Bull terrier colors

When talking about colors in the bull terrier breed, many of us think of the iconic color white. However, this dog exhibits a much wider range of colors and patterns. Would you know how to differentiate a white fawn from a white fawn?

Keep reading below to find out how many English bull terrier colors there are, what their possible combinations are, and how you can identify them.

What color can a bull terrier be?

The first thing to note is that depending on the color of the coat, bull terriers are classified into two main groups: white bull terriers and colored bull terriers. This is established by the standards of the FCI ( International Cynological Federation ), the AKC ( American Kennel Club ), and other international clubs.

Many will wonder why these two classifications since it is not something that we see in other races. The answer lies in the history of the bull terrier, whose first standard was defined in the 19th century. Early breeders agreed that the most desirable trait in the breed would be the spotless white coat.

This rule was adhered to for a long time but was eventually threatened and influenced by advocates of a colored bull terrier. This is how the bull terrier breed began to separate into two categories.

White bull terrier

Traditionally, white has been one of the most popular and desired colors in the breed. The pure white bull terrier exhibits a solid, unblemished coat, like porcelain.

Some people mistakenly believe that these white specimens are associated with albinism. An albino bull terrier will have pink nostrils as well as a reddish reflection in the eyes. Instead, a true white bull terrier will sport a black nose and his eyes will also be dark.

The white color is present in almost all other bull terriers. In fact, the coat with no white at all is undesirable in show rings.

White pigmented bull terriers

Now, within the group of whites, there are the so-called ” pigmented whites “. Typically, the dog has spots of another color on the head and around the ears, but these spots should never appear below the neckline. They can vary in shape, size, and color.

Considering the above, we can find the following variants:

White and black tabby

The dog is completely white, with a small black brindle marking on the head (light stripes on a black color).

White and brindle

The head marking is brown with dark streaks.

White and red

A red patch appears over the eye and ear.

White and sooty red

This variation is practically the same as white and red; however, the dog has a dark face, as if its muzzle has been blackened.

White, black, and tan

The head markings are black with hints of a tan or tan hue.

Bull terrier colors fawn & white

In the case of bull terrier colors fawn & white, the markings are pure tawny color.

White and sooty fawn

Very similar to the previous color, only in this case the bull terrier has a sooty/dark muzzle.

All combinations of white

• Pure white
• White and black tabby
• White and brindle
• White and red
• White and sooty red
• White, black, and tan
• White and fawn
• White and sooty fawn

Colored bull terriers

Red bull terrier

Red bull terriers range from a rusty hue to a deep red, even almost orange. A solid red specimen will have a completely red coat, except for a possible white spot on the snout, chest, and legs.

But there are also variations of this color. For example:

Sooty red

The sooty red is the same as the solid red, with the peculiarity of a darker snout.

Red and white

If the bull terrier’s coat has areas of white connecting and extending from the face and neck to the chest, belly, legs, and tip of the tail, then it is considered a red and white specimen.

Red and sooty white

If the dog is red with quite a bit of white and also has dark shading on the muzzle, it is said to be a sooty red and white.

All combinations of red

• Solid red
• Sooty red
• Red and white
• Red and sooty white

Bull terrier tawny / fawn / bay

In bull terriers these shades refer to a very pale version of red; in fact, both colors are caused by the same gene. That is why fawn and red can show the same combinations.

Solid Fawn is a uniform fawn shade throughout the dog’s body, although some markings may exist on the muzzle and paws.

Sooty fawn

Being a lighter color, the sooty snout stands out more strongly in this type of bay bull terrier. White markings may be present but should be limited.

Fawn and white

The fawn color is interrupted by areas of white on the face, neck, chest, legs, feet, and tail. Many know him as the beige and white bull terrier.

Fawn and sooty white

In addition to the abundant white color, this fawn bull terrier has a sooty pattern on the muzzle.

All combinations of fawn

• Solid fawn
• Fawn and white
• Sooty fawn
• Fawn and sooty white
• Brindle/variegated

Beautiful brindle bull terriers exhibit dark vertical stripes on a base color, which can be red, tan, or yellowish-brown. This produces a range of brindle tones, such as gold tabby, silver tabby, and red tabby. In turn, the brindle can appear lighter to darker.

On solids, the brindle pattern covers most of the body, except for a white patch on the chest area. Some may have small patches on the snout, chest, and legs. There should be white, but not too much.

In show rings, the Brindle bull terrier colour is preferred over all other colors.

Other common variations of this pattern are:

Brindle and white

The variegated pattern is interrupted by areas of white in the usual areas: face, neck, chest, belly, legs, feet, and tip of the tail.

Black tabby

This is the dog that people commonly refer to as a black bull terrier, but it is actually a brindle type.

Unlike the normal pattern, where the base color is very dark, practically black, and the brindle lines are lighter. However, these are only seen on specific areas of the coat, namely the eyebrows, cheeks, chest, and lower legs.

Black and white tabby

When the dog looks like a black brindle but has plenty of white on the face, neck, chest, belly, legs, and tail, then it is considered a black and white brindle bull terrier.

All combinations of fawn

• Solid tabby
• Brindle and white
• Black tabby
• Black and white tabby

Tricolor bull terrier

Lastly, there are tricolor-coated bull terriers. As their name indicates, these dogs exhibit 3 colors at the same time: black, white, and tan. Depending on their fur arrangement, they can create 2 different types of tricolor patterns.

They are:

Solid tricolor (black and tan)

• The coat is primarily black/black brindle, with tan patches on the eyebrows, cheeks, legs, and
• chest. White only appears as small patches on the legs, chest, and muzzle.

Tricolor (black, tan and white)

• The true tricolor bull terrier features large patches, both tan and white, in combination with the color black. Typically has white on the snout, chest, belly, legs, and the tip of the tail, as well as tan patches above the eyes, on cheeks, and along the legs.

All tricolor combinations

• Solid tricolor
• Tricolor

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