Without a doubt, Pitbulls are truly remarkable dogs. But like most dog breeds, Pitbulls come in an array of coat colors and patterns. Brindle is one of the patterns- a common but stunning pattern unique to each dog, think of fingerprints.
The Brindle Pitbull (Pitbull with stripes) is characterized by alternating, irregular, and variegated stripes of dark and light-colored fur. The dark-colored stripes can be black, brown, blue, or lilac while the lighter sections can be deep red, tan, yellow/gold, cream to almost white. These stripes are sometimes referred to as “tiger” or “marble” stripes. Marble brindles have a crisscross pattern. The stripes can vary in shading and thickness, creating a unique appearance for each individual dog.
Despite the variation in the coat color, Brindle Pitbulls possess the typical traits of Pitbulls, such as appearance, size, temperament, and health.
Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or breeder, this guide is designed to provide you with all the information on what makes the Brindle Pitbull special. From the color description, genetics, care, and much more. Scroll on.
Brindle Pitbull: Overview
| Characteristic | Description |
| Height | 17 to 21 inches |
| Weight | 30 to 60 pounds |
| Coat type | Short, smooth, and bristle single coat |
| Coat color | Stripped, mottled, or marbled |
| Price | $1000 to $3000 |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
A point to note: The term “Pitbull” is not a single recognized breed of dog, but a term used to describe a group of dogs that share a common ancestry. Pitbulls are descended from Old English Bulldogs and Terriers and have a combination of their strength and tenacity as well as the Terrier’s agility.
The Pitbull classification includes four breeds: American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bully.
Physical Appearance:
The Brindle Pitbull is a type of Pitbull that shares similar physical characteristics with other breeds within the Pitbull classification. They have large, strong jaws, wide square-shaped heads slightly rounded between the ears, thick muscular necks of moderate length, and muscular bodies.
They have almond or oval-shaped eyes, short muzzles, square fleshy noses, broad shoulders, and long straight tails. Their ears are rose-shaped or pointy and set back high on the head but naturally dropped.
These dogs have short, smooth, or bristle single coats that accentuate their muscular appearance. These coats don’t shed much and are relatively low maintenance. These dogs have fur that is sparse and straight and well known for its stiffness.
Color Description
The brindle pattern is characterized by alternating light and dark-colored stripes. These stripes are quite varied and can be similar to those of a tiger or crisis cross to form a marbled pattern or anything in between.
Typically, the base coat color of brindle dogs is a light pheomelanin color, such as red, tan, cream, yellow, or almost white, with darker eumelanin stripes. The dark stripes can be black, blue, brown, or lilac, depending on the action of dilution, modification of the eumelanin pigment structure, or modification and dilution. The brindle stripes are only visible on the lighter pheomelanin sections of the coat, and will not be visible on a recessive black dog without pheomelanin pigment sections. On a clear sable/fawn dog, the stripes will be visible on the entire coat since they are predominantly pheomelanin.
Color variations:
- Black Brindle Pitbull: A Black Brindle Pitbull has black colored stripes.
- Brown Brindle: Brown brindle Pitbulls have brown stripes instead of black. This is due to the modification of the black eumelanin to brown.
- Blue Brindle Pitbull: The blue or grey Brindle Pitbull has blue stripes instead of the usual black stripes. This is due to the dilution of the black eumelanin pigment which reduces the concentration of the black pigment causing the dark parts of the stripped coat to appear steel blue to pale blue/blue-gray.
- White Brindle Pitbull: On white brindles, sections of the coat are void of pigment causing them to appear white. This is due to the actions of the white spotting gene that prevents pigment-forming cells from reaching certain sections of the coat causing them to appear white. White sections of the coat typically appear on the muzzle, blaze, chin, neck, chest, legs, underbelly, and tail tip.
- Reverse Brindle Pitbull/Dark brindle Pitbull: Instead of the usual light-colored brindles with the lighter base color being dominant, the reverse or black brindle has thick and pronounced darker stripes with smaller less pronounced light stripes causing the dog to appear almost black. These pits thus appear to have light stripes on a dark base coat.
Brindle Genetics
The coat color of dogs is determined by two types of melanin pigments: eumelanin (black) and pheomelanin (red/yellow). Genes modify the appearance of these pigments to produce various colors, and white is shown where one pigment is absent.
The K-locus, a region on chromosome 16, is particularly important for brindle Pitbulls. There are three main variants: Kb (dominant black), Kbr (brindle), and Ky (normal agouti).
- Kb (dominant black) is the dominant allele that promotes the production of eumelanin, which results in a full black, blue, brown, or Isabella coat. Dogs that have at least one copy of the Kb gene have a black, blue, brown, or Isabella coat.
- Kbr (visible agouti with brindling) is thought to be a mosaic allele that causes some pigment cells to adopt the dominant black gene while others act as if they have the Ky gene during embryonic development. This results in the appearance of black, brown, blue, or lilac brindle stripes on red, tan, gold/yellow, or off-white sections of the coat. The specific gene mutation causing the brindle pattern is not yet known and there is currently no commercial test available for it.
