To most people, Grey Pitbulls are very intimidating dogs, but once you get to know them, you’ll be surprised to learn that they make very great pets.
But first, what exactly is a Grey Pitbull? The Grey Pitbull is a variety of the Pitbull group of dogs that comes with a silvery gray to deep charcoal coat. The gray coat is caused by a recessive gene that dilutes the eumelanin pigment present in all Pitbulls, resulting in the gray-colored coat.
If you’re considering keeping a Grey Pitbull as a pet, you need to be aware of all the important information that will help you provide the best care to your pooch. What kind of food do they need? How do you groom them? What health problems should you watch out for? In this guide, we will help you answer all these questions. Before that, however, let’s look at what Grey Pitbulls are called.
What Are Grey Pitbulls Called?
Grey Pitbulls are also referred to as blue nose Pitbulls.
This is because they have a bluish/greyish colored nose instead of the black nose that is common to most of the other Pitbulls. The bluish/greyish nose is caused by the same recessive gene that causes these dogs to have a gray coat.
What Do Grey Pitbulls Look Like?
The Grey Pitbull is not a separate breed. This means that, aside from their gray coat and their grey/blue nose, their characteristics are similar to those of other Pitbulls.
Like other Pitbulls, the Grey Pitbull has a strong and stocky body, with a broad chest and short, sturdy legs. This stocky, muscular body, combined with their broad faces and short muzzle, gives the Grey Pitbull a confident stance that most people find intimidating.
The Grey Pitbull is a medium-sized dog with a shoulder height of 18 to 22 inches and weighing about 35 to 75 lbs. Like most other Pitbulls, male Grey Pitbulls are usually taller and heavier than the females.
Are Grey Pitbulls Rare?
Grey Pitbulls are rare compared to most other Pitbull colors. This is due to the fact that the gray color is caused by a recessive gene. This means that to produce a Grey Pitbull, both parents need to have this recessive gene, and even then, there is no guarantee that the puppy will be gray.
Grey Pitbulls are produced by inbreeding Pitbulls with this recessive gene, which, unfortunately, increases the likelihood of the Grey Pitbull puppy being prone to some genetic conditions.
How Long Do Grey Pitbulls Live For?
Lifespan
Grey Pitbulls have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, and with proper exercise and diet, they can live for a few extra years.
Since Grey Pitbulls are produced by inbreeding Pitbulls with the recessive gene responsible for the gray color, their gene pool is very limited.
Unfortunately, these predispose them to genetic conditions that are not as common to other varieties of Pitbulls. Some health problems that are common to Grey Pitbulls include:
Premature Hair Loss
Also referred to as alopecia, this is a condition that is very common in Grey Pitbulls because of their genes. The condition could be caused by various skin conditions or allergies, and in some cases, it could be caused by a dysfunctional thyroid gland.
Decreased Immune Function
The same genes that give this dog the gray coat and bluish or gray nose are also responsible for decreased immune function, which means that your Grey Pitbull will have difficulties fighting off infections or illnesses.
Cardiac Problems
Due to the decreased immune function, Grey Pitbulls are also highly susceptible to various cardiac problems. Fortunately, many of these heart conditions can be treated, either through medication or operation.
Hip Dysplasia
Most Pitbulls are at a high risk of developing hip dysplasia, and the Grey Pitbull is no exception. The condition is caused by the hip bone slipping out of its socket, causing pain and moving difficulties. Thankfully, the condition is treatable.
Other common health conditions that could pose a problem for your Grey Pitbull include eye problems, such as cataracts and deafness.
How To Take Care Of Grey Pitbulls?
Diet
Diet is one of the things you should be very cautious about since it has a huge impact on your pooch’s health. To keep your Grey Pitbull’s muscles strong and ensure that they have a healthy skin and coat, give them a diet with lots of animal protein.
Pet Plate’s Barkin’ Beef is a great option since it contains lots of protein from real beef.
Multivitamin Supplements
We’ve already seen that Frey Pitbulls have a compromised immune system. Therefore, it is a great idea to supplement their diet with multivitamin supplements to give their immunity a boost, particularly supplements that are rich in essential fatty acids.
In addition, invest in dental water additives to prevent plaque and bacteria from building up in your dear fido’s mouth.
Exercise
The Grey Pitbull is a playful and energetic dog who needs lots of physical activity. In addition to keeping your canine buddy healthy and fit, regular exercise also provides mental stimulation and keeps boredom at bay.
Without enough exercise, your Grey Pitbull will develop bad behaviors like incessant barking and chewing at everything.
Your beloved pooch should get about 1.5 hours of exercise every day. Some exercises that are good for the Grey Pitbull include jogging, agility sports, and long walks.
You can also purchase the iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers for Dogs and treat your lovely pooch to a game of fetch at home for those with a yard. Pitbulls thoroughly enjoy this game. Always remember to keep your Grey Pitbull on a leash whenever you’re out in public.
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Are Grey Pitbulls Aggressive? Temperaments Of Grey Pitbulls
Temperament
Despite being feared by most people, the Grey Pitbull is not aggressive. They are affectionate pets that enjoy being around their owner and will never let an opportunity to cuddle with you get by them.
Grey Pitbulls are also very affectionate towards children, and will always be ready to play with them and protect them.
Due to their size and energy, however, even innocent play could result in accidental injuries for kids, which is why you should always be around whenever your kids are playing with the dog.
The only members of the family whom the Grey Pitbull will not get along with are the other dogs and pets. While this can be tamed through socialization, Grey Pitbulls are best suited for single-pet homes.
Intelligent
Grey Pitbulls usually have silly grins on their faces, which makes people assume that they are not intelligent. However, these dogs are very brilliant, something that makes training them a very easy thing to do.
They also have a stubborn side and can be a handful for those who have never trained another dog before. You need to be patient with them and constantly show them that you’re in command.
Energetic
The Grey Pitbull is an athletic and energetic dog who loves being active, and therefore, you should be able to provide them with this kind of lifestyle.
Play with them often, take them on walks, hikes, and bicycle rides, and generally provide them with multiple avenues to burn off their energy.
Do Grey Pitbulls Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips For Grey Pitbulls
Brushing
If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, the Grey Pitbull won’t be suitable for you, because they shed constantly all year round. However, their short coats do not require lots of maintenance.
To remove dead hairs and other particles from your doggie’s coat, you should brush your Grey Pitbull daily. These brushing sessions will also provide you with an opportunity to bond with your four-legged buddy.
To avoid irritating or damaging sensitive skin, you should use a proper brushing tool, like the FURminator Undercoat Tool, which has a curved edge that is designed to be comfortable for your pooch.
You will also need to invest in a vacuum unless you’re comfortable living in a house full of dog hairs and dander. Here, the iRobot Roomba i3+ is your best bet. This vacuum is affordable, easy to use, and very effective at cleaning pet hair.
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Bathing
Bathing your Grey Pitbull once every two to three months is enough since you don’t want the oils on your doggie’s skin to get depleted. To avoid skin irritation, you should bathe your pooch using oatmeal shampoos, like the Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner.
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Aside from oatmeal, this shampoo also contains six other natural ingredients that help prevent irritation and keep your doggie’s coat shiny.
As you bathe your canine buddy, always check their skin for spots and rashes so that you can have them checked out early, before they become full-blown problems.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Grey Pitbull? Buying a Grey Pitbull puppy from a breeder will cost you between $1,000 and $3,000. Dogs with official papers showing their pedigree will generally cost more than those without papers. Most breeders also tend to charge more for female dogs. Aside from the cost of the puppy, don’t forget the other recurring costs associated with raising the puppy.
What Is The Difference Between Grey And Blue Pitbulls? Grey Pitbulls and Blue Pitbulls are usually one and the same. Even when Pitbulls are referred to as blue, their skin is not actually blue. Pitbulls with a coat color ranging from a silvery gray all the way to a deep charcoal all contain the recessive color-dilution gene and are all referred to as blue Pitbulls.
Why Do Pitbulls Go Grey? If your Pitbull starts going gray as they grow older, this could be part of the natural aging process caused by reduced production of melanin. However, greying could also be a sign that your pooch is stressed. If you think that your Pitbull is going gray prematurely, have them checked by a vet.
