Nope! Not the singer with the bald head. We mean the dog breed. It's an unusual sight, given that this breed has a reputation for being short-haired! The long haired pitbull certainly does exist. Long haired pitbulls can be a huge fuzz ball of love and be great family pets.
Curious about this unexpected development? Let’s take a look at the American Pitbull Terrier and its variations in size, color, and fur. We'll also talk about how to raise these dogs and take a closer look at the rare long-haired version of this breed.
And if you don’t believe us, we’ll tell you how doggie DNA testing proves it all. So come along as we dive into all things Pitbull!
The American Pitbull Terrier
The American Pitbull Terrier is an athletic, tenacious, and loyal type of dog. They have a muscular build with short hair and come in a variety of colors from black to white, brown, and brindle.
They are medium to large size dogs and can range from 17 - 22 inches tall at the shoulder. Weight can range widely too from about 30-60 pounds. As usual, males are typically a little larger than females.
However, no dog belonging to this breed is a delicate flower. They are powerful, muscular dogs, which unfortunately led to their use in dogfighting over the years.
Despite their reputation for being aggressive, the truth is that long haired pitbulls are actually incredibly loving family pets. When properly trained, they can be quite friendly even around strangers. However, they may not get along with other pets.
History of the Breed
The American Pit bull Terrier surprisingly hails from England back in the early 19th century. It came about as a cross between two dog breeds - bulldogs and terriers. Breeders were looking to create athletic working dogs that were gentle with families.
And the mix worked quite well!
The loyal, hardworking companions quickly became useful for a wide variety of applications. They were used for herding livestock, hunting, and guarding the family farm — among other things.
Unfortunately, their muscular build and tenacious strength were also noticed by people who used them in the dogfighting ring. Through abuse, starvation, and other deplorable tactics, they were turned into vicious fighters. But that will happen to any harshly mistreated creature, Pitbulls just have the muscle and teeth to make a more menacing impression.
Cared for well and socialized properly, Pitbulls are naturally sweet, loving dogs. Though their fierce appearance and undeserved reputation have gotten them banned in some areas, they are used extensively as service and therapy dogs, for search-and-rescue, and other applications.
Coming to America
In the mid-1800s, the breed arrived in America where breeders added a few finishing touches. In 1898, the United Kennel Club was formed and the founder put his American Pitbull Terrier as the club’s first registered breed. All these years later, it is still not recognized by the American Kennel Club yet.
How to Raise a Pitbull
Raising a Pitbull (with long hair or not) can be an incredibly rewarding experience. However, there are some important steps to take in order to ensure that they grow up into well-behaved and loving members of the family.
First off, it's important to provide your pup with plenty of daily exercise. These dogs need regular physical activity in order for them to stay healthy and happy — walks, hikes, or even just playing fetch at home will do!
Secondly, you should make sure that you're providing consistent training and socialization from puppyhood on. This American Pit Bull Terrier is known for being quite tenacious which means it needs firm but kind guidance from its owner so that it knows what behavior is expected of it.
Finally, always make sure your pup gets enough mental stimulation as this breed loves learning new things. With patience and love, you'll soon have a loyal companion who loves nothing more than spending time with their humans!
Breed Colors
The American Pitbull Terrier comes in many different colors. These dogs can be all black, or black with white or tan markings. They can also be a handsome blue color (which is more like gray with blue highlights). Blue Pitbulls may have white or tan markings, or both.
The dogs also come in quite a few shades of brown. From light chocolate and fawn shades to deep chocolate and even reddish brown, there is quite a range. Many of them are mostly one color, though they may have white or tan markings.
Finally, the brindle pattern is common to see among Pitbulls. This pattern can come in several colors including black, red, or fawn.
The Fur - Long and Short of it
Pitbulls typically have short fur ranging from wiry to soft, depending on the individual dog. However, a big draw for this breed is that their fur is so easy to care for.
The Pit bull has a single coat of fur, unlike cold-weather breeds like Huskies which have two layers for keeping warm. That soft undercoat combined with the longer overcoat is why those types of dogs are infamous for leaving enough hair around the house to create a new dog! This type of coat is also the same as for long haired pitbulls.
The Long-Haired Pitbull
So what’s this about a long-haired American Pitbull Terrier? The long-haired Pitbull, sometimes called a fluffy or furry Pitbull, is an interesting member of the American Pitbull Terrier family. While they don't come around too often, when you do find one it's sure to be a stunner!
These pups have silky flowing hair that can reach anywhere from medium to long length and tend to require more grooming upkeep than their short-haired counterparts –- but trust us, it’s worth it!
Though his hair gives him a different appearance than other Pitbulls, the long-haired Pit bull is still 100% American Pitbull Terrier. The gene that causes long hair is a recessive gene that simply doesn’t come out much.
However, breeders are beginning to selectively breed, trying to boost the numbers of Pitbulls with long hair. Not only are these dogs gorgeous, but also they shed less than other dog breeds, making them more desirable as indoor pets.
Doggie DNA Testing
How do people know that an unusual-looking dog, like a long-haired Pitbull, is actually a certain breed? Who’s to say that it isn’t just a Pitbull that was crossed with another long-haired dog?
Many people assume that these long haired pitbulls were bred with a purebred dog like a border collie or golden retriever or the ever popular doodle mixes. Although, no other purebred dogs were used to create the fluffy pitbulls.
That’s where doggie DNA testing comes in.
Doggie DNA testing is becoming increasingly popular among pet owners who want to know more about their furry friend's ancestry. With just a simple swab of the pup's cheek, you can find out what breeds make up your pooch and even trace it back generations.
That’s what one woman did to find out that her fluffy rescue dog was actually 100% American Pitbull Terrier! Because of the long hair, everyone assumed the dog was a some kind of fluffy Pitbull mixed with a purebred dog like a Border Collie or perhaps a Labrador, but the DNA results proved otherwise.
Should you run a DNA test on your dog?
Not only is this helpful for understanding why they act or look the way they do, but it can also help identify any potential health issues that might be in their genetic makeup. Furthermore, having an accurate breed breakdown will come in handy if you ever need to provide proof for registration or insurance purposes.
Plus, it’s just kind of fun — especially if you have a rescue dog and you’re trying to figure out what breed combination created his unique look. You might even be surprised to find out your dog is purebred with unique genetic traits!
Another fun aspect of DNA testing is being able to find potential siblings and family members of your fluffy pit bull friend. Maybe there are fluffy siblings out there! Only one way to find out.
An American Pitbull Terrier for You
To sum it all up, the American Pitbull Terrier is such a versatile, loving breed of dog that can make an excellent family pet. Don’t let the undeserved stereotype about these kinds of dogs dissuade you if you're considering becoming a proud parent of one.
However, you should read up on how to raise them correctly. As with any dog, a firm hand is necessary for them to be well-adjusted and happy. You can also check out this article on Pitbull collars and the options to keep in mind when getting one of these strong dogs. These collars will work for the short and long haired pitbull variation.
If you're looking for something different from the classic short-haired variety, then don't forget that there's a Pitbull with long hair as well. And if you don’t believe it, you can confirm through doggie DNA testing. Whatever path you choose with your pup, we wish you all the best!
Visit the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com for more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips.
Would you like to learn more about TryFi.com? The Fi Dog Collar is a GPS tracking collar that not only tracks your dog's location, activity level, and sleep pattern, but also alerts you if your dog escapes. If your dog escapes, this is the fastest way to find him. Give the Fi Dog Collar a try today!
