The brindle pitbull is a beloved, beautiful dog. As with any dog, you’ll need to spend some time training your pitbull, but once you do, it can be a great family dog.
What exactly is a brindle pitbull, though?
The term “pitbull” is often misunderstood. Many cities and even countries worldwide have banned pitbulls and many people are afraid that this breed is inherently aggressive.
In fact, “pitbull” is not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The term is usually used to describe dogs with barrel chests, small bent ears, boxy faces, and little tails. Of course, this could be describing several dogs, such as the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or the American Bulldog.
If you have one of these breeds, or a mixed breed with similar characteristics, you may be wondering what you should know about your dog.
We’ve put together some helpful facts about the brindle pitbull’s history, main characteristics, and training tips.
Ready to learn more about your new best friend? Let’s get started!
Photo by Patricia Tsernoshova on Unsplash
Ten Brindle Pitbull Facts
- Pitbulls were originally bred as a mix between Old English Bulldogs and Old English Terriers.
Pitbulls were originally bred as fighting dogs, which is part of why they carry a stigma today. They get their bulky appearance from the Old English Bulldogs and their energy from the Old English Terriers.
Of course, since their original breeding, the breed has gone through many changes. Now pitbulls are often a mix of breeds and can be excellent family dogs.
- Brindle Pitbulls are not very common.
Pitbulls, because they are a mix, can be almost any color. They are often brown or fawn but can also be white, piebald, or brindle. Brindle is a term that means the dog has two colors. They may have lighter stripes or spots throughout the coat.
The brindle trait is recessive, but some Pitbulls are bred for this characteristic. Brindle dogs have a unique coloring that is quite striking!
- Pitbulls have a lot of energy.
Because Pitbulls have some terrier in them, they are high-energy dogs. This means that you can expect your life to become a little more active if you get a Pitbull. Pitbulls absolutely need daily walks, of up to an hour if you can manage.
To help your pitbull get their energy out you should also provide lots of toys, including puzzle toys that will activate their brain and keep them engaged.
- Brindle pitbulls might have hip problems when they are older.
Because of the stocky build of most bulldog breeds, they are prone to hip problems. Pitbulls are especially susceptible to this because they are such an energetic breed. They will run, jump, and play throughout their life, causing more wear and tear to their hips.
Luckily, veterinarians are used to this common problem, and we now have many options for reparative surgeries. In addition, your vet will probably be looking for any signs of hip problems and will be able to immediately address any issue.
- Training is essential.
Okay, obviously training is important no matter what type of dog you buy. However, Pitbulls are big, strong dogs and a badly behaved pitbull can cause a lot of damage. Most puppies go through biting stages, but a pitbull bite can hurt much more than a smaller breed like a cocker spaniel!
When you first get a pitbull puppy, you should focus on training them not to bite, not to jump, and not to chew on furniture around the home. Working on these behaviors early will save you a world of trouble later in life.
- Pitbulls aren’t picky eaters.
One of the great things about brindle Pitbulls is that they are easy to feed. Pitbulls eat an average of two cups of dry food a day, in two meals. The exact amount will depend on your dog’s activity level and weight, so check with your vet if you aren’t sure how much to feed your brindle pitbull.
One thing to know about feeding your pitbull is that they can overeat or eat too fast. If your dog is eating too quickly, try using a puzzle dog-bowl to slow them down or even placing a large rock in the center of their bowl.
- Brindle Pitbulls are easy to groom and don’t shed much.
Pitbulls are short-haired dogs with medium shedding. Since they are short-haired, the shedding is not as problematic as with some other long-haired breeds. You can keep them from getting hair all over your house by brushing them regularly with a gentle brush and giving them occasional baths.
You will want to trim their nails regularly and if your pitbull has any wrinkles on its face, you’ll want to wipe down the skin with a wet cloth to keep it from getting dirty. You can use dog treats and chews to keep their teeth clean.
- Brindle Pitbulls are usually very affordable.
As you know, the price range of buying a dog can vary. You can adopt a dog from a shelter for $100 or even for free, or you can spend thousands on a purebred breed. Because pitbull is not a defined breed, there’s a big range in price. Usually you can buy a pitbull for around $500.
However, many dogs in animal shelters are pitbull mixes. If you have the time to give these rescued dogs extra love and training, they can turn into excellent pets. You can even use the money you saved in buying a rescue to invest in a dog-training program.
- Pitbulls are a medium-size dog.
Most pitbulls weigh between 30 to 60lbs. Males will be larger, while females don’t tend to grow as big. They can be up to 55 inches tall. Pitbulls tend to be very top-heavy. Although they are often short, they have big shoulders and heavy heads.
Even though pitbulls can weigh as little as 30lbs, they are still medium to large dog and should be treated as such. They shouldn’t go into small-dog parks once they are fully grown.
- Brindle pitbulls need to be well socialized.
Like with any dog, you need to socialize with your pitbull. When they are a puppy, get them used to noises, movement, people, dogs, and other animals. Pitbulls aren’t known to bark a lot, but their bark can sound scary. Therefore it’s crucial to keep them calm and relaxed in all situations.
When socializing, make sure that your pitbull spends a lot of time around children. Pitbulls can be extremely affectionate and protective of kids if they are familiarized at a young age.
Hopefully, these ten tips can help you decide what dog to buy, know what to expect before buying a pitbull, or properly train the brindle pitbull you already have. These dogs are loveable and beautiful with their tiger-striped coat and loving faces.
If you want to know more about the pitbulls, you can see the pitbull/husky mix.
