We all know that dogs are pretty amazing animals. They are so much more than that. They are our friends, our companions, our cuddle buddies. So choosing which dog to get isn’t an easy one. But today we will introduce you to one canine worth taking a second look at — the black Pitbull. And trust us — with him, not everything is as it seems.
Black Pitbulls may look a bit intimidating to some, but these dogs have the softest hearts. Pitbulls, and especially black Pitbulls may have a bad reputation. But all the rumors shouldn’t worry you too much if you train your dog well.
If you ever had the opportunity to get to know a well-trained and socialized Pitbull, you know how well-rounded these dogs are. They are loyal, affectionate, and total goofballs.
Before we tell you more about the character and appearance of the black Pitbull, we’ll answer one question that is probably on everyone’s minds right now. Are black Pitbulls rare? The short answer is no, they are not rare, they are just not that popular. Some types of Pitbulls that are rare are white Pitbulls, the merle Pitbull, blue Pitbull, but we’ll talk about them later in this article.
What does a Black Pitbull look like?
Black Pitbulls are not a special breed, it’s simply a Pitbull with a black coat. When it comes to the black coat color we must say that there are different varieties. In most cases, black Pitbull dogs have a completely black coat with no other colors on their bodies. But there are also black Pitbulls that have a black coat with white color patches on their chest. Both are black Pitbulls.
Generally speaking, there is no difference between the appearance of a black Pitbull and other Pitbull colors, well besides their coat color.
Just like all other Pitbull colors, the height of a black Pitbull is 18 to 19 inches for males and 17 to 18 inches for females. Weight ranges from 30 to 85 pounds. The Pitbull is a stocky, muscular dog with a short, silky coat that varies in color, in this case, black. The Pitbull has a long body and a short, whip-like tail that culminates in a point. On its wide, flat skull, you can see small to medium-sized ears. The Pitbull’s large, muscular jaw is its most distinguishing facial feature. They have jaws that are well-defined and they have strong jaws. Also, their head is broad and the cheekbones are pronounced. Their sparking dark eyes are wide apart.
But one thing is for sure, the Black Pitbull is a beautiful and intimidating canine. These dogs are graceful, elegant yet fierce. They are aware of their surroundings and enjoy having both physical and mental challenges.
It’s important to say that the American Pit Bull Terrier is recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but they are not accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC). So, no matter which color of Pitbull you get, they won’t be accepted by them.
Personality
Every dog is unique. This includes pit bulls, who are often a mix of numerous breeds. Individual personalities, like persons, are molded by genetics, life events, and the people around them.
But, many owners report that pit bulls are people-oriented, loving, and lively. While their activity levels will adjust to their living conditions, they are athletic dogs that benefit from regular exercise and mental stimulation, as well as a strict check on nutrition to minimize weight gain.
The majority of Pitbulls are fun-loving friends that are kind and tolerant with all of their family members (with the very likely exception of other pit bulls). There are exceptions, as with every breed.
Pitbulls were raised to be brave and game, to keep doing what they’re doing in the face of hardship. These characteristics make them obstinate, persistent, and courageous. Pitbulls, like any big dog, should be monitored while around youngsters.
These canines like humans and have no notion that their size makes them unsuitable for becoming lapdogs. They are watchdogs in the sense that they may warn you of the presence of outsiders, although this is mostly due to their eagerness to receive “their” visitors.
While their love of humans makes them poor guard dogs, their bravery is unrivaled, and they will protect their families with their life.
American Pit Bull Terriers, like other dogs, need early socialization. So, being exposed to a variety of people, sights, noises, and experiences — while they are young. Socialization helps to guarantee that your puppy develops into a well-rounded canine.
Where does the black coat color come from?
Black is probably one of the most common coat colors in dogs. But how do dogs get their coat color? Well, there are so many coat colors and despite the wide range of coat colors, there are only two primary pigments that create canine color:
- eumelanin which is black
- phaeomelanin which is red
These two pigments, which are both types of melanin, provide a wide range of color variations. Both of these pigments, eumelanin, and phaeomelanin, have a “default” color. So, if each of them has an already set color, how come there are so many coat colors in dogs? Well, that is because those set colors can be altered by different genes.
