Pocket Pitbull Dog Breed

The Pocket Pitbull has become very popular very quickly. While it is unknown who or where the idea of cross-breeding an American Pit Bull Terrier with a Patterdale Terrier occurred, it is widely believed that it was first done in the United States. They are easier to train than Pit Bulls even as they look just like smaller versions of them. The infamy of their Pit Bull parent is well-known, of course, but few people know about Patterdale Terriers, and it has been remarked that the intelligence of both breeds is a good mix that helps to mitigate the difficult training, seemingly instinctive ferocity and otherwise bad reputation that surround Pit Bulls. Still, this hybrid is not recommended for first-time dog owners, and a great amount of responsibility is required to adopt and maintain a Pocket Pitbull.

PROS

• High energy
• Very playful
• Small in size
• Extremely loyal
• Lots of stamina
• Easily trainable
• Great guard dogs
• Low grooming needs
• Not excessive barkers
• Can be great with kids
• Remarkably courageous
• Loves exercise and agility sports

CONS

• Can be very needy
• Not for first-time dog owners
• Needs very early socialization
• Requires lots of daily exercise
• Must be willing to train early and constantly
• Must provide lots of daily mental stimulation
• Can quickly develop dangerous behavior if neglected
• May prompt backlash from people due to perceptions of Pitbull aggression
• Females tend to be very aggressive toward other dogs and especially other females
• Must perform a lot of due diligence to ensure breeders use good, non-violent bloodlines
• Relatively averse to pain, which means you must be very careful that they don't hurt themselves

Unlike most hybrids that usually acquire traits unevenly from either or both parents and usually don't exhibit their physical traits until they are mature, Pocket Pitbulls almost always take on the look of their American Pit Bull Terrier parent — just in a somewhat smaller package. What they get from their Patterdale Terrier parent is the potential for easier training, added intelligence and the shorter legs as well as the smaller size. Nevertheless, Pocket Pitbulls can vary significantly from pup to pup — even in the same litter. As with any hybrid, it's best to learn about both parent breeds if you plan to adopt a Pocket Pitbull.

Due to their significant intelligence, lots of mental stimulation is needed. Although they have the potential to exhibit the aggressiveness that they are popularly believed to possess, Pocket Pitbulls are not for first-timers. For those who have lived among dogs, you should still get some professional help as well as be aware that there is a lot of daily responsibility in the many years ahead if you are going to get a Pocket Pitbull. These crossbreeds require patience, positive reinforcement and lots of attention along with a high amount of daily exercise to burn off all that energy that, if neglected, will almost certainly be misdirected quickly into destructive and even dangerous behavior.

With early, proper and patient socialization and training, however, your Pocket Pitbull will be playful, happy and great with kids — who must be taught how to behave with this hybrid, of course. As with all dogs — and especially with Pocket Pitbulls — young and / or small children should never be left unattended with them.

Pocket Pitbulls are at their happiest when they have a large yard and plenty of energetic exercise and agility play. If you jog or run daily, they will be too happy to accompany you!

A Pocket Pitbull is most commonly the result of mating an American Pitbull Terrier with an English Patterdale Terrier. However, Pitbulls mated with various other small breeds are also referred to by the same name. The Pocket Pitbull was bred for families who wanted to own a pitbull, but did not necessarily like the large, muscular size of an American Pitbull

Pocket Pitbulls usually look just like smaller American Pit Bull Terriers but they may also take on the physical characteristics of their Patterdale Terrier parent. As the Patterdale is a somewhat plain-looking dog, however, it is easy (and typical) for the Pit Bull parent's physical makeup to dominant the appearance of Pocket Pitbulls.

If they take on the Pit Bull look, they will be squat, broad and heavy, the difference being that they are smaller and lower to the ground than Pit Bulls; they will still have the small, tight, almond-shaped eyes; a wide-set jaw with the distinctive scissor bite (although often less-pronounced than regular Pit Bulls); and the small ears. If on the off-chance they look like their lesser-known parent, the British-based Patterdale Terrier, they will have a longer snout; be somewhat slim and seemingly taller; have longer, floppy ears; and a long tail. Most breeders tend to dock the tail, however, especially if their Pocket Pitbulls achieve the desired Pit Bull appearance.

Regardless of which parent's genes are more prevalent, the coat will be short, shiny, thick and smooth.

The reputation of the Pocket Pitbull is sure to be one of the more difficult aspects of adopting one of these hybrids. Regardless of how well-behaved your little Pit may be, people will too often disregard the potential of any Pit Bull mixed breed. These are highly intelligent (read: headstrong) dogs that you must understand have a parent breed with a history of war that dates back to Roman times and which in modern times have been used for fighting big game as well as other dogs. Because of their strength, they have the potential to be dangerous — and that is why you need to thoroughly consider if this is a dog for which you will be able to spend the next decade or so being responsible every day.

Pocket Pits also have endless stamina, a constant craving for attention and oodles of energy. They need as much devotion as they demand, a lot of daily exercise and plenty of mental stimulation — such as agility play — to keep them happy, healthy and loyal. They don't bark much but they do make great guard dogs. While they are highly suspicious of strangers, they can be trained to restrain themselves unless there is an imminent threat presented. They are perhaps most problematic with smaller animals and other dogs; females are especially inclined toward exhibiting aggression toward other female dogs.

Should you choose to adopt a Pocket Pitbull, the rewards for seeing to this grand, mandatory responsibility are many: a very loyal, playful and protective companion who will easily prove that Pocket Pits can be as lovable as any other dog!

The main reason for cross-breeding American Pit Bull Terriers with Patterdale Terriers is primarily a cosmetic one: to reduce the Pit Bull's size while attempting to maintain as closely as possible the Pit's characteristics. As such, health concerns tend to be less of a concern, and while Pocket Pitbull puppies are usually fortunate enough to not inherit as many problems as their parent breeds (alone or combined), there are still significant health concerns. Some of those are joint dysplasia, heart diseases, eye problems, thyroid issues and various allergies.

With luck and lots of proper care, you should expect your Pocket Pit pup to mature and live to be around 11 to 13 years old.