Despite the fact that Pitbulls are popular canines, some pet owners and shelter workers have difficulty distinguishing them from other canine breeds due to their diverse appearance and colors.
This is the worrisome conclusion of a study published in UF Health in 2016 by Maddie’s Fund and the Merial Veterinary Scholars Program.
But, what is spotted pitbulls?
While it’s reasonable that mislabeling sometimes happen, we can’t overlook the reality that clearly distinguishing Pitbulls from other dogs is critical to their proper management.
I wanted to gather all of the standard and non-standard Pitbull colors in this complete guide to contribute to the corpus of literature that can help recognize them.
Pitbull colors include black, black brindle, blue, blue brindle, blue fawn, red, red brindle, fawn, fawn brindle, fawn sable brindle, tan, buckskin, seal, tricolor, and reverse brindle, according to major kennel associations.
Merle, black and tan, liver, liver brindle, white or albino, and 80 percent white, on the other hand, are considered non-standard.
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Is Canine Color Really Important?
Normally, I disregard this query, feeling that a dog’s coat color has little bearing on its health or personality.
But I suppose science enjoys proving humans incorrect.
The coat color of a dog has a direct impact on its health and life expectancy, according to research conducted by the University of Sydney in Australia.
They discovered that dogs with a chocolate or liver coat are more prone to musculoskeletal ailments, malignancies, and ear and skin problems.
Apart from this, anecdotal evidence suggests that white dogs are vulnerable to hearing and other congenital disorders.
We still need more research to completely grasp how a dog’s coat color influences their health and even their personality.
As of now, we know that canine color matters since it offers physicians and breeders with a solid foundation for better dog health management.
What are the four types of pitbull breed?
Before I go into detail about Pitbull coat colors, it’s important to note that I’m not just talking about the American Pit Bull Terrier in this article.
Pitbull is a catch-all term for a variety of dog breeds descended from Bulldogs and Terriers.
Pitbulls come in four varieties:
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Pitbull Terrier is a purebred dog with a history of more than 150 years.
However, only the United Kennel Club (UKC) and not the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes them (AKC).
American Staffordshire Terrier
This breed, also known as AmStaff, is recognized by the AKC and the UKC. Because they are the most decorated military dog, three US presidents have had this breed as a companion.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
This is the most well-known dog in the United Kingdom, and it is recognized by both the UKC and the AKC.
They are the shortest of the four Pitbull breeds, standing only seven inches tall.
American Bully
The UKC only recognized this dog as a breed in 2013. It is a descendant of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
They are the largest Pitbull breed, with sizes ranging from huge to XXL.
Pitbull Coat Color Examples and Descriptions
There are 16 Pitbull colors that have been established by experienced breeders in accordance with kennel club guidelines.
Aside from this, some shades arise on occasion due to unintentional genetic alterations.
They aren’t on this list since they haven’t been examined or recognized yet.
Black Pitbull
Black Pitbulls are either completely black or have a white marking on their chest and toes.
Because of their coat hue, new pet owners imagine they are aggressive toward humans and other pets, whereas in reality, they are really friendly.
Black Brindle Pitbull
Brindle black Pitbull’s base coat is light with black markings.
Tiger stripes are the most common name for these patterns, however they can also appear as crisscrossing marks.
The black brindle pattern can be spotted near the head and on the back of some Pits.
Red Pitbull
Red Pitbulls are Pitbulls with red coats and a distinctive red nose.
Due to a recessive trait, their eyes and toes are also red in hue.
Because of their unusual coat, they are one of the most costly Pitbull breeds.
Another important point to remember is that, like their Pitbull cousins, they may come in a solid red coat or with white markings.
Red Brindle Pitbull
brindle red Due of the dilution of pheomelanin on their skin, pits have a pale base coat.
This can range from light cream to a dark tint, with vivid crimson streaks.
White marks on the chest of some red brindle Pitbulls are very fine.