Let´s take eumelanin as our example. Eumelanin is a black pigment by nature, but if the dog carries the D locus or dilution gene it “dilutes” the black color and created colors like liver (brown), blue (grey), or isabella (pale brown).
We will also talk about the second pigment that influences the color of a dog’s coat, phaeomelanin. This pigment is red with gold or golden default hue. The pigment phaeomelanin produces reds ranging from deep red (Irish Setter) to orange, cream, gold, yellow, or tan. The intensity of phaeomelanin is controlled by genes, which makes the color brighter or weaker. This pigment is exclusively found in the coat and influences solely the color of the hair, while eumelanin affects the color of the eyes and nose.
Melanin levels and melanin production is not always consistent, therefore the tip of a dog’s hair may be darker than the remainder of the hair shaft. A dog´s coat color is a result of genetic mutation.
Black Pitbull genetics
What we´ve said above is about coat colors in general, but let´s look at the black Pitbull genetics and how they get their solid black color. What makes the black Pitbull different in terms of other dogs and their coat color?
Well, many genes affect a dog´s coat color. We have the M (merle) locus or merle genes which create the merle coat color, H (harlequin) locus which creates the harlequin coat color, and so on. But, in the case of the black Pitbull, we have to mention the K locus which is the dominant black gene. This gene is in charge of the dominant hues black, brindle, and fawn. Colorations previously associated with other genes, such as Agouti, are included in this relatively novel locus.
Now it gets a bit more complicated. So, the K locus consists of three gene variants or alleles:
- KB or dominant black
- kbr or brindle
- ky or recessive black
Not, it´s the presence of the KBky and KBKBgenes that lead to the solid black coat of the black Pitbull. Any dog breed can have a dominant black color through these K locus combinations.
While we´re talking about genetics, let´s also talk about the eye color in black Pitbulls, specifically the blue eye color which is surprisingly not that uncommon. How does a completely black dog have blue eyes? The answer is genes and genetic mutation.
Blue eyes
Dogs with blue eyes, according to geneticist Kristopher Irizarry, do not have any eye color. Their colorless iris is what gives us the impression of a blue color. In the same manner that we see the hue blue of the sky and water.
The following are three reasons why black Pitbulls may have blue eyes:
- Melanin Levels: Melanin is a skin pigment that determines the color of a Pitbull’s skin and eyes, it determines the lightness or darkness of a Pitbull’s eyes. Low melanin production or pigmentation loss results in lighter brown or blue eyes.
- Genetics: The merle gene is another reason why black Pitbulls may have blue eyes (M-locus). This gene alters the pigmentation of the eyes, nose, and fur. It is important to note, however, that not all black Pitbulls with merle genes will have this eye trait.
- ALX4 Gene: A genetic mutation is also linked to the color of certain black Pitbulls’ eyes. If the genetic mutation is close to the gene ALX4, there is a higher chance for the eye to appear blue.
Nutrition
Every dog needs a balanced and healthy diet. And black Pitbulls are no exception. Either you choose home-prepared meals or commercial food — make sure it’s of good quality. It is also essential that your Pitbull eats at least three meals a day. Pitbulls are active dogs, so they burn a lot of energy. And the food is energy. As already said Pitbulls should eat high-quality food with a lot of meat!
Their diet should be appropriate to your dog’s age, size, and activity level. That way you will make sure to avoid both weight gain and weight loss.
You can still use treats for rewarding your dog during training. However, make sure to pick out something healthy.
Grooming Needs and Health
Black Pitbulls are relatively easy to groom. Their short coat requires only brushing once every few days. And the shedding is not too bad as well. Make sure to give them occasional baths once every few weeks. A trip to the dog salon a few times a week will do wonders too.
