This is perhaps the biggest load of nonsense surrounding Pit Bulls. The truth is, blue Pit Bulls are not rare or unique, and in fact they are being bred like crazy by irresponsible backyard breeders looking to make extra cash. Merle, Blue and Silver varieties are all quite easy to find, and within the next few years the blue pits will be as common as the red nose Pits in local shelters – which is where most of them, unfortunately, will end up. Don’t believe me? Look in the pets section of any local classified section and you will find dozens of people breeding and selling these dogs. In fact, I would not be surprised if an ad for Blue Pit bulls appeared on this page somewhere while you were reading.
The problem with breeding dogs to get a certain color is that certain things such as good temperament and health are overlooked. Many blue Pits end up with very fearful temperaments and are prone to skin disorders, in addition to other health problems. Pit Bull breeders will ask upwards of $5,000 or a single pup of the “rare” blue coat, and it is truly one of the saddest things I have ever seen.
Blue pits are not rare, and they are often simply a way for irresponsible people with no morals to make money off a craze and further damage this hurting breed. I am not saying Blue PitBulls are not great dogs, but for the most part their breeders are rotten people just out to make some quick cash. This not only applies to Blue Pitbull breeders, but also for any breeder breeding for coat color, eye color, width, big fat heads, short little legs, or whatever attribute they see people are going crazy for. Breeding for profit, especially the Pit Bull, is a moral crime against the very animals they claim they love.
Be part of the solution, instead of part of the problem. Do not breed or buy while shelter animals die.
Posting from Philadelphia Craigslist, dated 5/14/08 –
This beautiful blue pitbull terrier is Gina!
Poor Gina has a sad story – Gina was kept as a “breeding” dog. Because of her beauty and color, Gina was obviously forced to bear litter after litter of puppies, which we are sure were taken from her and sold for profit on the streets. Gina is now about eight years old and since she is no longer good for breeding, her heartless “owner” simply tossed her out into those same streets.
Gina was not a beloved pet and it is sad that she doesn’t really understand what love and affection are all about. Gina is wishing for a home that will give her the golden years that she deserves and a chance to know happiness!
Gina is calm and gentle. She doesn’t really care for other animals but would love a child of any age. It is not too late for Gina to have a happy life – Please spread the word that Gina is available at Camden County Animal Shelter and is waiting and praying for a second chance!
teresa says
I think you are wrong to judge all breeders based on the ones you are not happy with. I breed blues, bostons, and oldies. I love each of my dogs and they are not bred time after time, They are valued in my home very much and I am saddend that you think every breeder is heartless. I often get told that my dogs get better treatment than my human family members. Maybe you should have a little more information before you spit off at the mouth. Also, when my dog is through breeding, She lives her life out in comfort with us just as she has her entire life. I love my bullies and resent the idea you are putting forth here.
Cheryl says
Dear Teresa,
I dont think this article is suggesting that all breeders are bad, but you have to recognize the fact that there are alot of people right now ruening the chances for you and i to have pitts and not be classed. statisics show that people now more than ever are inner breading the blue to get only the color of their coat. which in turn is making the breed mean. i also own a beautiful pitt and have always chose that breed over any other because of there loyalty, Bailey, who i love to death is already catagorized as being unstable and MEAN, because of her breed, but with the constant spred of greed and disconcern for the breeed itself, and just for the color of the coat we as a society have to stick together and stop these ignorant people from ruining it for all of us that love pitts so much. Having my Bailey in my home not only makes me feel safer it makes me feel alomost untouchable to a predator, because of how loyal she is to my family. i have two small children and she is so protective over them it gives me chills to see her in action. she is smart and attentive and not just this giant muscle running around, she has a brain. sent from a true pitt lover and by the way she can sit, shake, speak, lay down, fetch, skit it “her rope”, and will be able to roll over by the end of the weekend and shes only 5 months old.
Roxanne Huff says
You go girl! Praise God! I love my bullys and it’s a beautiful breed loving friendly dogs. I call my Male my son lol and my children his brother. I also own an American Staffordshire. Female. Very sweet gentle dogs . I belive God gave us animals for enjoyment. Not to abuse . But a dog is a dog. Any breed can be aggressive. Take chihuahuas for example haha mean lil boogers haha. Anyways I really liked your response to that message to us back yard breeders. Who live with there pets n they have real names. Not AKC weird ones. Haha and they are only odvisly making money on there dogs. There making more money … I’m just asking pay for 1st shots and wormed and profit to pay good high protein dog food treats bones I enjoy my babys.
monkeysausage says
Breeders should be heavily regulated w/ huge license fees and even larger penalties for violators. Lazy humans getting paid for humping their K9’s should be disgraced!
Cheryl says
you have nailed it!!!!!!!!
Lisa says
I agree with both sides of these comments,but my opinion is, the steps one should take to be the best Pit Bull breeder are, walking your shelter to get a feel for the amount of Pits that are coming in, (if there are 100’s a month coming in like my area, then don’t breed spend the time educating instead..)Also Just because you take great care of your dogs, does not mean there future homes will (no matter how nice the home looks does not mean it is, everyone is nice when they want something). I also think if you are going to breed the most euthanized breed in our shelters, then have a lifetime return policy and a spay/nueter contract. If you have produced 30 dogs then be willing to take back 30 dogs and rehome them.. Lastly microchip everyone of the pups before they leave, and put yourself (the breeder as the first contact…) This will help you know if they are being well taken care of…
JMO on how to help the suffering of these amazing animlas..
Cheryl says
stop breeding period right now there should be a law stopping all breeding untill the ones that need homes get them. stop the greedy bullshit and just take part in humane practice and compassion for the ones that already need homes. theres plenty of them out there! people are to concerned with a puppy, the color of a dam coat when the problem lies dieing in a kennel somewhere, nobody cares about. Vio Lobos is a prime example she takes care of over 200 pitts at any given time and do you see people flocking to her doors? shes on tv for Gods sake. what the hell is wrong with people. ill tell you what is wrong its called education and knowledge. people are unaware of the problem as a whole. people think theyre all mean and cant be civilized which is not true. she needs help addopting her dogs out and money to just keep the organization running, but instead of people being contisouse about situations like that they would rather say, ” i want a “blue” and buy from a dirt bag piece of shit around the corner!!!!!!!!! this is our problem as a society of pitt lovers and owners… we need to educate each other and stick together to make it easier, not only to own one, but to breed if you are responsible enough to be able to do so. As it stands right now there are way to many bulldogs awaiting homes that are not being addopted because they are “bad”. Lets take care of the ones in shelters first before we worry about breeding for profit. yes i will admit i did trade my three wheeler for my Bailey from a person on graigs list, because he was so desperate to find homes for them. nobody had even contacted him about any of his puppies, and only because she is identical to the brendal i owned before she was hit by a car and just couldnt take the pain anymore when i saw her i knew it was fait… i will practice what i preach as i have always done in the past with other dogs that need homes. you go to the shelter first! that should be the rule in every home when adopting a pet…
Alda says
I don’t understand why you people are mad at the breeders when it’s the scumbags that are the ones who get rid of the dog because they don’t want to take care of it any more. They are the ones you should be bashing. It’s not the breeders fault.
Alixan Spaulding says
I think there should be a ban on breeding of any variety as long as there are so many dogs, cats, and other animals in the shelters. Why should so many loving, beautiful animals get the death sentence just because their owners got sick of them or were too lazy to find an apartment or home that accepts pets?
Sarah says
I think they should ban people breeding b/c there are too many ignorant people out there.
Tad says
Why would I pay 75+ dollars for an adult dog, that I don’t know the history of, when I can buy a pup from a breeder and take one more pup from having the chance of being a fighter or just another breeding dog? I have 3 bully’s. 2 are fixed and one will be once he is old enough. I’ve had 8 counting my new pup, and all have died naturally, with only one of them having a single litter of pups. If shelters are so worried about the dogs they take in why charge so much? Most of the workers are volunteers and alot of the food is donated, along with supporters that send money and don’t even adopt dogs. And you call “backyard” breeders greedy? So putting a dog down because you can’t sell it is not greed? The fact is people need to be more responsible for there actions. Breeders, shelters, and pet owners alike. A finger can’t be pointed at any one group. What about the people that buy dogs just to have them for a “show dog” and spend thousands and thousands of dollars getting the one “perfect” dog for that breed just to show boat it in some competition?…. I don’t buy my dogs for any show, I don’t get dogs to make me money, I have a job for that, and I don’t think my right to buy a puppy should be called in question because you decided to jump on your soap box.
April says
Seventy five dollars? What shelter do you go to, my baby Blue was 125 and that was only because a woman who fell in love with him but couldn’t have him put fifty dollars down, he has all his shots and is neutered. Do you realize how expensive a pure bred puppy is? Do you realize how expensive all the necessary vacinations are, not to mention spaying or neutering? And although you are right, people do need to own up to their actions, THEY AREN’T GOING TO. So why not save a dogs life? Why should you support a practice that is often (not always) cruel and inhumane to those dogs that are being used as a womb and food source and that is it? Why should you support a practice that most times puts those puppies into situations where they will end up in the shelter at some point in their lifes anyways?
Jessica says
I’m sorry but this is the most ignorant comment I think I have EVER read!
1. Because for every pup you buy from a backyard breeder, you just encourage them to continue in that same irresponsible practice.
2. Really?? You think shelters just have TONS of volunteers lining up at their doors every day?? And just tons and tons of people just sending them money all the time?? You think those vets who spay and neuter and vaccinate these dogs just do it for free?? What world do you live in, because it’s certainly not this one. EVERY SINGLE SHELTER I KNOW operates on a shoestring budget. And our current culture of ME ME ME does not lend to a steady stream of people willing to just volunteer their time, because GOD FORBID they lift a finger and NOT GET PAID for it!
3. You’re right, it is your right to buy a puppy from wherever you want, but it is also my right to tell you that you are directly and literally contributing to the sad, sad culture of backyard breeders.
I just really can’t believe someone could be this IGNORANT about the reality of the situation of overpopulation in animal shelters.
VC says
I agree that there are many dogs out there who need homes, pit bulls included, but simply banning all dog breeding and waiting for people to adopt dogs that are put in animal shelters is not going to solve very much. Dogs need (responsible) breeders, and if a law passed to restrict breeders there will most likely be conflicts on who is responsible and who is not and what are the ethical and political limits to what the government should do. People wishing to adopt dogs can go to breeders for information and choose a breed that has a specific care regimen instead of a cross-bred dog which may be unpredictable especially for a family just learning to enjoy the comforts of having an animal around the house. Even though the existence of breeders doesn’t really shine the spotlight on stray dogs they do serve as beacons of information and support into the dog/ animal world (believe it or not some people DON’T like any animals)and to simply get rid of or restrain them cuts off a major branch of breed preservation and may even set up a black market for the “popular” dogs while doing little for strays.
Sabrina says
So nicely written, short and to the point. Glad to find something like this to share around.
Hope Hammers says
Actually I was surprised and upset when reading this. My blue pit was pure accident. Neither his mother nor his father were blue. They were just family pets who had babies and 1 was blue. This article makes it seem like if you have one people should hate you and that it won’t behave. But that’s not true… I adore my animals. And all 3 of my pits and very well behaved.
Kerry says
I don’t think this was aimed at someone like you that just happened to have a blue. What I got from this article is geared toward irresponsible backyard breeders. I love blues and have been wanting one but the thing is, looking on craigslist wanting to give a puppy a good home has just been a dead end. A small rehoming fee or small adoption fee is ok on there but there are ALOT of people that obviously are just breeding and selling on there because when they end up with a blue in the litter they want to ask $250 up to $500 just trying to make alot of money and there are some just breeding blues and want to ask a fortune. It is ridiculous
Sarah says
$250 for a puppy is not ridiculous….that is if they have been to a vet and are UTD on shots….if they are breeding to better the breed (Not saying this should happen just saying)then $250 is really good price…after paying stud fee, care for prego mama and vitamins….delivery of pups, laundry all the cleaning, after the pups wean puppy food and the vetting of the puppies, at $250 you are losing money….that being said adopt from shelters….you can get a puppy UTD on shots help a homeless animal, and they are spayed/neutered. Win Win Win
Alda Lynn Pedraza says
I don’t understand why everyone is hating on the breeders, when the ones you should be hating on are the people who buy the the dogs than decided they didn’t want them anymore and just drops them off at the shelter. And not all dogs at shelters are there because they aren’t wanted sometimes things happen and there isn’t anything they can do about it. the ignorant people who only want dogs just to have them and don’t care for them are the ones who deserve the blame.