Pitbulls are truly remarkable dog breeds. Their looks alone are fascinating for many canine lovers. However, if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind dog, you should consider getting a brindle Pitbull.
Pitbull dogs come in an array of lovely colors and patterns. It’s common to see them in standard coats, but they can also have a dazzling brindle color and pattern.
To some, this gives a dog a sooty appearance, but in reality, this trait actually makes them special.
To know more about brindle Pitbulls, I will share with you the essential facts about them. We will cover a lot in this guide, so hang on tight!
What Is a Brindle Pitbull?
A brindle Pitbull is a coat color variation of the Pitbull breed. They are known for their tiger-like stripes on a fawn, tawny brown, or dark brown base coat color, but this still varies from dog to dog. The Pitbull breeds that can exhibit this coloration are the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.
Some people confuse brindle Pitbulls as a separate breed. However, brindle is actually a standard color for the two breeds I discussed above. This is stated in the kennel club standards, which also details all their other characteristics.
Brindle Pitbulls are also often referred to as brindle Pit Bull, blue nose brindle Pitbull, red nose brindle Pitbull, and brindle Pittie. Some owners also call them brindle American Staffy or brindle American Pit.
What Is a Reverse Brindle Pitbull?
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A reverse brindle Pitbull is another eye-catching brindle variation. Instead of having dark stripes on a light background, these dogs have light-colored stripes on a darker base color. The term “reverse” refers to the pattern of the brindle markings.
Reverse brindle Pitbulls are also often described as black Pitbulls with tan or fawn markings. Some dogs tend to have a full black coat with faint light markings on a few areas of the body.
The reverse brindle is also categorized as heavy brindles due to the Pitbull’s dominant dark color. Like normal brindles, they can be a blue nose Pitbull or a red nose Pitbull.
Are Brindle Pitbulls Rare?
There is a common misconception that brindle is a rare coat color. However, brindle Pitbull dogs are not rare at all.
This confusion probably stems from the fact that a recessive gene causes the brindle coat; thus, it is less occurring.
Since the American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t recognize Pitbull as a single breed, many people might be discouraged from owning one.
Meanwhile, the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognizes American Pit Bull Terriers, even those with brindle coats.
Brindle Pitbull Appearance: What Does a Brindle Pitbull Look Like?
A brindle Pitbull will have the features of its American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier parent.
Generally, they have a stocky and muscular build, and they will also exhibit a broad face and short muzzle.
They have a small pair of eyes set wide apart, while their ears are rose-shaped with cartilage that curls in. Their coat is short and sparse, which feels stiff to the touch.
The brindle Pitbull can have a brown or fawn base with light streaks lining the body. It almost resembles the tiger-like stripes of a tabby cat.
Brindle coats can come in various colors, including black, blue, red, fawn, and blue fawn.
There are two known varieties of the brindle Pitbull — the blue nose brindle Pitbull and the red nose brindle Pitbull. Let’s further discuss the difference between the two.
Blue Nose Brindle Pitbull
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A blue nose brindle Pitbull dog has a blue and gray coat color with light brown markings.
As the name suggests, these dogs typically have bluish-gray eyes and noses. They also tend to have white coloration on their face, chest, and feet.
Red Nose Brindle Pitbull
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Red nose brindle Pitbulls have a soft red coat with fawn coloring and brindle stripes. These dogs have either reddish-copper noses and red eyes like all red nose Pitbulls. White patches of color can also be observed on the face, chest, and feet.
Brindle Pitbull Size and Weight: How Big Will a Brindle Pitbull Get When Fully Grown?
The full-grown size of a brindle Pitbull depends if you have an American Pit Bull Terrier or an American Staffordshire Terrier.
The brindle American Pit Bull Terrier grows between 17 and 21 inches tall and weighs around 30 to 60 pounds.
Meanwhile, the brindle American Staffordshire Terrier is slightly smaller with a height of about 16 to 19 inches but a heavier weight range of 50 to 80 pounds.
At first glance, it’s hard to tell this size difference since both breeds are medium-sized dogs with well-balanced bodies. They are also expected to grow to their full size once they reach 12 to 18 months old.
Brindle Pitbull Coat Color Genetics: What Causes Pitbulls to Have Brindle Coats?
The Pitbull brindle coat is an inherited physical trait of a brindle Pitbull puppy from its parent. It is determined by a recessive gene, specifically the KBR allele, found in the K locus.
