When compared to other coat color variations, tri-color Pitbulls stand out as gorgeously unique. This is because they are very uncommon among the Pitbull breed and they possess color patterns that no one expected to see in a Pit.
If you are doing your research because you wanted to get your first tri-color Pitbull, look no further. This article will serve as your comprehensive guide in caring for tri-color Pitbulls as well as in becoming an expert on their unique features and temperament.
Important note: The “Pitbull breed” is more of an umbrella term for various breeds of Bullies including American Bullies, American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Canine evolution is tight-knit and some argue that American Bulldogs and French Bulldogs belong to the same family.
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What Is a Tri-Color Pitbull?
The name tri-color Pitbull refers to a variety of breeds that don a remarkably new color pattern that includes three stunning hues. Usually, they have a base color that can range from black to lilac and two other shades that are oftentimes tan and white.
Because of the hype that this dog is getting, breeders found it very exciting to create more color combinations, making tri-color Pitbulls rare and their genetics a little more complex than the regular dog.
But you don’t have to worry about their health because responsible dog breeders are also careful when it comes to breeding these bullies to keep them in top shape.
Watch the video below to see how a tri-color Pit looks like:
Our 170lb Black Tri-Colour Bully Is 'The World's Biggest' | BIG DOGZ
The most common color combination of tri-color Pitbulls would remind anyone of the sweet and playful Beagle with a patched black, brown, and white coat color combination.
All tri-color Pitbulls will have some white fur on their body and the base colors can vary. There are not many tri-colored Pitbulls that exist but here are some combinations of the tricolor:
Lilac Tri-Color Pitbull
This rare tri-color Pitbull has an almost solid lilac coat with smaller patches of tan and white, mostly around her neck. The area around her paws, snout, ears, and hind legs have very fine, tan fur.
Black Tri-Color Pitbull
This little dog also has an almost solid black coat with two more colors appearing on the area around her neck and on all four legs. Her snout has a small strip of white as well as spots of white on her paws. The leg areas are covered in tan fur.
Liver Tri-Color Pitbull
This tri Pitbull’s shiny brown coat also has different shades in this photo which makes him look like he has more than three colors. There are some tan patches on his facial area, a few white spots underneath, and the rest of the tan is on her front and hind legs.
The color combinations resemble that of a typical Beagle but Pitbulls really don them uniquely in terms of the shade of colors and the varying patterns.
Merle Tri-Color Pitbull
This merle tri-color Pitbull is a combination of blue merle, fawn, and white. The pattern is dramatically painted that when the pup is sitting, you can witness the three colors bursting in his coat.
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Blue Tri-Color Pitbull
This blue tri-color Pitbull has a well-balanced color distribution. There is a blue, tan, and white mask covering the paws and the majority of the upper body. The rest of the body is covered in blue fur.
Purple Tri-Color Pitbull
This puppy is a purple tri-color American Bully with a perfect distribution of colors. Tan can be seen on the legs as well as a little bit on the snout and white on the neck area. The rest of the coat is purple.
RELATED:
Pitbull Colors: 23 Coat Color Variations Explained (With Pictures)
Tri-Color Pitbull Coat Color Genetics: How Do They Develop a Tri-Colored Coat?
Tri-color Pitbulls get their coat from genes they inherit from both parents. This means that the trait is recessive and some of the puppies are likely going to be born without a tri-color coat if one of their parents didn’t possess this specific gene.
According to Animal Genetics, there are four alleles in the Agouti gene series and one of them is the Tan Point allele which is responsible for the tri-color coat pattern.
Since the tri-coloration is a recessive genetic trait, it would require two copies for the color pattern to express itself. In general, dogs carry many of the genes responsible for a three-color pattern but are only hidden and continue to be hidden for generations until two copies are inherited.
The Tan Point gene must be present to produce a tricolor pattern along with the gene for the base color which can be black, blue, lilac, chocolate, and so on. The three colors may also be affected by the dilution gene which is responsible for the patterns such as merle or piebald.
That said, regular veterinary visits must be done to detect if your dog has developed any condition caused by their genetics.
Are Tri-Color Pitbulls Recognized by Kennel Clubs?
The coat pattern of tri-color Pitbulls is a fairly recent one so no kennel club at the moment lists them as one of the breeds that can participate in shows.
The American Kennel Club, which recognizes the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, did not exactly list tri-color patterns as standard. However, the colors that make up the tri-color coat are recognized.
This is also the case for the American Pitbull Terrier and the American Bully which are recognized by United Kennel Club. The tri-color combinations aren’t listed on their color standards.
Are Tri-Color Pitbulls Rare?
Given the fact that they are a new Pitbull color variety and that there’s difficulty in breeding them successfully without genetic defects, tri-color Pitbulls are quite rare.
As a pet owner, it is highly advised to refrain from breeding two tri-color Pitbulls on your own as the risk of genetic disorder is high.
Tri-color coats are caused by a recessive gene and it would take two parents who are carrying this to produce a tri-color litter. This gene increases the chances of genetic problems, so be sure to work with a veterinarian when it comes to breeding them.
Among tri Pitbulls, there are coat patterns that are less common than the others. The patchy black, white, brown pattern is very common. One of the less common ones is the merle blue tri-color ones as well as lilac tri-color Pitbulls.
Do Tri-Color Pitbull Puppies Change Color as They Grow?
Yes, the color of their coats could change as they grow into adults. This is normal for Pitbulls so it’s important to ask the breeder about the dog’s colors instead of just looking at them because a lilac or champagne puppy may change hues when they grow up.
