The Colby Pitbull is one of the oldest bloodlines around today. In fact, many consider it the quintessential pitbull. Like other Pitbulls, the Colby has a reputation that is typically undeserved.
The truth is that this bloodline is intelligent, strong, and healthy. They bond closely with their owners and need lots of companionship.
Colby Pitbull Facts
The Colby Pitbull is beloved by Pitbull owners, but they do have a controversial history.
What is a Colby Pitbull?
There are four breeds that are currently considered Pitbulls. These are the American Pitbull Terrier, the Staffordshire Terrier, the American Bully, and the American Bulldog.
All of these have something in common. Their ancestors were bulldogs and terriers.
Colby refers to a bloodline, or specific ancestry. Colby Pitbulls are American Pitbull Terriers that are descendants of the Colby bloodline.
Pitbull History
First, let’s take a look at the history of the Pitbull, or specifically, the American Pitbull Terrier.
In 1835, England outlawed bull baiting, which required English Bulldogs to attempt to take down a bull. This led to bloodsports going underground. Fans began to fight dogs against rats. They would dig a pit, and place the dog and rats inside. They would also fight the dogs against each other in pits.
The English Bulldog was well suited to fighting with bulls, but they were too large for pit fights. So, enterprising individuals crossed the English Bulldog with English Terriers.
This resulted in a dog with a high prey drive and incredible pain tolerance. They were agile, smaller than Bulldogs, and well muscled.
In short, they were perfect for pit fighting, so the pitbull was born.
Colby Pitbull History
John Colby was 13 years old when he got his first pitbull. In 1889, a year after getting his pooch, he became a breeder. He imported pitbulls from England and Ireland, and bred them with his dog.
Unfortunately, Colby’s goal was dog fighting, and his dogs quickly became known as some of the best fighters. He bred for temperament, agile yet well muscled build, and gameness.
In 1896, Colby’s Pincher came onto the scene. He was considered undefeated in the pit. Pincher was so popular Colby used him as a stud dog, as well as a fighter.
These days, it’s believed Pincher was the foundation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. The majority of American Pitbull Terriers today have at least some Colby blood in their pedigree.
The American Pitbull Terrier and the Staffordshire Terrier are often considered separate breeds. However, the AKC used this name to distance these dogs from their fighting background. One of Colby’s dogs, Colby’s Primo, was used as the breed standard for the Staffordshire Terrier.
Colby Pitbull Appearance
The Colby Pitbull has a distinct appearance. They are the basis for the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the American Pitbull Terrier. Like most pitbulls, they have a short shiny coat. They also have a black nose. Most breeders state that if a Colby has a red nose, it’s not full Colby.
Of course, a pedigree is the best way to determine a pitbull’s bloodline.
Colby Pitbull Price
Generally, pitbull pups can cost between $800 to $3,000, depending on their heritage and color.
Well respected bloodlines increase the price. Expect to pay $2,000 to $20,000 for a well known bloodline. Since Colbys are so well known, they are usually at the high end of this price range.
Colby Pitbull Rarity
Colby Pitbulls are fairly rare, or incredibly common, depending on how you look at it. The vast majority of pitbulls, particularly American Pitbull Terriers, have a Colby somewhere in their family tree.
However, full blooded Colby’s aren’t easy to find.
Colby Pitbull Life expectancy
Colby Pitbulls have a life expectancy of 12-14 years. This is similar to other Pitbulls, with the average being 10-16 years for pitbulls in general.
Colby Pitbull Size and weight
Colby Pitbulls are medium-sized dogs. Females should be 17-18 inches tall. Males reach 18-19 inches tall. You can expect them to weigh between 40 and 50 pounds as an adult.
This is about average for the American Pitbull Terrier. They grow to 16-20 inches tall, and weigh 30-65 pounds.
Colby Pitbull Health
Colby Pitbulls are considered a healthy breed. However, there are a few health problems that they are prone to.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common problem for medium and large sized dogs, including pitbulls.
It occurs when the hip joint doesn’t form correctly. This can lead to pain and loss of mobility, depending on the severity.
It is genetic, so genetic testing can reveal the risk of the condition. However, proper diet and exercise can also help reduce the risk.
Allergies
Colby Pitbulls are also prone to allergies. The most common issue is skin allergies. They can be triggered by environmental allergens like dust, or foods like dairy or wheat.
Alleriges can cause itching, which leads to scratching or licking. They may also develop skin lesions or hair loss.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid doesn’t function properly. It is underactive, so it doesn’t produce enough hormones. These hormones control metabolsim.
The underactive metabolism can lead to unexplained weight gain, lethargy, and a dull coat.
Eye Conditions
PRA, or Progressive Retinal Atrophy, is a condition that causes pitbulls to go blind. It typically occurs at 2 or 3 years old. They are also at a risk of cataracts, which causes a film to form over the eye.
Colby Pitbull Behavior/Characteristics
The Colby Pitbull is majestic, affectionate, and intelligent. They form extremely close bonds with their family. They are very protective, which has earned them the nickname, “nanny dog”. If you want a pooch to keep an eye on your family, the Colby is a great choice.
Are Colby Pitbulls Aggressive?
The Colby Pitbull was originally bred for fighting. This is unfortunate, but true. This causes many people to assume they are an aggressive breed or bloodline.
First, it’s important to understand that those who breed for fighting do not want a dog that is human aggressive. They want dogs they can work with easily and safely. Dogs who want to please them, and will form a close bond with them.
Dogs who showed aggression towards humans, particularly their owners, were not bred. In fact, they were often eliminated.
The bloodline was bred to fight, which means that they may be aggressive towards other animals, including other dogs.
Colby’s have been bred for a calmer, more friendly temperament for generations, but it’s unwise to ignore this aspect of their history.
They are not aggressive when they are properly socialized and trained. If they aren’t, you can expect aggression or other problem behaviors.
Are Colby Pitbulls Good Family Dogs?
Yes, a Colby Pitbul can be a great family dog. They are extremely tough. This means they won’t be upset if a child lays on them or pulls their tail. They are fearless, so they will not feel threatened by behavior like this.
They are also protective, which means they are a great guard dog for children.
How to care for a Colby Pitbull
Before you bring home a Colby Pitbull, you should understand what’s required to care for them. They are relatively low maintenance, but there are some things you should be aware of.
What a Colby Pitbull Needs
A Colby Pitbull needs plenty of space to run and play. A large, fenced in yard is ideal. If you live in an urban environment, you should plan on daily visits to a dog park or other outdoor space.
They require a strong owner. They are eager to please, and not difficult to train. However, they need a strong leader. They were originally bred to be fighting dogs. They can make excellent affectionate pets, but they must have an experienced or competent owner and proper training.
Lastly, Colby Pitbulls need plenty of human interaction. They get lonely if they spend too much time alone. They are a great choice for families, or people who have time to devote to them.
Exercise
Colby Pitbulls are energetic, so you’ll need to be prepared to give them plenty of exercise. Colby’s require at least 1 hour of exercise a day, and preferably 2 hours.
You can split it up into a few exercise sessions rather than one long session, particularly if you opt for 2 hours each day.
Walks, running, and playing fetch or other games are a great way to keep your Colby active.
In addition to physical exercise, you’ll need to provide them with mental stimulation. Mental exercise can be as tiring as physical exercise, so it also helps expend energy.
You can give them mental stimulation by training or teaching them new commands and playing games with them.
For a great one-two punch, consider setting up an obstacle course. This provides both mental and physical exercise.
You can also give them puzzle toys and chews to keep them occupied. These items aren’t a replacement for human interaction, but they can kep them entertained when you aren’t available.
Training and Socialization
Training is essential for any dog, but this is particularly true for the Colby Pitbull. They are energetic and excitable. They are also very strong. These factors mean that it is very important to train them well and early.
Colby’s aren’t typically aggressive towards humans. However, proper training and socialization are important to prevent unwanted behavior.
Colby’s are highly protective, and may not be comfortable with strangers. This means they must be socialized well. They can also have a tendency to be aggressive towards other animals. You’ll need to socialize them with other dogs, and any other animals you expect them to have regular contact with early on.
Diet
Colby Pitbulls are muscular and energetic, so they need a high protein diet for optimal health. Puppies should be fed a quality puppy food, preferably 3 times a day.
Once they are 1 year old, you can switch them to a high protein adult food. It’s best to feed them twice a day, but once a day can work as well.
How do you buy a Colby Pitbull?
When buying a Colby, it’s important to ensure that you are actually getting a Colby. You should also be sure that your breeder is ethical.
Adopting a Colby Pitbull
Pitbulls are extremely common in shelters. You can certainly find a pitbull that looks like they are Colby, and they probably do have some Colby blood.
However, full blooded, proven Colbys are very unlikely to be found in a shelter.
If you simply want a companion, a shelter Pitbull can be a great option. However, if you want a full blooded Colby for breeding or because you love the Colby line, you’ll need to go through a breeder.
Colby Pitbull Breeder Registry
The most reliable method for finding a breeder is to go through a breeder registry. These breeders have been vetted, and must follow certain requirements. This makes it much more likely that the breeder will be ethical.
If you want to find a breeder through a registry, check out the American Dog Breeders Association, or the UKC (United Kennel Club).
Determining if a Breeder is Ethical
If you don’t see a Colby Pitbull breeder near you, or don’t want a registered Colby, you can also do a simple internet search for breeders in your area.
However, you will need to do some research to make sure the breeder is ethical.
Ethical breeders put the health and temperament of their dogs, and the breed, above profits. They are running a business, but they choose to breed pitbulls because they love them.
Unethical breeders are concerned only with profit. They don’t take proper care of their dogs, nor do they follow proper breeding practices.
One way to see if a breeder is ethical is to ask questions. How do they determine if their dogs are healthy and suitable for breeding? What do they consider when choosing a breeding pair? Have the puppies had a health check?
You should also be prepared for the breeder to ask you questions. An ethical breeder will care about the home their puppy is going to. They will ask about the puppy’s expected living conditions, and your intentions for them.