Pitbulls are a controversial breed. Many people love them, while others fear them. Cities and housing developments pass regulations banning them, while pitbull fans fight for their right to love a pittie.
Black Pitbull Facts
Pitbulls were bred from English bulldogs and terriers. This created a dog that was strong and muscular, yet agile. Today, they are easily recognized by their short coat and muscular build. Most have a square head as well.
Black pitbulls seem to be the most feared color, because it makes them look aggressive. Black pitbulls are the most common color in shelters for this reason. The truth is, pitbulls are excellent companions. They are gentle, loyal, and affectionate.
Black Pitbull Price
Pitbull prices vary based on several factors. These include the color of the dog, the age of the dog, the area, and the bloodline.
Average Pitbull Price
The average price for a pitbull is $500-$2,500. However, the price can reach $20,000 or more for prestigious bloodlines and rare colors.
Factors that Affect Price
The black pitbull is rarer than most colors, which does affect the price. A small amount of white is accepted as still being black.
Another consideration is if the puppies are intended for breeding, and if they are registered. Pitbulls can’t be AKC registered, but there are other organizations that register pitties.
Many breeders ask you to sign a non-breeding contract. This means you are pledging to not breed the puppies. This typically also requires you to spay or neuter them.
One reason this is done is that not all puppies are suitable for breeding. They may be an excellent pet, but have a health issue or a conformation issue that means they shouldn’t be bred.
Another reason for this is that breeding correctly requires extensive knowledge. Those who breed without knowledge of how to do so are called backyard breeders.
Puppies that are sold as pets, without the ability to breed them, are more expensive than those sold for breeding.
Lastly, the bloodline can have a great affect on price. Puppies from prestigious bloodlines are more expensive than those from unknown or less popular bloodlines.
Black Pitbull Price
Since black is a rare pitbull color, you can expect to pay a bit more for it. They typically go for $2,000-$20,000 thanks to their rare color. Completely black pitbulls and those with blue eyes are the most expensive.
Black Pitbull Rarity
Black pitbulls are rare, but not quite as rare as most people think. The color is caused by a dominant gene. Since only one copy of the gene is needed to express the color, they are more common than recessive colors.
The rarity isn’t so much the black color. Instead, the rarity comes with being solid black. Most pitbulls have more than one color, so fully black pitbulls are rare.
In fact, they are so rare that pitbulls with a small amount of white on their fur are still classified as black.
Black Pitbull Life expectancy
Black pitbulls can be expected to live for 10-15 years. They are typically a long lived breed compared to others. In fact, many even reach 20 years old.
The oldest pitbull on record is Bluey. He lived for an amazing 29 years. Bluey broke the record previously held by Max, who made it to 26 years old.
Factors that Affect Lifespan
There are several factors that affect your pitbull’s lifespan. Genetics is one factor. Your pooch’s health and lifespan will be greatly affected by their genetics. Many health conditions are passed on from parents to puppies.
Lifestyle factors also have an impact. Exercise and proper diet can help keep your pooch thriving longer. Lastly, their living conditions matter.
Outdoor dogs typically have a shorter lifespan than indoor dogs. Indoor dogs typically receive more care and attention. They are also less likely to be involved in fights or accidents.
Black Pitbull Size and weight
Pitbulls are a medium sized breed, with males being larger than females. Males range from 18-21 inches tall, and weigh between 35-60 pounds. Females grow to 17-20 inches tall, and weigh 30-50 pounds.
Black Pitbull Health
Pitbulls, including black pitbulls, are a healthy breed. However, they can have health issues, just as any dog can.
Many health issues can be reduced or eliminated through genetic testing. If a dog has genes that make a health problem likely, they shouldn’t be bred.
Unfortunately, not every breeder follows this practice. There are also health conditions that are not genetic, and can’t be detected through genetic testing.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common conditions that affect pitbulls. It occurs in many dogs, with large sized breeds being at the highest risk.
Hip dysplasia occurs when the ligaments around the joint are loose. They don’t keep the joint in place properly. This causes a limited range of motion and pain.
Skin Issues
Skin issues are also common in pitbulls. This often occurs from allergies or skin irritation. Signs of skin issues include frequent licking or scratching. You may also notice skin lesions or hair loss.
They typically have sensitive skin, so you’ll need to keep them away from household chemicals, and choose gentle grooming products.
Allergies
Allergies are another health issue pitbulls are prone to. They can develop allergies to environmental allergens like dust or grass. They can also be allergic to food ingredients, like milk or corn.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, also known as PRA, is a genetic condition. Dogs with the condition will go blind, usually at 2 to 3 years old. The condition isn’t painful. The eyes are simply programmed to stop functioning at a certain age.
Merle Heatlh Risks
There are health conditions associated with pitties with blue eyes, but these are caused by the merle gene. It is very rare, but possible, for a black pitbull to have the merle gene.