And don’t forget the things many dog owners often overlook. Don’t forget to brush their teeth, cut their nails and clean their ears.
The solid Black Pitbull is generally a healthy and robust breed but not without health problems that afflict most dogs.
A responsible caretaker will screen him for health conditions like cardiac disease, coat and skin allergies, and canine hip dysplasia.
As with all dog breeds, you should brush the teeth of your dog regularly, and you should examine and clean their ears as well.
Proper training and Exercise
While Pitbulls are a highly intelligent dog breed, you still have to train them. They have a strong will, lots of energy, and physical strength.
They have a strong desire to please their owners, which makes them fairly easy to train. Praise and rewards will do wonders too.
Pitbulls are athletic and energetic dogs. Therefore they require a lot of exercise. However, they also enjoy just walking around with you and spending time with people in general.
And don’t forget that these intelligent dogs need challenges. They love to focus their mind and energy on something. That’s why they thrive on both physical and mental challenges. That’s why black Pitbulls enjoy participating in canine sports like dock diving, agility, and obedience.
The bad reputation of the Black Pitbull
Have you ever wondered why do black Pitbulls have such a bad reputation? Is there anything to it?
While it is true that some Pitbulls have attacked people on some occasions, we shouldn´t blame the dog. If you train and socialize them right, Pitbull can be very calm and well-rounded dogs. Every dog breed has the potential to become aggressive if you don’t socialize them early on. The Pitbull is a type of dog that might get aggressive if not trained well, and every future owner should be aware of that.
Now, when it comes to black Pitbulls there is no reason as to why black Pitbulls should be any more aggressive than other dog breeds. So don’t fall for the so-called “black dog syndrome”. Dogs with black coats are in no way more dangerous than white or fawn dogs, for example. The color of a dog’s coat doesn’t determine its personality. But, the way you train your dog definitely will.
One of the reasons why people believe black Pitbulls are more dangerous is that these dogs used to be fighting dogs. However, that’s in no way their fault. But if you train them well you shouldn´t have any worry
Pitbulls make a great family pet if you work with them regularly and socialize them properly. These dogs are so amazing and loving that they even have a strong need to follow you wherever you go and be around you all the time. They will love it when you include them in all kinds of family activities. What´s best is that they are very courageous dogs which makes them excellent guard dogs! They will do anything to protect you, your family, and your home.
Health issues of Pitbulls
American Pit Bull Terriers are typically healthy, although, like other breeds, they are susceptible to some health issues. Although not all American Pit Bull Terriers will get any or all of these ailments, it’s vital to be aware of them if you’re thinking about getting one.
The black Pitbull´s health and health problems are the same as any other Pitbull´s. This is to expect given that this is not a different breed, but just one color variation of the Pitbull breed. So, to answer the question does the black coloring affects the dog´s health, it doesn´t.
While it is true that coat color can affect a dog´s health. For example, white coat color is more sensitive to several health issues including alopecia. In severe cases, white fur can even cause blindness and deafness in dogs. But, no study has shown that it´s the same with black coats.
Nevertheless, there are many health issues Pitbulls have to deal with.
- Elbow dysplasia – a hereditary disease and the most prevalent cause of front limb lameness (limping) in dogs. It happens when the bones that make up the elbow joint don’t fit together perfectly, resulting in painful forelimb movement. The elbow is made up of the humerus (the long bone of the upper forelimb), which connects with the radius and ulna at the joint (the two bones that comprise the lower forelimb below it). All of these bones must be perfectly aligned for the elbow to endure a lifetime of wear and tear. When they don’t, the disorder and its associated symptoms are referred to as “elbow dysplasia.”
- Hip dysplasia – a hip malformation that develops throughout puppyhood. To better understand it let’s talk more about your dog’s hips. So, the hip joint is made up of a ball and socket joint. Both the ball (the head of the femur, or thighbone) and the socket in the pelvis (acetabulum) must expand at the same pace throughout development. But, if your dog is suffering from hip dysplasia t This regular development does not occur. As a consequence, the joint becomes slack, which is followed by degenerative joint disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis (OA), which is the body’s effort to fix the loose hip joint. Sadly, this is the most common hereditary health problem in large dogs.
