Height:
18 – 22 inches
Weight:
30 – 75 pounds
Lifespan:
10 – 15 years
Colors:
Striped or brindle pattern, any color combinations except solid white
Suitable for:
Active families or individuals, dog-experienced owners, suburban and rural homes or city homes with a fenced-in yard, those looking for a dog that gets along well with children
Temperament:
Confident, Strong, Loyal, Stoic, Fun-loving, Friendly towards people and kids
Looking for a dog who has a bark worse than their bite? Look no further than the Tiger Stripe Pit Bull! Though physically imposing due to their striking stripes and muscular build, this breed is well known to be some of the sweetest goofballs in the canine world.
The history of the Tiger Stripe Pit Bull began in England, in the 19th century when people started crossing Bulldogs and terriers. When brought to the United States, the American Pit Bull Terrier was developed as a companion, guard dog, and livestock driver.
The breed was beloved of farmers for their fearless handling of large animals, but sweet and easygoing nature in the home. Today they are bred as work dogs and companions.
Unfortunately, the American Pit Bull Terrier got its name and bad reputation from when they were used as pit fighters. Though animal pit fighting is now illegal in most countries, the American Pit Bull Terrier remains one of the most widely legislated-against dog breeds in the world.
Tiger Stripe Pit Bull Puppies – Before You Buy…
The Tiger Stripe Pit Bull is mainly bred as a companion dog. Sweet, playful, and loving, it is an outgoing and friendly dog with everyone it meets, and it is only naturally aggressive toward other dogs. Muscular and powerful in physique, this is a dog that needs plenty of exercise and training from its owners.
When adding a Tiger Stripe Pit Bull to your family you should consider their care a long-term commitment. They are robust, moderately long-lived dogs and regularly live at least 10 years, though many live well into their teens!
For truly eye-catching tiger stripe coats, you may want to approach a breeder. If you do, consider preparing a list of questions about how the breeder raises and cares for their puppies.
Be sure to especially ask about what kind of socialization and training their puppies receive, as the earlier they are socialized with humans and other dogs the better! The more questions you ask, the more prepared you’ll be when your new puppy comes home with you.
What’s the Price of Tiger Stripe Pit Bull Puppies?
Though some show dogs and work dogs are prohibitively expensive from a breeder (even going as high as $20,000!), you can expect an American Pit Bull Terrier to run anywhere from $500-$2,000. And, for a specific coat pattern like the tiger stripe, you may be looking at the more expensive end of that range.
Fortunately, for those seeking this breed, but perhaps unfortunate for the dogs themselves, you can often find Pit Bulls in shelters and up for adoption. The cost to adopt a puppy is generally about $300 and includes all vaccinations and neuter/spay fees.
3 Little-Known Facts About Tiger Stripe Pit Bull
1. Pit Bulls Have a History as Performers
Though they have a more complicated reputation nowadays, the American Pit Bull Terrier used to be one of America’s favorite breeds. Petey, canine star of the Little Rascals, was a Pit Bull. And you may also remember the Buster Brown shoe dog, Tige or the RCA dog, Nipper.
Some Pit Bulls are even musical performers. The band Caninus is fronted by two female Pit Bulls who bark and “sing” along with instrumentals. They even collaborated with a band featuring an African Parrot.
2. Some Do Not Recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a Breed
Some contend that “Pit Bull” is a type of dog, and the American Pit Bull Terrier is a specific breed underneath that umbrella. Others, like the American Kennel Club, do not consider the American Pit Bull Terrier to be a specific enough term and refuse to recognize it.
The AKC does, however, recognize this breed’s closest relatives like the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
3. The American Pit Bull Terrier Has Many Names
Think the full title is a bit of a mouthful? Well, you’re in luck! There are many abbreviations and nicknames for this breed, such as APBT, Pit Bull, Pittie, and the ridiculously saccharine Pibbles.
Furthermore, many have tried to change the name. In the 1990s residents of San Francisco tried to change it to the St. Francis Terrier. And the New York City Animal Care and Control tried out the name “New Yorkies” in 2004. Neither gained much traction and thus the name remains.
There is even another name for the tiger stripe coat pattern, which is more commonly known as “brindle.”
Temperament & Intelligence of the Tiger Stripe Pit Bull
The Tiger Stripe Pit Bull is a heart-warming combination of capable and gentle. Bred to be strong and tenacious when working, it is also one of the kindest and most patient of companions for children.
Active and alert, the Pit Bull is highly sociable with humans and makes friends easily. This breed is naturally friendly with most animals, the only exception being other dogs. But with good training and socialization, the Pit Bull is a patient and good-natured dog.
And in this case, brawn does not exclude brains, as the Pit Bull is also a bright and perceptive canine. This pup will love having a job to do. Whether it is alerting you to newcomers, cuddling, watching over the kids, or even facing down a bull — this keen pooch will do that job 110%!