Blue Pitbull
Blue Pitbulls have been the subject of a lot of debate recently since some unethical breeders claim they are a distinct breed.
To clarify, blue Pitbulls are Pitbulls with a blue coat that varies in color from silvery-gray to deep charcoal.
Some have a complete coat, while others have patches of white.
The fact that blue is a dilution of the black coat color induced by a recessive gene is well recognized.
This is why the majority of veterinarians and expert breeders believe blue Pitbulls are more prone to health and behavioral issues.
Blue Brindle Pitbull
Brindle blue Pitbulls have a light-colored base coat and blue stripe patterns on their skin. Depending on their DNA, some people have no white spots while others do.
Blue Fawn Pitbull
Fawn, blue Pitbulls are a sight to behold.
Their silvery-blue coat and striking red nose set them apart from other species.
If you want to acquire this style of Pit, be prepared to spend a significant amount of money because they are costly.
Brindle Blue Fawn Pitbull
The blue fawn brindle Pitbull is even more expensive than the blue fawn Pitbull.
Why? The combination of colors as well as the patterns on this dog are quite stunning.
Their base hue is light, with silvery-blue stripes and a bright red nose.
Fawn Pitbull
The fawn Pitbull has a light-colored coat with a yellow-tan tone.
Veterinary researchers believe that an allele of the Agouti gene, which is also responsible for sable coloration, is responsible for this shade.
Furthermore, while some fawn Pitbulls have white markings, others do not.
Fawn Sable Pitbull
Fawn Sable Pitbulls are more rare than fawn Pitbulls.
They have a yellow-tan coat with black tippings on their hairs.
Their coat is interesting to look at since the base is mostly fawn with black etchings.
Fawn Brindle Pitbull
brindle fawn Pitbulls aren’t as uncommon as blue fawn Pitbulls, but they do have a deep coat color.
They feature a cream background with beautiful fawn stripes.
Tan Pitbull
Tan Pitbulls have a coat that isn’t nearly fawn, but isn’t light brown either. It’s described as light beige by breeders, and it’s not very prevalent in Pitbulls.
Some brown Pitbulls may not have white marks on their chests.
Buckskin Pitbull
According to the American Dog Breeders Association, a buckskin Pitbull has a brown coat with yellow tones (ADBA).
This is frequently confused for a fawn, but they are not the same.
Fawn Pitbulls have red tones instead of yellow tones.
Seal Pitbull
You’ve probably never heard of a seal Pitbull, but they do exist.
The coat of this Pit type appears black at first impression.
However, when viewed in direct sunshine or under intense lighting, they take on a red or brown hue.
Because of this, they’re frequently confused for chocolate Pits, but I can tell you that they’re nothing alike.
Reverse Brindle Pitbull
You’re probably already familiar with brindle coloring, in which the base coat is light and the stripes are darker.
Aside from this combo, there is also a reverse brindle Pitbull.
When the base coat is black or a dark hue, and the stripes are light-colored, such as tan or fawn, this happens.
Various heavily brindled Pitbulls appear completely black, however, they have a slight mark on some portions of their bodies.
Tricolor Pitbull
Tricolor Pitbulls have a blend of three regular Pitbull coat colors, which is why they are so attractive.
The combination of a washed-out blue tint, white markings, and fawn tone is a great example of this.
This color is commonly referred to as lilac tricolor by breeders, but this is really a marketing strategy.
According to top kennel clubs, what are the non-standard and faulty pitbull colors?
As I previously indicated in this article, the AKC’s downloadable Pitbull breed standard for conformation shows still lacks several of the colors I will discuss in this part.
However, articles on their website say that white, liver, and liver brindle are already conventional colors for the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Because the UKC and FCI still do not consider them appropriate tones for the three other Pitbull breeds, I chose to include them here instead of in the previous section.
Black and Tan Pitbull
Because of their coat color, Black and Tan Pitbulls resemble Rottweilers. The black and tan coloring is more common in American Pit Bull Terriers, and it is primarily caused by two copies of the recessive tan-point gene.
