Pitbull Dachshund Mixes, commonly referred to as Doxbulls, are largely a mystery due to their recent discovery and lack of popularity.
This unlikely pairing, of an American Pitbull Terrier and a Dachshund, was first recognized in 2015 when a dog named Rami came into a humane society in Georgia.
His peculiar appearance brought in a lot of attention and made him an internet sensation, initially trending on social media and later reaching two million views.
Although he received countless applications for adoption, Rami found his home as an ambassador for the humane society that took him in.
Because of their rarity and the absence of breeders, it is presumed that most of these dogs are accidental offspring.
That being said, if you find a Pitbull Dachshund Mix in a humane society or rescue, there is no reason not to consider them as a potentially great addition to your family.
| Lifespan | 10-14 years |
| Weight | 20-30 pounds (9-14 kg) |
| Height | 8-14 inches (20-35 cm) |
| Activity Level | Medium |
Is the Doxbull Friendly?
The Doxbull, like any other breed, can be friendly with the right upbringing.
Although this question is likely to be one of the first regarding a Pitbull mix, bias and concern are not necessary.
The American Pitbull Terrier is reported to be one of the most tolerant breeds by the American Temperament Test Society, which tested 931 Pitbulls and resulted in an 87.4% pass rate.
Throughout history, they have proven themselves as a loyal, gentle, and caring breed time and time again, making an excellent companion even with children.
Although they are loving and tend to bond closely, Dachshunds are actually less tolerant and are prone to becoming jealous or territorial.
With 49 smooth-haired standard Dachshunds tested, they earned a 69.4% pass rate in the American Temperament Test Society.
It is important to remember that a proper upbringing is equally or perhaps even more important in a dog’s behavior than genetics alone.
Socialization and proper training are the key pillars of having any well-behaved, friendly dog.
You should attempt to expose your dog to as many different people, environments, and situations as possible, to prepare your dog for anything they may face in the future.
No matter the breed, gender, age, or any other factor, with a proper upbringing, any dog can be respectful and well-behaved.
Do Pitbull Dachshunds Need a Lot of Exercise?
Both the American Pitbull Terrier and the Dachshund were bred to work; they have lots of energy, stamina, and hardworking nature.
Every individual has unique exercise requirements based on factors like their breed, genetics, age, weight, gender.
Although it can be difficult to gauge the needs of a mixed-breed dog, it is likely that this combination of two highly active, working breeds, will need moderate exercise each day.
The American Pitbull Terrier is recommended to have somewhere between 1 and 2 hours of exercise each day.
Because they are such an athletic and driven breed, they are prone to become destructive if they do not get enough physical (and mental) exercise.
Rather than leaving them outside by themself, Pitbulls are best exercised through activities they can do with their favorite person.
Walking, jogging, hiking, training, and regular playtime with a ball or frisbee are great ways to exercise your American Pitbull Terrier.
Despite their small size, Dachshunds need more than just a romp around the house to stay healthy.
In actuality, Dachshunds may need more regular exercise than other dog breeds because of their long spine.
Without regular exercise, the muscles in their back become weak, leading to mobility issues, spinal conditions, and even partial or full paralysis.
Because of this, walking is typically the best way to exercise your Dachshund as it uses their muscles without injuring their spine.
Adult standard Dachshunds need at least 60 minutes of exercise a day, while miniature Dachshunds are recommended to have 30 minutes of exercise each day.
How Much Do Doxbulls Shed?
The amount your dog sheds will be mostly dependant on his genetics, and the parent he takes after most.
American Pitbull Terriers have a sleek coat of short hairs that generally shed moderately year-round, but never “blow coat” as some dogs do.
Because they have only one coat, taking care of their fur is quite easy with a quick brush once or twice a month, or as needed.
Smooth-coated Dachshunds are also low maintenance, as they can be similarly maintained with some occasional brushing.
The coat of a smooth-coated Dachshund is very close in appearance and behavior to that of an American Pitbull Terrier, so your dog will likely have a predictably short, manageable coat.
Other variations like the Wirehaired Dachshunds who have a wiry coat that requires “stripping” two or three times a year, and long-haired Dachsunds who need regular brushing and bathing, are both more high maintenance than the Smooth-coated Dachshund.
If you get a Doxbull who is mixed with a wire or long-haired Dachshund, they may have more intense grooming needs to keep their coat in good condition.
Are Pitbull Dachshund Mixes Healthy?
Generally, your Pitbull Dachshund mix can be healthy but you should still be fully aware of any health conditions that could potentially affect them.
It is important to remember that proper nutrition, regular exercise, and preventative care are key to giving your dog a happy and healthy life.
American Pitbull Terriers, despite being a typically robust breed, are prone to both heart conditions like congenital heart defects and thyroid dysfunction like hypothyroidism.
Pitbull breeds are also particularly susceptible to skin allergies as the result of environmental allergens like pollen, dust, grass, and fleas.
Dachshunds, who are, unfortunately, less robust, are prone to suffering from a few more serious health issues.
One of the most concerning is intervertebral disc disease, where one or more discs in their spine is injured or out of place, leading to issues with mobility, potential loss of bladder and bowel control, and partial or complete paralysis.
Dachshunds are also susceptible to having epileptic seizures which can be caused by either genetics or an injury to their head.
How Big Do Pitbull Dachshund Mixes Get?
You can expect your Pitbull Dachshund Mix to weigh about 20-30 pounds (9-14 kg) with an average height of 8-14 inches (20-35 cm).
As with most mixed breed dogs, it can be difficult to determine how big a Pitbull Dachshund mix will get.
Factors like genetics, gender, and nutrition can affect the growth and development of any dog regardless of breed.
In order to get a strong estimate of your Pitbull Dachshund’s size, you should first think of how big each of the parent breeds will get.
Additionally, you should look up pictures of this mixed breed and if possible, meet one in person.
Although the American Pitbull Terrier is recognized as a medium-sized dog, he is actually not very large.
Males are typically around 18 to 19 inches tall, whereas females are a bit smaller at 17 to 18 inches.
Family genetics, rather than gender, is the primary deciding factor in their weight which typically ranges from 30 to 65 pounds, although some can get as large as 80 or 90 pounds.
Additionally, Pitbull breeds are usually well-muscled and have a bulkier shape than most other breeds.
Dachshunds are among some of the smallest dog breeds in the world.
The standard Dachshund is expected to weigh anywhere from 16-32 pounds and stand roughly eight to nine inches tall.
Miniature Dachshunds are even smaller, weighing no more than 11 pounds, and standing five to six inches at the shoulder.
There is a third “Rabbit size” Dachshunds which weigh less than eight pounds, and is recognized by the World Canine Federation, but not in the USA or UK.
Pitbull Dachshund Mix Lifespan
The Pitbull Dachshund mix has a lifespan of about 10-14 years.
A dog’s lifespan can be influenced by any number of factors, including genetics, health conditions, and nutrition.
For dogs who are a mixture of two or more breeds, it can be even more difficult to estimate how long they will live.
The best estimate for your Pitbull Dachshund mix is to observe the lifespan of each parent breed, and even more specifically, the parents of your dog.
American Pitbull Terriers are reported to live anywhere from 8 to 16 years, though in the past, many Pitbulls died before their time as a result of dog-fighting and or abuse.
Without these tragedies, and barring any serious health issues, this hardy breed is capable of living up to 20 years.
Dachshunds have a similar lifespan where miniature Dachshunds live an average of 12 – 16 years and standard Dachshunds typically live to be around 12-14 years old.
As is common in small dogs, many Dachshunds live to be 18 or older, as reported by their loving owners.
Are Pitbull Dachshund Mixes Expensive?
Although the Pitbull Dachshund is a unique and uncommon mixed breed, they are not considered a “designer dog”.
When it comes to pricing, that means you’re in luck; designer dogs are typically much more expensive than other mixed breed dogs.
Additionally, the low supply and low demand for Doxbulls means that they are less likely to be overpriced since the breeders are not able to gouge their prices.
A humane society or breed-related rescue are the two places you are most likely to find this unusual breed, and to adopt.
Shelter adoption fees can range anywhere from a couple of bucks to 300 dollars, depending on the size and location of the shelter, as well as the needs of the particular dog.
If you do manage to find a Pitbull Dachshund breeder, you may spend as much $400-$600 on a new puppy.
This price is completely reasonable so long as the puppy is the result of good breeding, is healthy, and is up to date on their shots or any other medical care.
About the American Pitbull Terrier
As one-half of the parentage of this mixed breed, it is important to be well-educated on the American Pitbull Terrier.
Despite a rich history of bull-baiting, ratting, working, and loyal companionship, Pitbulls often get a bad rap for the vicious dog-fighting, abuse, and mistreatment they were forced into in the 1980s.
Funnily enough, many of the characteristics that dog-fighting owners looked for, such as bravery, loyalty, a protective nature, and desire to work, are the same reasons that Pitbulls make great pets.
They are a highly devoted breed; eager to please, and extremely intelligent.
Additionally, their friendly nature and gentle, loving disposition are largely to thank for earning them a reputation as a “nanny dog.”
About the Dachshund
The other half of a Pitbull Dachshund mix, and equally important as the Pitbull, is the Dachshund.
Originating from Germany, Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers and other tunneling animals like rabbits, and weasels as individuals, and in packs, they could even trail larger game like wild boar or deer.
By the end of the 1800s, Dachshunds had become popular household pets, especially in England, where they were favored by Queen Victoria and other members of the royal family.
While their hunting instincts guide them to be bold and stubborn; their intimate friendship with people brings our their lively, playful, and affectionate nature.
Those traits combined with their lovable appearance have allowed the Dachshund to rank near the top of most popular dogs lists for the last 60-70 years.
Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet.