Pitbulls have had a rough history that has led to an unfortunate – and false – reputation.
Though Pitbulls have been degraded and sport an intimidating, muscular appearance, they are pretty gentle and loving dogs.
The Tri-Color Pitbull is a rare variation of the breed known, as its name suggests, for three colors of different patterns.
Their unique look has made them exceedingly popular for pet owners.
If you’re considering getting your family a Tri-Color Pitbull, you should check out some of our facts about the breed.
A Quick History
The original pitbull breed traces back to the early 1800s in the UK.
They descended from Old English Bulldogs and gained their claim to fame early on when they were used in bull baiting.
Bull baiting was an unusually cruel blood sport where the dogs were set to harass a bull for hours on end.
The idea was entertainment for the lower classes, but this ended when the British Parliament approved the Cruelty to Animals Act in 1835.
Of course, people continued to find loopholes in this legislation.
Rather than bulls, they would put rats in a pit and see which dog could kill the most.
It began the breeding of the Old English Bulldogs with Terriers, creating the first Pit Bull Terrier.
It wasn’t until this breed was brought to America that it was allowed to prove itself as a working dog.
Pitbulls would herd cattle, guard livestock, and even look after children.
They quickly became great companions, though dogfighting still left them with an unfair reputation.
While dogfighting was officially made illegal in all 50 United States, criminal activity was pretty prevalent in the 70s and 80s.
But things have been looking up for this lovable breed in recent years, with many pitbull and animal activists fighting to spread the truth about the gentle pup.
The Tri-Color Pitbull is the direct result of selective and non-selective breed techniques, which pulls out the recessive genes in a dog and leads to its unique coloring.
Appearance
A Tri-Color Pitbull has the same body type as a normal pitbull.
It’s short, stout, and muscular with a large head and a lovable smile.
Its compact body packs some weight, with an average pit weighing about 50 pounds or as much as 85.
Colors & Patterns
The most notable feature of the Tri-Color Pitbull is its coat colors and patterns.
The coat of a Tri-Color Pitbull can include any of the following colors:
- Black
- Brown
- White
- Tan
- Gray
- Fawn
- Lilac
- Red
- Blue
- Steal
- Buckskin
Your pit can include any of the standard colors you’d find in a dog’s coat.
And the mix of colors is what makes this breed so unique.
Along with a range of colors comes the possibility of patterns, which can be masked, ticked, freckled, merle, patched, brindled, and more.
It’s pretty common to see a Tri-Color Pitbull that boasts contrasting colors (such as black and white) over its face, chest, paws, legs, and tail.
Many of these pups stick to a simple combination of black, brown, and white.
Personality & Temperament
Pitbulls, in general, are very loyal family dogs.
Rather than being super aggressive like people assume, they have quite silly and entertaining personalities.
They love to play and goof off; in fact, many dog lovers call them the clowns of the dog world.
It’s easy to please a pitbull by showing them a little bit of attention.
They can go from playing a fun game one second to laying in your lap the next (even if they don’t quite fit!).
Because the breed is so family-oriented, fun-loving, and loyal, these dogs can also face issues with anxiety.
Many pits suffer separation anxiety and become nervous and upset when they’re left alone.
Separation anxiety is common in many dogs, so it’s not something to be too worried about.
However, some dogs with anxiety can become destructive when left alone.
A lot of owners must keep their pits in their cages while they’re not home.
If you have your Tri-Color Pitbull from birth, you shouldn’t experience too many behavioral problems so long as you give them proper training.
Adopting an adult pit can be a little bit more complicated.
While pits are not naturally aggressive or “born fighters,” they can be raised to behave as such.
It’s not uncommon for Pitbulls in shelters to have a dark history, whether they were bred to fight or simply were not appropriately treated.
In this instance, it’s more likely for your adopted pit to exhibit aggressive behavior.
Additionally, a pitbull who gets overly excited or scared can also become aggressive towards other animals.
This is also more likely the case if another dog provokes them.
Things like solid training and proper early socialization can effectively combat these tendencies in pits, and presenting them with new environments at an early age can prepare them to remain calm in stimulating circumstances.
Diet
All types of Pitbulls do best when they are on a diet of kibble specially formulated for their breed.
Their diet should not only include proper nutrition that fuels muscle-dense pups, but it should also be appropriate for their weight, age, and activity level.
That being said, you may need to change your pit’s food as it grows.
Pitbull puppies are constantly growing and developing their muscular stature.
On top of that, they’re puppies – so they have a lot of energy.
Later in life, you may need to change their food habits a little bit.
Your pit could be susceptible to weight gain if they overeat.
However, they do need to keep up with a high-protein diet consisting of quality sources like chicken, beef, turkey, and lamb.
Health
Anytime you intentionally breed a special kind of dog breed, there are risks involved.
Breeding a Tri-Color Pitbull requires that you put two parents together who have the proper recessive genes.
