Pitbulls are a highly sought-after dog breed in North America, and their popularity only looks to increase in the coming decades.
Pitbulls actually stem from several different breeds of dogs. The American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, and American Pit Bull Terrier collectively make up the breed of dogs known as Pitbulls. Therefore, a single Pitbull may have quite a diverse lineage.
Because of the different dog breeds that could make up a Pitbull’s ancestry, these dogs may have a wide variety of colors and markings.
If you’re considering adopting one of these precious pooches for yourself, you may have a certain color scheme or pattern that you hope to have in your dog.
If you have your heart set on a certain Pitbull pattern or color, keep reading to discover the expected characteristics that can be observed in the many different Pitbull types.
21 Pitbull Colors And Patterns
Those who have spent a considerable amount of time around Pitbulls know that these dogs may be just about any color imaginable.
You may be curious as to how many Pitbull colors exist. As it turns out, 16 different Pitbull colors are maintained as per the standards of various organizations such as the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club.
In addition to the Pitbull colors maintained by dog breeders, several variations of Pitbull may arise from genetic mutations.
Black Brindle Pitbull
A black brindle Pitbull is often a mix of black and white. These pooches may have a white underside and dark backs. They also frequently have a prominent white stripe in the center of their face, while the rest of their face is usually black.
A Black Brindle Pitbull gets its name from the characteristic brindle markings within its coat. It can be difficult to notice the dark brindle patterns on a Black Brindle Pitbull’s coat, but these stripes are apparent to those who look closely.
Black Pitbull
Black Pitbulls are among the most stunning of all Pitbulls. These dogs have a deep, rich black coat coloration that seems to glisten in the light.
While a Black dog is a sight to behold, some may be intimidated by the appearance of these dogs. While all Pitbulls are imposing in their own right. Seeing an entirely black Pitbull is certainly a sight to remember.
Many Black Pitbulls also have white within their coat. For instance, these dogs may have white coloration on their undersides and faces.
Finding a Pitbull with a solid black coat is rare due to the complex genetics that goes into developing this type of Pitbull. For a Black Pitbull to exist, its parents must each pass down a copy of the recessive gene that codes for black fur.
Though these Pitties are rare, the demand for them is intense due to their captivating appearances. Some may insist that Black Pitbulls are more dangerous than other types of Pitbulls, but this is simply not true. Some draw unfair, false conclusions about these dogs because of their dark coat color.
Blue Brindle Pitbull
A Blue Brindle Pitbull combines brindle stripes with a stunning blue-gray coat.
A Blue Brindle Pitbull has three genes that provide them with its gorgeous coat of fur. The gene that codes for black fur creates eumelanin-the pigment for black coloration. Of course, Blue Brindle Pitbulls have the brindle gene, a gene that produces the characteristic brindle pattern on a dog’s skin.
The final, most essential gene for producing a Blue Brindle Pitbull is the dilute gene. The dilute gene restricts the amount of eumelanin that a dog’s coat receives. Therefore, this gene works to effectively dilute the black Pitbull color and make it appear blue-gray.
Fawn Pitbull
True to their name, the color of a Fawn Pitbull’s coat is similar to that of a baby deer. These pooches may be any color that ranges from beige to sandy.
It is common for a typical Fawn Pitbull may have some white coloration on its face and undersides. These dogs can also be solidly brown, but it is not as common to find such dogs.
A Fawn Pitbull owes its unique color to an inheritance of the brown rather than the dominant black gene. Additionally, these dogs have to inherit the dilution gene to dull their brown coloration to a beige or sandy color.
Blue Fawn Pitbull
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are an attractive type of blue Pitbull with blue skin, fawn-colored coats, and a blue nose.
Blue Fawn Pits look very similar to Fawn Pitbulls, but the presence of blue mouths, noses, and skin sets these dogs apart. A Blue Fawn Pit owes its appearance to the fawn gene and the gene that dilutes pigmentation.
A Blue Fawn Pitbull is a rare type of blue Pitbull, but these dogs can be obtained for a considerable sum of money.
Blue Fawn Brindle Pitbull
A Blue Fawn Brindle Pitbull is precisely what the name suggests-it is a blue fawn-colored Pitbull with a brindle pattern on its skin. In other words, these dogs are a bluish-brown color with striped patterns on their skin.