Because black and tan Pitbulls are regarded to be the consequence of crossbreeding, there is a lot of prejudice against them. Because the tan-point gene is rarely seen in the Pitbull gene pool, this assumption demonstrates a lack of knowledge of basic genetic concepts.
Chocolate Pitbull or Liver
The dilution of eumelanin in the coat of Liver or Chocolate Pitbulls results in a grey reddish-brown tint.
This hue is described to as red in some breeds, but I believe this is misleading since people may believe it has something to do with a dog’s pheomelanin.
Brindle Liver Pitbull
Brindle Liver Pitbulls have a light-colored base coat with chocolate stripes.
Some have white marks alongside their brindling, while others do not.
Merle Pitbull
Even though they are both color patterns seen in dogs, Merle is distinct from Brindle.
The base coat on a merle Pitbull is diluted, with random patches of another color.
If the stripes in brindle dogs are more uniform, the splotches in Merle Pits can be observed anywhere.
White Or Albino Pitbull
Albino Pitbulls are white due to their inability to synthesize melanin or pigments, which determine the coat color of a dog.
The coat and eyes of true albinos are reddish in color.
Pitbulls that are 80 percent white
Pitbulls that are 80 percent white are not allowed in kennel clubs because, like white Pitbulls, they have a slew of hereditary disorders.
A white Pit with black splotches is a nice example of this.
Is “Black Dog” Syndrome Affecting Black Pitbulls?
Black Dog Syndrome (BDS) is a syndrome that affects black canines in shelters.
To clarify, it has been observed for many years that dogs with black coats were not adopted as quickly as dogs with other colors.
There are several hypotheses about why this occurs, particularly in Pitbulls.
Here are a few examples:
Superstitious pet owners are influenced by the portrayal of black canines as evil in television shows and literature.
The features of a black Pit are difficult to see because to their dark coat.
As a result, they are ignored.
Some people dislike them because they look to be older than the other hues.
According to current adoption data from several animal shelters, black dogs have shorter shelter stays, according to a new study published in Animal Welfare.
This indicates that this occurrence is most likely a dog population myth.
However, the study found that black Pitbull breeds, such as the APBT, AmStaff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully, have low adoption rates and are frequently destroyed due to the unfavorable notion that they are aggressive dogs.
Is there a connection between the Blue Pitbull and the Blue Nose Pitbull?
Because most blue Pitties have the same nose color, Blue Pitbulls and Blue Nose Pitbulls are nearly identical.
The silvery-gray coat and nose of this breed of dog are caused by a dilution of the black pigment in the dog’s skin.
Nose not blue Pitbulls can have a charcoal-grey nose, which I’ll talk more about in the section on Pitbull nose and eye colors.
What Are the Most Common and Rare Pitbull Colors?
Here are the most prevalent Pitbull colors, out of all the ones I mentioned earlier:
- Black Pitbulls and their variants
- Pitbull Fawn and its variants
Meanwhile, these are the most sought-after coats:
- Tricolor Pitbull White Pitbull Merle Pitbull
- Blue Pitbulls and their variants
- Pitbull Blue Fawn
- Tan Pitbull
- Buckskin Pitbull
- Seal Pitbull
The common-colored Pitbulls are your best bet if you’re seeking for the cheapest Pitbulls.
However, if you have the funds and want a Pit that you can show off to your friends since they are one-of-a-kind, go for the rare-colored puppies.
Simply exercise caution while purchasing and avoid puppy factories and backyard breeders.
Pitbull Coat Genetics: Why Are There So Many Colors in Pitbulls?
Pitbull coat genetics necessitates a lengthy scholarly paper to fully explain.
I don’t want you to get sick from reading this, so let me explain how Pitbulls got their coats by focusing on colors and a little genetics.
The color of a Pitbull’s coat is determined by two important pigments.
These are eumelanin and pheomelanin, respectively.
