Black Pitbulls: Everything You Need to Know

If you visit virtually any animal shelter in the United States, you will notice that the kennels are filled with an overwhelming number of pitbulls. Relinquished, rehomed, and abandoned far more than any other breed type, pitbulls or “bully breeds” are easily the most common kind of dog found at community shelters, animal control kennels, and rescue centers. You might also notice that a lot of them are black.

A black Pitbull

Pitbulls come in a wide range of colors and patterns, but the most common color is black. Because of this, black pitbulls are some of the most common dogs at shelters and are easy to find from breeders, both ethical and otherwise. 

In this guide, we’re going to talk about some of the common misconceptions about black pitbulls, explain why you’ll see so many of these sweet pups in your local shelters, and share ways you can help destigmatize the breed or adopt a black pitbull of your own!

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Why Shelters Have So Many Pitbulls

As briefly mentioned, pitbulls are the most commonly relinquished, rehomed, and abandoned dog breeds in the world. Despite widespread social discrimination against the breed, pitbulls are also commonly overbred, with unregulated and backyard breeding creating a neverending stream of new shelter residents. Additionally, the pitbull’s reputation as “aggressive” has helped to fuel discriminatory housing and residency policies, which force some owners to choose between having somewhere to live and keeping their beloved family pet. 

Unfortunately, 40-80% of all pitbulls that find themselves in shelters are euthanized, since there simply are not enough homes or resources to care for the number of new pitbulls abandoned in the U.S. 

Black pitbull in shelter

Social Discrimination & Misinformation

Modern-day pitbull shaming, or hate directed at pitbulls and their owners, dissuades many people from adopting pitbulls from shelters and even prevents people from finding housing, community resources, and access to local stores. Based on biased misinformation and social discrimination, pitbull shaming has even infiltrated governmental policy, with many areas of the world pushing pitbull bans and breed-specific legislation to prevent pitbulls from living in select communities. 

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Are Black Pitbulls More Aggressive?

No. Absolutely not. 

The color of a dog has absolutely nothing to do with temperament unless it is somehow linked to a physical or genetic condition. For example, some all-white dogs are blind and deaf, which can impact that individual dog’s personality and disposition. Black pitbulls are not predisposed to any health conditions that should contribute to behavioral challenges, and develop their personalities and habits in exactly the same way as any other dog. 

A black pitbull

While black pitbulls are not more aggressive, they do experience more discrimination. In the world of animal rescue, some people refer to the issue as Black Dog Syndrome. There’s nothing wrong with black dogs, but adopters tend to pass them over in favor of dogs with different colors and patterns. Racism, which has contributed immensely to the social bias against pitbulls, may also play a role in this phenomenon.  

Insta-Famous Pibbles You’ll Fall in Love With

Okay, that’s enough education for right now, let’s take a little break and fall in love with some house-hippos, shall we? Here are some of the pitbulls of Instagram that we definitely think you should be following!

1. Akira the Black “Pitbull”

Source: @akirablackpit

​​Starting off strong with this pearl-obsessed diva: Akira! Follow @akirablackpit on Instagram to see this sweet girl living her best (and most fashionable) life while breaking stereotypes about black pitbulls! 

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2. The Blue Boys

Photo by @the_blueboys on April 18, 2022. May be an image of animal and indoor.
Source: @the_blueboys

Darren and Phillip are: @the_blueboys! Pajama wearing Staffy brothers with the world’s cutest smiles, if these two angels don’t convert you to a pittie lover, you can still admire how gentle they are with the human baby they live with.

3. Calista the Pit Bull

In honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, @AmazonPets is donating $2,000 to a shelter you nominate to help dogs like Calista find homes! #AmazonPetsPartner
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Here's how to nominate:
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-Follow our channel and @AmazonPets
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-Tag and nominate your favorite shelter in the comments by 10/31.
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The shelter you tag will be entered for a chance to win the donation and the winning shelter will be announced on @AmazonPets in November! Also, because you know me, I would LOVE if you included the location of the shelter and your favorite thing about it! People read these comments and I love sharing the info with others! You guys are the best and I appreciate your support!
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Calista is alive today because of police, shelter staff, rescue, veterinarians, and a whole lot of love!!!!!! She was found in horrific condition on the streets of Phoenix, Arizona. She had bite wounds to her ears and one ear flap was severed. She was covered in ticks and had multiple tick-borne diseases, which are brutal to treat. She was brought by Phoenix police to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC). The shelter immediately began to advocate for her and connected with @maydaypitbull, who reached out to us to see if we would foster. We agreed and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I cannot believe how lucky we are to share our lives with this precious, kind, and loving baby seal. But…I know I will spend the rest of my days fighting for others like her.
Source: @calistathepitbull

Calista’s life didn’t start out well, and she lost her ears to multiple bite wounds after time spent as a bait dog. Luckily, @calistathepitbull was found by rescuers, rehabilitated, and given a forever home where she gets tons of attention, love, and of course adoration from her thousands of fans. 