Dogs who inherit the gene from both parents are known as double merle. Double merles have a high risk of blindness and deafness.
Black Pitbull Behavior/Characteristics
Black pitbulls are typically very loyal, loving, and intelligent. They require lots of attention, and do not do well if they are left alone for long periods of time.
Are Pitbulls Aggressive?
Pitbulls, particularly black pitbulls, have a bad reputation. However, this is undeserved. Ptibulls were initially bred for blood sports. As these went out of style, pitbulls found their way into the hearts and homes of dog lovers.
Their breeding can make them aggressive towards other animals, including other dogs. However, they were bred to not be aggressive to people.
Many pitbulls are protective, and can be wary of strangers. However, they are not more aggressive than other breeds, particularly fi they are properly trained and socialized.
The American Temperament Test, or ATT, measures characteristics including aggression and friendliness. 86% of pitbulls pass the test, compared to 85% of German shepherds.
Characteristics Based on Age
Just like humans, your pitbull’s personality will change as they age. Pitbulls are considered puppies until they are 9-12 months old. This is the canine equivalent of childhood.
Puppies have high energy, and are learning about their world. Everything is new and exciting. They will learn how to be a dog during this time. You’ll want to begin training and socialization during this stage.
At 9-12 months, they are juvenile dogs. In human terms, they would be teenagers. They are beginning to mature, and starting to form their own personality.
They will also have many of their habits well ingrained by this time. By the time they get out of this stage, behavior is much more difficult to change. They may begin to lose some of the high energy of puppyhood during this stage, but they will still be very active.
At 2 years old, your pitbull is an adult. They are finished growing, and their personality is fully formed. At this stage, you will know who your dog is. The experience they had as a puppy and juvenile will shape the rest of their lives.
Their playful puppy behavior has probably ended, as much as it will for a pitbull. They should be calmer and confident now. However, pitbulls will typically maintain a playful personality throughout their life.
Senior pitbulls are those 10 years or older. Their energy levels may begin to decline during this time. They may become more clingy or reliant on you as their physical health declines.
How to care for a Black Pitbull
Pitbulls are relatively easy to care for. They do have high energy, but they are also content to curl up in a warm spot for a nap. They do require care, however. Before you choose a black pitbull, you should know how to care for them.
Exercise
Pitbulls need at least 1 hour of exercise each day. In addition to physical activity, they need plenty of mental stimulation. This is because they are intelligent and energetic.
Physical exercise can include walking, running, swimming, and play sessions.
You can give them mental exercise by teaching them new tricks or commands, and playing games like find the object.
When you can’t play with them, you can turn on some doggie tv, or offer them a puzzle feeder to keep them occupied. However, these activities can’ replace human interaction.
Diet
Pitbulls will eat just about anything. They are the goats of the dog world. Just because they aren’t picky doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be, however.
They need a high quality dog food, preferably one high in protein, to support their energy levels and muscle mass.
Puppies should be fed puppy food at least 3 times a day. Once they are 9 months or older, you can transition them to an adult dog food and feed them twice a day. Pitties 10 years or older are considered seniors. You can transition them to a food designed for seniors during this time.
Training
Training is an essential part of dog ownership. It’s particularly important for a spirited, strong breed like a pitbull. Pitbulls can be stubborn, but they are very eager to please.
As long as you use positive reinforcement when training, they will strive to do what you ask.
Once they are fully grown, pitbull are very strong. You’ll need to teach them appropriate behavior, because they can be difficult to control if you don’t.
In addition to training, they require socialization. This should include both humans, dogs, and other animals. This will prevent problems with aggressive behavior towards strangers and other animals as they get older.
How do you buy a Black Pitbull?
There are two basic options when buying a black pitbull. You can adopt a pitbull from a shelter, or purchase one from a breeder.
Adopting a Pitbull
Pitbulls are one of the most common dogs in shelters, and black is the most common color pitbull found in shelters. This makes adopting a pitbull from a shelter easy to do.
Puppies are hard to find in shelters, so be prepared to search or adopt an adult pitbull. Be sure the dog is friendly and seems to have been well socialized.
Purchasing a Pitbull from a Breeder
Purchasing a pitbull from a breeder is also an option. However, you’ll want to be sure the breeder is reputable. Unfortunately, backyard breeders and puppy mills are common.
Reputable breeders put the health and temperament of their dogs and the breed ahead of profits. Unethical breeders show little to no care for the dogs, only seeking to cash in on sales.
Pitbulls can’t be registered with the AKC, because the organization doesn’t recognize the breed. However, there are other registries. These registries also provide a list of breeders. This is the best way to find an ethical breeder, because the organizations have standards that must be met.
You can check the American Pitbull Registry, and the American Dog Breeders Association American Pit Bull Terrier, also known as ADBA.
You can also find breeders through a Google search. However, you’ll need to vet the breeder carefully.