The Tri-Color Pitbull is considered one of the rarest colors. It has only become popular in recent years. In the past, breeders avoided it out of fear people would think the Pitbulls were not purebred.
Today, the Tri-Color is becoming very popular. It’s a rare but striking color, which means they are difficult to find and highly desired.
Tri Color Pitbull Facts
First, let’s talk about the term “Pitbull”. Pitbull technically isn’t a breed, instead it’s a type of dog. Pitbulls are dogs who are descended from Terriers and English Bulldogs.
Pitbull breeds include the American Bully, American Bulldog, Staffordshire Terrier, and the American Pitbull Terrier.
Generally, Pitbull is used to refer to the American Pitbull Terrier. Other Pitbull type dogs are generally referred to by their breed names. We’ll be using Pitbull to refer to the American Pitbull Terrier, unless otherwise noted.
What’s a Tri-Color Pitbull?
A Tri-Color Pitbull is a Pitbull with 3 colors on its coat. Solid color Pitbulls are one solid color, and Bi-Color Pitbulls have two coat colors. Bi-Color Pitbulls are the most common, and Tri-Color Pitbulls are very rare.
Pitbulls can be 25 different color combinations and patterns, which makes them a very colorful breed. The Tri-Color Pitbull can be considered the most colorful coat pattern.
Tri-Color Pitbulls will have one base color, which is the color that appears the most, as well as two other colors. Their base color will be included in their name. For example, a Black Tri-color Pitbull will have black as the base color.
Tri-Color Colors
The most common Tri-Color is black, tan, and white. The coloring is similar to a Beagle. White will always be one of the colors, but the other two colors can vary widely.
Black is the most common base color. However, lilac, chocolate, blue, and purple are also potential base colors.
Most Tri-color Pitties have brown and white as their secondary colors. However, they can also have a champagne color rather than tan.
White is usually an accent color, but it’s also possible to have a White Tri-Color Pitbull. These Pitties have white as the base color, and any two other Pitbull colors.
Merle Pitbulls
Merle Pitbulls also have multiple colors, although they are considered a different coloring than Tri-Colors.
Instead of having patches of other colors, or points, Merle Pitbulls have a dappled or splotchy coat. They will have a base color, and splashes of another color.
It’s common for Merle Pitbulls to have a base color, and then patches of the base color that are diluted, as well as tan and white markings. This means they have 4 colors rather than 3.
Tri-Color Genetics
To be Tri-color, Pitbulls must inherit specific genes from their parents. They will inherit their base color from their parents, which can be either dominant or recessive.
To be Tri-Color, they must inherit the Tan Point Gene, which is recessive. This means they must inherit the gene from both parents.
Some Tri-Color Pitbulls, including Blue and Lilac, must also inherit the dilute gene. This is also recessive. So, these pooches must inherit both the dilute gene and tan point gene from both parents.
Tri Color Pitbull Price
The price of Tri-color Pitbulls varies widely. Most registered Pitbulls cost $1,000 o $3,000. Puppies without registration may cost $100-$800.
Some breeders sell Tri-Color Pitbulls for the same price as other colors. However, others charge a premium for the unique coloring. This can range from $5,000 to $20,000.
Very rarely, a Pitbull from a very prestigious bloodline with unique coloring can be even more expensive, up to $35,000.
It’s also important to remember that some tri-colors are rarer than others. You can expect to pay more for a Lilac or Blue Tri-color than a Black Tri-Color.
Tri Color Pitbull Rarity
Tri-color Pitbulls are rare. However, how rare depends on which coloring they have. They are also gaining in popularity, so they aren’t as rare as they once were.
Tri Color Pitbull Life expectancy
Tri-color Pitbulls have the same life expectancy as other Pitbulls. They typically live for 10-16 years, with 12-14 years being the average lifespan.
Some Pitbulls can live for a very long time. Max is the oldest Pitbull. He lived to be 26 years old.
Genetics play a huge role in lifespan, but lifestyle also has a big impact. A healthy diet, weight, and exercise can increase your dog’s life.
Tri Color Pitbull Size and weight
Tri-Color Pitbulls have the same size and weight as other colors. Females are slightly smaller than males. They grow to 17-20 inches tall, and weigh 30-50 pounds.
Males grow to 18-21 inches tall, and weigh 35 to 60 pounds.
Tri Color Pitbull Health
Tri-Color Pitbulls are considered a healthy breed, but they are prone to some health conditions. It’s important to be aware of these before getting a new canine companion.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia is a common condition in medium and large dogs, including Pitbulls. It occurs when the hip or elbow joint doesn’t develop properly.
This causes the joint to come out of place easily. This leads to pain and a loss of mobility. It’s an inherited condition, but lifestyle also plays a role. A healthy weight and exercise can lower the risk of the issue.
Allergies and Skin Issues
Pitbulls are very tough, but they are prone to allergies, particularly skin allergies. These can be caused by environmental allergens, like grass or dust, or food, including dairy or wheat.
Skin allergies cause itching, which leads to frequent scratching or licking. They may also have a rash, skin lesions, or hair loss.
