Brindle Pitbulls: Are they Rare? What Kind of Pitties Have this Color?

Last Updated on April 25, 2023

Pitbulls are a misunderstood dog breed, and the Brindle Pitbull is no different.

Often spelled out as Brindle Pit Bull or even called a Brindle Pittie, these powerful pooches may look intimidating, but they are real sweethearts.

So what makes the Brindle Pitbull different from your standard Pitbull? Let’s find out while we dispel stereotypes and shine a light on this unique breed.

What is a Brindle Pitbull?

The first thing to understand is what’s meant by the term Pitbull. A Pitbull is any breed descended from combining bulldogs and terriers, which means there are a few breeds that can fit the title of Pitbull.

The American Pitbull Terrier, the American Bully, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier are all breeds known as Pitbulls.

So what is the distinction that sets the Brindle Pitbull dog apart? Well, the Brindle Pitbull is any Bully breed with a brindle coat pattern.

With that in mind, any of the aforementioned breeds can be dubbed a Brindle Pitbull if their coat features the brindle color pattern.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes certain, but not all, Pitbull breeds, and you won’t find them under that title on their site.

Since a few breeds fall under the distinction, they don’t get their own section, but purebred Pitbull breeds like the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are recognized.

So if you’re wondering whether or not the AKC recognizes the Brindle Pitbull, the answer is both yes and no.

They are not recognized as their own breed, but if the color pattern presents itself in one of the recognized Bully breeds, then yes, the Brindle Pitbull is recognized via that caveat.

The origin of the Pitbull is mired in bloodsports, where the breed’s negative connotations started.

In the 19th century, people in the United Kingdom began to crossbreed Old English Bulldogs and Old English Terriers to craft fierce and intelligent dogs for the purposes of “entertainment.”

They forced these dogs into barbaric sports, such as bull-baiting, bear-baiting, and pit fighting.

Those sports turned these actually affectionate pups into fighting dogs. However, battling bulls in pit fights is where they got their name.

Pitbulls were brought to America in 1845 for the unfortunate, continued purpose of dogfighting, but people soon realized they weren’t really fighters at all.

Pitbulls were trained to fight, but without that training, they were loving and affectionate companions.

However, even today, the Pitbull is still misunderstood as an aggressive animal.

Any dog can be trained and conditioned to act aggressively, but because it’s so ingrained in the history of the Pitbull, people judge without understanding the true, sweet nature of these pups.

After some time in America, Pitbulls garnered the title of “the nanny dog,” as people saw how affectionate they were with children and their owners.

For those who take the time to understand these pooches, they find loyal, loving protectors.

Nowadays, aside from being a dedicated family friend, this Bulldog Terrier mix is often used in search and rescue. These rescue dogs have a solid work ethic, and they love to help.

The Look of the Brindle Pitbull

Your Brindle Pitbull will be a medium-sized doggo with a muscular frame. Their heads are broad with small eyes, short ears that can be rounded or pointed, and a short muzzle.

Some people find their appearance intimidating, but this breed of dog is a family pet.

How big is the Brindle Pitbull?

As with most breeds, male Brindle Pitbulls are bigger than females, but on average, they are between 18-21 inches tall when fully grown.

Your pup will also weigh between 30-60 pounds, but depending on the breed of Pitbull your doggo is, they can get as big as 85 pounds.

Your Pitbull can thrive in an apartment, but you’ll want to make sure they have plenty of exercises to keep them happy.

The Brindle Pitbull Coat

The Brindle Pitbull has a short coat with stiff hair. It will feel smooth and should even appear glossy. It’s also an easy-to-maintain coat as they only shed twice each year.

Coat Color

When it comes to coat coloration, there can be quite a few. The coat’s brindle pattern can be brown, black, white, fawn, red, blue, lilac, yellow, orange, or silver.

Types of Brindle Pitbulls

Since Brindle Pitbulls come in many varieties, you may be curious about what other types are out there. Well, we’ve got you covered.

The Blue Nose Brindle Pitbull lives up to the name with a brindle, blue fawn, and gray hue to their coat. This coloration can give your pup blue eyes, and, of course, it can appear on their noses.

The Red Nose Brindle Pitbull is much the same, but it replaces the blue coloration with red.

These pups have a red and fawn brindle pattern that can also feature some white spots. As the name suggests, this red color can also be on their noses.

While the Red and Blue may be more prominent and unique, this dog’s coat can have other brindle color variations that can present in the same manner.

Fawn, white, brown, red, and black can all feature in Brindle Pitbull variants.

