American Pit Bull Terrier Colors Guide

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a versatile breed with a wide range of colors. There are eight recognized colors for the breed, including fawn, brindle, blue, and more.

The fawn color is a light tan to golden brown color, often with a slight reddish tint. This color is achieved by the presence of the recessive gene that codes for the production of the eumelanin pigment.

Fawn Pit Bulls can range in intensity from a light cream to a dark chocolate brown. The darker the fawn color, the more it resembles a blue or black Pit Bull.

Brindle Pit Bulls, on the other hand, have a striped pattern of black and fawn stripes over a base coat of fawn or red. This unique pattern is the result of the interaction between two types of melanin: eumelanin and pheomelanin.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in a variety of colors, but some are rarer than others. The lilac Pitbull is considered one of the rarest shades in this breed.

Black, black and tan, white, and chocolate Pitbulls are also relatively rare. These colors are often sought after by breeders and owners alike, which can drive up their price.

One of the most common characteristics associated with Pit Bull-type dogs is their beautiful, yet sometimes rare, coat colors.

Chocolate Pit Bulls are a result of a recessive gene, making them quite rare.

They are often mistaken for liver Pit Bulls, but they have a less red shade.

This unique coloring is due to the specific genetic makeup of the breed.

Chocolate Pit Bulls are a beautiful and distinctive variation of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Points on a Pitbull's coat can be a beautiful addition to their overall appearance. Tan points are mostly found on dogs with solid black and diluted-black coats like blue and brown, as well as on tricolored Pits where white is the third color.

Tan points can be found on the Pitbull's legs and paws, above each eye, on the cheeks, on the muzzle, on the underside of the ears, and the neck, and chest. The tan points can vary in color intensity from a light cream to a darker red.

Brindle points are a unique feature of the Pitbull coat, combining brindle with patched areas. A Pitbull with one or two brindle alleles will express the genes it has at the A (Agouti) locus, determining the extent of the brindle points on the coat.

The brindle gene KBR allows the expression of the A locus, resulting in dark patches on the coat. The combination of brindle and patched areas creates a distinctive look for Pitbulls with brindle points.

For another approach, see: Pembroke Tri Color Corgi

The Staffordshire Terrier, also known as the American Staffordshire Terrier, has a fascinating history. It was originally considered to be called the American Bull Terrier, but that name was quickly dismissed due to protests by English Bull Terrier breeders.

The breed was first recognized by the AKC on June 10, 1936, with around 50 dogs entering the stud book under the name Staffordshire Terrier. Wilfred Truman Brandon founded the AKC Staffordshire Terrier Club of America (STCA) to promote the breed.

The Colby dog named Colby's Primo was one of the first to be regarded as an ideal model of the breed standard in the AKC. This dog's characteristics would go on to influence the breed's development.

In 1972, the AKC changed the name of the breed to American Staffordshire Terrier as it planned to recognize the British Staffordshire Bull Terrier as a separate breed. This change was made to distinguish the two breeds.

The American Staffordshire Terrier has a complex relationship with the American Pit Bull Terrier, with some arguing that they are the same breed. However, the breeders have distanced themselves from each other over the years, producing dogs with physical and temperament differences.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in a wide variety of colors, including black, blue, fawn, and more. But did you know that some Pitbulls have a unique brindle pattern, with dark brown stripes covering their bodies?

The brindle pattern can be seen in most coat colors, making it easy to confuse a black brindle Pitbull with a solid black one. However, a closer look will reveal the distinctive stripes.

Fawn sable Pitbulls, on the other hand, have a unique earthy color due to their combination of black tips and fawn base coat. They can also have white markings and a black mask, adding to their charm.

Merle Pitbulls have a rare and striking coat pattern, with irregular patches of gray or white on a solid black background. They also have blue eyes, which is a distinctive feature of this color variation.

Piebald Pitbulls, also known as tricolor Pitbulls, have white markings alternating with pigmented sections, giving them a unique and striking appearance. The amount of white on their coat depends on the number of allele variants they carry.

Tricolor Pitbulls can come in a range of combinations, including black, white, and tan, or blue, white, and tan. They're a popular choice among Pitbull enthusiasts, but can be challenging to breed due to the unpredictable color distribution.

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Black brindle Pitbulls have a unique coat pattern with dark brown stripes, making them easily distinguishable from solid black Pitbulls.

The brindle pattern is a result of the interaction of multiple genes, which can produce a variety of coat colors, including black, blue, and red.

Patched Pitbulls have large patches of a darker color on a majority white base coat, and their dark spots or patches are controlled by the Harlequin phenotype (H locus).

Piebald Pitbulls have unpigmented white markings alternating with pigmented sections, with a color distribution between 20 and 60 percent.

The Piebald pattern is caused by the MITF gene or the S locus, and it's essential to note that a dog with more than half of its body in white color is considered a fault.

Spotted Pitbulls have a white base coat with speckles of color sprinkled on top of it, and they don't have to have regular spots like Dalmatians.

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The spotted pattern is caused by the interaction of multiple genes, and it's essential to note that 70 percent of the body or more must be white to be considered spotted.

Tricolor Pitbulls come in a combination of three coat colors, making them look quite elegant, and the most common tricolor combination is black, white, and tan.

Tricolor Pits are popular among Pitbull lovers but rare because breeders didn't focus on breeding them in the past.

Fawn sable Pitbulls have a unique earthy color due to the combination of black tips and a fawn base coat, and most will have a black mask.

The sable color is caused by the recessive sable allele (ay) in the ASIP gene or Agouti (A) locus, and some sable dogs will have a black mask extending from the nose to the face.

Merle Pitbulls have a broken coat pattern with patches of lighter color on a darker background, and it's essential to note that merle dogs are the rarest of all Pitbull colors.

The merle pattern is caused by the merle dominant allele in the M locus, and it can have variations depending on whether a dog is heterozygous (Mm) or homozygous (MM) for the merle.

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Sable Pitbulls have a black overlay over a basic coat color, and the black overlay can be heavier or lighter depending on gene action.

Buckskin Pitbulls are similar to fawn Pitbulls but come in a deeper golden shade, and most of these dogs have a black mask and some white markings.

A white mask on a Pitbull has to be on a dark background to be visible, and it's caused by the white spotting gene (S locus) and specifically the extreme spotting allele (Sw).

Merle Pitbulls have irregular white spots on the body, and their offspring might be more prone to health conditions.

Spotted Pitbulls have irregular white spots on the body, and they can be easily confused with merle Pitbulls, but merle Pitbulls have smaller and larger irregular spots and patches alternating on different parts of the coat.

Bronze Pitbulls are a rare color variation that shines with a brighter shade compared to standard red Pitbulls.

Their coat has a more intense red pigment, often referred to as pheomelanin, which creates a range of colors including yellow, gold, and orange.

Bronze Pitbulls can have tan or white markings, similar to red Pitbulls, or a combination of both.

Their muzzle and eye rims are typically brown, setting them apart from other Pitbull colors.

To differentiate a bronze Pitbull, place its color range between the red and fawn variants, and you'll see the unique bronze hue.

Liver Pitbulls have deep red coats, brown noses, and hazel eyes. They're a unique variation of red nose Pitbulls.

The liver color is the result of a dilution gene that turns black pigment into this adorable color. This gene interaction is what sets them apart from other Pitbull variations.

Liver and white Pitbulls are liver Pitties with white markings, and they're a really sought-after combination. These pups can be extremely expensive.

Liver Brindle Pitbulls have a coat with liver as the basic color and the standard brindle 'tiger marks' of another color. The nose of a Liver Brindle will be liver/brown.

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Lilac Pitbulls are one of the rarest colors in the breed. Despite their beauty, they're quite expensive due to their rarity.

This color is the result of a rare genetic trait, making it hard to find in most kennels. It's become more popular in recent years, but it's still a sought-after color among Pitbull enthusiasts.

Lilac Pitbulls are considered quite rare, even among other rare colors like black, black and tan, white, and chocolate. These colors are also relatively rare, making the lilac color stand out even more.

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Silver is a rare and prized Pitbull color, also known as blue fawn Pitbulls. This color variation occurs due to a dilution gene that gives their coats a light, almost gentle silver shade.

These dogs often come with white markings. They can have a range of eye colors, including hazel or blue.

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The Colby Pit Bulls are an ancient black-nosed bloodline that served as one of the pillars of the APBT breed.

They were started by John Pritchard Colby in 1889, who acquired the best fighting dogs imported from Ireland and England.

One of the most famous dogs of his bloodline was Colby's Pincher, who was widely used as a stud dog.

Pincher is present in the pedigree of the vast majority of APBT specimens.

The Colby dogs bloodline remains preserved by the family of John P. Colby.

The American Pit Bull Terrier comes in a variety of rare and unique markings, with some being more common than others.

Piebald Pitbulls are a striking example of this, with their unpigmented white markings alternating with pigmented sections, resembling a Holstein cow's coat.

The Piebald pattern is caused by the Sp allele in the S locus, which is a recessive allele that controls the piebald pattern and the amount of white depends on the number of allele variants the Pitbull carries.

Some Pitbulls may have a higher percentage of white markings, ranging from 20 to 60 percent, while others may have a more subtle distribution.

The reverse brindle pattern is a rare find in most dog breeds, but Pitbulls are an exception. This is because they're known for their brindle patterns, which makes reverse brindle a relatively common occurrence.

Reverse brindle Pitbulls have a base coat that's lighter than their stripes, making them stand out from other brindle dogs.

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The lilac Pitbull is considered one of the rarest shades in the breed, making it quite a unique and special pup.

This color is so rare that it's often one of the reasons why lilac Pitbulls are expensive.

Black, black and tan, white, and chocolate are also considered quite rare in Pitbulls.

These colors are all relatively uncommon, which is part of what makes the lilac Pitbull so special.

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If your Pitbull dog looks like a Holstein cow, it's likely a piebald, with unpigmented white markings alternating with pigmented sections.

Piebald is not a specific Pitbull color, but rather a unique coat color distribution.

The Piebald pattern is controlled by the MITF gene or the S locus, with the Sp allele in the S locus being a recessive allele that determines the amount of white on a Pitbull's body.

Most piebald Pitbulls have a color distribution between 20% and 60%.

If a dog has more than half of its body in white color, it's considered a fault.

The amount of white on a piebald Pitbull depends on the number of Sp allele variants it carries.

Albino Pitbulls are extremely rare due to the genetic condition that causes their lack of pigment.

Albinism is a condition that strips the dog of any pigment, resulting in a white coat with a pink hue on the skin and coat, as well as red eyes.

These dogs are never intentionally bred, making them a true rarity in the Pitbull breed.

Albino Pitbulls are similar to white Pitbulls, but the pink hue and red eyes are distinctive markers of albinism.

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The Old Family Nose is a unique characteristic found in some American Pit Bull Terriers. It's a distinctive reddish coloration that's been passed down through generations of this breed.

This specific nose color is recessive to all other colors, which is why it's so rare. In fact, the Old Family Reds strain in Ireland was known for this trait, and it's been preserved and developed by reputable breeders over the years.

The Old Family Reds were highly sought after for their gameness, but it was their unique color that really set them apart. Today, many breeders still strive to preserve this characteristic in their dogs.

To spot an Old Family Nose, look for a copper-red color that's consistent with the rest of the dog's coat, lips, and nails. Red or amber eyes are also a common trait in this breed.

Pitbulls come in a variety of colors, with black and red being the most common.

The American Pit Bull Registry notes that Merle Pitbulls are by far the rarest.

Pitbull owners love the unique color variations of the merle Pit and its blue crystal eyes.

There is no reliable proof that blue Pitbulls are more aggressive.

Pitbulls don't necessarily top the list of the most aggressive dog breeds, according to studies.

A black Pitbull may be solid or have a small white mark, especially the tie-like patch on the chest.

The red Pit may vary in intensity between a lighter and deeper shade and may also have the white mark on the chest or the paws.

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Pit Bulls are known for their muscular build and athletic ability, which makes them a popular choice for dog owners who enjoy active lifestyles. They typically weigh between 35-60 pounds and stand between 17-20 inches tall at the shoulder.

Their short coats come in a variety of colors, but one thing remains consistent - their friendly and outgoing personalities.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier has a rich history that dates back to the mid-19th century. Bred from Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs, these dogs were known as bull and terriers in England.

In the United Kingdom, bull and terriers were used in bloodsports like bull baiting and bear baiting, but these practices were banned in 1835. As a result, dog fighting became a popular alternative.

Dog fighting was used to test the quality of stock and was often linked to gambling. This practice had a long history in Britain and continued in America, where the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1898.

The UKC initially registered the breed as American (Pit) Bull Terrier, but later dropped the parentheses to facilitate public acceptance. However, this didn't last long, and the breed name returned to its original form.

In the early 20th century, pit bulls were used for various purposes in America, including as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt hogs, and to drive livestock.

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Pit Bulls are a medium to large breed, known for their muscular and stocky build. This sturdy physique makes them a popular choice for families and first-time dog owners.

Their blocky head shape is one of their most distinctive features, accompanied by strong jaws that can be a bit intimidating at first. But don't let that fool you – Pit Bulls are gentle souls.

You can expect their short, smooth coat to come in a variety of colors, including red, fawn, brown, black, and white. This makes them a great choice for anyone who wants a dog that's easy to groom.

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Pit Bull types all share similar physical traits and an innate determination to succeed at any task. This breed category is often referred to as "bully breeds".

All fitting under the same "bully breeds" moniker, these dogs share a common bond.