Long Haired Pitbull: The Complete Breed Guide for Owners

What Exactly Is a Long Haired Pitbull?

If you've scrolled through dog forums or rescue pages lately, you've probably seen photos of a stocky, blocky-headed dog with a surprisingly flowing, silky coat and wondered: is that really a pitbull? The short answer is yes — but with important caveats. A long haired pitbull isn't a separate breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. Instead, it's typically an American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), American Staffordshire Terrier, or pitbull-type mixed breed that carries a recessive long-coat gene, most commonly inherited from a distant ancestor like a Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, or another long-coated breed somewhere in its lineage.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognizes the American Pit Bull Terrier as a distinct breed, and the standard calls for a short, smooth coat. So a long haired pitbull technically falls outside the breed standard. That said, these dogs are increasingly visible in shelters, rescues, and even some breeder programs, and they deserve the same thorough care guidance as their short-coated counterparts.

Origin and Genetics: Where Does the Long Coat Come From?

The American Pit Bull Terrier traces its roots to 19th-century England and Ireland, where bulldog and terrier crosses were developed for bull-baiting and later as versatile farm and family dogs. Immigrants brought these dogs to the United States in the mid-1800s, where they were refined into the APBT we recognize today. The UKC officially registered the breed in 1898.

Standard APBTs have short, stiff, glossy coats — a trait controlled by dominant alleles at the FGF5 (fibroblast growth factor 5) gene locus. The long-coat variant is recessive, meaning a dog must inherit two copies of the long-hair allele (one from each parent) to express the trait. In pure APBT lines, this gene is essentially absent. When you see a long haired pitbull, the most likely explanation is that somewhere in the dog's pedigree — perhaps several generations back — a long-coated breed was introduced. Common contributors include Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and occasionally Cocker Spaniels or Setters.

Some breeders have begun intentionally crossing APBTs with long-coated breeds to produce "long haired pitbulls" as a niche market. Buyers should approach these programs with caution. There is no established breed standard, no multi-generational health testing protocol, and no predictability in coat length, shedding pattern, or temperament. Adoption from a shelter or pitbull-specific rescue (such as those affiliated with the ASPCA network) remains the most ethical and cost-effective route.

Temperament and Personality: What to Expect

Long haired pitbulls inherit the core behavioral profile of pitbull-type dogs. Coat length doesn't change personality — genetics, socialization, training, and environment do. Here are the five traits you'll most consistently see:

1. Human-Oriented and Affectionate
These dogs are notorious velcro dogs. Expect your long haired pitbull to follow you from room to room, lean against your legs while you cook, and attempt to sit in your lap despite weighing 50 pounds. This human-directed affection is one of the breed's most defining characteristics and was historically selected for — dogs that were aggressive toward people were culled from working lines.

2. High Drive and Tenacity
Pitbull-type dogs were bred for gameness — the willingness to persist at a task despite difficulty. In a modern household, this translates to a dog that will tug on a rope toy for 20 minutes straight, dig persistently at a buried scent in the yard, or stare at a squirrel through the window with unblinking focus. Channel this drive into structured activities like flirt pole sessions, scent work, or agility.

3. Dog Selectivity (Not Universal Aggression)
Many pitbull-type dogs are dog-selective or dog-intolerant, particularly as they mature past 2–3 years of age. This is a breed tendency, not a guarantee — some individuals are dog-social throughout life. However, plan for the possibility that your long haired pitbull may not enjoy dog parks or off-leash group play. Same-sex aggression is more commonly reported than opposite-sex aggression.

4. Sensitivity to Owner Emotion
These dogs read human body language with unusual acuity. Harsh corrections, yelling, or tense energy can cause a pitbull to shut down or become anxious. Positive reinforcement methods — treats, praise, play rewards — produce dramatically better results than punitive approaches. Force-free training isn't just an ethical preference here; it's a practical necessity.

5. Playfulness That Lasts Into Senior Years
Many pitbull owners report their dogs maintaining puppy-like play drive well into ages 8–10. A 12-year-old long haired pitbull may still enthusiastically chase a tennis ball, though at a more measured pace. This sustained playfulness makes them engaging companions but also means you'll need to provide enrichment throughout their entire life.

