A Greyhound Pitbull mix is often called a Greybull Pit, they make excellent lap dogs, despite their size, and will never get bored of playtime.
They are a hybrid breed that combines two of the world’s most popular dog breeds, the Greyhound and the Pitbull. This breed is known for its athletic abilities, intelligence, and loyalty.
But what else is there to know about them? Well, I’ve gathered everything up, so let’s dive in!
A Little Bit About Greyhounds
Greyhounds are loving and cuddly companions in the house. They love children and enjoy constant company.
Their racing background gives people the impression that they have a lot of energy and will require constant exercise. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Greyhounds are sprinters, not long-distance runners. While they’re really fast, they run out of energy very quickly. This would also mean that they need to spend a lot of time resting to regain their energy.
Walks should consist of an enclosed space where they can sprint and blow off steam. After roughly 20 minutes they will want to come home and laze around for the remainder of the day.
They also love company and can get very lonely, so they’re not the best choice for a family with a busy lifestyle.
They can suffer from anxiety if they’re left alone for too long, so it’s a good idea to get them some company or ensure that you’re home for them during the day.
A Little Bit About Pitbulls
The Pitbull breed originated in the UK when the Old English Bulldog was bred with a terrier to create a more athletic dog with a stronger jaw and broader shoulders.
The breed is basically a larger version of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier – both breeds were originally used for blood sports such as bull-baiting and bear-baiting.
When blood sports were common, Pitbulls were bred to be aggressive, living cruel and abused lives to make them more entertaining in the ring.
Despite some contention around this topic, this aggression usually doesn’t display in pitbulls today, as long as they’re raised properly.
However, they are still banned in some countries including the UK and Japan.
As these blood sports have been slowly eliminated, they became mainly known for their loving nature and loyalty to families.
They bond easily with people, and, despite their heritage, they can actually make great companions for children, be awesome guard dogs, and even work well with other pets.
They are naturally full of energy and will need a large space to run around and play.
Greyhound Pitbull Mix
The Greyhound Pitbull mix is one for an experienced dog owner.
Their playful nature and enthusiasm to be part of the family will brighten your day. However, they can easily get carried away if you don’t train them adequately from an early age.
They need a lot of care and attention and shouldn’t be left alone for too long otherwise they could become destructive.
Personality
While this mixed breed is an excellent fit for homes with children, they do maintain their strong prey drive from the Greyhound side.
This means that you shouldn’t introduce your dog to small animals, as they’re likely to want to chase them.
The is a dog for an outdoorsy family with a lot of time and love to give, it really isn’t suitable for apartment living.
You will also need to be prepared to take your dog on a long walk each day. Preferably, let them off the leash in an enclosed outdoor space.
After the walk, your dog needs to have constant access to a large yard to run, play and burn off excess energy.
You should also have plenty of smart toys and food reward devices to keep their mind stimulated, happy, and healthy.
They are intelligent and trainable but can be strong-willed, so it’s essential to establish yourself as the pack leader from an early age. They are friendly with people, but their protective nature can make them wary of strangers.
Appearance
The Greybull Pit would have a muscular body type, a long slender head and neck and a defined jaw and nose. Their eyes are almond-shaped and come in various colors, from dark brown to blue.
Both breeds come in a range of colors, so the color variation in your Greybull Pit can be vast. Commonly this would include black, white, brindle, and blue.
Size
The size of your Greyhound- Pitbull mix can vary significantly.
As Pitbulls were originally a crossbreed between an English Bulldog and various types of terrier, the actual size of a Pitbull is never guaranteed.
It’s also normally the case that female Pitbulls are significantly smaller than males.
A female Pitbull is usually around 18 inches tall at the shoulder, whereas males can reach heights of 22 inches.
Greyhounds can reach heights of 29 inches at the shoulder. Although they weigh much less than a Pitbull due to their slender figure.
Depending on where your Greyhound Pitbull mix gets its genes from, you could end up with a dog anywhere between 18 and 29 inches tall. They could also weigh anything from 30-85 lbs.