Blue Fawn Brindle Pitbulls are rare, as these dogs have to inherit several uncommon, recessive genes to be considered this type of Pitbull. A Blue Fawn Brindle Pitbull needs to have the brindle gene, the brown and black genes, and the dilution gene to develop the beautiful coat characteristic of this Pitbull.
Fawn Brindle Pitbull
A Fawn Brindle Pitbull is quite similar to a Fawn Pitbull. However, fawn Brindle Pitbulls can be differentiated from Fawn Pitbulls by the brindle markings visible along their coats.
They have coats that range from beige to sandy along with stripes that give them a trademark brindle design. Fawn Brindle Pitbulls need to inherit the brown gene, dilution gene, and brindle gene to be considered this type of Pitbull.
Fawn Sable Pitbull
A Fawn Sable Pitbulls is much like a typical Fawn Pitbull in that they have a light-colored base coat that is a shade of brown. However, Fawn Sable Pitbulls have an additional trait that distinguishes them from an ordinary Fawn Pitbull.
These Pitbulls are adorned with black tips to their brown hairs. This makes the coat of these dogs multidimensional, as they may appear black in some lighting and sandy in other conditions.
Fawn Sable Pitbulls are rare, as they have to possess very specific genes to develop their trademark appearance.
Remember, there are five different fawn-related Pitbull varieties:
- Fawn Pitbull
- Blue Fawn Pitbull
- Blue Fawn Brindle Pitbull
- Fawn Brindle Pitbull
- Fawn Sable Pitbull
Red Brindle Pitbull
Red Brindle Pitbull has a unique, rufous-colored fur coat. These dogs have unusual stripes that are visible within their coat thanks to the brindle gene that they carry.
The red coloration in their fur stems from a recessive gene that codes for such a color. Meanwhile, the gene that creates the red coloration in these dogs restricts the gene for black coloration that would otherwise give these dogs a black coat.
Blue Nose Pitbull
Blue Nose Pitbulls – or Blue Pitbulls – are a rare type of Pitbull that is just like any Pitbull save for its memorable blue nose. These dogs can be a wide variety of different coat colors, but they are most commonly a blue-gray coloration with white mixed into their coat.
If you’re interested in this breed, it may be difficult to find a Blue Nose Pitbull. This is so because many prospective owners are interested in owning a Blue Pitbull due to the stunning nose and coat coloration of a Blue Pitbull.
Tricolor Pitbull
Tricolor Pitbulls are a distinctive type of American Pitbull Terrier. As their name implies, these have three main colors that comprise their coat.
This type of Pitbull has been around for several decades now, as they first rose to prominence in the 1980s. Dog organizations like the American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club do not regard Tricolored Pitbulls as their own dog breed. Rather, this dog is like other Pitbulls in that they may be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bully, American Staffordshire Terrier, or a combination of the breeds.
As we’ve eluded to, a Tricolor Pitbull has three colors that make up its coat. The base coat of these dogs can be black or beige, while they commonly have white and gray as the other two colors within their coat.
Merle Pitbull
Some may be familiar with the merle coloration due to its prominence in other dog breeds such as Australian Shepherds. However, for those unfamiliar with Merle patterning, a Merle Pitbull is a dog that possesses various shades of color. Some colors appear vibrant and full, while others are withdrawn and diluted.
Merle Pitbulls commonly have prominent white, black, red, gray, or red markings. These dogs may also display diluted forms of these colors in addition to having diluted gray coloration.
Merle Pitbulls are appealing to some due to the irregularity of their colors and patterning. Every Merle Pitbull will have its own unique appearance, but this type of Pitbull is not without controversy.
The controversy behind Merle Pitbulls stems from the Merle gene itself. This gene is responsible for giving these dogs their remarkable appearance, but they are also linked with irregularities within a Pitbull’s vision and hearing abilities.
A pair of Merle Pitbulls should not be bred with one another because the resulting offspring are likely to suffer from a range of detrimental health conditions.
Buckskin Pitbull
A Buckskin Pitbull is aptly named, as its coloration looks similar to that of a deer. These Pitties have brown fur with yellow tones to their coat.
This type of Pitbull is often mistaken for the similar Fawn Pitbull. However, unlike Fawn Pitbulls who have red or brown cast to their coats, Buckskin Pitbulls will possess a yellow coloration if you take a close look.