Skin problems:
- Skin allergies – the most common skin problem in Pitbulls are skin allergies. Environmental allergens such as fleas, grass, pollen, and dust are often responsible for skin allergies. They may also be tied to eating, however, this is less often. Beef, rice, wheat, and maize are common dietary allergies. Allergies may cause acute itching and pain, causing dogs to dig and chew until they bleed. This is dangerous because secondary infections might form in the injured tissue. To treat allergies, the source of the problem must be identified and, if feasible, eliminated from the dog’s surroundings. A veterinarian can assist you with this, as well as tell you whether allergy symptoms are treatable with medicine.
- Ichthyosis – Ichthyosis is a congenital disorder that may be unpleasant if not addressed. You may notice a thickening of the outer layer of your Pit bull’s skin as well as the footpads from time to time. This might be an indication that your dog has ichthyosis. This is a condition that pit bulls may acquire from their parents, and it is more frequent in terrier breeds. It is a bizarre skin condition with symptoms comparable to fish scales or human dandruff. If you don´t treat the scales, they will get worse as the dog matures.
Other health issues:
- Heart disease – affects these canines in a variety of ways, the most frequent of which is aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is a congenital cardiac abnormality, which means the dog was born with it. It is a constriction of the link between the left ventricle and the aorta that is aberrant. Some dogs show no or just slight symptoms, while others may have limited energy or even die abruptly. A chest x-ray and ECG can confirm the diagnosis if your veterinarian detects a cardiac murmur.
- Cerebellar ataxia – The word ataxia refers to nerve system incoordination. It might affect the head, limbs, chest, back, or all four legs. Exaggerated limb movements and head tremors in dogs may indicate a problem with the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for fine motor movements. Congenital abnormalities, inflammatory illnesses, or brain tumors are the most common causes of canine cerebellar ataxia.
- Knee problems – Pitbulls are lively canines that like playing with toys and rushing about. Pit bulls are prone to hind leg injuries, ligament tears, and knee issues due to their high activity level and robust frame. These motions may cause damage to your dog’s cranial cruciate ligament, which is similar to the ACL in humans. The cranial cruciate ligament is a thin tissue that links the thigh bone to the tibia in a Pitbull’s knee. Because Pit bulls are always moving, the CCL endures a significant burden. Due to the energetic character of the pit bull breed, most partial tears are at a high risk of developing full tears.
Eye problems:
- Cataracts – This disorder may be inherited or acquired. Cataracts may also form as a result of other medical disorders like hypocalcemia, diabetes, and uveitis. Pharmaceutical treatments may help relieve cataracts if they are identified early; otherwise, surgery will be required to remove the extra protein accumulation. Pitbull pups are also susceptible to juvenile cataracts. Juvenile cataracts appear significantly younger, frequently before the age of six. Other eye issues affecting the pit bull breed include corneal ulcers, which can cause the eye to become inflamed and infected.
Getting a Pitbull and the Pitbull price
When you decide to buy a Pitbull, please be aware of their character. These dogs are very active and need a lot of exercise, training, and socialization.
Pitbulls are also loving and loyal, so they make an amazing family pet and they are also great with children. If you train and socialize them well!
You’re probably aware of this, but Pitbulls have a bad reputation around them. In the past, these dogs were used for blood sports like bull-baiting and bear-baiting. For those who don’t know what that means, it’s a blood sport involving encouragement or in simple terms forcing a dog to fight a bull or a chained bear.
Pitbulls had to be aggressive, they had to fight. But today that’s not the case anymore. And no dog is born aggressive. So, don’t be afraid of Pitbulls. They are kind and gentle dogs.
