Grey Pitbulls are beautiful. If you’ve been dreaming of bringing a gray furry friend into your life, you can learn everything you need to know about them here!
Grey Pitbull Facts
First, it’s important to understand what the term Pitbull means. There are actually several breeds that are technically pitbulls. The term pitbull means that the dogs were bred from English Bulldogs and Terriers.
Pitbull breeds include the Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, American Bully, and the American Pitbull Terrier.
However, when someone says Pitbull, they are usually referring to an American Pitbull Terrier. This is the breed we will discuss in this article.
Grey Pitbull History
Pitbulls have a bloody and unfortunate history. In 1835, England outlawed a practice called bull baiting. An English Bulldog would go up against a bull, with the goal of bringing it to the ground, either through fatigue or injury.
When the practice was outlawed, fans of the blood sport shifted gears. They replaced bulls with rats. They would dig pits, and place the rats inside. Then, the dog would kill the rats. They would also fight dogs against each other in these pits.
English Bulldogs were well suited for fighting bulls. However, they were too big and slow for the pits. They were bred with English Terriers. The resulting dogs were strong, agile, and tough. The Pitbull was born.
They soon found their way into the hearts of dog lovers. Eventually, they became much more popular as companions than fighters. Unfortunately, dog fighting still occurs underground today. However, most Pitbulls are bred as pets, instead of fighting dogs.
What’s a Grey Pitbull?
Grey is an interesting and rare color. Most colors are triggered by different genes. For example, a red dog will have different color genes than a white dog.
When it comes to gray, the color is caused by a different gene, known as the dilute gene. Grey Pitbulls actually have the same color gene as black Pitbulls.
The dilute gene dilutes the black color, which makes them appear gray rather than black.
Some gray Pitbulls have gray or blue nails, nose, and eyes as well.
Grey Pitbull Price
Grey Pitbulls are on the higher end of the price spectrum. You can expect to pay $1,000-$3,000 for a Pitbull from a reputable breeder with a pedigree. Pitbulls from prestigious bloodlines can be very expensive, up to $10,000 to $20,000. However, this is very rare.
Grey Pitbulls typically go for about $3,000, due to their unique coloring. If they come from a well known bloodline, you can expect the price to increase.
Keep in mind that you can find Pitbulls much cheaper, often for $100-$500. However, these pups don’t have any registration. You are left to guess when it comes to their ancestry, health, and the practices of the breeder.
Grey Pitbull Rarity
Grey Pitbulls are considered the rarest color. The only color that is more rare is merle. However, merle goes against the breed standard, while gray doesn’t.
Grey Pitbulls are a rare color, but they aren’t extremely difficult to find. They are simply not as common as other colors.
Grey Pitbull Life expectancy
Pitbulls have a long lifespan, and this includes Grey Pitbulls. Pitbulls live for 10-16 years. Rarely, they will live for 20 years or longer, with the longest lived Pitbull being Max, who reached 26 years.
Their lifespan is affected by their genetics. However, lifestyle factors are also important. Indoor pooches live longer than those who reside outdoors. A healthy diet and exercise can also extend the life of your Pitbull.
Grey Pitbull Size and weight
Grey Pitbulls are medium sized dogs. Females are typically 17-20 inches tall, and weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. Males reach 18-21 inches in height, and weigh 35 to 60 pounds.
Grey Pitbull Health
Grey Pitbulls are considered healthy, but they do have some health issues that are common among Pitbulls that you should be aware of. They can also have an issue related to their gray coloring.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Pitbulls are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, like other medium and large sized dogs. The condition causes the hip or elbow joint to form improperly. This can cause the joint to come out of place. Hip dysplasia can cause pain and loss of mobility, depending on the severity.
It is an inherited condition. However, proper diet and exercise can help reduce the risk or severity of the issue.
Allergies
Pitbulls are strong, tough dogs. However, they are very prone to allergies, with skin allergies being the most common. They can be caused by environmental allergens, including grass and dust, or food allergens, including corn and wheat.
These allergies can cause itching, which leads to frequent scratching or licking. Hair loss, skin lesions, and ear infections are also common symptoms.
Obesity
Pitbulls love to eat, and they aren’t picky eaters. With more than half of all dogs in the U.S. being overweight or obese, it’s a big concern for any breed.
Pitbulls should have a muscular but streamlined appearance. Many owners may think their pooch is simply “well fed” while they are actually overweight, because of their body structure.
Bloat
Bloat is another condition you should be aware of. It can happen to any dog, but large chested breeds are at a higher risk. Pitbulls can have a tendency to gulp down their food, which also increases the risk.
The signs of bloat include gagging or retching without vomiting, severe stomach pain, and bloating. Bloat occurs when the gas from digestion can’t be released. If it isn’t treated, it can quickly become fatal.
To reduce the risk of bloat, it’s best to feed your pooch two smaller meals a day. If they eat too quickly, consider a slow feeder bowl.
Color Dilution Alopecia
This condition is directly related to the Grey Pitbulls gray coloring. The gene that causes color dilution can also cause severe hair loss, known as alopecia.
This doesn’t affect their health, but it does affect their appearance. Hair loss can leave the skin vulnerable to sunburn and infection as well.
Grey Pitbull Behavior/Characteristics
Grey Pitbulls are friendly and very affectionate. They need lots of attention. They don’t do well with long periods of time alone, so be sure that you have plenty of time to devote to them.
They love to play, and can get into antics to get your attention. They are very protective of their family, and will do anything for them.
They are also very playful. When they get enough interaction, attention, and exercise, they are content and easy going.
Are Grey Pitbulls Aggressive?
Grey Pitbulls have a bad rap because of their history. However, it’s undeserved.
The American Temperament Test shows this. The test measures several aspects of temperament, including friendliness and aggression. 86% of Pitbulls pass the test, compared to 85% of German Shepherds. Chihuhas, on the other hand, only pass 70% of the time.
These results show that Pitbulls are no more aggressive than other breeds, and less aggressive than some popular breeds.
How to care for a Grey Pitbull
Grey Pitbulls require care similar to that of other dogs. However, there are a few things you should know about taking care of your pooch, as each breed has slightly different needs.
What Does a Grey Pitbull Need?
Grey Pitbulls are pretty low maintenance, but they do have some needs. They need plenty of attention and affection. If you don’t have time to devote to your four legged family member, a Pitbull isn’t a good choice.
They also need space for phsycial activity. If you don’t have a yard, you’ll need access to a green space like a park.
Lastly, a Pitbull needs a strong owner. They are very eager to please, but you must be confident and firm with boundaries. You’ll need to establish yourself as the “alpha” of the pack.
Exercise
Exercise needs will vary slightly from one Pitbull to another. Generally, the need at least 1 hour of exercise each day. Some are more energetic than others.
Walking, playing fetch or tug of war, jogging, and swimming are all great ways to provide your pooch with exercise. They are always ready to play, and enjoy being active.
Some energetic pooches may not know when to rest. They will play as long as you will allow them to, and can wear themselves out. Once playtime is over, expect them to relax.
In addition to physical exercise, Pitbulls need mental exercise as well. They are intelligent, and will get bored easily if their minds arent’ occupied.
Teaching them tricks or commands, puzzle toys, and puzzle feeders are great ways to provide them with mental stimulation.
Diet
A healthy diet is essential for a healthy Pitbull. You’ll want to feed your pooch a high quality, high-protein food. It’s best if the food is 30% protein, and has protein sources as the first few ingredients.
Puppies should be fed a high quality puppy food 3 times a day. Once they reach 1 year old, you can transition them to an adult food. It’s best to feed them twice a day, to reduce the risk of bloat.
Be sure to feed your Pitbull the correct proportions. Pitbulls will often overeat if they are provided with extra food. Check the feeding recommendations on the package of your food for guidelines on how much to feed your pooch.
Training and Socialization
Training is absolutely essential for Pitbulls. They are very strong and energetic dogs. This makes it difficult to control them physically, so you’ll need them to follow your commands.
They can also be aggressive if they aren’t trained properly. They aren’t typically aggressive towards people. However, they are very protective. This can lead them to be aggressive towards strangers. Having a yield command can prevent mishaps in these situations.
Socialization is also important. This will teach your dog to recognize people as friendly, rather than threatening. In addition to socializing your Pitbull with people, you should socialize them with other dogs and pets.
Pitbulls do have a tendency to be aggressive towards other animals without proper socialization.
How do you buy a Grey Pitbull?
Buying a gray Pitbull starts with finding a reputable breeder. You may also find one at your local shelter.
Adopting a Grey Pitbull
Adopting a Pitbull is a great way to provide a home to a pooh that may not find one otherwise. There are plenty of Pitbulls in shelters. Most of them are adults, so it can be difficult to find a Pitbull puppy in a shelter.
Grey Pitbulls are rare, so it may be difficult to find one in a shelter. However, it is certainly possible.
Breeder Registries
The best way to find a gray Pitbull breeder is through a breeder registry. Registries have standards that breeders must meet, so this can weed out unethical breeders.
There are two well known breeder registries. These are the American Dog Breeders Association, and the UKC (United Kennel Club).
Other organizations provide Pitbull registration, but they don’t offer breeder registries.
Locating Ethical Breeders
If you can’t find a local breeder through the registries, you can perform an internet search. However, it’s wise to be sure that your breeder is ethical before choosing a Grey Pitbull pup.
Breeders who register their dogs and puppies are usually ethical. Like breeder registries, there are standards breeders must meet to register their pooches. This also provides you with a record of the dogs ancestery.
However, finding a registered pup isn’t a requirement. Unregistered Pitbulls are typically cheaper, but higher risk.
The best way to see if a breeder is ethical is to ask them questions. Ask them how they determine which dogs to breed. Ethical breeders focus on health and temperament. Unethical breeders are only concerned about profit, with little concern for the health of their dogs.
You should also expect the breeder to ask you questions. Ethical breeders want to ensure that their puppies are going to a good home. Expect them to ask about the puppy’s living conditions, and your intentions for them.