The Pocket Pitbull is a crossbreed between an American Pitbull Terrier and a Patterdale Terrier. This hybrid breed is often referred to as a Miniature Pitbull as well.
As the name suggests, the Pocket Pitbull is a small-sized dog with a height at the shoulder of 12-16 inches and a weight of 11-22 lbs.
The lifespan of these dogs is about 11-13 years.
Pocket Pitbulls are active, friendly, intelligent, and protective dogs suitable for active owners and families with children.
Pocket Pitbull is a mixed dog breed cross of the American Pitbull Terrier and the Patterdale Terrier, also known as Miniature Pitbull. It’s a small-sized dog breed at about 12 to 16 inches tall, weighing between 11 to 22 pounds. The lifespan of the Mini Pitbull is around 11 to 13 years.
Read on to find out more about the Pocket Pitbull to see if it is a suitable choice for a new pet for you.
Don’t let its name fool you
This crossbreed may be called Pocket Pitbull, but don’t expect that you will get a Teacup Chihuahua or another toy dog that you can fit in your purse.
The Pocket Pitbull is simply a smaller version of one of its parents – the American Pitbull Terrier.
The Miniature Pitbull has a short stature, inherited from their Patterdale Terrier relations.
The height of a Pocket Pitbull is usually from 12 to 16 inches at the shoulder, which makes it a relatively small crossbreed, suitable for people who really want a Pitbull but are stopped to its large size.
Then again, a Pocket Pitbull is not a tiny and frail pup. In fact, the dogs from this hybrid breed are muscular, strong, and can weigh 11 to 22 lbs. and they require vigorous exercise and training.
They are excellent exercise buddies
As mentioned earlier, Pocket Pitbulls are highly active dogs with a lot of athleticism and strength, which they get from their purebred American Pitbull Terrier side, and hardworking hunting dogs, which they get from their Patterdale Terrier parentage.
So, they are definitely a suitable crossbreed for owners looking for active dogs and are those who are active themselves.
Keep in mind that an average Pocket Pitbull will require at least one hour of vigorous games, exercise, and running per day to stay healthy, happy, and well.
If you have a safely fenced backyard, your Pocket Pitbull will feel much happier, having a place to roam and run freely for several hours a day.
But even if you live in an apartment without outdoor space, you can still get a Pocket Pitbull, but make sure that you are prepared to take it for long walks, runs, cycling, hiking, or playing fetch and other games with it every day.
They are very friendly with kids
Most Pocket Pitbulls inherit the friendliness and gentleness of their Pitbull parents, which are also referred to as “Nanny Dogs.”
This means that Pocket Pitbulls, which are properly socialized and trained, are excellent play pals for children and make superb family pets.
But keep in mind that although they are smaller than Pitbulls, Pocket Pitbulls are strong and vigorous enough to be able to knock over very small children and toddlers accidentally.
No matter what type of dog, you should always supervise your children when they are interacting and playing with your pup. It is essential to teach the kids how to safely approach the dog, when not to bother the dog (when it is resting or eating), and others.
But overall, with the proper training, socializing, and supervision, your Pocket Pitbull can quickly become your child’s best friend and loyal companion.
They are excellent watchdogs as well
Thanks to its Patterdale Terrier genes, the Mini Pitbull has strong protective instincts and a desire to keep its territory and family safe. This means that dogs from this crossbreed are usually superb and reliable watchdogs, which will alert you and bark any time an intruder or danger is detected.
This, though, can become problematic if your dog becomes too protective or territorial and becomes dangerous to other dogs, animals, or people who enter your premises.
This is why you should make sure that you start socializing your Miniature Pitbull as early as possible and meet it with many other dogs, people, and settings. Plus, you will need to provide it with consistent behavioral training, so it learns to obey basic commands, such as “no,” “stay,” “leave it,” and others.
Overall, it is essential that you manage to assert yourself as the alpha and pack leader from the very start in order to be able to control your pup and avoid it from trying to become predominant.
They require little grooming and yet look beautiful
Pocket Pitbulls have shiny short coats, which can come in different colors, including black, white, brown, cream, gray, or tan.
The coat looks lustrous and smooth, and it requires minimal maintenance, including occasional brushing and weekly baths.
But you will also need to regularly trim your dog’s nails and brush its teeth, as well as inspect and clean its ears and hidden body parts too. So, it is not a completely maintenance-free dog. In fact, no dog is.
They can cost more than their purebred parents
The Pocket Pitbulls are rarer designer dogs which makes them more expensive than the purebred American Pitbull Terrier.
If you are looking to buy a Miniature Pitbull, you should be ready to pay around $1,500-$2,500 or more for one.
Go to a reputable breeder for your Mini Pitbull
Ask your veterinarian or a fancier of the breed for a referral to a reputable breeder if you want to buy a healthy and responsibly-bred dog.
There are multiple online resources where you can find recommended and reputable breeders and puppies, such as the AKC Marketplace.
How to know if a breeder is reputable or not?
