Last Updated: 1 year ago
Black pit bulls are becoming increasingly popular as a pet these days. However, some people are still on the fence of whether to have one or not.
Black Pitbulls are known to be very confident and energetic dogs. They are built with a good muscular body which gives them a high capacity for work.
However, when not trained properly, they can also be pretty aggressive. Therefore, you need to assess yourself if you’re ready to have a black pitbull pet and meet the needs, attention, and time that it deserves.
In this article, we will discuss all the things you need to know about black Pitbulls. From the physical features, health and temperament down to training, grooming, and diet, we will try to be as informative as we can be.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
What Is A Black Pitbull
The term pitbull is, in fact, a type of dog. Though most people think it is a breed, it isn’t one.
Actually, there are five Pitbull breeds that are generally accepted which can have black furs too. These are:
- American Pitbull Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
These breeds of dogs share a similarity when it comes to temperament and features.
However, most people refer to the American Pitbull Terrier when saying black pitbull. This breed originally is a descendant of the 19th-century purebred terrier dog that originated from the British Isles.
So, if you’re curious about what a black pitbull is, it’s basically an American Pitbull Terrier breed that has a black coat. Another thing, black is not the sole color of an American Pitbull Terrier. You can also find other colors like white, fawn, brindle, gray, tan, brown, red, and blue.
Black Pitbull Physical Features
The black pitbull does not differ much from the other Pitbulls apart from its color.
Black Pitbulls have a short and stiff, but very dense coat which makes them low-maintenance. You’ll know when your dog is healthy by its coat being sleek and shiny.
It belongs to the medium-sized dog variety that usually weighs between 60 pounds to 80 pounds or 27 kilograms to 36 kilograms and stands between 43 to 53 centimeters at the shoulder. They’ll reach their maximum full adult size at two years of age.
Black Pitbulls have strong masculine bodies. If Pitbull was a human, he would look like a professional bodybuilder.
It has a wide but short muzzle, a flat, broad skull, and a medium-size head with slightly folded ears over the tips. Its chest is broad and resembles a barrel with a wide and stocky set of legs and a low tail.
How Are Black Pitbulls Different
Though a black pitbull belongs to the same family as other Pitbulls, it has several characteristics that set it apart from others.
Because black Pitbulls were exposed to bull-baiting, bear-baiting, dog-fighting, and other blood sports, the following characters has been built innately in them:
- They are very trainable. It’s also considered to be one of the most intelligent dogs amidst the belief that they are not due to their flat face.
- They have very graceful and confident movements that portray their strength and fierceness.
- Innately, they have guard instincts and good hunting skills which relay how powerful they can be. But, a trained black pitbull can also be the gentlest companion one can have.
- They love activities that challenge their physical and mental capacity.
Are Black Pitbulls Rare
If you are curious if a black pitbull is rare, the answer to that question is no.
Black coats are seen in most pitbull breeds which makes them not hard to find. What makes them rare is that people tend to prefer buying them over the other colors, which means a long waiting list and way more ques.
That’s why if you are a little late in purchasing, someone might have already got the black pitbull puppy from the litter ahead of you.
Black Pitbull Health
Just like any dog breed, black Pitbulls are also prone to some health concerns such as:
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Allergies
- Skin issues
- Hypothyroidism
- Retinal dysplasia
- Heart disease
That’s why when you are thinking of purchasing a pitbull puppy, you need to make sure that you buy from a reputable breeder, as they only breed the healthiest dogs.
Check the parents’ health cards and ensure that they don’t pass on certain diseases to their litter. The breeder must perform a necessary health check prior to selling. Another thing to ensure a healthy dog is to attend to regular checkups with a veterinarian consistently.
Black Pitbull Temperament
Black Pitbulls have the same temperament as the other colored Pitbulls.
Though they are known to be very confident and assertive dogs, they are not aggressive by nature. Here are some traits of a black pitbull that you need to know when thinking of having one.
- They’re very energetic and full of enthusiasm
- They have short attention spans but can learn fast
- Obedience and loyalty are one of the best traits that they have towards their owner.
- They constantly seek attention; that’s why you need to include them in your activities.
- There is no backing down when they are provoked.
- When you raise and train them to be with other animals, they can also be friendly and gentle.
They can be aggressive dogs but behave accordingly with proper training and discipline.
