Is the white Pitbull a rare color, or are they just as common as the rest? Some breeders charge more for a Pitbull with a white coat, but what’s the reasoning behind that? Pitbulls with white coats inherit that color from birth, and are often bred by breeders specifically for this reason. Just make sure that your pup is actually a White Pitbull and not a Dogo Argentino that looks very similar.
The American Pitbull Terrier actually has a wide variety of coat colors to choose from. From silver, fawn, brindle or reverse brindle, red, or blue, he pretty much has a choice of the whole doggy rainbow spectrum. And one of the most beautiful and popular colors of them all is brilliant white.
We look at this snow king in all his glory. From his looks to his temperament, and what makes him different from any other American Pitbull Terrier. We’ll also take a closer look at the genetics behind his beautiful jacket. And the difference between him and Pitbulls that suffer from albinism and leucism (don’t worry, we’ll explain it all).
To understand what to expect from a White Pitbull, you need to know a little about the Pitbull’s history. In the 19th Century, the British favored dogfighting. They crossed Terriers and Bulldogs for their incredible strength and fighting ability. And it is these guys that were the Pitbull’s ancestors. The sport was banned, but their humans sailed them to America to continue the sport.
There, the biggest and most powerful dogs were bred to create bigger dogs, and it was these larger dogs that became known as the American Pitbull Terrier. His dogfighting and rat pitting history has led to his unfair reputation today. But thankfully, he is becoming more popular and recognized as a family favorite. White versions of Pitbulls have always been around, as they are just the same as any other color Pittie. They are just rarer than other colored Pitbulls.
Don’t judge a book by the cover or a dog by his fur
As previously mentioned, the color of a dog’s coat is not an indication of their character. Many potential adopters will seek out the cutest puppy, a particular fur pattern, or coat color.
While this is not necessarily wrong of the potential adopters to do, it is not the best way to find a dog that is compatible with your family dynamic and lifestyle.
If you are a potential adopter that prefers a particular coat color or pattern, then feel free to seek out puppies that meet that criteria. When you do, ignore their appearance and focus on their other (more important) qualities.
White Pitbulls: What is a White Pitbull?
A White Pitbull is one whose base coat color and overall appearance are white. The term “White Pitbull” can refer to any member of the pit bull family, but it is usually associated with the American Pit Bull terrier. White is a natural color for Pitbulls, but it is pretty rare compared to other coat colors.
White Pitbulls: Color Genetics Explained
Pitbulls have two pigments that determine the color of their skin. Both these pigments are forms of melanin. Eumelanin determines the eye and nose color, whereas phaeomelanin determines the coat color.
Certain genes can tinker with these pigments, diluting them and resulting in unique colors and patterns on the dog’s nose, eyes, and coat.
For a Pitbull to be white, it needs to carry the S gene. The S gene has four types:
Each alters the color of the phaeomelanin pigment. S causes a solid white coat, whereas the si, sp, and sw cause different types of white spotting.
Fun Fact: Because White Pitbulls have short coats, many people believe that they are hypoallergenic. But are they? Check out Are Pitbulls Hypoallergenic? to find out!
FAQ
Are white Pitbulls aggressive?
Are all white Pitbulls rare?