Finding a Buckskin Pitbull will not be easy, as they are not among the common types of Pitbulls. However, those determined to own this type should be able to find their dream dog somewhere.
Reverse Brindle Pitbull
Whereas the brindle pattern typically results in subdued dark stripes on a Pitbull’s coat, a Reverse Brindle Pitbull features prominent tiger stripes.
Reverse Brindle Pitbulls are a unique type of Pitbull that have pale, fawn stripes and a dark coat. These pooches usually have black or brown coats, meaning that the pale brindle stripes are very apparent when looking at one of these dogs.
A Reverse Brindle Pitbull defies the typical brindle Pitbull norm with its eye-catching stripes. The unique nature of a Reverse Brindle Pitbull’s coat means that these dogs are relatively rare.
Liver Pitbull
A Liver Pitbull has a stunning red-brown coat with a gray tint to it. Such coloration is not considered to be in the realm of typical Pitbull coat colors, so finding one of these dogs can be challenging.
Liver Pitbulls owe their beautiful coat color to the suppression of black coloration in their fur. The dilution gene accomplishes this.
Liver Brindle Pitbull
Liver Brindle Pitbulls have a light-colored base coat of fur and characteristic brindle tiger stripes. The brindle coloration is chocolate coloration, giving these dogs distinctive dark brindle patterns.
Liver Brindle Pitbulls are rare, and these Pitbulls are not considered to possess typical Pittie coloration. These canines often have white patches of fur on their bodies.
White Pitbulls
Seeing an entirely white Pitbull can be a breathtaking experience, but these dogs are rare. White Pitbulls owe their stunning coloration to a lack of melanin within their bodies. Without this compound that produces color, these dogs are primarily white.
A White Pitbull may have this coloration because of albinism. Albinism can be passed down from parents to offspring. If you suspect that a dog may be albino, look at its eye to see if they appear to be red.
While viewing a White Pitbull will surely be stunning, research has suggested that these dogs are more prone to detrimental health conditions compared to other types of Pitbulls. For instance, there seems to be a strong correlation between White Pitbulls and deafness.
While White Pitbulls look gorgeous, they may not be the most ethical Pitbull type out there.
Red Nose Pitbull
Some regard the Red Nose Pitbull as its own breed of dog, but it turns out that this dog is a typical American Pitbull Terrier that can be a combination of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and other Pitbull-like pooches. This type of Pitbull is often referred to as a Red Pitbull.
Red Pitbulls have stunning coloration, possessing rich, red coloration and a red nose.
A Red Pitbull is one of the oldest types of Pitbulls, as they were thought to originate in Ireland in the late 19th century. Though Red-nosed Pitbulls were formerly rather common, they are now a rare sight due to cross-breeding with other Pitbull types.
An authentic Red Pitbull will possess a red nose to pair with its red coat. Another distinguishing feature of this Pitbull type is the red-brown eyes that a Red Pitbull will possess.
Pitbull with White Markings
You will notice that many types of Pitbulls can have white markings as regular features of their coat. Many Pitbulls that you observe will have white markings on their bodies. It is especially common for a Pitbull to have white markings on its chest.
Many prospective Pitbull owners enjoy Pitties that have white markings within their coats since it gives these dogs a pure appearance. Considering that white is a dominant color for the American Pitbull Terrier, there will be plenty of Pitbulls that have white markings available.
Seal Pitbull
Seal Pitbulls are dogs that have coats that appear to be black in coloration. However, in bright light, the coat may actually seem to be a reddish color.
A Seal Pitbull may be mistaken for Liver or Chocolate Pitbulls, but these dogs are their own type of Pitbull. So, how can seal Pitbulls be distinguished from similar Pitbull types?
One defining characteristic of a Seal Pitbull is that these dogs have appendages that are darker compared to their bodies. Seal Pitbulls can appear to have a silvery gray tint to their coat in some circumstances.
This type of Pitbull is rare, and most have never heard of Seal Pitbulls, but these pooches certainly exist.
Black and Tan Pitbull
Black and Tan Pitbulls have a color scheme that is similar to a Rottweiler. These Pitbulls are not considered to be within the realm of typical Pitbull types, as the tan coloration is not frequently observed within Pitbulls.
