The Brindle Pitbull often referred to as a tiger striped Pitbull has a unique look when compared to more traditional colors. The Brindle pattern is caused by a specific gene in the K locus which leads to the fur taking on different colors usually displayed in an alternating pattern.
What is a Brindle Pitbull?
A Brindle Pitbull refers to any type of Pitbull which displays the Brindle patterning. There are a number of different breeds which can be referred to as a Pitbull. In addition there are also a number of different colours and ways Brindle can display itself, we will explore both of these as their own topic area below.
Brindle refers to a specific gene which is located in the K Locus. Their are three different genes a Pitbull can have in the K Locus. First there is the Dominant Black gene (Kb) if a Pitbull inherits this gene from one of it’s parents then it will not display the Brindle pattern. In the middle there is the Brindle gene (Kbr) whilst this is dominated by the black gene it dominates over the third type. This means that if a Pitbull possesses the Brindle trait from both parents or the Brindle trait and the recessive Yellow (Ky) then it will display as Brindle.
Dogs typically have two different types of pigment in their coat, Eumelanin (Black by default) and Phaeomelanin (Red by default in vastly varying shades dependent on breed). Genetics will affect the coloring of each of these and also the placement. The Brindle genetics interacts primarily with the placement of these in their alternating pattern. This will then display the pattern and the different colors dependent on the colors inheritied.
Are Brindle Pitbulls Rare?
Without targeted breeding programs the answer is Brindle Pitbull’s would be incredibly rare. This is due to Brindle being overwritten by a single black gene being present. There are however a number of breeding programs out there who breed specifically for Brindle. If you take two Brindle Pitbulls and breed them then the likelihood is the litter will be largely Brindle.
It is worth noting that there are a number of other genes involved in choosing the color of a Pitbull. For example if a Pitbull possesses the recessive Black gene from the A Locus it will appear solid in color. This can be Black, Liver, Blue or Isabella. It is important to note in this case that their offspring will still contain the Brindle gene.
What Colors can a Brindle Pitbull be?
As determined above there are two different pigments which will be present in the Brindle coat. To understand what the different colors could be we need to understand the variations to these. The standard color of Brindle is an alternating between Black and Brown. The Black part of this
Blue Brindle Pitbull
A Blue Brindle occurs when a Pitbull possess the gene for a Black base coat. They will also then need to possess the D locus which leads to color dilution. This give the Black a Blue/Grey look instead of the solid black. This will then be mixed in with the reddish hues in a Brindle effect.
Red Brindle Pitbull
Similar to the Blue Brindle this is due to a differing base color. This comes from the A Locus which can produce Red, Fawn and Buckskin Pitbulls. The Brindle affect on this combination isn’t always as clear due to the two colors being a closer match.
Liver/Chocolate Brindle Pitbull
This comes from the recessive gene related to the dominant Black pigment. Due to this also being recessive this combined with a Brindle effect is rare to come across. It is to note that this gene can also affect the color of the brindle stripes causing them to be a chocolate color
What is a Reverse Brindle Pitbull
A reverse Brindle is where the pattern normally associated with Brindle is reversed. This is where you see primarily Black colourings with small amount of lighter Brown/Red intertwined.
Whilst this would appear to be due to a difference in genetics this is not the case. The only difference between a regular Brindle and a Reverse Brindle relates to the amount of Eumelanin and Phaeomelanin present in the coat. There is no set amount you should expect to be present on a Brindle Pitbull every coat will be unique. In some cases it’s possible for the coat to appear as almost entirely Black.
Are Brindle Pit Bulls Aggressive?
The short answer to this question is no. There is a Stigma around Pitbull’s being overly aggressive but they actually make great family dogs. To fully understand where this comes it’s important to understand the history of the breed.
Pitbull’s were originally bred as a cross between the English Bulldog and Terrier back in the early 1800’s. They were bred for a cruel blood sport called bull baiting, this is where the dogs would attack and harass bulls for hours until it collapsed from fatigue or it’s injuries. This sport was subsequently banned in 1835 and the Pitbull was made to find a new purpose.
The first repurposing of it’s role was that of a working dog. Due to it’s high energy, strength and ability to follow commands it was used in a variety of roles especially in ther American Frontier. The second was that of a fighting dog where it was cruelly used in dog fighting which has been outlawed for a number of years.
Due to it’s reputation as a fighting dog and a number of people continuing to illegally use them the reputation carried over to those used as family dogs.
Temperament testing has shown that the American Pitbull to be a high performer. It outscored popular breeds such as Beagle and Labrador Retriever which aren’t considered aggressive.
What Type of Pitbull can be Brindle?
According to the AKC (American Kennel Club) there are four different breeds recognised as a Pitbull. These are:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Bully
Whilst there are some differences with their color genetics all of the above are able to come in different shades of Brindle. It’s important to note that often when talking about the Pitbull we refer to the American Pit Bull Terrier.
How much do Brindle Pitbull Puppies cost?
A standard Brindle Pitbull is unlikely to come at much of a premium. However as you move into the rarer Brindle colorings the premium will increase. The below gives an indication of how much you can expect pay.
| Pitbull Color | Expected Price |
| Brindle Pitbull Puppy | $750 – $1,000 |
| Blue Brindle Pitbull Puppy | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Red Brindle Pitbull Puppy | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Liver/Chocolate Brindle Pitbull Puppy | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Reverse Brindle Puppy | $1,000 – $1,500 |
There are a number of factors to consider when purchasing a puppy, most importantly is the health of the puppy itself and their parents. Any reputable breeder will be able to provide documents showing health checks and many will also provide health guarantees. The prices may also increase dependent on considerations such as specific bloodlines or specially bred sizes/shapes.
