Pocket Pitbull Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care Guide & More
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View 8 More +Small but mighty, Pocket Pit Bulls pack a lot of strength, energy, and personality into their compact bodies. This designer dog is a cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Patterdale Terrier. Like all hybrid dogs, Pocket Pit Bulls can be a mixed bag when it comes to their physical and personality traits but most Pocket Pits seem to more closely resemble their Pit Bull parents.
| Height: | 12–16 inches |
| Weight: | 11–22 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 11–13 years |
| Colors: | Brindle, black, gray, brown, blue, red, all solid colors with white |
| Suitable for: | Active families, who don’t have room for a full-size Pit Bull but want an energetic, playful companion |
| Temperament: | Energetic, friendly, protective, intelligent |
Pit Bull lovers who are uncomfortable or unable to care for the full-size breed are driving interest in the Pocket Pittie. Like any breed, the Pocket Pit Bull won’t be the right match for every living situation. Before you fall for one of these mini Pitties, keep reading to learn more about the breed.
Pocket Pit Bull Characteristics
Pocket Pit Bull Puppies
When you welcome a Pocket Pit Bull into your home, you can expect to have an energetic and protective dog around. Pocket Pit Bulls are medium dogs that are great for active families. They're also very intelligent, making them highly trainable. Pocket Pit Bulls can have health problems inherited from their parents, but as long as they are fed correctly and have enough exercise, your Pocket Pit Bull should be a happy and healthy dog.
As you can see, this breed ranks high in energy level, lifespan, and trainability. Continue reading to know what you can expect from your Pocket Pit Bull puppy.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Pocket Pit Bull 🧠
Because they are a mix of two different breeds, the Pocket Pit Bull's temperament can’t always be predicted exactly. However, generally, these dogs are friendly and intelligent, very loving and protective towards their families. They are usually confident and independent.
Because of their surprising strength and natural watchdog instincts, they do need early and consistent socialization and training to make sure they know how to behave in polite company. Unfortunately, Pit Bulls, including Pocket Pit Bulls are often unfairly feared. Because of this, Pocket Pit Bull owners do need to be more aware of making sure their dogs behave themselves around other dogs and people.
Are These Dogs Good for Families 👪
Energetic and playful Pocket Pit Bulls make good family dogs when properly raised and socialized. They are generally deeply devoted to their families and can develop behavior problems if not given enough attention.
Pit Bulls were once nicknamed “nanny dogs” because of their love of children. Pocket Pit Bulls usually maintain a similar loving nature towards the family kids, again with socialization.
Interactions between dogs and children should always be supervised, however, especially with kids who are too young to know how to treat a dog properly. Strong and energetic Pocket Pits could also accidentally knock over small kids. Making sure the dog gets plenty of exposure to other kids and adults when they’re young will help them grow into a more sociable, well-behaved pet.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets 🐶 😽
Patterdale Terriers were bred to hunt and kill small game and Pit Bulls have an unfortunate history as fighting dogs. This combination of parentage for the Pocket Pit Bull adds up to a dog who generally does best as an only pet. Pocket Pit Bulls may be able to live with other, similar size or larger dogs, if raised with them and well-socialized.
Cats, smaller dogs, and pocket pets probably won’t be safe living with a Pocket Pit Bull. The breed just has too much prey drive and instincts can only be controlled to a certain extent. If you do try to keep your Pocket Pit with smaller animals, supervise all interactions very closely and make sure the dog is well-trained and socialized.
Things to Know When Owning a Pocket Pit Bull
Think the Pocket Pit Bull might be a good fit for your family? Here’s what you need to know about owning a Pocket Pit Bull before you bring one home.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Healthy Pocket Pit Bulls don’t usually have any special diet requirements. Feed your dog the appropriate food for their life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. Either a commercial or a homemade diet can be fed as long as the food is nutritionally balanced. Ask your vet for help formulating a home-cooked diet if you go that route.
Because Pocket Pits have so much energy for their size, they may eat more than other, calmer dogs of similar stature. Keep an eye on your dog’s weight and adjust their food and treat intake as needed.
Pocket Pit Bulls are also prone to allergies, including food allergies, which could impact the kind of food they’re allowed to eat.
Exercise 🐕
As we’ve already mentioned a few times, Pocket Pit Bulls are extremely active dogs. They typically do best in a house with a yard rather than living in an apartment. Your Pocket Pit Bull should get at least an hour of hard exercise every day.
Pocket Pitties enjoy walking, hiking, or jogging with their owners. Exercising with your dog will help improve your bond and keep you both happy and healthy. Pocket Pits may become bored, anxious, or destructive if they don’t get enough physical and mental exercise.