Coat Markings

With an already varied and unique coat, you may be surprised to find that other coat markings can make these dogs stand out. One possible characteristic is tiger-like stripes that can be white, light brown, or orange.

Other possible markings are brindle stripes, brindle points, sable brindle, and reverse brindle.

Reverse brindle is a characteristic where the brindling is so heavy that the pup may appear to have a black or fawn coat with a lighter coloration behind it.

Reverse Brindle Pitbulls aren’t alone, though, as French Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Greyhounds, Great Danes, and Dachsund, just to name a few, can all have a reverse brindle pattern.

The Brindle Pitbull Temperament: Are they aggressive?

The temperament of the Pitbull is what most people misunderstand about the breed. When these dogs are raised with love and affection, they offer the same in return.

They are only aggressive when they’re trained to be that way or mistreated. These beautiful dogs have equally beautiful souls as long as some humans’ barbaric desires do not contaminate them.

Pitbulls are excellent family dogs, despite what most people assume.

These dogs form strong bonds with their humans, and they are naturally protective and nurturing with children. After all, you don’t earn the nickname “the nanny dog” any other way.

When it comes to strangers and other pets, socialization and training will help immensely. Pitbulls can do well with strangers, but their protective nature can make them wary of newcomers.

When it comes to other pets, Pitbulls can be jealous as they will want your attention.

This behavior can be most prominent with other dogs, but they can do better with animals they were raised around. If they have early socialization with other animals, this jealousy will be less of an issue.

These are smart pups that aim to please, so when it comes to Pitbull training, you’ll want to utilize positive reinforcement.

To get a sense of how well these pups can be trained, check out this video of Bear the Brindle Pitbull displaying the commands he’s learned.

These doggos will be happy when they are able to make you happy, but they can suffer from separation anxiety. If you leave them alone for too long, they can cause some mischief.

Caring for Your Cuddle Buddy

Brindle Pitbulls do well in moderate climates, so try to avoid extreme heat or cold and shade and shelter as needed.

However, these dogs are not high maintenance. They will require a decent amount of daily exercise, but these pups can be low maintenance outside of that.

Exercising Your Pitbull

The Brindle Pitbull is very athletic, and they will love to play games with the whole family.

These pooches will enjoy a nice walk, run, or yard to roam, but they can jump high, so you’ll want a tall fence or to keep them leashed in the yard.

These active dogs will need at least an hour of good exercise each day, but they can require more depending on their size.

Grooming Your Pitbull

The Pitbull coat is relatively easy to maintain as these pups only shed twice a year. You’ll want to brush them regularly during those times, but this means they are not hypoallergenic.

Outside of that, these dogs will only need the occasional bath, but be sure to use shampoo for sensitive skin as Pitbulls can suffer from skin irritation.

Clip your Brindle Pitbulls nails every month or two to keep them comfortable, and don’t forget to keep their ears clean.

You’ll also want to brush their teeth every week or so to keep their teeth and gums looking good.

Your Doggie’s Diet

Pitbulls have muscular bodies that require protein-rich diets. Your Pitbull will need around 2 cups of food a day when they are fully grown, but their size and energy level will dictate their dietary needs.

I recommend a kibble that’s high in protein and nutrients for active dogs, but keep an eye on their weight as they can be prone to obesity.

The Health of Your Pitbull

Your Brindle Pitbull has an average lifespan of 12-15 years, but with multiple breeds fitting the title, they can be predisposed to specific health conditions.

Some of the breeds, such as the Blue Nose Brindle Pitbull, have smaller gene pools, leading to a higher chance of health problems.

Possible Health Issues:

• Hip Dysplasia or Elbow Dysplasia
• Cataract Eye Disease
• Allergies
• Skin Conditions (including allergies)
• Hypothyroidism (can cause obesity and joint problems)
• Parvovirus
• Cardiac Disease
• Gastric Ulcers
• Cerebellar Abiotrophy

Your veterinarian can perform some regular tests and screenings to ensure your pooch stays happy and healthy. You’ll want to give them regular eye checkups, and Pitbulls will benefit from vaccinations.

Vaccines for rabies, Lyme disease, and Parvo (DA2PP) are recommended, and these can be administered via a combination vaccine.

Always consult your vet for any health-related issues, but know that your Brindle Pitbull can be a very healthy dog.

How Much Does a Brindle Pitbull Cost?

Your Brindle Pitbull puppy cost can be between $300-$500 as they aren’t a rare breed.

If you’re looking for one of the more rare coat colors like the Red Nose Brindle Pitbull or the Blue Nose Brindle Pitbull, you can end up paying as much as $3000 or more.

The cost doesn’t end there, though, as any dog will have costs beyond its initial purchase.

Medical costs associated with spaying or neutering your pet and vaccinations can add up, but you’ll also need dog food, a leash, bowls, and toys.

Amazon has you covered with a complete guide of what you’ll need in their New Dog Checklist.

Don’t forget your annual costs either. Dog food will be a regular purchase throughout the year, and your dog will need regular vet visits to keep them in tip-top shape.

Pitbull Breeders

When it comes to finding reputable breeders, be sure to do your research.

Quality breeders work with breed-specific organizations to maintain high standards, and they will be open and upfront about the dog’s genetic history and possible medical conditions.

Avoid puppy farms as they seek profit over quality. These places generally keep these pups in poor conditions, and they aren’t concerned with breeding out possible medical conditions.

Luckily, we’ve put in some leg work and found a few good places to start your search.

Country Iron Kennels breeds various Pitbulls, including the rare Blue Nose Pitbull. Check out their Puppies for Sale page for further information.

McNamara Pit Bull Kennels also has available puppies for sale. They offer American Pit Bull Terrier pups that include Red Nose Pitbulls and Brindle Pitbull Terriers.

If you specifically want the rare Blue Nose Brindle Pitbull, check out the list of available puppies at Blue Fire Pits.

Pitbull Rescues

I am an advocate for adopting or rescuing a pup in need of a forever home. There are numerous rescues that focus specifically on Pitbulls, so that’s where you’ll want to start.

Remember that when you get a Pitbull from a shelter, you’ll want to make sure they are trained and that inhumane owners haven’t sullied their temperament.

If you’re looking to adopt a Brindle Pitbull, I’ve found a few rescues and animal shelters that can help you in your endeavor.

Rescue Me offers a countrywide map that features Pitbulls in need of rescue in every state.

Pit Bull Rescue Central offers a similar resource as they list rescue organizations in every state that can help you find a Brindle Pittie to take home.

Brindle Pitbull Mixes

Has the Brindle Pittie captured your attention? Maybe you’re curious about mixed breeds that utilize the Pitbull?

There are some interesting ones out there, such as the Chipit, which is a Pitbull Chihuahua mix. Let’s dig into some of the others, though.

Here you’ll find a brief overview of a few mixes that may interest you.

The Pitbull Lab mix is a cross between an American Pitbull Terrier and a Labrador Retriever.

These doggos make for an energetic and loyal companion that is often called the Pitador, Bullador, Labrabull, or Pitador Retriever.

The Pitbull Boxer mix is a cross between an American Pitbull Terrier and a Boxer. They have been called by several names, and the organizations that recognize this mix each give it a different name.

Depending on the organization, this fearless and affectionate pup can be called a BullBoxer, BullBoxer Pit, American Bull Boxer, or American Bullboxer.

The Pitbull Mastiff mix, which is also known as the Pit Mastiff or the American Masti-Bull, is a crossbreed between Pitbull and Mastiff breeds.

It’s unique in that this mix can utilize different variations of the parent breeds but still fit the title of Pit Mastiff. This crossbreed also features a stern look, but they are sweet and caring dogs.

The Pitbull Catahoula Leopard Dog mix is a cross between the American Pit Bull and the Catahoula Leopard Dog.

This cross is rare, but it’s a well-crafted working breed that is popular in some regions of the United States. This breed can be independently minded, but they are great for an active family.

The Pitbull German Shepherd mix is a cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the German Shepherd, which is also known as the German Pit, the Shepherd Pit, or the German Sheppit.

This unique cross is loyal and loving, but it’s also a bold, active pooch.

Is a Brindle Pitbull the Dog For Me?

True dog lovers know that a Pitbull can be the best dog you’ve ever owned. If you can keep up with their energy level and provide proper training, a Brindle Pitbull can be an excellent family pet.

These dogs are relatively low maintenance, they can mesh well with any caring human, and they’ll be an excellent watchdog.

If you don’t have the time to exercise your pup, they can act up from the excess energy.

Pitbulls also suffer from separation anxiety, so you’ll want to make sure you have the time to spend with them. You’ll also need to train and socialize these pooches, which will take more time.

Owning a Pitbull also comes with a certain stigma since the general public misunderstands the breed, so that is something to be aware of before getting one, as you’ll likely run into it.

You may also assume that a Pitbull isn’t great for first-time owners, but their affectionate natures actually make them wonderful dogs

When it comes to being a Brindle Pitbull dog owner, your biggest hurdle as an owner may just be time, but for anyone who has love to give, your Pitbull will return it tenfold.

Further reading: More about Pitbull Colors

• White Pitbull
• Standard Pitbull Colors