The black pigment eumelanin is responsible for a dog’s black coat.
However, because to a specific gene, eumelanin can generate liver, blue, and other light colors in some cases.
The black pigment is diluted by this gene, which is why its strength is reduced.
Eumelanin also controls the color of the eyes and nose, which is why certain canines are rarer than others.
Pheomelanin, or the red pigment, is the second pigment found in a dog’s coat.
The concentration of a Pitbull’s pheomelanin may also be influenced by genes acquired from their parents.
This is why canines with red, orange, yellow, gold, and cream coloring exist.
The Impact of Pitbull Coat Color on Health and Behavior
Although there is no conclusive evidence tying a dog’s coat color to its behavior, multiple studies have linked it to its health.
Because they are more prone to a variety of ailments, certain hues have been shown to have a shorter life span.
A comprehensive examination of these health concerns follows.
Deafness.
Congenital deafness affects the majority of merle and white Pitbulls.
This is supported by a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test led by George Strain at Louisiana State University.
Blindness.
Another health issue that affects merle and white Pit bulls is blindness.
Both the rear and front of their eyes are affected by gene mutations.
Sun Intolerance.
Because their coats lack colors, white Pitbulls are particularly susceptible to the sun.
Merle Pits have the same problem as they don’t create enough pigment to protect their coat from UV rays.
Cancer of the skin.
Merle and white Pit have a higher risk of skin cancer because they lack pigment.
They should not be exposed to too much sunshine, as this is the primary cause of this unpleasant ailment.
Microphthalmia.
Some merle Pitbulls have extremely small, non-functioning eyes.
Microphthalmia is the medical term for this illness, and there is now no treatment available.
Skin problems.
According to a University of Sydney study, chocolate or liver Pitbulls are more prone to skin disorders.
Pyo-traumatic dermatitis, commonly known as hot-spot or wet eczema, is the most prevalent.
External Otis
This is the most common health problem in chocolate Pitbulls, and it causes ear canal irritation.
Headshaking, scratching, scaly and red skin, stench, and ear discharge are all symptoms of this condition.
When Pitbulls Grow Up, Do They Change Color?
Pit bull puppy colors fluctuate as they grow, so don’t be startled if your small blue puppy turns brown after a few weeks.
This is a perfectly typical shift brought on by the evolution of their coat pigment.
When they reach adulthood, however, a small change in their hue may be induced by the following factors:
- Nutritional condition
- Medication for skin diseases
- Sunlight
Famous Pitbull Dog Breed Nose Color
- Red Nose Pitbull
- Blue Nose Pitbull
Other Related Dog Breed
- American Bulldog
- Colby Pitbull
- Chow Chow
- Labrador Retriever
FAQ on What Is Spotted Pitbulls?
What is the rarest color of Pitbull?
Pitbulls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. Pitbulls have been seen in black, white, blue, red, fawn, brown, and brindle for years. The tri-color, however, is the most unique and unusual of them all. The coat of a tri-color Pitbull is made up of three different hues.
What are the three types of Pitbull?
The American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully are the four Pitbull type breeds. Despite their violent reputation and growing numbers in shelters, if properly raised, they are anything but vicious.
What is the rarest Pitbull breed?
The Blue Nose Pitbull is a rare breed of Pitbull that is bred from a smaller gene pool as a result of a recessive gene.
What is a gator Pitbull?
A Gator Pitbull is a type of Pitbull that was specifically bred as a fighting dog in the past. This breed comes in a variety of colors, including black, blue, brindle, red-nosed, and blue-nosed. They have short, glossy fur and can weigh up to 65 pounds (29 kilograms) and grow to be 15-20 inches long (38-51 cm).
What color Pitbull is more expensive?
What is the most costly color of Pit Bull? As previously stated, the cost of a Merle Pit Bull puppy greatly exceeds that of practically any other color, and while a Red Pit Bull Puppy may cost $2,000, a Merle Pit Bull Puppy could cost $15,000 or $30,000.