A Black and Tan Pitbull is created when a puppy inherits a recessive gene that codes for tan color from both of its parents. This atypical Pitbull type is not known to have any health complications associated with it.
The Effect of Coat Color on a Pitbull’s Health and Behavior
Does the specific coat color of a Pitbull affect its health and behavior? This is a question that many prospective Pitbull owners wish to know before purchasing one of these pooches.
It is certainly responsible to wonder if some coat colors could impact a Pitbull’s health and behavior before purchasing a dog, so let’s evaluate this thought.
The good news is that generally, a dog’s coat color is not likely to affect a dog’s health or behavior. For instance, a Black Pitbull is no more dangerous than a light brown or red Pitbull.
While some colors are not inherently bad if they are found within a Pitbull’s coat, there are instances in which the dominance of a certain color or trait can be detrimental.
Take Pitbulls that are entirely white, for example. These dogs may be beautiful, but an entirely white Pitbull surely has some sort of genetic mutation that is the cause of its prominent coloration. Studies have found that Pitbulls that are entirely white are more prone to developing health complications compared to other Pitbull types.
However, the color white is not inherently bad in Pitbulls. Plenty of Pitties have white patches in their fur coats, but these dogs are not any more likely to develop detrimental health conditions.
Do Pitbulls Change Color When They Grow?
Some may be curious to know if Pitbulls change colors as they grow up. Would you be able to tell what a Pitbull puppy will look like when it is an adult by examining its puppy coloration?
Pitbulls, like any breed of dog, will not undergo major color changes as they transition into adulthood. Some colors may intensify or fade in certain dogs as they age, but generally, a puppy will maintain its coloration into adulthood.
Of course, as a Pitbull nears the golden years of its life, it may begin to develop more gray coloration than it previously had. However, this will not contribute to the coloration of a dog changing significantly.
It may be difficult to discern the coloration of Pitbull puppies that are only a few weeks old, so how can one tell what the color of a puppy will be?
Pitbull Color Genetics
If one hopes to find out what the color of a Pitbull puppy is likely to be, the best method of discerning such a color involves looking at the puppy’s parents.
Pitbulls, like any animal species, pass on their genes to their offspring. This means that a Pitbull puppy is almost certain to have very similar coloration to mom and dad.
If Pitbull parents are both the same color, then it is very likely that the offspring will be that color as well. However, things get trickier when Pitbull parents are different colors.
The specific genes that a puppy inherits will ultimately determine its color. If you find yourself unsure as to what color a Pitbull pup may be, try examining its parents to get a clue.
What Are the Rarest and Most Common Colors and Patterns of Pitbulls?
There are few coat colors and patterns that are rare among all Pitbull-type dogs. For instance, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier is more likely to be brindle than an American Pitbull Terrier.
Black, gray, and white are seemingly the most common colors observed in Pitbulls. Considering patterns, Pitbulls are most commonly without patterns or brindle.
Some sources suggest that the Merle coloration is the rarest of all Pitbull colors. The rarity of this coloration may be for the best, as Merle Pitbulls seem to be more prone to health complications compared to other Pitbulls.
Should I Get A Rare-Colored Pitbull?
If you are a prospective Pitbull owner that enjoys unusual patterns in pooches, you may be considering some sort of rare-colored Pitbull for your next dog. Before purchasing a rare-colored Pitbull, you may wonder if such a purchase is ethical.
So, should you buy a rare-colored Pitbull? Well, that depends on a variety of factors, but it is generally not a wise idea to buy a dog simply because it looks cool.
There is frequently a reason why rare-colored Pitbulls are uncommon in the first place. In the case of Merle and White Pitbulls, these Pitbull types are more prone to developing detrimental health conditions compared to other Pitbull types (see common pitbull health issues).
When buying a rare-colored Pitbull, you may be purchasing a dog that will inevitably suffer from health complications that stem from its unique appearance.
Even if the dog that you purchase does not suffer from any health complications, you are nonetheless supporting the rare-colored Pitbull type and encouraging dog breeders to produce more of these dogs that could suffer simply because of their color.
Therefore, before buying a rare-colored Pitbull, stop and consider the impacts of buying such a dog. Doing research to see if any health complications are associated with your desired Pitbull type would be a wise thing to do before buying a rare-colored Pitbull.