The K locus controls the amount of switching between eumelanin (black) and phaeomelanin (red or yellow) pigments. This process is done by interacting with special genes, namely the agouti and MC1R genes.
For a Pitbull to exhibit the brindle coat, it must inherit the KBR allele from both parents. This also suggests that two brindle Pitbulls will always produce a brindle puppy.
When paired with a fawn Pitbull, the probability of getting a brindle litter will decrease by 50 percent.
Brindle Pitbull Temperament and Personality: Are Brindle Pitbulls Good Family Dogs?
Brindle Pitbull dogs are no stranger to the controversy surrounding their lineage. Many people are skeptical about owning one because of the Pitbull’s history of being used in violent activities such as bear-baiting, bull-baiting, and dogfighting.
However, this assumption is disproved by many dog lovers who know that brindle Pitbulls make excellent family dogs.
When handled and trained correctly as a puppy, a brindle Pitbull dog can make a wonderful family pet.
Because of their nurturing personality and sensitivity, some regard them as nanny dogs to their kids. They enjoy the company of people and may develop separation anxiety when left alone.
Socializing them with other dogs is a challenge since they can get jealous of them. If you have other dogs at home, make sure to equally give your attention and not have a favorite pup.
Contrary to their looks, these dogs are also quite loving and affectionate. They are intelligent dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement. This applies to all Pitbull colors and, of course, those with brindle coloration.
A brindle Pittie is a truly loyal companion that can bring happiness to any home. Due to their high energy levels, you might have to keep up with their antics all the time.
Brindle Pitbull Lifespan and Health Issues: Are Brindle Pitbulls Unhealthy?
Like the majority of Pitbull breeds, a brindle Pitbull can live for 12 to 16 years. However, like other Pitties, they can also suffer from several diseases common to the breed. While some conditions are mild and treatable, others can be fatal.
You should know about the following health issues before getting a brindle Pitbull:
Skin Disorders: Brindle Pitbull dogs can suffer from skin allergies and infections due to their naturally short and sensitive skin. Some signs you should watch out for include excessive itching, paw licking and chewing, skin redness, and the appearance of sores and scabs. Food allergens and skin parasites such as ticks, fleas, and mange are common causes of skin disorders.
Hip Dysplasia: As medium to large dogs, they can also suffer from hip dysplasia. This is a hip deformity caused by the abnormal growth of the ball-and-socket joint. This results in the looseness of the joint, which can progress to degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis (OA).
Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL): This condition occurs when the ligaments in the knee joints cross over each other. Cranial cruciate ligament usually happens when a dog experiences a twisting injury to the knee joint. As a result, the brindle Pittie suffers from extreme pain and lameness in the area.
Hypothyroidism: This is an abnormality in the thyroid gland that results in a slower metabolic rate. When this happens, almost all of the dog’s organs are affected. Hypothyroidism also causes weight gain, lethargy, and excessive fur loss in affected pups.
Heart Disease: The most common heart disease in Pitbulls is aortic stenosis, a condition present at birth. This is marked by the narrowing of the aortic valve that eventually causes muscle failure and other complications. You may observe coughing and difficulty in breathing in dogs with this condition.
Luckily, most of the health issues mentioned can be prevented by ensuring that your brindle Pitbull puppy doesn’t carry the gene for hereditary diseases.
A reputable breeder should do health screenings and provide future owners with a health guarantee for Pitbull congenital disabilities.
Proper diet, exercise, and regular vet consultations should also be done to monitor their health condition. You should prioritize having a healthy dog more than anything else.
How Much Does a Brindle Pitbull Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses
The price range for a brindle Pitbull puppy falls anywhere between $800 and $1,000. Meanwhile, the typical adoption fee for a rescued brindle Pitbull starts at $250. Although the process may take a while, adopting is the most practical option.
If you choose to buy from a reputable breeder, you should know that the brindle Pitbull puppy cost is affected by several factors. The dog’s bloodline, special markings, and the breeder’s reputation generally affect the final price of these dogs.
Prior to your brindle pup’s arrival at home, you should also have the necessary items they need for transition. High-quality dog food, comfortable bedding, crate, and toys are just some of the things puppies and adult dogs require.
The table below summarizes the initial expenses of owning a brindle Pitbull:
Sourcing the items indicated above won’t be a hassle since they are readily available at your local pet store. You can even get discounts and vouchers to lessen your expenses. Buying supplies in bulk is also a good money-saving tip.