In order to make sure that the breeder of your choice puts the dog’s health, quality and traits first, you should look for a Mini Pitbull breeder who:
- Wants to meet you personally rather than offer a dog online
- Is happy to show you the puppy’s home and where it was born and raised
- Introduce you to its mother, parents, and siblings
- Displays a clean and healthy environment and dogs which look well looked after and healthy
- Can show you the certificates and documents for health tests for genetic diseases and mutations of the parents and explains what the most significant potential genetic risks for the puppy are
- Is truly interested in how you plan to care for the dog and is not afraid to ask you questions about your ability to take care of it properly
- Asks you to sign a contract or other document that you will be neutering or spaying the dog unless you are planning on showing it
The Mini Pitbull can be prone to some specific health problems
As with all purebred and crossbred dogs, the Pocket Pitbull can be prone to specific inherited conditions, which are more typical for its purebred parents.
When buying a dog from a responsible breeder, you can be certain that all tests are done, and precautions are taken to minimize the risks of these genetic diseases, especially if certificates and other documents can be provided to prove this.
Still, you should be aware of the most typical health problems which can plague the Pocket Pitbull so that you monitor your dog and take the necessary precautions to keep it well and healthy.
Of course, you will need to take proper care of your dog to make sure that it stays healthy, including providing it with a well-balanced diet, sufficient exercise, mental stimulation, and all the necessary vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, and other regular checkups by the vet.
Here are some of the most common health problems which can affect Mini Pitbulls:
Hypothyroidism
This condition causes the thyroid gland to under-produce or stop producing the essential hormones that help keep the dog healthy and well. Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs include weight gain, lethargy, a dull coat, excessive shedding, intolerance to cold, dark skin pigmentation, high levels of blood cholesterol, a slower heart rate, epilepsy, and others.
While hypothyroidism cannot be cured, it can easily be managed with the help of hormone replacement therapy and by providing the dog with a well-balanced, healthy diet providing all essential nutrients.
Hip dysplasia
This is most often a hereditary condition that can affect Pitbulls and many other large breeds. It involves abnormal thigh bone growth, which cannot fit and slips out of the hip joint, and can lead to pain, difficulty moving and even lameness if left untreated.
In some severe cases, the dog may require surgery to repair the joint. But in milder cases, maintaining a healthy weight, providing a well-balanced diet, and adding some supplements which promote bone and joint health, such as chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 oils, can keep the dog well and pain-free.
Responsible breeders do not breed dogs that have been diagnosed with or carry the mutations causing hip dysplasia.
Heart disease
This health problem is often inherited from the Patterdale Terrier side of the Mini Pitbull crossbreed. It can be displayed by one or more of these common symptoms of heart disease:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lowered activity levels and unwillingness to exercise
- Coughing
- Breathing problems and difficulties
- A loss of appetite
- Increased fatigue
- Insomnia
To make sure that your pup is healthy and doesn’t suffer from heart problems, you should make sure to take it to annual checkups to get its heart monitored for abnormal heart rhythm or murmurs.
Keeping your dog from becoming overweight or obese is also essential to minimize the risk of heart problems, as well as other serious illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, bladder stones, and some types of cancer.
Some supplements can help improve the condition of pups suffering from heart disease as well, including Omega-3 fatty acids, which are often contained in dog foods with fish or with flaxseed oil as their main ingredients.
Eye issues
Mini Pitbulls are more prone to eye problems than some other dogs. These conditions can include cataracts and other problematic issues, which can be painful and can even cause blindness.
This is why you should go on regular checkups at the veterinarian and make sure that your pup gets enough antioxidants and nutrients that can help improve the eyes’ health, such as carrots, cold-water fish, blueberries, broccoli, and others.
Skin problems
Since they have short coats, Mini Pitbulls are prone to skin problems and skin allergies. Make sure you inspect the skin of your dog on a regular basis and clean it, especially on the hidden parts, including the inner part of the ears, the feet, and the belly.
Use dog sunblock or provide your pup with sufficient shade when it is sunny, and use safe insecticides to protect it from mosquito, flea, and other bites, which can cause allergic reactions.
In some cases, if your dog is allergic to foods, the allergic reaction may cause itchiness and hives. Make sure you monitor your pup for negative reactions, especially when adding a new food type to its diet.
If a food allergy is suspected, your veterinarian may recommend that the pup is tested and that you put it on an elimination diet to determine which food is causing the allergy.
Final Words
Pocket Pitbulls are becoming increasingly popular among people looking for a dog with the traits of a Pitbull but with a smaller and more manageable size suitable for apartments and urban living.
While they are smaller than purebred Pitbulls, Mini Pitbulls are not toy dogs and can be very strong and vigorous.
It is essential to be prepared for what to expect before bringing a Pocket Pitbull into your life, namely to keep in mind that it needs extensive daily exercise, consistent training by a confident owner, and socializing.
While they are not high-maintenance dogs, they do require regular grooming, a well-balanced diet, and regular veterinary checkups like all other dogs.
If you are planning on buying a Pocket Pitbull, choose a reputable and responsible breeder.
You can also check your local rescue centers and shelters or online sources for dogs looking for forever homes to search for a Mini Pitbull, which is up for adoption.