What is a brindle pitbull?
Brindle Pitbulls are Staffordshire Bull Terriers or American Bull Terriers having a muscular, medium-sized dog with a brindle coat color, wide-set small eyes, and short floppy rounded ears.
These dogs have low maintenance requirements and are wonderful pets. They can accompany you with your daily exercises, morning and evening walks, and can even protect you and your family from any possible danger.
Read further to know all about the history, appearance, and requirements of Brindle Pitbulls.
Brindle Pitbull:
Quick breed summary table on Brindle Pitbull:
| Height | 17 to 21 inches |
| Weight | 30 to 60 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
| Colors | Brindle |
| Intelligence | High intelligence |
| Breed type | Mixed breed |
| AKC Breed Popularity | Not recognized by AKC |
| Temperament | Friendly, loyal & playful |
| Daily Food Consumption | 1200 calories per day |
| Common Health Issues | Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat |
About the Brindle Pitbull:
The term “Pitbull” does not really describe a particular breed, rather there two major types of dogs of Terrier and Bulldog origin are referred to as Pitbulls, namely- Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and American Bull Terriers. So a brindle Pitbull can be any of these tyes with a brindle coat.
Brindle Pitbulls stand out in the crowd because of their eye-catching coat colour. The spots or stripes of a contrasting colour on their coat make them the centre of attraction.
These dogs, though known for their aggressive history, are very loyal and fun-loving pets.
They are intelligent and eager learners due to which their training sessions can be a pleasure of your days.
Being an energetic and muscular dog, it is usually not recommended to bring an adult Pitbull home if you have little kids as there can be chance of accidents.
But if your child is grown up and can understand a dog’s gestures and behaviors well, then a Pitbull can definitely be welcomed to your home.
Facts about the brindle Pitbull:
The brindle colour of the coat is a recessive but not a rare trait in Pitbulls. You might need to look for another breeder if your breeder charges extra for the dog saying that the colour is rare.
A brindle Pitbull puppy can cost between $500 to $700 USD.
The colour of the coat depends on parental genes. As brindle colour is a recessive trait, even breeding two brindle Pitbulls might not produce a brindle Pitbull offspring.
The Appearance of the Brindle Pitbull:
A brindle Pitbull, like any other Pitbull, is a medium-sized dog with their height ranging from 17 inches to 20 inches in females and 18 inches to 21 inches in males. These are muscular dogs having weights ranging from 30 pounds to 50 pounds in females and 30 pounds to 60 pounds in males.
Pitbulls have quite striking features. They have a sturdy muscular build which gives them a strong appearance. These dogs have a short muzzle and a wide face. They usually have dropping ears.
Brindle coated dogs have coats with spots or stripes like markings of alternating light and dark colours. The trademarks are usually of a light colour on a dark-coloured coat. The various brindle shades can include colours like red on black, yellow on brown, yellow on black.
In brindle Pitbulls, it is usually the lighter colour that is more visible than, the darker one, but, you may also find “reverse Brindle Pitbulls” who have coats with the darker colour more visible than, the lighter shade.
There might be Pitbulls who even have brindle patches or “bridle points” at certain parts of their body such as in the muzzle or near the ears. Such kind of colouration is when the whole coat is off, for example, a lighter colour like yellow and there are patches of a darker colour or spots at just some part of the body.
Two popular varieties of Brindle Pitbulls are the Bluenose brindle Pitbull and the Red nose brindle Pitbull.
A blue nose brindle Pitbulls have their nose leather and coat colour of a soft blue or greyish-blue shade. These dogs can even have some white spots or patches on their body that adds to their beauty. Just like in the Bluenose brindle Pitbulls, the Red nose brindle Pitbulls have a red-coloured nose leather and coat.
History and Origins of the Brindle Pitbull
Pitbulls’ history dates back to the 1800s. In that period, cruel bloodsports like ratting and bull-baiting had gained a lot of popularity among the people in the United Kingdom. They used to involve Bulldogs into fighting with bulls, for the sake of entertainment.
People carried on with the sports until 1835 when the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1835 was passed by the British parliament, according to which, baiting of few animals like bears and bulls was prohibited. This led to people turning to “ratting”, another game involving rats, where dogs were made to compete to kill the most number of rats in the least amount of time.