- Ky (visible agouti no brindling) is the least dominant allele and allows for agouti patterns, such as fawn, sable, black and tan, and recessive black to show.
For the brindle pattern to appear, Kbr must be present on the K-locus and there must be red pheomelanin sections from agouti genes. However, the recessive red gene combination (e/e) can mask the brindle pattern.
Personality & Temperament
Pitbulls are known to be loyal, friendly, energetic, and loving pets. Despite their bad reputation, they are not inherently dangerous or aggressive- but some can be quite a dog aggressive due to their dogfighting heritage. These dogs are intelligent, active, and eager to please, making them easy to train and exercise and well-suited for service and search and rescue work. Socializing and training from a young age can prevent potential aggression or behavior issues. Pitbulls are great with children and are sometimes referred to as “nanny dogs”.
Brindle Pitbulls are no different in temperament than other Pitbulls and make excellent family pets with the right training and socialization. A well-trained Brindle Pitbull can form strong bonds with their owners and provide comfort and protection.
Finding a Brindle Pitbull
Getting a Brindle Pitbull puppy is a challenging but rewarding experience. But if you are interested in a Brindle Pit, you can use the following channels:
- Official Breeder Referral Lists: To find a healthy and well-rounded pit bull, you should start by using reputable breed registries, such as the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, or American Dog Breeders Association. The American Kennel Club website maintains a list of breeders for all breeds on the “Breeder Referral” tab. You can also attend dog shows and seek recommendations from professionals in the pet care industry, such as veterinarians, groomers, and trainers.
- Websites and Forums: Websites like Puppyfind.com, Adopt-a-Pet, NextDayPets.com, forums, and Pitbull Facebook groups can be helpful. Engage members of the communities and ask for possible leads. There are several known breeders you can search for online including Finest Pitbulls Made, Manmade Kennels, and Monster Bully Kennels.
- Rescue or shelter: If you’re looking to adopt a Brindle Pitbull, contact rescues or organizations like Biggies Bullies, Born-Again Pit-Bull Rescue, or Hello Bully that rehabilitate and rehome rescued dogs. Adoption fees may apply and range from $150 to $250.
Ask if you can visit the breeder’s location to see the living environment of the dam, sire, and puppies. The location should be clean, with adequate space and appropriate toys and bedding. Also, ask about the breeder’s training and socialization process for the puppies, the test they carry out, their spaying and neutering policy, and much more.
Brindle Pitbull price
Buying a brindle pit puppy could cost anywhere from $1000 to $3000 depending on the breeder, the location, pedigree, and other cost factors.
Care & Grooming
- Grooming: Brindle Pitbulls need regular brushing (at least 2x/a week) with a rubber mint glove or slicker brush, especially during shedding season. Only bathe as needed (once a month) with a mild hypoallergenic shampoo. Nails should be trimmed or professionally done to avoid injury. Dental hygiene is important, brush your teeth frequently with a dog toothpaste and brush.
- Feeding: Brindle Pitbulls need a high-quality, balanced diet to stay healthy, with calorie requirements based on weight (e.g., a 40-lb dog needs around 1200 calories/day). Feed at least 2-3 portions a day, morning and evening.
- Exercise: Brindle Pitbulls are high-energy dogs that need 60-90 minutes of exercise daily. Offer light walks, high-intensity exercises, or play in a well-fenced yard. They also enjoy hide and seek, fetch, agility training, running, and hiking.
- Training: Brindle Pitbulls are smart and eager to please, train with positive reinforcement, and start from the moment the dog arrives. Teach them how to behave around children and other dogs. Children should also be trained on how to behave around dogs.
FAQ
Are brindle Pitbulls rare?
Brindle-colored pit bulls are not unusual. In fact, brindle markings are quite common in pit bulls and other dog breeds. However, specific variations such as reverse brindle are less common.
Are Brindle Pities aggressive?
Individual dogs of any breed, including brindle pit bulls, can vary in temperament and behavior. Aggression can be influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, training, socialization, and environment. It is not accurate to generalize the behavior of an entire breed, as every dog is unique. It’s important to remember that all dogs, regardless of breed, can display aggressive behavior if they are not properly trained, socialized, and treated with kindness and respect.
In Conclusion
This dog is similar to any other Pitbull and the only difference is that he has a unique pattern and coloration to him. He is a dog that loves to have fun, play, and cuddle despite having a muscular appearance.
Before you take on the responsibility of dog ownership, it’s important to evaluate your home and lifestyle to ensure it’s suitable for a dog. Financially, you should also be prepared for the cost of caring for your new pet.
What are your thoughts on the brindle Pitbull? Share your feedback, questions, and comments in the comment section below.
There you go, Woof!