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Despite their fearsome reputation, Pit Bulls are excellent family dogs. They are exuberantly friendly with humans, and especially gentle and patient with children.
In fact, they love people so much that we recommend them to families more so than the individual. The more attention and love they can get, the better. Plus, more people usually means more walks and more playtime. For the Tiger Stripe Pit Bull that’s a total win!
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Though every dog is different, and socialization plays a big role, there is a significant possibility that a Tiger Stripe Pit Bull could become aggressive with other dogs — particularly those of the same sex. If you have a dog already or plan on getting another, make sure they are of the opposite sex.
And, as always, socialize early! A properly socialized, well-trained Pit Bull can be a great friend to other pets, including cats. Supervision is advised initially, but once a good relationship is established the Pit Bull usually makes friends for life.
Things to Know When Owning a Tiger Stripe Pit Bull
We know getting a dog is a decision that requires a lot of consideration. So, to help you go into that decision-making process with as much information as possible, here’s a rundown of what the basic care and upkeep of a Tiger Stripe Pit Bull will look like.
Food & Diet Requirements
Tiger Stripe Pit Bulls are incredibly athletic, hardworking dogs. And feeding them a well-balanced diet is perhaps the most important part of helping them grow up strong and healthy.
Like us, dogs need a diverse variety of whole foods like animal proteins, vegetables, and fruits in their diet. When choosing a dog food, skip the advertisements and check the ingredient list. Try to avoid brands that are full of byproduct ingredients and cheap grains, like corn and wheat.
Active dogs, like Pit Bulls, do well with food rich in fats and lean proteins. These nutrients support muscle growth, a healthy coat and skin, and provide fuel for their active lives. Fatty acids like omega-3 and 6 are of note, as they can help prevent and lessen the severity of joint pain as your dog ages.
Exercise
Active and athletic, the Tiger Stripe Pit Bull is a pup that does best with multiple outdoor exercise opportunities per day. Though they can adapt to city life, we highly recommend giving this breed a fenced-in yard or bigger property to cavort in.
Though easygoing in the home, these dogs will relish the chance to get active with their family. Take them for long walks, hikes, runs, or just go out to play — whatever the activity, your Tiger Stripe Pit Bull will enjoy their exercise all the more if it is with you!
Training
Due to their unfortunate reputation and large size, it is important to train your Tiger Stripe Pit Bull from an early age. Though very friendly towards people, there is the possibility of your dog displaying aggressive behavior toward other dogs — especially those of the same sex.
You cannot always rely on other people and dogs to act appropriately, so being able to extract your dog from potentially dangerous situations is incredibly important. To keep your pup safe, and others, you need to be able to command your dog’s attention effectively.
On the bright side, your Tiger Stripe Pit Bull will love training with you! Not only will you be giving them an important job to do, you’ll be learning to communicate and building trust between you and your dog. They can be a little stubborn, but they will quickly come to appreciate the structure training provides.
If you are an inexperienced dog owner, or just never trained your dog before, consider seeking out guidance from a professional. Between books, internet resources, and in-person lessons, you and your pup will surely be able to work together and have a great time doing it!
Grooming ✂️
Tiger Stripe Pit Bulls have short, smooth fur that sheds a modest amount most of the time, but amps up for a short stint around spring. Nothing a little brushing and the occasional bath won’t help!
These pups love to run and exercise, which means they may wear their toenails down naturally. However, nail trimming from time to time is encouraged. A regular trim will prevent cracking and lessen the chance of you or your pup being on the receiving end of an accidental scratch.
Though it sounds a little funny, we recommend brushing your dog’s teeth about once a week. Doing so will keep their gums healthy and free of infection, and even freshen their doggy breath a little. There are a variety of tools for the job, including toys and treats designed to clean teeth as they are chewed!
You should also swab your Pit Bulls ears of any dirt or wax every week or so. Clean ears are far less likely to get infections or harbor parasites.
Health Conditions
Generally speaking, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a hearty, strong breed and has few serious health concerns. But, just like the gorgeous stripes on the Tiger Stripe Pit Bulls coat, health conditions can also be inherited.
Here is a list of the main issues to be aware of for owning a Tiger Stripe Pit Bull.
- Allergies
- Cataracts
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hip dysplasia
Male vs Female
Though personality differences will vary by the dog, there are a couple of distinctions between male and female Tiger Stripe Pit Bulls.
Females are more delicate in physical build and can be a bit reserved. Males grow larger and display sexually aggressive behaviors like mounting, humping, or urine marking territory more frequently.
Final Thoughts
So, is the Tiger Stripe Pit Bull the best breed for you?
If you do not have any interest in spending time training a large dog that may need your guidance and patience, probably not.
However, if you are willing to learn to communicate with this strong breed, you will have one of the sweetest and most loyal companions in the whole world!
Featured Image Credit: ubasov Pavel, shutterstock