These genes put the breed at a higher risk for both diseases and genetic disorders.
Since Tri-Color Pits are still reasonably new in the world of dog breeds, it’s hard to tell exactly what kind of health risks they are predisposed to.
For now, it’s safe to be on the lookout for anything that a regular pitbull might contract.
The list of common health issues for Pitbulls includes:
- Bloat
- Hip Dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Skin allergies
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Chronic Sun Damage
Many dogs are at risk of contracting a wide range of illnesses, so it’s always best to keep an eye out for abnormal behavior and contact your vet with any questions you may have.
Overall, a healthy pit that receives good exercise, quality food, and consistent veterinary care should live between 10 and 15 years.
Exercise
Tri-Color Pitbulls are a breed that requires lots of attention and plenty of exercise.
These dogs are naturally jam-packed with energy, so long walks and bouts of playtime throughout the day are ideal.
At the very least, try to squeeze in two 30-minute walks per day.
If you work, you can aim for one in the morning and one in the evening, but be sure to monitor their energy and anxiety levels.
A pitbull who is left alone with too much energy will quickly become bored.
And a bored pitbull is a destructive one.
If you care to keep your home, furniture, and possessions in good shape, you will make sure your pit gets enough exercise.
It’s always a good idea to play it safe and look up any rules and regulations concerning specific breed handling in your area.
While we know that Pitbulls are not bad dogs, some local dog parks and trails may prohibit them anyway.
Other areas might have strict leash requirements.
That being said, the best homes for a larger breed like this would be ones that have a decent-sized backyard with plenty of room to roam and play.
If you can get a yard that has a well-built privacy fence, that’s even better.
This fence will allow your dog to play on his own while eliminating distractions or potential aggressors.
Fun Facts
Taking proper care of your dog is important, and the best way to do that is to know as much as possible about the breed before you get one.
Since there isn’t yet a whole lot of research on Tri-Color Pitbulls specifically, it’s best to go by what is known about the main Pitbull breeds.
Professional Training is Best
While it’s true that Pitbulls are very loyal, family-loving dogs, they do tend to be very stubborn.
They may try to please their owners, but their hard-headedness can often get in the way.
For that reason, you might consider getting a professional trainer or even enrolling your pup in a training school.
That way, you know your stubborn puppy is getting the best possible instruction for a happy and healthy life.
Plus, training schools will ensure that your pit is socialized at a young age, which is super important for their development.
Grooming? Too Easy!
Like normal Pitbulls, the Tri-Color Pit has very short hair, so grooming is super easy.
These low-maintenance dogs require nothing but a light brushing once a week or so.
You don’t have to worry much about tangles or mats; brushing just helps with shedding management.
The average pitbull doesn’t even need much bathing.
Unless your dog is getting into some dirty stuff in the yard or at the dog park, a bath once a month should be plenty.
Like with all dogs, you should clip your Tri-Color Pitbull’s nails regularly to prevent curling and breaking, both of which can be very painful.
It’s also important to brush his teeth and clean out his ears consistently too.
FAQs
There’s so much to learn about a new dog breed – sometimes, it can feel overwhelming.
Luckily, you’re not alone.
Many others have been in your shoes and have asked very similar questions like the ones listed below.
Why is the Tri-Color Pitbull so Rare?
To produce a Tri-Color Pitbull, breeders have to check the genetic background of both the mother and the father dogs and ensure they both have the recessive traits necessary to do so.
Having a dog created from two recessive gene parents can be dangerous, as the recessive genes cause the dog to be at a higher risk for genetic disorders.
Therefore, many breeders refuse to do so.
Additionally, due to their color mixes, many people mistake Tri-Color Pitbulls as a mixed breed.
They’re not; they are entirely purebred.
However, breeders would rather not take the risk, as having purebred dogs with distinguished pedigree is a valuable part of the business.
Are Tri-Color Pitbulls any Different from Standard Pitbulls?
Tri-Color Pitbulls are purebred pits, just like any other strand from the Pitbull family.
That being said, their only difference is the color of their fur.
Tri-Color Pits have varying colors and patterns, while typical pits tend to be one solid color.
The only other difference that might come into play is the dog’s genetic makeup, which might put it at higher risk for issues than a standard pitbull.
Other than these two differences, the dogs are completely the same in terms of temperament, personality, exercise needs, etc.
Do Pitbulls Have a Stronger Bite than Other Dogs?
In short, the answer is no. It’s a common misconception that Pitbulls not only have a more substantial bite but that they also have locking jaws.
Both of these notions are entirely false.
A pitbull has a bite with about 300 pounds of pressure, and that’s a bit less than the average dog bite.
The dog with the strongest bite is the German Shepherd.
People believe Pitbulls have a locking jaw because a Pitbull will bite and hold onto something much longer than other dog breeds.
This happens simply because they were bred to do so.