Black Pitbull puppies price
So, how much do black Pitbull puppies cost? The truth is there is no significant difference in price between black Pitbulls and Pitbulls that are any other color. Generally speaking, the price depends on its ancestry and its physical qualities. Generally speaking, female dogs are always more expensive than males. But, the price also depends on the breeder you’re buying from and the area you live in. If you’re buying from reputable and reliable dog breeders, obviously your Pitbull will cost more.
You can expect to pay anywhere between 2000 dollars and 20,000 dollars. Yes, you read that right. Pitbulls from pedigreed bloodlines, with the best traits, will cost a lot of money. So, if you want high quality and healthy dog, you can´t be on a tight budget.
We also want to remind you one more time that black Pitbulls are not rare, the only reason why a breeder might tell you that the black Pitbull you´re about to buy is rare is that they are out for your money and will give you a way higher price.
Finding a good breeder
There are many methods for locating excellent American Pit Bull Terrier breeders (and American Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeders). But the best way is through reputable Pitbull registries.
There are several dog breed registries available online. Not all of them have a solid track record. Besides that, just because a dog is registered with one, even if they are reputable, does not always imply that the dog is of high quality. Still, knowing that the breeder is attempting to register their dogs is a possible indicator that they are not a backyard breeder. One advantage of registrations is that many list breeders, thus this is a good place to start.
If you ask us, the American Kennel Club is the most respected of all dog registries. But, the issue is that they do not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed, so, which registry to choose?
Our suggestions:
Well, one place to go might be the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA). Their goal is to promote the American Pit Bull Terrier breed and to educate people about proper dog ownership. They also encourage titling dogs via activities like weight pull. ADBA maintains a section on their website for breeders to advertise, as well as a breeder directory accessible for a charge via their publication. So check their website for more information!
Another great source for reliable and reputable breeders is pet care professionals. They are a fantastic source of suggestions for breeders. Veterinarians, groomers, pet sitters, trainers, daycares, and boarding facilities might recommend breeders with whom they have had positive experiences. Similarly, they may tell you if they’ve observed any red signs or breeders to avoid. Because these experts engage with dogs in the community daily, they may be excellent judges of which dogs they loved meeting and which may not be a good match for you.
We can also give you a couple of suggestions where to look first. But, a little disclaimer, we do not work with any of these kennels nor have we ever been to either one. Our suggestions are based on online reviews and not our own experience.
Black Pitbull Kennels to look into:
Mugleston’s Pitbull Farm sells Pitbull puppies that may be picked up in person or sent anywhere in the United States. Owners raise their Pitbulls inside the home for the first month, then move them to Pitbull kennels outside to get the finest care. Their phone number and other contact information may be found on their website.
Unleashed Kennels is another Pitbull breeding company that has earned many positive and overall good reviews from dog owners because they guarantee that the Pitbulls they offer have stable temperaments. They have locations in Michigan, Kansas, and California, and they welcome customers with open arms. You may go see them in person and select whatever dog appeals to you.
For the last 10 years, Manmade Kennels has been breeding Pitbulls. They ship puppies all over the globe and are highly involved in the transfer of their Pitbulls to new homes. Each member of their crew has years of expertise teaching Pitbulls, so you can be confident that your dog will be well-behaved.
Adopting a Pitbull
If buying a Pitbull is too expensive for you, then you might want to look into adopting one! There are so many rescues and rescue organizations, as well as shelters you can tend to in hopes of finding a Pitbull for you and your family!
If you are in New York or Los Angeles, the best place to look for a Pitbull to adopt is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Their adoption centers in New York and Los Angeles may be your source for getting a black Pitbull dog that is looking for a forever home.
Another great rescue is the Tough Love Pitbull Rescue. It is a volunteer network of Pitbull owners in Arizona, California, and Washington. They rescue Pitbulls, teach them basic dog instructions, and even train them to use the restroom!
While you’re here you can read more about Pitbull colors:
- Grey Pitbull: The breathtaking beauty
- White Pitbull: What Makes Them White?
- Blue Fawn Pitbull: How Rare Are They?
- Tri Color Pitbull: Unique And Beautiful
You can also read more about other varieties of Pitbulls: