs with short legs, they’re suitable for apartment living. However, they are prone to injury from over-exercise, so you should limit exercise to 90 minutes per day.

Mental Needs

Pitbull dachshunds are highly intelligent, alert dogs that require lots of mental stimulation. Make time for 30 minutes of one-on-one play sessions per day.

Ropes, balls, and frisbees are good bonding toys for them. Puzzle toys are great for keeping the dogs entertained while you’re busy.

Common Health Concerns

The pitbull dachshund mix inherits common health conditions from both of its parents. Because this hybrid is a relatively new breed, the full scope of health conditions affecting this specific breed mix isn’t known.

Some of the conditions that may affect pitbull dachshunds are:

  • Hypothyroidism: Underactive metabolism causing lethargy, weight gain, high blood cholesterol, and cold intolerance.
  • Distichiasis: A condition causing eyelashes that emerge from the eyelid margin rather than the eyelid skin.
  • Demodicosis: Inflammatory disease caused by the demodex mite – leads to skin infections, hair loss, and skin lesions.
  • Hip dysplasia: Abnormal formation of the hip socket.
  • Cushing’s disease: Causes the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol, increasing the risk of kidney damage and diabetes.
  • Progressive retinal atrophy: Progressive blindness over a period of months or years.
  • Epilepsy: Seizures caused by abnormal impulses in the brain.

Buying from a reputable breeder who has screened and cleared the parent dogs of common health conditions reduces the risk of disease in a puppy.

Training

Training a pitbull dachshund mix can be challenging. The breed is intelligent but stubborn, and bad behaviors develop if the dog isn’t trained from an early age.

These dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and firm but fair training. Start training when the dog is eight weeks old, beginning with toilet training, leash training, and basic commands like “sit.”

Consider professional training sessions if you’re struggling to train this breed.

Early socialization is essential for preventing aggressive tendencies and chasing behavior. The dogs should be trained to respectfully interact with children in the family — and children should be taught to respectfully interact with the dog.

Pitbull Dachshund Mix Price

A brown pitbull dachshund walking in a grassy field

Pitbull dachshunds are priced as a mid-range dog breed. The price of the dog depends on whether you buy from a breeder or adopt a dog from a shelter.

How Much Is a Pitbull Dachshund Mix?

A pitbull dachshund typically costs $400–$800. The exact cost depends on the age of the dog — puppies cost about $300 more than adults — and the uniqueness of the dog’s appearance.

These dogs are rare, and this rareness makes them more expensive than similar small dogs. Adopting one is cheaper than buying, incurring a fee of around $200, but pitbull dachshunds are rarely up for adoption.

How Much Does it Cost to Own a Pitbull Dachshund Mix?

The monthly cost of owning a pitbull dachshund mix is $30–$75, depending on the size and health status of the dog.

Food, healthcare, training and walking supplies, new toys for playtime, and grooming all contribute to the monthly cost of raising this hybrid.

Additional fees for professional training and pet sitting should be considered.

Is a Pitbull Dachshund Mix Right for You?

The pitbull dachshund mix is a smart, loyal, affectionate breed, but the dog may not be suitable for some people or lifestyles.

Who Should Get a Pitbull Dachshund Mix?

People with enough time to devote to training and playing with a stubborn, people-oriented dog are good owners for this mixed breed.

These dogs love to be the center of attention and are known to hunt other animals, so they’re best suited to homes with families who don’t already have a pet. Pitbull dachshunds can live with adults and sensible, teenage children who know how to respectfully treat their pets.

Who Should NOT Get a Pitbull Dachshund Mix?

Pitbull dachshunds aren’t suitable for owners who don’t have the time to train a dog starting when it is a puppy.

These dogs aren’t recommended for families with small children because of their aggressive hunting behaviors. People who are often away from home shouldn’t own this mix because the dog becomes bored and anxious when left alone.

More American Pitbull Terrier and Dachshund Mixes

Want an American pitbull terrier mix or dachshund mix but aren’t keen on the pitbull dachshund mix? Check out these other hybrid dog breeds:

American Pitbull Terrier Mixes

Dachshund Mixes

About Thomas Woods 224 Articles
Thomas has been a dog lover since he was 6 years old when his parents got him a rescue Labrador. Since then his love for dogs has lead him to study Animal Behavior & Welfare. He now keeps a six year old English Bullmastiff and educates pet parents through his online publication Perfect Dog Breeds.

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