Blue Fawn Pitbulls are some of the rarest around, which makes them highly desired. They are beautiful, and look a bit different than most Pitbulls. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about what makes a Blue Fawn Pitbull.
Blue Fawn Pitbull Facts
To understand what a Blue Fawn Pitbull is, first it’s important to know what a Pitbull is. The term Pitbull actually refers to a type of dog, instead of a specific breed.
Pitbulls are dogs that are descended from English Bulldogs and Terriers. These include American Bulldogs, American Bullys, Staffordshire Terriers, and American Pitbull Terriers.
Most people are talking about American Pitbull Terriers when they say Pitbull, so that’s the breed we will discuss in this article.
What’s a Blue Fawn Pitbull?
Pitbulls come in a wide range of colors. In fact, there are at least 25 colors and patterns. A Blue Fawn Pitbull is a specific color combination that’s a result of certain genes.
A fawn pitbull is a tan color. This is a fairly common color. What makes the Blue Fawn Pitbull special is that they also have the dilution gene. The dilution gene is recessive, which means it must be inherited from both parents to be displayed.
A pitbull with the dilution gene for coat color will be gray. A blue fawn Pitbull doesn’t have the dilution gene for coat color. Instead, the dilution gene is active in their skin color.
This gives them blue or gray skin and nose, as well as amber-colored eyes. They are similar to a blue nose Pitbull, which also has a Blue Nose. However, a blue nose Pitbull has a gray or blue coat, instead of a fawn coat.
Blue or gray Pitbulls have the dilution gene active in their coat color, which causes them to appear gray or blue. However, their nose will not be blue.
Blue Fawn Pitbull Price
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are more expensive than other colors. The average Pitbull from a reputable breeder costs between $1,000 to $3,000. Blue Fawn Pitbulls typically cost between $1,000 to $5,000.
Pitbulls from well known and respected bloodlines can cost $10,000-$20,000. However, these are very rare.
On the other end of the spectrum, Pitbulls without a known bloodline or registration can be found for $200-$800. However, not all of these breeders are ethical.
Blue Fawn Pitbull Rarity
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are among the rarest. This is because it takes specific genes to create a Blue Fawn Pitbull. The dilution gene is recessive, which means that the puppies must inherit the gene from both parents.
Blue Fawn Pitbull Life expectancy
Blue Fawn Pitbulls have the same life expectancy of other Pitbulls, which is 12 to 16 years.
Your dog’s lifespan can be impacted by their genes, as well as their lifestyle. A healthy diet, weight, and exercise can help prolong your dog’s life. Dogs who live indoors also tend to live longer than those who reside outside.
Blue Fawn Pitbull Size and weight
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are medium sized dogs. Females grow to 17-20 inches tall. Males are slightly larger, and reach 18-21 inches in height. Females weigh 30-50 pounds and males weigh between 35 to 60 pounds.
Blue Fawn Pitbull Health
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are a healthy breed, but they are prone to a few health issues that you should be aware of.
Hip or Elbow Dysplasia
Hip or elbow dysplasia is common in medium to large sized breeds, including Pitbulls. It occurs when the hip or elbow joint doesn’t form correctly.
This causes the hip joint to come out of place easily. The risk of hip dysplasia is determined by genetics. Genetic testing can reveal the risk to your dog, or a breeding pair’s chances of passing it to puppies.
However, a healthy weight and exercise can decrease your pooch’s risk of the condition.
Degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is an unfortunately common issue for Pitbulls. It’s estimated at least 10%, and potentially up to 18%, develop the condition.
The condition usually appears at 8-9 years old. It’s a progressive condition that affects the spine. This causes difficulty with the dog’s rear legs. In the early stages, you may notice your pooch having slight difficulty walking.
In later stages, the dog can lose the ability to use their rear legs to walk. They are then confined to a wheelchair.
Allergies and Skin Issues
Pitbulls are prone to allergies and skin issues. Allergies can be either environmental or food based. Environmental allergens include grass and dust. Food allergies include dairy, wheat, and corn.
Often, these allergies affect the skin. They cause itching, and can lead the dog to lick or scratch frequently. You may also notice a rash or lesions on the skin, and hair loss.
Demodex mange is also a problem for Pitbulls. Most dogs who get mange have localized hair loss and red, scaly skin. However, Pitbulls are more likely to develop full body mange, which causes hair loss and skin irritation on the entire body.
Color Dilution Alopecia
Color Dilution Alopecia is a problem for gray and blue fawn Pitbulls. This occurs due to the color dilution gene. The gene triggers hair loss. This condition is not painful, and is considered cosmetic. However, hair loss leaves the skin vulnerable to irritation and infection.
Bloat
Bloat can affect any dog, but some dogs are at a higher risk than others. This includes Pitbulls. One reason for this is their body shape. Another reason is the way they tend to eat.
Pitbulls absolutely love to eat, and will often overeat if given the chance. However, they may also be so enthusiastic that they don’t chew their food. This increases their risk of bloat.
Bloat occurs when the gas in the stomach isn’t released. As pressure increases, bloating and severe pain occur. They may also gag or retch, without productive vomiting.
Bloat requires immediate medical attention. If the condition progresses, the stomach can twist. This is often fatal, even with veterinary care.
Bloat comes on quickly, and can be fatal within a few hours of symptoms starting.
Feeding your pooch two smaller meals a day, rather than one large meal, can reduce the risk of bloat. Slow feeders can help if they eat too fast.
Blue Fawn Pitbull Behavior/Characteristics
Blue Fawn Pitbulls may have a reputation for aggression, but this is not deserved. They are actually extremely gentle and affectionate.
Are Blue Fawn Pitbulls Aggressive?
The American Temperament Test is a good way to understand the temperament of a breed. The test measures several aspects of temperament, including aggression and friendliness.
86% of Pitbulls pass the test, compared to 85% of German Shepherds, which are often considered family favorites. Only 70% of chihuhuas pass the test.
This test shows that Blue Fawn Pitbulls are actually less aggressive than some breeds, and no more aggressive than other breeds.
Affectionate and Loving
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are incredibly affectionate. In fact, they need lots of love and attention. They live for human interaction, and don’t do well if they are left alone for long periods of time.
They will also find creative ways to get your attention. They can be quite amusing and adorable.
Great for Families
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are excellent for families. They love to play, so they get along well with energetic children. They are also extremely patient, especially with children.
In addition to their patience, they have a high pain tolerance and aren’t afraid of anything. This means if a child pulls their tail, they will be unphased. It also makes fear based aggression nearly non-existent. Fear based aggression is one of the most common reasons for bites.
How to care for a Blue Fawn Pitbull
Caring for a Blue Fawn Pitbull is similar to caring for other dogs. However, there are some specifics you should be aware of before bringing home a new canine companion.
Diet
Pitbulls have a high energy level and large muscle mass for their size. This means they do best on a high protein diet. It’s best to feed them a quality dog food with 30% protein. The first few ingredients listed should be forms of protein.
Puppies should be fed a puppy food three times a day. Once they are a year old, transition them to an adult food two times a day.
Exercise
Exercise is also important for Pitbulls. They tend to be all or nothing when it comes to physical activity. Expect them to play or exercise hard, and then be relaxed the rest of the time.
They need about an hour of exercise each day. However, some Pitbulls don’t have a lot of endurance, so it’s best to split their exercise up into two sessions.
Walking, running, or playing games like fetch or tug of war are great forms of exercise.
Mental exercise is also important. They are intelligent, and need mental stimulation as much as physical. Teaching them commands or tricks, puzzle toys, and games are great ways to keep their mind active.
Training and Socialization
Pitbulls are great family pets, but they must be trained and socialized properly. Their history as fighting dogs means that they may be aggressive, particularly towards other animals, without socialization.
They are also very protective, so they must be taught friend from foe to avoid unfortunate accidents.
They are strong dogs, which also makes training them important. They are difficult to control physically, so you’ll need to be able to keep them in line with commands.
They love pleasing their humans, which makes them easy to train. However, they do require a strong leader. Only use positive reinforcement when training. Be firm but calm.
If you aren’t an experienced dog owner, consider attending an obedience class. This will help you train your Blue Fawn Pitbull.
Grooming
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are low shedders, and don’t require lots of grooming. Brush them once or twice a week, and give them a bath about once a month or every two months. Bathing too frequently can cause skin irritation.
How do you buy a Blue Fawn Pitbull?
If you want to buy a Blue Fawn Pitbull, you have a few options. You can adopt, or purchase your pooch from a breeder.
Adopting a Blue Fawn Pitbull
Blue Fawn Pitbulls are difficult to find in shelters, because they are rare. However, it’s certainly worth a look. In addition to your local shelter, you can search for Pitbull rescues in your area. Pit Bull Rescue Central is nationwide Pitbull rescue.
Finding Registered Breeders
The best way to purchase a Pitbull is to find a registered breeder. This will ensure the breeder is ethical, because registries have standards that the breeders must meet.
These registries include the American Dog Breeders Association, and the UKC (United Kennel Club). There are other Pitbull registries, but they don’t offer breeder registries.
Locating Ethical Breeders
If you can’t find a Blue Fawn Pitbull breeder near you through this method, you’ll need to use an internet search. Essentially, if the breeder registers their dogs, they are likely to be ethical.
Registries have standards that breeders and dogs must meet, which weeds out most unethical breeders.
However, registered puppies are more expensive, and not everyone wants a registered Pitbull. If you simply want a companion, registration isn’t required. However, it does give you information about their lineage and health.
Ask Questions
Regardless of how you find your breeder, you’ll need to ask them a few questions. Ask them how they determine breeding pairs. Do they do genetic testing? Do they prioritize the health and temperament of the dogs, or do they simply breed for popular colors?
You’ll need to use extra caution when searching for a Blue Fawn Pitbull. Be sure the breeder places the health and temperament of the parents first, and only considers the potential color of the pups second.
You should also expect the breeder to ask you a few questions. Any reputable breeder will want to ensure that their puppies go to good homes. Expect them to ask you about the living conditions the puppy will have, and your intentions for them.