“Pitbulls” were actually being called so because they used to kill rats that were placed in “pits” to prevent them from escaping.
Along with ratting, there evolved another game of dogfighting where dogs were simply made to fight with each other.
With the increase in popularity of such sports, the need for more athletic and competitive dogs increased. To fulfill this requirement, the Old English Bulldogs were crossbred with Terriers. The resultant dog was found to be having the skills and gameness of Bulldog along with the agility of Terriers, thereby enhancing the Bulldog’s skills.
Ultimately, people began calling these dogs “Pitbulls”.
Before the Civil War, the Britishers went to the United States and took Pitbulls with them. It was then that the dogs started gaining popularity, not as fighting dogs, but as dogs that served multiple purposes other than fighting.
People started using them for herding cattle, guarding livestock, going on hunts and catches, and protecting families from thieves or other similar dangers.
Not only helpful with work, these dogs also prove to be faithful and friendly companions of their owners. Thus, Pitbulls became well known among Americans.
During the First and the Second World War, these dogs were used as the mascots of the nation. Advertisements featured them to be brave and loyal.
They served the country in wartime. One such notable war dog was Sergeant Stubby who was the only dog to be nominated for the rank and had served in about 17 battles.
Pitbulls were started being used in various commercial advertisements, logos, and television shows. They were also famous among some prominent personalities, including Helen Keller, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, etc.
With time, people began seeing Pitbulls more as regular dogs and started keeping them as companions.
It was in 1976 when the Animal Welfare Act was passed which completely banned dogfighting, and people actually started considering Pitbulls as pets.
Is Brindle Pitbull good with children?
Pitbull’s reputation as fighting dogs might worry you and can be a hurdle between you and your decision bringing the dog home. But, you need to keep in mind that your dog’s behaviour actually reflects the way you raised him. Hence, if you give him proper training and make him socialize from a young age, your Pitbull might become your child’s best friend.
It is advised that your Pitbull’s interaction with your toddler be supervised. But once your toddler grows up and learns how to be with a dog and understand its behaviour, you can be free of worries.
Care of the brindle Pitbull:
Before you bring a dog home, it is of utmost importance that you are well versed with its daily requirements of food, grooming, exercises, etc.
Read through the following section to know all about the requirements of a brindle Pitbull.
Food requirements:
Food is one of the most important aspects of a dog’s health. Feeding your dog with healthy and nutritious food should be at the top of your pooch care list.
To teach a daily routine in his lifestyle, you can divide your dog’s daily food portion into two or three parts equally and save some as treats to give your dog throughout the day while playing or training sessions.
Pitbulls need about 1200 calories per day. So, if you choose a kibble diet for your dog, then two or a maximum of three cups of food would be enough. Also, not to forget, the amount of food you give your dog depends highly on the size and age of your pooch. So, keep in mind all these factors before deciding on the amount of food you would feed your dog.
Your brindle Pitbull requires at least 20% of the protein in his daily diet to help in bone and muscle growth and for repairing tissues. About fat, your dog needs at least 10% to 12% of fats in his food for the proper development of its body.
While introducing your dog to some new food, it is important that you first feed a less amount of that food and notice their reaction. This is because some dogs are allergic to certain foods like corn, soy, dairy products, etc.
In the case of Pitbulls, you should avoid salty feeding food, caffeine, raisins, yeast dough, onions, and garlic, which might result in unexpected and deteriorating reactions.
Exercise requirements:
About exercising, a brindle Pitbull will require about 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily. Being muscular and involved in sports, these dogs love playing and exercising or any other physical activity.
Be it walking or playing with your children or using exercising with you, your Pitbull will always be there to give you company.
Pitbulls might not do well in the presence of other dogs. So, taking them to places where there are many other unfamiliar dogs or even having another dog as a pet may not be a good option.
Instead, having a spacious backyard at your house where the dog can play with you and your family members would be a better option. Another option can be taking your dogs out for morning or evening walks on less crowded streets. If you happen to cross through a busy street, then it is best to keep your dog leashed.