Black Pitbull Training
Black Pitbulls or other pitbull breeds are known for their confidence and loyalty.
That’s why a black pitbull owner must really be ready to train this breed since they are young and take the time to raise it alongside the presence of other animals and people.
So, how should you train your black pitbull?
Teach your pup tolerance of handling and touch
One of the basic training that your black pitbull pup must learn is the tolerance of handling and touch.
This talks about nail trimming, giving medications, baths, and cleaning the ears. Your puppy should learn to tolerate these things and stay calm.
Relaxation Cues
You usually don’t know when your dog might panic or act aggressively towards other animals. That’s why it is of utmost importance that you teach your Pitbull relaxation cues, may it be touch or verbal.
You should train calmly and collected
You need to realize that your dog feeds on your emotions. Therefore, make sure that you are calm and relaxed when training your dog.
Teach Obedience and control
It’s indeed crucial to teach your dogs basic obedience cues. It’s what cures bad behavior.
However, for black pit bull owners, the training should not stop there. You should train your pitbull dog with advanced obedience cues to control him in case of sudden aggression.
Socialization Training
It’s of utmost importance to give your pitbull pup socialization training. This way, you will be confident that your dog will show appropriate manners in the presence of other dogs and people.
Exercise is a must
Black pit bulls are naturally born with muscles and high energy.
That means they have an intense need to work out and exercise. By doing so, you take away the boredom in them and give them a good sleep.
Train using positive reinforcements
Training your black pitbull using aggression will never give you a good end result. Instead, it would be best if you learn how to use positive reinforcements such as the use of rewards. Keep in mind that aggression incites aggression!
Black Pitbull Dietary Needs
Black Pit Bulls are known for their strength and high energy.
With that, they also need good nutrition along with proper exercise to remain healthy and keep them away from the common health issues that a pit bull might face.
Adult black Pitbulls require a diet of 18% of protein, while black pitbull puppies require a diet with a minimum of 22% to ensure health and proper development.
To achieve that, their diet must contain high-quality meat such as beef, chicken, pork, fish, or lamb to meet both their energy, as well as protein needs. Said meat can come from premium dog food brands, as well as it can be homemade (just make sure you don’t feed your pitbull seasoned leftover meat)
Aside, black Pitbulls; especially puppies; can benefit from veggies and fruits such as sweet potato, broccoli, carrots, and apples. Vitamines coming from those sources will boost their immune system and promote healthy skin and coat.
Black Pitbull Grooming
Like any dog breed, your black pitbull requires grooming to maintain a healthy, shiny coat. Here’s how to do it:
Brush daily
It might seem a lot, but you need to brush your black pit bull’s coat daily with a rubber curry brush. Doing so will help the natural oil spread all over the body and brush away dead flaky skin, which causes it to be dull and dry.
Use Dog Shampoo
It’s really a must to use dog shampoo instead of a human shampoo when bathing your black pit bulldog. This is because human shampoos tend to have more fragrance and harsh ingredients that might harm and cause irritation on your pet’s skin and coat.
Clean ears and cut nails regularly
These two are equally important as the ones stated above.
Most owners tend to forget this, but you need to keep in mind that they need these. Regular cleaning of the ears is essential to avoid ear infections or fleas and ticks building a home in their ears.
It’s also a must to trim their nails regularly to prevent them from wounding themselves. However, with a good amount of exercise, their nails are usually trimmed as they run around and play.
Conclusion
Indeed, black pit bulls can be great pets with proper training, grooming, exercise, and diet! Amidst the common belief of being aggressive and wild, they can also be the most loyal and gentle dogs.
However, you also need to take responsibility as an owner. If you’re planning to have one, make sure that you’re ready to give him the time and attention that he needs. Loving your black pitbull is good, but is certainly not enough to give him the best life.
Training and exercise are a must! Because of their strong temperament and confidence, these dogs need training that would suit their character. This way, you can tame your dog and teach him to be calm and relaxed amidst the chaotic surrounding.
Diet is also one thing to consider when planning to have a black pit bull. Due to their high amount of energy, they also have a specific diet to meet the needs of their body.
Lastly, proper grooming should always be in the picture. Never forget to give them a good daily brush and regular bath.
There you have it, everything you should know about black pit bulls! We hope to have helped you answer your queries about this wonderful dog!
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