Black Pitbull FAQ 

Here are some of the most common questions people have about black pitbulls, and answers to help you make an informed decision about adopting your own pittie. 

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What Breed Is A Black Pitbull?

The term “pitbull” has been co opted as an umbrella term for a variety of dogs belonging to the “bully breed” group including but not limited to: American Pit Bull Terriers, the American Bully, Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Mastiffs, Boxers, and more. Each of these breeds come in black among other colors.

What’s The Rarest Pitbull Color?

Tri-color, merle, lilac, and blue are the most rare pitbull colors. While all-black pitbulls are somewhat uncommon (most have a few spots of white), black pitbulls in general are not rare.

What is a White with Brown Spots Pitbull Called?

White Pitbulls with brown or brindle spots have the cutest name ever: Moo Moo Pitbulls! These cuties look a little bit like cows, and come in lots of variations and patterns. No two Moo Moo Pitties are quite alike and are as unique as a leopard’s (Pitbull’s) spots.

How Much Is A Black Pitbull?

Some breeders advertise their black pitbulls as rare, sometimes earning thousands of dollars for their all-black pups thanks to effective propaganda. A well-bred pitbull in a regular color like black should cost between $1,000 and $2,500 from a breeder, but you can easily find black pitbulls for under $200 at your local shelter!

What is the Average Lifespan of a Pitbull?

Bully breeds and Pitbulls have an average lifespan of around 8–16 years. The color of your pitbull won’t impact how long they live unless the color is associated with certain health conditions. Black Pitbulls are not more predisposed to any health problems and can live long lives. 

How Big Does A Black Pitbull Get?

The size of your pitbull will depend entirely on its genetics. As we’ve mentioned, black pitbulls can be a mix of a variety of “bully breeds”, which will help to determine how large they get. Most American Pitbull Terriers weigh around 40-60 lbs., but with little breed regulation, genetic outcomes are not guaranteed, and many grow much larger, or stay small. 

Are Black Pitbulls Considered Blue Nose?

No. Blue nose pitbulls have a blue-gray nose, and a blue-gray coat.

What 2 Dogs Make A Bully?

“Bully breed” is just another name for the generic term “pitbull.” A cross of any bully breed dog (like the American Pit Bull Terrier or a Mastiff) will produce a “bully” type dog. Don’t let the name fool you: bullies are sweet, gentle, loving dogs!

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What Is The Strongest Pitbull?

Mastiffs are typically the strongest of the bully breeds, thanks to their giant size and sturdy bodies. 

What Is A Gator Pitbull?

The term “gator pitbull” was developed as a gimmick by backyard breeders trying to advertise the bloodlines of their pups. Theoretically the ancestors of two famous fighting dogs, gator pitbulls are no different from other pitbulls unless their bloodlines can specifically be proven. Because dog fighting is wrong, illegal, and immoral, seeking out gator pitbulls is frowned upon.

What Is A Gotti Pitbull?

Like Colby pitbulls, Gotti pitbulls are the offspring of dogs in the Gotti bloodline, a well-known American breeder of pitties. 

How Much is a Pitbull Puppy Worth?

The price of a solid black Pitbull puppy from a reputable breeder will vary enormously based on location, demand, and breeder reputation. In general, you can expect to pay around $1,000-—$2,500 from an ethical breeder. 
Beware of breeders advertising dogs as rare or luxury. Many of the “new” varieties of Pitbull are purposefully bred for visual appeal, and not for health or temperament. These breeders may offer incredibly low prices, or sell for incredibly high prices to give the appearance of scarcity. If a Pitbull puppy seems either too expensive or too inexpensive, this could be a red flag.

Why Do People Clip Pitbull Ears?