Places to Find Brindle Pitbull Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Getting a brindle Pitbull puppy is a rigorous task. Aside from preparing financially, you need to evaluate your current home situation and lifestyle if it fits dog ownership. You also need to find reliable places to buy or adopt a dog.
When buying a brindle Pitbull puppy online, you should have a checklist of things you should watch out for. Always verify the identity and reputation of the breeders you come across online.
For a complete guide on how to purchase a puppy from online breeders, check out our puppy buying guide.
To help you start your quest, here is a list of reputable breeders that offer brindle Pitbull puppies:
Finest Pitbulls Made – This breeder produces brindle Pitties that come from globally renowned bloodlines. All of their puppies receive training and vaccinations before being delivered or given personally to the owner. Their kennel is located in Milan, Tennessee.
Manmade Kennels – For over ten years, this breeder has provided brindle and other Pitbull colors to dog lovers worldwide. They do not support breeding Pitties for dogfighting but instead sell them as guard dogs and companions. They are based in Delaware and the Middle East.
Monster Bully Kennels – This breeder prides itself in producing confident, sociable, and large Pitbull dog breeds. Many celebrities and public figures bought their puppies from this kennel. You’ll be sure to get only top-of-the-line brindle dogs from this breeder.
For more breeder options located in your area, you can refer to our list of best Pitbull breeders. Their website and contact details are also included so you can contact them easily.
If adopting a brindle Pitbull sounds more reasonable to you, here is a list of Pitbull rescues to call:
Biggies Bullies – This Pitbull rescue organization has been helping abandoned Pits of all colors and patterns. They have been serving Pitbull lovers in Pennsylvania since 2011. Their adoption fee of $150 already includes a bag of dog food, preventive medication for heartworm and fleas, a harness, and training lessons.
Born Again Pit Bull Rescue – What started as a private rescue in 2007 became a full-fledged non-profit organization in 2011. They rescue purebred and Pitbull mixes to give them permanent homes. Aside from this mission, they also have an ongoing program that promotes low-cost spaying and neutering.
Hello Bully – This rescue focuses on rehoming Pitbull breeds that were used as fighting dogs. They provide animal behavior rehabilitation for all of their rescued dogs, as well as vaccinations and treatment. Their adoption fee ranges from $200 to $250.
To find more options, check out our recommended Pitbull rescues. If you prefer to spend zero dollars for a brindle Pitbull dog, follow our recommended ways to find free puppies in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Bloodline Is a Brindle Pitbull?
A brindle Pitbull can be an American Pit Bull Terrier or an American Staffordshire Terrier. Although less common, they can also be other breeds like the Staffordshire Terrier and the American Bully.
Do Brindle Pitbulls Shed?
Brindle Pitbulls shed their coats like other breeds. However, because their coats are short and stiff, they don’t shed as much. They shed twice a year like other dogs, but coat maintenance requires minimal effort.
Are Brindle Pitbulls More Aggressive?
Because of the Pitbull breed’s reputation as fighting dogs, brindle Pitbulls are also stereotyped as aggressive dogs.
However, this is disproven by the fact that Pitbulls scored over 80% on the American Temperament Test, which means they are less likely to show aggression in certain situations. They even surpassed the Golden Retriever in this regard.
Are Brindle Pitbulls Smarter?
A dog’s coat color and pattern don’t determine how intelligent it is. This means that a brindle Pitbull is as smart as any other Pitbull color. They can easily be trained to follow commands and do basic tricks.
What’s the Rarest Pitbull Color?
The rarest Pitbull color is merle. Most kennel clubs also reject Pitbulls with this coat color. This is because merle Pitbulls are most likely to develop issues in hearing and eyesight.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get a Brindle Pitbull?
Brindle Pitbulls are a color variety of the standard Pitbull breed. Instead of a solid color, these dogs have a striking combination of dark and light colors. So if you want an eye-catching dog, this is the one for you.
The brindle Pitbull’s admirable traits go beyond their appearance. Despite being branded as a fighting dog, the Pitbull breed is actually a good family dog with a gentle and affectionate personality.
This dog is even labeled as a nanny dog due to its natural affiliation with children.
Any dog lover will be happy to own a brindle Pitbull because of its wonderful characteristics. Not only will they surprise you with their intelligence, but they will also display unquestionable loyalty to their owners.
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