This means that you’ll need to be prepared for a larger, stockier dog and ensure you have enough indoor and outdoor space to accommodate their needs.
Coat
The coats of both dogs are also very short. This means that you’re likely to end up with a dog with very short, fine fur.
This is great for grooming. It means that they don’t shed too much, and they won’t need to be brushed more than once per week.
Their neat, tidy fur also won’t need a professional groomer to cut it back very often. You could probably get away without grooming for 3-4 months.
However, their exceptionally fine coat does mean that they may feel the cold easily. You will need to wrap them up throughout the winter months.
Common Health Issues
The Greyhound Pitbull mix is unfortunately prone to two health issues.
That’s why should always ensure that your breeder has valid health certificates and that you see both parents before committing.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hips come out of their sockets or aren’t aligned properly.
This causes the bones to rub together uncomfortably and can make it painful or impossible for your dog to walk. You’ll notice this if your dog is limping or struggling to walk.
It can be corrected by operating but does tend to happen multiple times after the first occurrence.
Bloat
Bloat (GDV) is a condition that often usually affects older dogs. But both Pitbulls and Greyhounds are prone to it a little earlier in life.
The condition occurs when the dog’s stomach twists, holding any gas inside. This makes it incredibly painful for your dog to move or eat.
You’ll notice this if your dog becomes lethargic, stops eating, or is sore around the belly.
Lifespan
A Greyhound Pitbull mix lifespan is typically between 10 and 13 years. So you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your new best friend.
Make sure you have the space, time, and energy to deal with such a sweet, loving dog and you’re in for a world of fun!
Training and Exercise
The Greybull Pit is an energetic breed that needs plenty of exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
Training should begin at an early age and include obedience training and socialization to help the dog get used to new people, places, and animals.
Conclusion
The Greybull Pit is a loyal, affectionate, and highly energetic breed that is great for families with children and other pets. They are intelligent and trainable, but their strong-willed nature means they need an experienced trainer who can establish themselves as the pack leader.
With the proper training, socialization, and plenty of exercise, they can make an excellent family pet.
- Greyhounds and Fellow Pets: Canine Camaraderie - February 2, 2024
- Embracing Greyhounds as Family Dogs - January 11, 2024
- Whippet Anatomy: Complete A-Z Guide - September 2, 2023
This was very informative and right on the nose in describing my beautiful baby girl brownie. Thank you
Good to hear Anna. I hope that Brownie and yourself are well!
We weren’t sure our rescue was a greybull pit at first (never heard of them). But after meeting a few others over the years and reading this, there’s no doubt.
Great article, ton of good info.
Thanks!
Great to hear this article helped you learn more about your grey Gordy!
We just lost our greybull pit. She was the best dog I’ve ever known. So loving and sweet. I miss her so much. 😢
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss Kendy. It’s always so difficult when this happens. I do hope you are coping OK.
We lost our 11 year old guy, Weasley, this past spring. We never had true confirmation he was a greybull as he was a rescue but he looked exactly how a combo of each breed would look! He had that awesome square pittie head, a long neck, the back haunches of a greyhound combined with a very muscular frame. From behind he looked and moved exactly like a greyhound! He had brindle fur which is common in both breeds. And he was fast in our back yard and over the years caught and killed a racoon, skunk, mole and possum! He definitely had a high prey drive. But also was a loveable goofball who was very attached to us and definitely like to couch potato after his sprints through the yard! He was one of a kind and much missed! Thank you for having this resource about greybulls, ours was the best dog we ever could have hoped for!!!
So sorry to hear about your loss Anne, and great to hear our posts was able to shed some light on Weasley.
Best approach with grey bull breed we just rescued from a shelter and she was abused and crated a lot . She’s skiddish of men but is great with dogs but is a bit pushy any advice would be appreciated thanks in advance
Hey Jeremy,
Check out this article here:
https://azgreyhounds.com/retired-racing-greyhounds-care/
Evan
I have a 10 year old greybull named Blu and this is spot on describing him. Every detail is so accurate…well done!
Thanks for reaching out Jerie! I hope Blu and yourself are well!