Pitbulls are one of the most popular dog breeds, and they come in a variety of colors. While many people think of Pitbulls as being brown or black, there is a wide range of colors that they can come in.
One of the more unusual colors is white.
So, what is a White Pitbull? What are their characteristics?
Read on to learn more about what makes a White Pitbull, its appearance, temperament, health concerns, puppy price, and where to find them.
Are Pitbulls White?
Yes, Pitbulls can be white. White is one of the several coat colors of the Pitbull breeds and it can occur as an all-white or with other coat color markings. White Pitbulls are often confused with albino or leucistic Pitbulls which also have white coats, however, they are different.
Pitbull History
Pitbulls were originally bred in England in the 1800s for bear baiting and also for bull-baiting, a cruel sport in which the dogs were pitted against a bull for entertainment.
They were bred to be aggressive and tenacious, qualities that would be useful in fighting an animal much larger than themselves.
The name Pitbull is not a specific breed of dog but a group of dog breeds that were bred from Bulldogs and Terriers, to have dog breeds with the strength of bulldogs and the agility of Terriers.
Pitbull breeds eventually made it to the United States and are more companion dogs than working dogs.
Pitbulls come in a variety of colors. Each Pitbull color has its unique look that makes each dog stand out in a crowd.
In addition to the White Pitbull, some of the 23 Pitbull colors that are popular include Black, Brindle, Merle, Blue Nose Pitbulls, and Red Nosed Pitbulls.
What Does a White Pitbull Look Like?
The Pitbull breeds include American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and the American Bully.
The White Pitbull can occur in any of the Pitbull breeds.
The White Pitbull looks like any other Pitbull except for its White coat color. They simply have a striking white coat which is a coat color variation of the Pitbull and not a separate Pitbull breed.
The physical characteristics of the Pitbull breeds are not similar, however, in general, they are medium-sized dogs with a muscular stocky build.
Their short coat can be all white, however, some dogs have markings of other colors. Some of these include:
- White pitbull with black spots
- White pitbull with brown spots
- White pitbull with blue spots
- White pitbull with brindle spots
- White pitbull with a black eye patch
The White Pitbull’s eye color is brown or amber. Their lips, nose, area around the eyes, and other features are pigmented with black or brown and never pink.
White Pitbull with blue eyes is only seen when they are puppies because all Pitbulls have blue eyes as puppies. The eyes of a White Pitbull then gradually change from 4 weeks of age to brown or amber as they grow up.
The White Pitbull’s ears are rosebud-shaped however, some White Pitbull’s ears are cut through ear cropping when they are 9 – 12 weeks old.
White Pitbull cropped ears stand upright and give the dog an alert and intimidating look that some owners prefer for their dogs.
The White Pitbull’s size is different between the male and female dogs, with male White Pitbulls being slightly bigger than the female White Pitbulls, for all the PitBull breeds.
Full-grown dogs stand at 17 to 21 inches high with an average weight of 50 – 65 pounds.
White Pitbull Genetics: What Makes A White Pitbull?
Pitbull coat colors as well as all other dog colors are based on genetics. To understand how these different colors are created, it is necessary to understand a bit about genetics.
Although genetics is a bit complex, I will explain it simply so that it is not over complicated.
Coat color is determined by a combination of genes that a puppy receives from both parents.
Two types of coat color pigments that are base pigments of all dog breeds’ coats. These primary coat pigments are the black pigment (eumelanin), and the red pigment (pheomelanin).
Genes received by a puppy can result in expression or modification of these two base pigments which results in the coat color of a puppy.
The white areas or markings on the coat can occur in any dog coat color or Pitbull breed, where they take over and cover up the black pigment (eumelanin) and red pigment (pheomelanin), partly or completely.
A white coat occurs when the skin cells are not able to produce pigment therefore the fur becomes white and the skin becomes pink.
Paw pads and nails also become pink because of a lack of pigment.
The genes responsible for white spotting (color) in dogs are located at the S (Spotting) locus, a fixed position in the chromosome part of the DNA.
In genetics, white spotting in dogs means white areas on their coat and not actually white spots.
Currently, there are two alleles, that have been proven to occupy the S (spotting) locus. These are:
- S – Produces no or little white
Sp -Produces Piebald patterns or extreme white
A White Pitbull puppy is produced when they receive these alleles that make up the white spotting gene from its parents.
Because white markings or areas can occur with any coat color, it is not unusual to find a white Pitbull having another coat color such as black, brown, or brindle.
It is easy to confuse a White Pitbull for a Dogo Argentino. They look similar by having white coats, however, a comparison between White Pitbull vs Dogo Argentino, shows that there are differences apart from being different dog breeds.
A white coat in a Pitbull can also be due to albinism or leucism. These are very different from White Pitbull. Let’s take a closer look at these factors.
Albinism and Leucism in Pitbulls
Albinism occurs in humans, in the animal kingdom as well as in canines.
Albino Pitbulls are rare, however, they exist. They have white coats however, they are not White Pitbulls.
Albinism is due to a rare recessive mutated gene that causes a lack of pigment in the eyes, skin, hair, and blood vessels due to a complete lack of pigmentation, resulting in a pinkish tinge in these areas.
The mutated gene interferes with the production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes in both humans and animals.
A Pitbull puppy becomes an albino when they receive the mutated genes from both parents.
A true sign of an albino Pitbull is the lack of pigment around their eyes, pink noses, and light blue eyes. This is the main difference between an albino Pitbull and a White Pitbull.