Unleashing your Pitbull in public places can be dangerous as your dog might act unexpectedly among unknown people. So, unleash your dog only if you feel that your dog is trained properly and that he responds well to your commands. And despite all your training, supervision is advised in public places.
Training requirements:
Training a Pitbull can be a pleasurable experience for you as these dogs are quite intelligent, very responsive, and are eager learners. Just like with any other dog, Pitbulls too understand the language of positive reinforcement. Punishing them for anything can have unexpected and negative results. Your dog might start showing aggressive behaviours like chewing or barking and can even have some dangerous reactions like biting.
Rewarding your dog with some treats while training, by taking care of his daily food intake can be an efficient way to train him. You can also take him to obedience or agility classes.
Socializing your dog from him puppyhood is necessary. You should try to introduce your pup to new people now and then make him familiar with unknown humans. Handing a treat to the guests, so that they can give it to your dog when they meet him can be an excellent way to start with socializing.
Familiarizing your dog with other dogs can be a tough task as they do not do much well in the presence of other dogs.
If you have children at your home, then it is not only essential to train your dog, but teaching the children how to behave with dogs and understand their reactions is crucial too.
Grooming requirements:
Brindle Pitbulls have a short coat, so you will not have to worry much about their grooming. Twice a week brushing of the coat and bathing, just when necessary would be enough for your dog. You might have to increase the frequency of brushing during the shedding seasons.
Proper brushing of their coats can help your dog maintain their coat’s shine, get rid of fleas, and will also help in distributing the natural oils evenly throughout his coat.
For bathing, you might not have the liberty to use any just any shampoo because these dogs are prone to skin conditions and allergies. So, you will have to look for the right shampoo that suits their skin and also that does not strip them off of their natural body oils.
Apart from the coat, you need to take care of your dog’s dental hygiene, ears, and nails.
Dental issues are quite common in dogs. So, dental hygiene is a vital aspect of a dog’s health. Brush your dog’s teeth almost daily to keep him away from any dental issues.
Get your dog’s nails clipped and keep his ears dry and clean. Moisture in ears can invite germs and lead to infections.
So it would be good to invest in some good clippers, brushes, toothpaste, and shampoos for your dog. You can even take your dog to some dog groomers occasionally for overall grooming.
Common health issues of Brindle Pitbull:
Your brindle Pitbull can lead a healthy life for 10- to 15 years if he gets proper nutrition and enough physical exercise.
Yet, Pitbulls can suffer from some genetic disorders or some skin conditions.
Some of the known health problems faced by Pitbulls are listed below
Hip dysplasia: just like another medium to large-sized dogs, Pitbulls are prone to hip dysplasia and similar joint problems that they can inherit from their parents. Providing them with a good amount of physical exercise and enough nutrition can keep them from getting such joint problems.
Cerebellar abiotrophy: this is a neurological condition in which a dog’s coordination is affected. A puppy can be easily tested for this. It usually occurs due to genetic mutations and further inbreeding. Symptoms include poor muscle control and unsteady gait.
Hypothyroidism: in this condition, there is a deficiency of thyroid hormones on the body. This can lead to obesity, further leading to joint problems, and many other diseases can thereby follow. The best way to prevent it is by giving your pooch a healthy nutritious diet and keep a check on his weight.
Obesity: you need to take good care of their diet and the amount you give them to eat. Make sure that your dog does not overheat, continuing, which can lead to obesity.
Summary:
Your Pitbull might need constant attention and supervision, especially if you have toddlers at your home. Also, they are one of the active breeds who will need regular physical activity.
So if you are thinking of getting a pitbull home, you should look into all of these factors which can bring a substantial change in your life.
Pitbulls have been known for their fighting past and aggressive history, but once you get to know the dog and spend time with it, you will not be able to keep yourself from falling in love with this lovely brindle friend.
Dr. Aram Baker has been with Santa Clarita Animal Hospital since 1995 and his special interests include behaviour medicine and dermatology. He graduated from the Cleveland Humanities Magnet Program in Reseda, CA and attended California State University at Northridge where he received a Bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to pursue his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis. He also spent time in the zoological medicine department at U.C. Davis during his Junior and Senior years. He is dedicated to caring for all pets big or small, young or old with compassion, patience, kindness, and love.