In a world full of dog lovers, many might be familiar with the Pitbull dog breed, known for its controversial reputation of being an aggressive breed to the point of being illegal to own in some areas. This reputation for aggression originally came from their history of being used for blood sports, such as bull-baiting and bear-baiting in Britain, which eventually shifted to fighting the dogs against each other when Britain introduced its animal welfare laws in 1835.
Lately, though, the fear of Pitbulls has been slowly receding as the breed progressively becomes known for its sweet and caring nature, as well as its agility, strength, and intelligence, earning it a spot in The United States Police K-9 unit along with the Belgian Malinois and the German Shepherd. With their reputation growing more positive, Pitbulls often function as police dogs, rescue dogs, and search dogs.
At this rate, Pitbulls are very well known for a variety of reasons, however, one might not be so familiar with the fact that there are actually four different dog breeds that share the title of Pitbull. These four breeds are descended from a crossing of Old English Bulldogs for their strength and Old English Terriers for their agility.
These four bull breeds are the American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully. However, because these four breeds look rather alike and are often confused for one another, it is more common to identify a Pitbull breed by their distinct coloration. Knowing this, what exactly is a grey Pitbull?
Everything You Need to Know About Grey Pitbulls
As the name might suggest, grey Pitbull is a term used specifically for Pitbulls that have a blue or grey coloring to their coat, eyes, nose, and toenails. Yes, even their toenails. This blue or grey coloring comes from a recessive gene, a dilution of the dominant black color variation. Grey Pitbulls are not a specific breed, but rather, any Pitbulls that have the recessive gene responsible for this grey collaboration are considered grey Pitbulls.
Grey Pitbull Appearance and Size
Male grey Pitbulls can grow up to 53 cm (approximately 1.7 feet) and can weigh from 30 to 66 pounds, while female grey Pitbulls can grow up to 50 cm (approximately 19.6 feet) and weigh up to 50 pounds. The coats of grey Pitbulls come in several variations, including brindle, fawn, and tricolor coats, with white markings on their chest, feet, and tail.
The brindle coats of Grey Brindle Pitbulls, another characteristic of a recessive gene, are characterized by a subtle and blended striped coloration, ranging from a blue-grey base coat with lighter tan or fawn color variations, or the reverse.
The coat of a Grey Fawn Pitbull on the other hand is characterized by their striking and distinct silver-blue coats and lighter colored noses. These Grey Fawn Pitbulls are lighter than their simple Grey Pitbull counterparts but are both considered to be grey Pitbulls all the same. Finally, Grey Tricolor Pitbulls’ coats are made up of three distinct colors: a grey base coat with wide splotches of tan and white.
Rarity and Health Problems
The distinct coloration of grey Pitbulls due to a recessive gene makes them particularly rare, and thus highly sought after, often ranging from $500 at the cheapest to an impressive $10,000! This recessive gene is a dilution of the dominant black pigment, but the lack of melanin can cause health problems and diseases that breeders and owners should be aware of, including hip dysplasia, food allergies, skin conditions, and hypothyroidism.
Personality and Temperament
The aggression typically associated with grey Pitbulls is not found in their genes, but rather in their past experiences and relationships with their owners and families. Pitbulls that are raised in a loving household are known to be caring, sweet, and highly sociable, showing affection not only for their owners but also for guests and strangers, making them known for being very happy and welcoming.
However, without being socialized properly as puppies, Pitbulls might not be so welcoming to other dogs and thus prefer the exclusive company of their human companions. This can be combated by proper socialization, slow introductions between dogs, and general positive reinforcement during good encounters with other dogs.
Grey Pitbulls are also highly sensitive to noise, and when they are irritated by such, can show unwanted behaviors such as biting, barking, digging, and chewing. Also, due to their prey drive, they require plenty of strenuous exercises, not making them suitable for low activity households. Regularly engaging them in activities such as fetch, tug-of-war, running, hiking, swimming, and pulley jumping can help regulate these behaviors and allow them to drain their impressive stamina.
Are Grey Pitbulls Good Family Dogs?
Due to their loving and caring nature, grey Pitbulls are excellent companions and great for families. With love, affection, and proper training, Pitbulls are loyal and protective of their families and owners.
Compatibility With Children
Pitbulls as a breed are protective of children, often being trained as babysitters and nannies for their caring and protective nature and their ability to withstand and endure rugged child play. They often become upset if a baby is crying or harmed, and can assist children in walking and running.
Grey Pitbulls: A Conclusion
Owning and caring for a Pitbull may be a challenge, especially with the added health problems present in grey Pitbulls due to their reduced presence of melanin. Not being prepared to train and care for a grey Pitbull can result in the unwanted fear responses and aggression they have a reputation for.
It is very important to be well educated about Pitbulls before adoption, but with the proper knowledge and care, you are in for one of the best companions you could ever ask for. Though they come with a hefty price tag for their rare coloration, grey Pitbulls are a sight to behold and would make an excellent addition to any loving and responsible family.