Pocket Pit Bulls are sometimes sensitive to both sun and heat. Their coats often aren’t thick enough to protect them from strong sunlight and UV rays. Pocket Pits also can become overheated easily because of their short noses and flatter faces.
Training 🎾
Early and lifelong training and socialization are vital for your Pocket Pit Bull. Like it or not, these dogs don’t have much room for behavioral error when it comes to how society views and treats them. Pocket Pit Bulls are generally intelligent dogs with the ability to learn quickly.
Pit Bulls are eager to please their owners while Patterdale Terriers are much more independent and stubborn by nature. Whichever parent your dog most takes after will help determine how easily they can be trained. Focus on using positive, reward-based training methods.
Patience and persistence will yield the best results as you train your Pocket Pit Bull. Make sure your dog has plenty of opportunities to bond with you and the rest of your family. Early connections with humans are essential to help shape the Pocket Pit Bull’s temperament correctly.
Grooming ✂️
Most Pocket Pit Bulls take after their short, smooth-coated Pit Bull parents more when it comes to hair type. Patterdale Terriers do have a double coat, so there’s a chance your Pocket Pit could as well. Either way, grooming your Pocket Pit is fairly simple.
The breed isn’t hypoallergenic and does shed. Brushing your dog 2–3 times a week can help keep their coat healthy and control shedding. Bathing should occur as needed. Pocket Pits with allergies or skin problems may need to be bathed more often and with special, medicated shampoos.
Keep your Pocket Pits nails trimmed and perform regular dental care on your dog as well. Getting your Pocket Pit used to these grooming techniques when they’re young is recommended.
Health and Conditions ❤️ 🏥
As a hybrid dog breed, Pocket Pit Bulls can suffer from any health conditions that either of their parent breeds does. Pocket Pits also have health problems related to their body shape and short noses. Multi-generation Pocket Pit Bulls, meaning puppies produced from breeding two Pocket Pits together, are much more prone to being unhealthy.
Before buying a puppy, confirm that the breeder is selling you a first-generation Pocket Pit Bull, bred directly from a Patterdale Terrier and a Pit Bull.
Male vs Female
Male Pocket Pit Bulls are generally a little taller and heavier than females. They make look stockier and more top-heavy as well, with females presenting with a sleeker appearance. Personality-wise, males are often more rambunctious than females.
Neutering male dogs usually mellows them out and also eliminates some less desirable behaviors like urine marking and being territorial. Female Pocket Pits will also be less moody if they’re spayed. Spaying and neutering are overall healthier for your dog and ensure your Pitties won’t contribute to the issue of pet overpopulation.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Pocket Pit Bull
1. They probably won’t actually fit in your pocket!
Pocket Pit Bull is a little bit of a misleading name. You might be able to get away with carrying one in your pocket as a puppy but the full-grown dogs are sturdy and medium-sized.
2. They’re known by several other names.
Besides the Pocket Pit Bull, you may see this breed called a Mini Pit Bull, Teacup Pittbull, Pitterdale, and Pocket Bully.
3. Don’t be fooled by their size, Pocket Pit Bulls are super active!
Pocket Pit Bulls are growing more popular because many people love the look and personality of Pit Bulls but don’t have room to keep a big dog. However, they may be smaller than their full-size Pittie parent but Pocket Pit Bulls have just as much energy!
Don’t assume you can keep one in your apartment unless you’re prepared to spend a lot of time exercising your dog.
Final Thoughts
Bully breeds, including small ones like Pocket Pit Bulls, have a poor reputation that isn’t fair or earned. Unfortunately, the misbehavior of some humans has led to their dogs paying the price.
Some breeds of dogs just need a little more help and guidance when it comes to shaping their behavior and Pocket Pit Bulls are one of them. Before you commit to one of these dogs, make sure you are committed to the time it takes to raise and train a Pocket Pit Bull correctly.
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Featured Image Credit: banu sevim, Shutterstock
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Elizabeth Gray is a lifelong lover of all animals great and small. She got her first cat at 5 years old and at 14, she started working for her local veterinarian. Elizabeth spent more than 20 years working as a veterinary nurse before stepping away to become a stay-at-home parent to her daughter. Now, she is excited to share her hard-earned knowledge (literally--she has scars) with the readers. Elizabeth lives in Iowa with her family, including her two furry kids, Linnard, a husky mix and Algernon, the worldʻs most patient cat. When not writing, she enjoys reading, watching all sports but especially soccer, and spending time outdoors with her family.