A White Pitbull has colored features which include a dark nose, dark eyes, and black-rimmed eyes. They are sometimes confused as an albino, but this is the distinguishing difference.
A White Pitbull has the genetic makeup for white pigmentation of the coat while an albino Pitbull lacks pigmentation.
Genetic testing is still a very valid way of confirming whether a white Pitbull is a true albino.
Leucistic Pitbulls are often confused with albino Pitbull, however, there is a distinct difference. Albinism is characterized by the complete lack of pigmentation (melanin) while leucism is characterized by partial loss of pigmentation.
This means that they still have melanin in some of the features.
It is hard to tell apart albino Pitbulls from leucistic Pitbulls, however, a simple way is to look at their eyes. Albino Pitbulls have light blue eyes while leucistic Pitbulls have deeper blue eyes.
A more affirmative way of knowing the difference is through genetic testing.
An albino Pitbull is at a higher risk of several health problems including sensitivity to sunlight and skin cancer. A leucistic Pitbull however does not have additional health problems due to its genetic makeup.
A White Pitbull can therefore be confused for an albino or leucistic Pitbull because all have white coats, however, they have different genetic makeups and physical differences.
Is A White Pitbull Rare?
An all-White Pitbull with no other coloring is rare and you are not going to see them everywhere. This is because the coat color requires a recessive gene that covers up other coat colors in the Pitbull’s genetic makeup.
It takes the breeding of two parents that have the recessive gene to produce a White Pitbull.
However, although rare, professional White Pitbull breeders can breed these Pitbulls by increasing the probability of a puppy receiving the recessive gene from both parents.
They are highly sought after because of their unique coat color.
White Pitbulls with markings of other coat colors, however, are more common than an all White Pitbull and are not considered rare.
White Pitbull Temperament
When most people think of a White Pitbull, they picture a snarling, aggressive dog due to the perception that Pitbulls as aggressive dogs.
The truth is that the personality of a Pitbull depends on its upbringing, training, and socialization.
White Pitbulls are affectionate, friendly, and typically very loyal and protective of their families. They make great family pets.
White Pitbulls are also incredibly intelligent, making them quick learners and trainable.
Like all dog breeds, White Pitbulls require early training and socialization to be well-behaved and have the desired behaviors.
Socialization is important for White Pitbulls, as it helps them learn how to interact appropriately with other people and animals.
White Pitbull Health
White Pitbulls are healthy dogs as Pitbulls with other coat colors. They are generally healthy dogs however they are susceptible to the common health problems of the Pitbull breeds which includes:
Hip dysplasia
Hypothyroidism
Allergies
Heart disease
The Piebald gene that is responsible for the piebald pattern or white spotting has been linked with congenital deafness, however, this is not always the case.
White Pitbull Lifespan
The White Pitbull’s life span is 12 to 14 years. This is a long lifespan for the White Pitbull.
A healthy life can be supported by providing them with regular exercise, a high-quality diet, and regular veterinary checks.
Do White Pitbulls require special care?
For the most part, White Pitbulls are healthy dogs and do not require special care. Generally, White Pitbulls need the same level of care as all Pitbulls.
In addition, just like in all other dogs, during hot weather during the sun’s high peak time which is usually between 10 a.m and 4 p.m, sunscreen should be applied around the nose, lips, tips of ears, belly, and groin.
This prevents sun damage to the skin because White Pitbulls have fair skin underneath the fur which is prone to sun damage. The best sunscreen to use is sunscreen labeled for dogs.
How much do White Pitbulls cost?
The White Pitbull’s cost ranges between $1000 – $3000. All White Pitbulls are rare and their price is higher. Different factors also make the price vary including the Pitbull’s bloodline, age, gender, the individual breeder’s prices, their location, and the demand for this Pitbull.
The White Pitbull’s price from a breeder is also higher compared to the price from a shelter or rescue group.
It is important to buy from reputable White Pitbull breeders and avoid puppy mills that breed unhealthy dogs and sell them at high prices.
Where to find White Pitbull puppies for sale
White Pitbull puppies for sale can be found through reputable White Pitbull breeders, shelters, or Pitbull rescues.
Some things to keep in mind when purchasing a White Pitbull include health clearances, and being able to see the parent dogs.
To ensure you get the healthiest White Pitbull, always seek an ethical breeder who practices good breeding.
This prevents being sold an albino or leucistic Pitbull as a White Pitbull by unscrupulous backyard breeders or puppy mills.
A great place to start your search for a White Pitbull is Premium Pitbull.
Where to find White Pitbulls for Adoption: Pitbull rescues
You can find a White Pitbull for adoption through local animal shelters or Pitbull rescue groups.
Shelters have different breeds of dogs available for adoption including the White Pitbull so you’re sure to find one that needs a new home.
Pitbull rescue groups are dedicated to finding homes for Pitbulls. They are also a great place to find a White Pitbull.
Several Pitbull rescues are available. Some of the reputable Pitbull rescues include PittieLove Rescue and Angel City Pits.
Summary
A White Pitbull can make a great pet for the right person. They are playful and loving, but also protective of their family.
They are one of the many Pitbull coat colors that are very sought after because of their stunning white color, which in some cases can be alongside other coat colors.
They need plenty of exercise and socialization, and training is important to help them learn how to best interact with people and other animals.
If you are considering getting a White Pitbull, be sure to purchase one from a reputable breeder or rescue group to make sure you receive a healthy pup.