What exactly is an American Blue Pit Bull Terrier?

By Jason J. Row

After reading a few web sites on the subject, I learned that an American Blue Pit Bull Terrier (ABPBT) is quite simply one with a “blue” coat and nose. They can range anywhere from a light gray to deep charcoal, almost black color. Also, ABPBT’s have grayish nose leather rather than the more common black nose. Blue Pit Bulls ARE NOT a separate breed or a distinct bloodline of the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT).

What causes the blue-gray color is a dilution of the color black.  The genetic make-up of a blue dog contains a recessive trait that causes the color pigmentation to gather around the middle of the hair shaft, thus leaving the tips colorless.  What we see with our eyes is the light to dark gray that is commonly called blue.

You may remember, from freshman biology class, that in order for a recessive trait, like blue eyes in humans, to be expressed in the offspring, BOTH parents must carry the gene for the recessive trait.  (If anyone knows where Mrs. Lobby, my highschool biology teacher, is, PLEASE TELL HER TO READ THIS!! I WAS PAYING ATTENTION 🙂 ) If you add to that, the alleles that influence coat and skin color and color patterns are found in several places along the canine genome, you then can truly understand how tricky producing a particular color can be.

Breeders who specialize in ABPBT’s, in order to ensure the production of blue pups, must necessarily limit themselves to a very small gene pool. It’s not uncommon for breeders to use dogs from the same families over and over in repeated breedings to bring the recessive traits to the fore. This practice, when overdone, is associated with both health and behavioral problems. Please contact Taylor Blue’s Kennel for more information on theirs and other kennels breeding practices.

The most common health problems associated with ABPBT’s are dermatological diseases including alopecia, hot spots and mange. These conditions are very treatable and over time, completely resolved if your canine inherits it.

According to The Encyclopedia of the American Pit Bull Terrier, “the cells that create pigmentation interact closely with the neurological and immune systems.” The article suggests that this may explain why dogs with recessive coloration, like the ABPBT, seem more susceptible to neurological conditions and immune disorders.

All breeds of canines have genetic “issues”. I was warned to not get a Dalmatian because they are prone to deafness. At age 7, my Dalmatian, Pixel, has shown no signs of this, however, she still does not listen to me. My point – get the American Blue Pit Bull Terrier if you are moved to do so. I took one look into Tiburon’s baby blue eyes and fell in love – despite his potential to develop skin issues he is a part of our family “in sickness and in health.” After not even a week of ownership he has wiggled his way into my wife’s, Pixel’s, Navajo’s and my heart forever.

His Name is Tiburón (Day 4 of our American Blue Pit Bull Ownership)

By Jason J. Row

First off, I’d like to express gratitude to the people at Taylor Blue’s Kennel for turning us onto the wonderful world of Pit Bulls and the Pit Bull culture. And I’d also like to thank them for allowing me to be a contributor to their blog dedicated to the world of American Blue Pit Bulls.

I am a long time dog owner with one Dalmatian / Pointer named Pixel and a Terrier mutt mix named Navajo.  I, like many people, have always upheld and adhered to the current, negative stereotype of Pit Bulls. I’ve never been drawn to them and have even left dog parks when one would show up.  However, due to circumstances in the town I have moved too, I decided I needed a good companion dog who doubles as a watch dog and be a deterrent to anyone who should decide to invade my property and protect my wife when I travel.

After much research on the web and talking with some owners of the Pit Bull breed; getting one was the obvious choice for three reasons:

1. Deterrent: Let’s face it, Pit Bulls make the news more often than not for sensationalism purposes. One never hears about the standard Poodle who bites the neighbors kid. But, when a Pit Bull does the same thing it becomes a “mauling” and is headline news in small and even larger communities around the United States.  From my research, this is an American phenomenon and is not reported in the international community.  Also because of illegal dog fighting rings, Pit Bulls have become front page news as “bred to be killers” when it’s obvious if you read between the lines that the owners have trained them to be attack dogs.  There is no official database for tracking Pit Bull attacks, so national statistics are difficult to quantify. Please read the article in the Detroit Free Press for more on this subject and please take the poll: “Companion or Killers”.

Because of their current bad press I have decided to get one to be a deterrent, even though I do not believe that they are a vicious dog by nature.  I think they are trained to be just like any other dog can be trained to be.  My grandma had a “vicious” miniature-Poodle when I was growing up.  It would not let anyone near her when it was in the room.  My sister still has the scar on her brow to prove it.

2. Protection:  As with most dogs, temperament should be considered.  My research has found that American Pit Bulls are courageous, full of energy, and loyal.  As with most loyal dogs, they are protective when they sense danger.  That is the second trait that attracted me to the Pit Bull.  I wanted a dog that would protect my wife should she be endangered.  Prior to our marriage she was the victim of a home invasion and I am 100% sure this invasion would never have taken place if a Pit Bull was guarding the home and property that she and her ex-husband lived on.  I hope now that she will sleep better at night knowing that our little shark, Tiburón (name derives from the Spanish word tiburón, which means “shark“), is patrolling the waters outside our home.  I don’t wish harm to anyone, but, should someone decide to come onto our property uninvited I know I will sleep better during my travels knowing that Tiburón is on guard duty at home.  I will soon be posting signs to warn uninvited persons that there is a Pit Bull on guard duty and I have already been walking the puppy around the neighborhood introducing him to the locals so they know he’s here and to socialize him with people in a positive way, especially children.

3.  Companionship:  Pit Bull lovers say the dogs are the most loyal, intelligent and friendly dogs when raised correctly.  They say rogue owners ruin the dogs’ reputation by abusing them and raising them to fight.  “They’re just like any other dog,” says breeder Rob Watson, 29, of Warren, Michigan. “It all comes down to the owner.”  “In my opinion, Pit Bulls are probably the most popular dog in the history of the United States,” said Adam Goldfarb, issues specialist for the Humane Society of the United States in Gaithersburg, MD. “When I say popular, I don’t mean well-liked. I mean numerous.”

My feeling on this is in America, the American Pit Bull has flourished. It was one of the most popular breeds, highly prized by a wide variety of people. The Pit Bull was used to represent the US in WWI artwork; popular companies like RCA and the Buster Brown Shoe Company used the breed as their mascots. A Pit Bull named Petie starred in the popular children’s television series, Our Gang; a Pit Bull mix named Stubby became a decorated WWI hero. Pit Bulls accompanied pioneer families on their explorations. Laura Ingalls Wilder of the popular Little House books owned a working Pit Bulldog named Jack.  Famous individuals like Theodore Roosevelt and Helen Keller owned the breed.  It was during this time that the Pit Bull truly became America’s sweetheart breed, admired, respected and loved.

It’s for these historical reasons and other research I did that I figured that despite its breeds current “bad rap,” how bad can this breed really be?  We’ll find out.  Please check back often to this blog for more updates on Tiburon’s progress as a pet companion, deterrent and protector!!