Once they’re adults, the color stays the way it is. If you notice any color change, be sure to check their:
- Nutrition
- Skin health
- Medications (if any)
- Sunlight exposure
Tri-Color Pitbull Temperament: Do They Make Good Family Pets?
The tri-color Pitbull’s behavior doesn’t really differ much from their solid-coated and bi-colored Pitbull cousins. They are warm, loving, and family-oriented.
They’re one of those dogs who knows how to put up a show for their friends. They love being inside the house and they are fairly easy to train.
Browsing Instagram will make you see how they typically look as well as their usual behaviors. They love to be inside the house most of the time, making them a perfect family pet. They’re also attentive and not very difficult to take photos with.
When it comes to training, a high patience level is a must. They are very intelligent but training must be consistent as they learn best that way.
Pitbulls are also very tolerant dogs. In the past, they were dubbed as one of the most aggressive canines because they were originally bred as fighters. If you want a sweet and loyal Pitbull, the key is in the training you give them as well as making sure that they don’t feel neglected or abused.
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Male vs. Female Pitbull: Which Is Better?
Tri-Color Pitbull Lifespan and Health Issues
Given that they are healthy and illnesses are treated at the onset, tri-color Pitbulls can live for an average of 8 to 15 years. This is similar to the average lifespan of their other colored cousins.
Below are the common health issues affecting tri-color Pitbulls:
- Congenital Heart Disease: One of the common causes of tri-color Pitbull death is congenital heart disease and this is detectable when their heath rhythm becomes irregular. Genetics plays a role since most of the heart diseases they suffer are linked to malformations in the heart valves due to poor genes.
- Hip Dysplasia: Another common problem with dogs suffering from bad genetics. Hip dysplasia develops as dogs grow up wherein their hind legs don’t grow at equal rates. The condition may cause pain or difficulty to them and it prevents them from being physically active.
- Hypothyroidism: Tri-color Pitbulls may display symptoms similar to human hypothyroidism including weight gain, loss of appetite, lethargy, shedding, and cold intolerance. This happens when their thyroid hormones get too low and a vet may prescribe medications to treat it.
- Cataract: Cataracts are particularly concerning for dogs as they worsen over time and could lead to blindness. Take your Pitbull to the vet if you see that one or two of her eyes started to look cloudy. A special eye drop made for dogs may be prescribed for treatment.
The good news is, illnesses both mild and severe are preventable through proper care and preventative measures. Tri-color Pitbulls can also get common ailments such as allergies, skin problems and digestive tract problems.
But as long as you never miss your Pitbull’s vet appointment, you shouldn’t worry about a thing. Observe your tri Pitbull regularly because early detection of illnesses means spending more years with your pet.
How Much Does a Tri-Color Pitbull Cost? Are They More Expensive Than Other Varieties?
Tri-color Pitbulls do not cost more compared with other varieties. Most tri-color Pitbull puppies are priced at $750 on average, with no difference regarding coat colors and patterns.
Some breeders may sell them at a higher price but the pricing is affected by other factors such as the puppies’ generation, papers, and shots.
Places to Find Tri-Color Pitbull Puppies for Adoption
If you’d love to adopt a tri-color Pitbull from rescue shelters, you can check out these places:
- Adopt-a-Pet – Tri-color Pitbulls are very much available here. This non-profit website not only connects adopters to dog shelters they also help promote the wonderful message of adopting dogs along with buying them so no dog will be left homeless.
- Fresno Bully Rescue – For you to start the process of adopting a tri-color Pit from this rescue, all you have to do is fill out their online adoption application form. Pretty convenient.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do Tri-Color Pitbulls Shed?
Yes. Pitbulls are single-coated so they shed all throughout the year with no dramatic increase in shedding. To ensure their coat is always healthy, never miss regular brushing and use a good quality bath soap so their fur stays shiny and strong.
Can Tri-Color Pitbulls Participate in Dog Shows?
It’s unlikely that tri-color Pitbulls can enter dog shows because most kennel clubs do not include tri-color in their range of acceptable coats. Tri-color Pitbulls are new and rare so they aren’t recognized by major kennel clubs yet.
If the dog show is an AKC dog show or a UKC dog show, then you won’t be able to register your tri-color Pitbull since their dog shows only represent recognized breeds, colors, coat patterns, markings, among others.
Your Pitbull, however, may participate in dog shows organized by other kennel clubs that celebrate mixed breeds. They run competitions the same way AKC and UKC do.
What’s the Rarest Pitbull Color?
Most colors apart from black, white, and brown are rare among Pitbulls. These include blue, lilac or champagne, brindle, red, tan, fawn, blue fawn, solid white, solid black, merle, buckskin, and seal.
RELATED:
Pitbull Colors: 23 Coat Color Variations Explained (With Pictures)
Final Thoughts: Are Tri-Color Pit Bulls for Everyone?
Tri-color Pitbulls may not be for everyone. Specifically, they aren’t for those who are new dog owners who are yet to learn all the basics of dog care. They also aren’t for people who have the potential to neglect, particularly those who are always busy with their job or other aspects of life.
If you are the type of dog owner who’s motivated by their love of a certain dog’s breed that they’re willing to do what they can in order to give that dog a good life by training them and never missing veterinary appointments, then you are a good candidate for a tri-color Pitbull.
You’ll have the rare chance to have a really nice furry friend who will live a healthy, long, sweet life.
John Carter
My name is John Carter and I absolutely love pets, especially cats and dogs. I've got a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and have several years’ experience working in animal shelters and rescues. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property.