Demodex mange is also an issue. This is caused by parasitic mites. Most dogs have a localized reaction, leading to hair loss and red scaly skin in patches.
However, Pitbulls can have a full body reaction, which leads to hair loss and skin lesions all over their body.
Degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a problem for many breeds. Its unfortunately common in Pitbulls. The disease causes the spine to malfunction, usually beginning at 8 or 9 years of age.
Early symptoms include mild difficulty walking or changes in their gait. However, over time, it can paralyze the back legs completely. This usually occurs years after symptoms begin.
Tri Color Pitbull Behavior/Characteristics
Tri-Color Pitbulls are extremely affectionate and loving. They require lots of attention, so be sure you are up for the companionship before getting one.
They are excellent for families, because there are plenty of people for them to interact with.
They are extremely patient as well, particularly with children. Their patience, combined with their fearlessness, make them excellent companions for kids. You won’t have to worry about them snapping because their tail is pulled, for example.
Are Tri-Color Pitbulls Aggressive?
Pitbulls have a reputation for being aggressive, because they were originally bred for fighting rats and other dogs. However, they were never bred to be aggressive towards humans.
For many generations, they have been bred to get along well with humans and animals. When trained and socialized properly, they are not aggressive.
Keep in mind that they can be protective. They are very strong, agile, and tough. If they feel their family is threatened, they may fight to the death.
Some people believe that certain colors of Pitbull, like the Tri-Color Pitbull, are more aggressive than other colors. However, there has been no research to prove this. It is likely completely untrue.
The American Temperament Test
The American Temperament Test is a great way to understand a dog’s temperament. The test measures aspects of temperament, including friendliness and aggression.
86% of Pitbulls pass the test. For comparison, 85% of German Shepherds pass the test. The Chihuahua fares much worse, with only 70% of Chihuahuas pass the test.
This shows that Pitbulls are no more aggressive than other breeds, and they are less aggressive than some.
How to care for a Tri Color Pitbull
Pitbulls are generally a low-maintenance breed, but there are some things you should know about caring for them before you bring one home.
Exercise
Pitbulls are an energetic breed. They are easily excitable and love to play. The good news is that they will play hard, and then rest most of the time. So, they are laid back as long as they are receiving adequate exercise.
They need about 1 hour of exercise each day. You can split this up into a few sessions. Walking, jogging, and games like fetch or tug of war are all great exercise for the breed.
In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is important. They are intelligent, and can become bored if they aren’t challenged mentally.
Teaching them new tricks or commands, puzzle toys, and playing games with them are all great ways to exercise their mind. Walks to new places can also provide them with some mental exercise.
Diet
To keep your Tri-Color Pitbull healthy, you’ll need to feed them the right diet. They are energetic and muscular, so they thrive on a high protein diet.
Preferably, their dog food should be 30% protein or higher, and contain protein as the first few ingredients. Be sure the food is high quality.
Puppies should be fed a puppy formula 3 times a day. Once they reach 1 year old, you can transition them to an adult food 2 times a day.
You should keep an eye on portions as well. Pitbulls love to eat, and are not picky eaters. If you provide them with more food than they need, they may become overweight.
Training and Socialization
Training and socialization are important for all dogs, but they are extremely important for Pitbulls.
We know that Pitbulls are not aggressive by nature when they are properly trained. However, if they aren’t, they can be problematic.
Pitbulls need a strong leader, and they need to know what behaviors are ok. They love to please their owners, so training is necessary for their fulfillment, as well as the well being of everyone in your household.
Pitbulls were bred for fighting other dogs, so they can be aggressive towards other animals if they aren’t socialized well. Start socialization early, and introduce them to humans, other dogs, and other animals they may encounter.
How do you buy a Tri Color Pitbull?
If you want to buy a Tri-Color Pitbull, the easiest way to do so is to purchase one from a breeder. However, it may be possible to adopt one as well.
Adopting a Tri-Color Pitbull
Tri-color Pitbulls are rare, but you may find one at your local shelter. You can also check with Pitbull rescue organizations in your area, as well as Pit Bull Rescue Central.
Finding a Reputable Tri-Color Pitbull Breeder
The easiest way to find a reputable Tri-Color Pitbull breeder is through a Breeder Registry. Registries have standards that breeders must meet. This helps weed out unethical breeders.
The most popular Breeder Registries can be found at the American Dog Breeders Association(ADBA), and the UKC (United Kennel Club).
In addition to breeder registries, you can perform an internet search to find a breeder. Breeders who register their dogs are generally ethical. Again, they have to meet standards to register their pooches.
However, unregistered dogs aren’t necessarily a sign of an unethical breeder. You will simply need to investigate them more to ensure they are ethical.
Asking Questions
One of the key ways to determine if a breeder is ethical is to ask questions. Ask them how they determine which dogs to breed, and what they prioritize.
A reputable breeder will always put the health and temperament of the dogs first, rather than physical appearance. An unethical breeder will focus on the dog’s appearance, because some colors will bring more money than other colors.
You should also expect the breeder to ask you questions. An ethical breeder wants to know that their puppies are going to good homes. Expect them to ask about the living conditions the dog will have, and what your intentions are for the pooch.