Physical Characteristics and Coat Details

A long haired pitbull retains the muscular, athletic build of the APBT. Expect a broad, wedge-shaped head with pronounced cheek muscles, a thick neck, a deep chest, and well-defined hindquarters. The topline is typically level, and the tail is thick at the base and tapers to a point — often described as a "pump handle" tail.

Weight: Males typically range from 40–65 lb (18–29 kg); females from 30–50 lb (14–23 kg). Some individuals from larger mixed lines may reach 70–75 lb (32–34 kg), but this often reflects non-APBT ancestry or overweight body condition.

Height: 17–21 inches (43–53 cm) at the withers. Males tend toward the upper end; females cluster around 17–19 inches.

Coat: The long coat on these dogs typically measures 2–4 inches in length across the body, with longer feathering on the chest, belly, back of the legs, and tail. The texture ranges from soft and silky (Border Collie-influenced) to slightly wiry (terrier-influenced). Colors span the full APBT spectrum: brindle, blue, red, fawn, black, white, and any combination of patches or markings. The nose can be black, red (liver), or blue (dilute).

Shedding: Moderate year-round with seasonal increases in spring and fall. A long haired pitbull will shed noticeably more than a short-coated APBT but less than a double-coated breed like a German Shepherd. Expect to find hair on clothing and furniture regularly.

Exercise and Activity Requirements

This is a high-energy, athletic dog that needs real physical and mental output every single day. "A walk around the block" will not suffice — an under-exercised pitbull is a destructive pitbull.

Total daily target: 60–90 minutes of combined physical and mental activity. Puppies under 18 months should have exercise scaled to their developing joints — roughly 5 minutes of structured activity per month of age, twice daily, with free play supplementing.

Swimming is an excellent low-impact option for pitbull-type dogs, though not all individuals take to water naturally. A dog-specific life jacket (such as the Ruffwear Float Coat, approximately $95) is strongly recommended for any water activity, as pitbulls' muscular, dense bodies give them a lower natural buoyancy than lighter-framed breeds.

Health Issues and Prevention

Long haired pitbulls share the health profile of APBTs and closely related breeds. The long coat itself does not introduce unique health risks, but the mixed ancestry that produces it may introduce conditions from the contributing breed. Always consult your veterinarian to develop a breed-appropriate health screening plan.

Skin allergies deserve special attention in long haired pitbulls because the longer coat can trap allergens (pollen, dust mites, mold spores) against the skin more than a short coat would. Weekly baths with a veterinary-recommended hypoallergenic shampoo (such as Douxo S3 Calm or Malaseb, depending on the diagnosis) can significantly reduce flare-ups. Your veterinarian will determine the appropriate medicated shampoo based on skin cytology results.

Grooming Requirements

The long coat requires more maintenance than a standard APBT's short coat but far less than a show-line Afghan Hound or Old English Sheepdog. Here's a practical grooming schedule:

Brushing (3–4 times per week): Use a slicker brush (the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, ~$17, works well for this coat type) followed by a wide-toothed metal comb to catch any tangles near the skin. Pay particular attention to the feathering behind the ears, the chest ruff, and the "pants" on the back of the hind legs — these are the most mat-prone areas. Each brushing session should take 10–15 minutes.

Bathing (every 4–6 weeks): Use a dog-specific shampoo formulated for sensitive skin, as pitbull-type dogs are prone to contact dermatitis. Thoroughly rinse all product — residual shampoo trapped in a longer coat is a common cause of hot spots. Towel dry and follow with a blow-dryer on a cool setting if the coat is thick enough to retain moisture.

Nail Trims (every 2–3 weeks): Overgrown nails alter gait and put stress on already-vulnerable hip and knee joints. Use a scissor-style nail clipper or a rotary grinder like the Dremel PawControl 7760-PGK (~$35).

Ear Cleaning (weekly): Pitbull-type dogs often have semi-prick or rose ears. The longer coat can reduce airflow around the ear canal, increasing the risk of yeast and bacterial otitis. Clean weekly with a veterinary ear wash (Epi-Otic Advanced or TrizUltra + Keto) and cotton balls — never cotton swabs inside the canal.

Dental Care (daily ideal, minimum 3× per week): Brush with a dog-specific enzymatic toothpaste (Virbac C.E.T. or Sentry Petrodex). Dental disease affects an estimated 80% of dogs by age 3, and pitbulls are not exempt.

