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There are all kinds of interesting hybrids these days. Have you ever heard of a Bloodhound mixed with a Pit Bull? It’s a thing! If you have spotted one of these pups at the rescue or shelter, or you see someone getting rid of a mix, you might wonder if this breed would make a good fit for your home.
In this article, we will explore who this pup could be good for and what you can expect when you own one.
Breed Overview
Height:
18–27 inches
Weight:
35–110 pounds
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
White, black, brindle, fawn, tan, blue, brown, red, gray, black and tan, liver and red
Suitable for:
Homes with a lot of land, experienced owners
Temperament:
Affectionate, docile, independent, protective
When you mix the Bloodhound and Pitbull, you’re going to get a medium to large size dog that loves to use its sniffer. Since the two parent breeds look very different from one another, this mix can take on traits from either parent.
They might have long or short ears or a combination. Some will have the long snout and drooping jowls of the Bloodhound, while others have the blockier heads and goofy smiles of the Pittie parent. These dogs will often present a pretty good mashup of all traits.
Bloodhound Pitbull Mix Puppies
You likely didn’t find a reputable breeder mixing Bloodhounds and Pitbulls together. These puppies will most likely result from an accidental litter or a surrendered animal. You’re much more likely to find these dogs from private sellers, rescues, and shelters.
When you buy one of these puppies, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of time with them. And they will absolutely love being close to their owners and spending time with each household member.
They are going to need positive reinforcement for good behavior. Both of these dogs thrive on personal connection and require love and acceptance from their people. They certainly shouldn’t be alone for long periods or left to their own devices.
Because of the breed combination, these dogs will be highly intelligent and shouldn’t be so difficult to train. They should succeed with potty training, learning, commands, and walking on a leash.
If you feel like you’re in over your head, you can always consult a professional trainer for tips, guidance, or a training course. Training courses can be beneficial, especially if you’re a novice owner. You can work hand-in-hand with your dog to foster a strong bond and establish a hierarchy.
These large puppies will grow quickly, so prepare to be amazed. They will develop until they are roughly 1 1/2 to 2 years of age.
Regarding appearance, these puppies can look vastly different from one another in the same litter. Some of them might have the long ears of the Bloodhound, short ears of the Pitbull, droopy jowls, or blocky, stocky bodies. It’s hard to tell! They certainly will be cute, though.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Bloodhound Pitbull Mix
These dogs will certainly be intelligent creatures. Bloodhounds have an impeccable sense of smell, the best of all canines. They will be able to pick up on anything, making them very good candidates for scavenger hunts and advanced scent training.
The Pitbull is also known for being quite intelligent but goofy. They have a very good combination of seriousness and silliness, which makes them fit in with several lifestyles.
When you combine both parent breeds, you could get the intelligence of either parent, so it will vary from situation to situation. However, both of these dogs love to learn something new and contribute interesting characteristics on both sides of the coin.
Both the Pitbull and the Bloodhound can be a bit stubborn. So even though they can learn complex tasks, they also have a mind of their own. Each dog will need to be worked with accordingly.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 
The Bloodhound Pitbull mix can work very well for several people. The Pitbull is well revered for being extremely family-oriented and lovable. The Bloodhound is notorious for being slow, docile, and easy-going.
When you combine the two, you get a dog compatible in several living situations. They work best in homes with lots of land, preferably somewhere you actually own instead of rent. Minimally, they need a large fenced-in backyard to run and play.
This breed needs plenty of space to stretch its legs. They likely won’t be the best candidates for apartment living.
Pitbulls also have quite a bad rap and often find themselves on banned lists for apartments and other public housing. However, if they look enough like a Bloodhound, you might be able to get past this.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
Permitting your Bloodhound Pitbull mix is raised with other animals, they should do quite well. The Bloodhound is usually extremely good with other canines and tends to be laid-back all the way around.
Pitbulls also love to have doggy buddies around. However, they might be the more territorial of the two. Some Pitbulls also have a problem with same-sex aggression. So we highly recommend that you socialize them early if you get this mix.
Bloodhounds typically don’t have this problem. They get along with just about anyone or anything. So, hopefully, the characteristics combine to create an amiable, friendly dog that can easily make friends with others.
Things to Know When Owning a Bloodhound Pitbull Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements
A Bloodhound Pitbull mix will need a high-quality, protein-rich diet that will nourish its muscular body. No matter which way the cookie crumbles, these dogs will be substantially large and require an age and species-appropriate meal. You will have several different choices, and the pet food market is changing all the time!
Dry kibble and wet, canned food are still options these days. But they are quickly being sacrificed, however, for more species-specific diets. Many companies are adopting the idea of creating fresh food recipes on a subscription-based service.
Pitbulls are a little prone to being overweight, so always make sure to portion foods appropriately. Being big eaters, they will likely scarf down anything you put in front of them—so make sure it’s quality.
One more thing to mention is that Pitbulls are prone to food sensitivities and allergies. You might want to speak with your vet about food trials if you notice any irritation, dryness, recurring yeast infections, and other signs.
Exercise
Both parent breeds require quite a bit of exercise. On average, this dog needs roughly 60 to 90 minutes of exercise per day, and it will depend on the energy level of the dog. This breed, regardless of which parent they take after, will require lots of space to roam.
It will be very beneficial if you have a large, fenced-in space where they can run and play. If you don’t have a large fenced-in yard, ensure you take them on daily walks and provide plenty of interactive games.
Both parent breeds love being outdoors. Bloodhounds are built for it, while Pitbulls just love to sniff around and experience the adventure. You’re certainly going to have a companion animal that will love long walks, hikes, and visits to the dog park to burn those calories.
Training
Your Bloodhound Pitbull mix will be capable of learning a variety of tasks and commands. This is an intelligent and eager-to-please breed, which can certainly work in your favor when teaching them bigger concepts.
They will be very food-motivated, so make sure you have treats on hand. You can definitely get to this dog’s heart through their stomach! Just be careful to portion correctly, and don’t overfeed them in the process.
Some might be stubborn, so you should be an experienced dog owner before taking on this hybrid mix. If you have any issues, consulting a professional for help is usually the best course of action.
Grooming
The Bloodhound Pitbull mix will be moderately easy to groom. The Bloodhound has a thicker, longer coat than the Pitbull, so the puppies can have a variety of coat lengths. However, a Bloodhound is not considered a long-haired dog.
These dogs will shed continually year-round, so they are unsuitable for allergy sufferers. Like all dogs, the Bloodhound Pitbull mix needs a bath once every 4 to 6 weeks. You can follow up bath time with teeth brushing, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.
Pitbulls are known to have very sensitive skin. Always buy fragrance-free shampoos and products when you can.
Health and Conditions
When it comes to hybrid breeds, health can be a gamble. Each one of these puppies can take on health issues from either parent. Since this is a breed mix, they won’t have any testing done prior to breeding to warn of any genetically transmissible health conditions.
In this scenario, the best thing you can do is take your puppy to the vet on a regular schedule. These appointments will help your vet monitor their growth and overall health. If anything should crop up, you can stay ahead of it rather than wait until a big problem arises before addressing it.
Here are some common health ailments you might see between the Bloodhound and the Pitbull.
Male vs Female
In most breeds, you can tell the difference between males and females based on weight alone. In each of the parent breeds here, the size is very different between males and females. However, since it is a hybrid breed, they can be any size between the two parents.
When it comes to Pitbulls, many of them have same-sex dog aggression. So if you plan on bringing in an adult, it is crucial to ensure that they are compatible with your existing pets. Males also take a bit longer to mature than their female counterparts.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Bloodhound Pitbull Mix
1. Bloodhounds have an impressive sense of smell.
Bloodhounds have a better sense of smell than all of their canine competitors. They can even detect humans for several miles, making them well-tasked with searching for missing folks and escaped prisoners.
2. A Pitbull is not an official breed.
Pitbulls are not an official breed, but a term used to refer to a group of bully-type dogs, creating the familiar faces we see today. Dogs that are often called Pitbulls include the American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
3. Both breeds have European influence.
Both the Bloodhound and Pitbull have European roots. The Pitbull was developed in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Bloodhound is native to the United Kingdom, Belgium, and France.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the Bloodhound Pitbull mix will make a happy, faithful family companion, working amazingly in the right circumstances. Because of this dog’s large nature and activity needs, they don’t make the best candidates for smaller homes.
Also, Pitbulls and dogs with Pitbull in them are often banned from certain apartment complexes due to their bad reputation. So, you must ensure you can own this breed before committing.
Featured Image Credit: Left – Degtyaryov Andrey, Shutterstock | Right – CrystalHeadbandz, Pixabay
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