There is no medical advantage to cropping a Pitbull’s ears. Historically, ear cropping and tail docking were done to protect working dogs from injury. Today, many working dog owners have discontinued this practice.
For regular pets, there is zero reasons to clip a dog’s ears, and the practice is done purely for aesthetics. Most veterinarians will not crop a non-working dog’s ears, which has led to more reports of animal abuse in the form of at-home ear cropping. 

How Often Do Pitbulls Turn on Their Owners?

It is extremely rare for any dog to simply turn on their owners. The vast majority of dog attacks are due to neglect, abuse, or failure on the part of parents to properly supervise their children and pets.
Pitbulls are no more likely to bite their owners than any other breed, but they are more likely to suffer from abuse and neglect. Similarly, Pitbulls are less likely than many other breeds to be neutered by their owners, which can cause increased anxiety and reactivity in adult male dogs.
Pitbulls have also been broadly demonized by media outlets and racist/classist rhetoric that has associated Pitbulls with crime and violence. This is simply not true, and in fact, Pitbulls account for less than 1% of all dog attack fatalities in the U.S.

dog bite statistics
Source

What Breed Is The Hulk?

Bred by @darkdynastyk9s, Hulk was a 180 lb. American Bully who became famous thanks to his enormous size. A true gentle giant, Hulk was often seen enjoying play with his family’s human children, teaching other dogs to follow the rules, and interacting with the public. 

Source: @darkdynastyk9s

What is the Biggest Pitbull in the World?

The largest Pitbull breed currently available is the XL Bully. A variety of the American Bully, the XL Bully is selectively bred for size. While there are some fantastic examples of this breed, there is little data to show how XL Bully breeding programs will manage genetic health and temperament.
If you are interested in a giant breed and love Bully breeds, you should check out Mastiffs! 

What is the best food for your dog?

The three foods that are super healthy and that almost every dog loves, even the pickiest dogs, are:
1. The Farmer’s Dog.

This is a fresh-frozen food that’s delivered to your home in just the right amounts for your dog. There are a number of fresh frozen dog foods available on the market and I tested them all. The Farmer’s Dog came up the winner with my picky dogs. You can see the fresh frozen food test here.

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2. Sundays Food For Dogs
Sundays For dogs woman pouring into bowl
This is an air-dried food. It has the convenience of kibble (just pour it in the bow) but is much much healthier. It’s like little pieces of jerky, so dogs go crazy for it. There are a number of air-dried foods on the market. My dogs tested 3 of them. You can see the results of the air-dried food test here.

Get 35% off your first order + free shipping w/ code ROCKY35

3. We Feed Raw.

This raw food for dogs comes delivered to your home is perfectly sized portions for your pup. They primarily source their ingredients from trusted U.S. farmers, with two exceptions: venison and lamb. These ingredients are sourced from New Zealand, where some of the highest-quality and most ethically raised venison and lamb can be found. Pasture-raised and grass-fed and finished, we highly recommend trying these formulas if you’re interested in the best-quality ingredients. Save 25% on your first order.

Supplements:


I highly recommend using a supplement on your dog’s food, not matter what you feed them, to ensure the meal is balanced and they are getting all the right supplements to help them stay healthy. The supplement I use is called The One from Front of the Pack. It has 12 ingredients that have been clinically-proven to keep your dog’s joints, skin, heart, digestion, and even their breath in tip-top shape. It’s also a powder, so easy to sprinkle on your dog’s food. For a limited time, when you buy one month you get a second month free.

Where To Adopt Pitbulls

So, you want a pitbull of your very own? Excellent! You’re going to love having your very own house hippo. The first place you should always look is your local shelter or rescue. If you live in the U.S., there will be no shortage of pitbulls available to adopt. If you can’t find a pitbull locally, check out one of these fabulous rescues helping to give pitbulls loving forever homes:

Villalobos Rescue Center has been featured on multiple seasons of the hit Animal Planet docuseries Pit Bulls and Parolees, and continues to help pitbulls around the country behind the scenes, too. 

Based in Texas, Three Little Pitties Rescue transports pitbulls away from overcrowded shelters, and helps to find them new forever homes. 

Biggie’s Bullies is a Pittsburgh based rescue on a mission to get pitties out of shelters and into foster homes and forever families. 

Want to learn more about misunderstood breeds like black pitbulls? Check out our blog to discover tons of breed-specific information and education. 

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