Training and Intelligence

Trainability rating: High. Pitbull-type dogs are intelligent, eager to engage, and highly food-motivated — a combination that makes them responsive to structured training. They consistently perform well in obedience, rally, agility, and nose work competitions sanctioned by organizations like the UKC and the American Dog Sport Association.

Recommended methods: Positive reinforcement exclusively. Use high-value food rewards (small pieces of boiled chicken, freeze-dried liver, or Zuke's Mini Naturals) for new behaviors, and transition to intermittent reinforcement once a behavior is fluent. Clicker training is particularly effective for shaping complex behaviors.

Key training priorities for this breed:

• Loose-leash walking: Pitbulls are strong pullers. Start leash training by 10–12 weeks of age. A front-clip harness (Ruffwear Front Range or Freedom No-Pull Harness) gives you mechanical advantage without causing tracheal damage.
• Impulse control: Teach "leave it," "wait," and a solid "drop it" by 6 months. These commands are safety-critical for a powerful, driven dog.
• Recall: Build a reliable recall in low-distraction environments before attempting off-leash work. Given dog-selectivity tendencies, off-leash time should be in fenced areas only — not open parks.
• Crate training: Essential for managing destructive behavior when unsupervised and for safe confinement during introductions to new animals. Use a MidWest iCrate (42-inch for most males, 36-inch for most females).

Aversive tools — shock collars, prong collars, choke chains, and alpha rolls — are contraindicated for pitbull-type dogs. These methods exploit the breed's gameness (they will endure pain to complete a behavior), which can mask distress until it escalates into a redirected bite or a complete behavioral shutdown. Certified force-free trainers (look for CPDT-KA or IAABC credentials) are the best investment for any first-time pitbull owner.

Family Suitability and Living Environment

With Children: Well-socialized pitbulls are generally excellent with children, known for their tolerance and gentle mouth. However, no dog of any breed should be left unsupervised with children under 10. Teach children to respect the dog's resting space and to never approach during meals or when the dog is chewing a high-value item. The long coat can actually be a benefit here — it's softer to pet and less likely to cause scratch marks from enthusiastic tail wags.

With Other Dogs: Plan for dog-selectivity. Introduce any new dog gradually over 2–4 weeks using parallel walks and controlled, on-leash meetings. Same-household dog pairs work best when one dog is clearly more submissive and when both are spayed/neutered. Never leave two dog-selective dogs unsupervised together, even if they've cohabitated peacefully for years — pitbull fights, when they occur, tend to be intense and difficult to interrupt.

With Cats and Small Animals: High prey drive is common. Some pitbulls coexist peacefully with household cats (especially if raised together from puppyhood), but introducing an adult pitbull to a home with cats carries significant risk. Small mammals — rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters — should always be kept in secure, dog-inaccessible enclosures.

Apartment Living: Feasible, but not ideal. A long haired pitbull can thrive in an apartment if the owner commits to 60–90 minutes of daily outdoor activity and provides indoor enrichment. The bigger challenge is breed-specific legislation: many apartment complexes and rental insurers maintain breed restriction lists that include "pitbulls" regardless of coat type. Before adopting, verify your lease terms, renter's insurance policy, and local municipal codes. A DNA test (Embark or Wisdom Panel, ~$100–$200) can sometimes help if your dog is a mix and doesn't match restricted breed descriptions — though this is not guaranteed to override a landlord's policy.

Cost of Ownership

Puppy or Adoption Cost:

• Adoption from a shelter or rescue: $50–$350 (typically includes spay/neuter, initial vaccines, microchip)
• Responsible breeder (health-tested APBT parents): $800–$2,500 — though breeders intentionally producing long coats are rare and often not following established health-testing protocols
• "Designer" long haired pitbull from an unverified breeder: $500–$1,500 — buyer beware; these programs frequently lack OFA clearances, genetic testing, and take-back clauses

Annual Care Cost Breakdown (estimated for a 45 lb adult dog):

First-year costs will be higher due to initial supplies (crate, harness, leash, bed, bowls — budget $300–$500) and the puppy vaccination series if applicable (DHPP boosters at 8, 12, and 16 weeks plus rabies at 16 weeks, totaling $150–$300). Emergency veterinary care is not included in these estimates — a single emergency visit for bloat, a torn CCL, or an allergic crisis can cost $1,500–$5,000, which is why pet insurance or a dedicated emergency fund is strongly recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions