What Is A Red Nose Pitbull?

A red nose Pitbull is a variety of the American Pitbull Terrier. Why is it called a red nose Pit Bull? For the simple reason, it happens to have a red nose. Similarly, the blue nose Pitbull is called so because it has a blue color nose.

The Pitbull, unfortunately, comes with a tainted history. The name pit bull is derived from ancient bloodsports like bear baiting and bull baiting. These dogs were originally bred as fighting dogs in the 1800s and were forced to face animals like bulls and bears in the pit fighting circuit. These bloodsports were finally banned in Great Britain in 1835, which was when these dogs were introduced in the United States as working dogs by English immigrants. These immigrants used these dogs on their farms, mostly to keep their livestock in control.

The American Pitbull Terrier comes in a variety of colors, but the red nose Pitbull happens to be one of the most popular. These dogs are athletic, fun, protective, and loyal to a fault. They are the best companions for little children, which is why they are also referred to as nanny dogs.

Is The Red Nose Pitbull A Breed?

It is a common assumption among many people that the red nose Pitbull is a breed in itself. However, it is not a separate breed. It is just a larger, red-coated, red-nosed variety of the American Pit Bull Terrier dog breed.

A Pitbull in the USA can be registered under two separate names. The United Kennel Club calls it the American Pitbull Terrier while the American Kennel Club calls it the American Staffordshire Terrier. Hence, it is safe to say that the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are all Pitbulls.

What Are The Pros And Cons?

Red nose Pitbulls are great around children; hence they make amazing family dogs. However, being a Pitbull owner is not everyone’s cup of tea.

If you are considering bringing one home, here are the pros and cons:

Appearance

What Do They Look Like?

They are powerful, muscular dogs. They are much larger than other Pitbull varieties. They are stocky but extremely agile. They have a block-shaped head that is broad between the cheeks with a very powerful jaw. These Pitbulls have a strong muscular neck running into a deep, thick, muscular chest. They have broad shoulders and powerful legs.

Coat And Colors

A full-on reddish coat and a copper nose color, not exactly red, are the identifiers of a true red nose Pitbull. They also have similar reddish-hued or amber eyes, easily differentiating them from other color Pitbulls. They may also have flashes of white or cream on their coat; however, most people prefer less white. These dogs also have red nails rather than black and red, brown, or copper-colored lips. 

The coat of the red nosed Pitbull Terrier is fine, short, and very smooth, which makes grooming easier.

Height And Weight

They are categorized as a medium-sized dog. Male dogs are typically larger and heavier than females. A male red nose Pitbull can grow up to 22 inches and weigh as much as 65 pounds. Females, on the other hand, are slightly shorter at around 17 to 20 inches and weight between 30 and 50 pounds.

When Do They Stop Growing?

Every Pitbull, red nose or blue, will have a different growth pattern. The average red nose Pitbull continues to grow till they are about two to three years old. 

Red nose pitbull puppies grow incredibly fast, experiencing growth spurts between four and nine months. These puppies typically reach a full height between 12 and 18 months. They gain height to about two. After that, until they are about three years old, they continue to get thicker and more muscular. 

Do They Shed?

Yes, like all other dogs, they also shed throughout the year. However, they do not shed excessively. They have short coats, which makes the shedding less prominent. Their hair is barely noticeable on clothing and furniture compared to other long-haired dog breeds. 

Characteristics

Are They Aggressive?

Pitbulls, in general, not just the red-nosed ones, have taken a lot of flak for their temperament. That is mostly because of their checkered past with bloodsports like bull-baiting and dogfighting. However, they are not inherently aggressive dogs.

Pitbulls were originally bred to fight other animals rather than humans. Hence, they are least likely to attack humans.

They are no more or no less aggressive than other American Pitbull Terriers.

Are They Dangerous?

Since they were originally bred to be fighting dogs, most people think of red nose Pitbulls as dangerous. However, they are not dangerous dogs. In fact, an untrained dog of any other breed can be considered much more dangerous than a red nose Pitbull.

Every dog has the potential to be dangerous if not trained properly. If the owner mistreats a dog, it is bound to affect its behavior negatively. Socialization and proper training are vital to making a dog grow with a positive temperament. 

Red nose Pitbulls are friendly dogs and crave human interaction. They are gentle, patient, and simply fantastic with kids. They make the best family pets, especially if you have experience of caring for larger dog breeds. 

Are They Illegal To Own?

The answer to this question depends on where you live. Some states in the United States have banned the dog breed, some states may have some restrictions, while it is perfectly okay to own one in other states.

States like Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Washington, Rhode Island, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Kansas have banned the ownership of all types of Pitbulls. Michigan, Missouri, Tenessee, Maryland, and Kentucky have certain restrictions over owning such dogs.

Before you decide to bring one home, check to see if owning one is allowed in your state. 

Are They Banned In The UK?

Yes, red nose Pitbulls are banned in the UK. Owning a Pitbull or breeding of Pitbulls is banned in the UK under the Dangerous Dog Act of 1991.

The ban was partly due to their reputation as dangerous dogs and partly because they were still being used in dog fighting rings. Other bloodsports like bull-baiting and bear-baiting have been banned, but dog fighting still happens illegally in many places. Hence, to put an end to this, the UK decided to put a blanket ban on the breeding of Pitbulls.

History/Origin

Where Are They From?

The origin of the red nose Pitbull can be traced back to Ireland. Their ancestors were the Old Family Red Nose strain of Pitbulls.

A strain of Pitbulls was bred in Ireland somewhere in the 1800s. These were known as the Old Family Dogs. They, later on, developed to what we now know as the Old Family Red Nose (OFRN) strain. The OFRN strain is used to distinguish red nose Pitbulls from other American Pitbull Terriers. 

They quickly grabbed attention due to their gameness and ferocity. The breeders were thus encouraged to selectively breed them to maintain the purity of the strain.

Towards the 1900s, the red nose Pitbull made its way to the USA along with English and Irish immigrants.

Are They Rare?

Red nose Pitbulls are considered rare because they have the second rarest color. White Pitbulls are possibly the rarest of all American Pitbull Terriers.

Health

What Are The Health Issues That Red Nose Pitbulls Suffer From?

Red nose Pitbulls are powerful dogs and are fairly healthy overall. However, like all other dogs, they are also prone to certain health conditions.

Some common health issues that they suffer from are: 

1. Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is a condition where the hip is not properly formed and can result in arthritis and chronic pain. It is characterized by the malformation of the ball and socket joint in the hip. It is a very common inherited health condition among red nose Pitbulls. 

Hip Dysplasia generally starts at a young age. Hence, if you own a red nose Pitbull you must get an x-ray done when it is two years old to make sure there are no hip problems. If your Pitbull is suffering from hip dysplasia, it will have difficulty walking, running, or climbing stairs. It may also have lameness in the hind legs accompanied by constant pain. Your dog may need a hind brace or even surgery for hip dysplasia.

2. Cataracts

Cataracts are characterized by the clouding and thickening of the lens of the eyes. Cataracts may happen due to eye trauma or old age. Sometimes, they can also happen due to diseases like diabetes. However, most of the time, it is an inherited condition.

Cataracts cause glaucoma, blurred vision, and sometimes even blindness.

3. Knee Complications

Red nose Pitbulls are very active, and all the running around can stress the cranial cruciate ligament causing knee problems. The cranial cruciate ligament is a thin tissue connecting the thigh bone of the Pitbull to the tibia.

The cranial cruciate ligament problem generally starts with a mild tear, which aggravates due to continuous physical activity. Your dog may need surgery to correct this problem. If left untreated, it may cause other health problems. 

4. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is another common health issue that they can suffer from. Hypothyroidism is the condition when thyroid glands do not produce a sufficient amount of hormones. As a result, it causes weight gain and other skin problems. It can also cause behavioral changes like aggression.

Your vet would need to perform a blood test to confirm hypothyroidism in your dog.

5. Cerebellar Ataxia

Cerebellar Ataxia is a genetic condition that is characterized by imbalance and poor muscle coordination. Pitbulls suffering from this condition have a wobbly gait, have uncoordinated movement, or are unable to move at all.

Red nose Pitbulls suffering from cerebellar ataxia need a wheelchair to move around and maintain balance.

6. Heart Problems

Red nose Pitbulls are also prone to several heart problems. The most common heart problem is aortic stenosis, which is the narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart. There are no explicit symptoms of this heart condition. Hence, the only way to prevent it is through regular checkups at the vet.

7. Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis is a skin condition that involves the thickening of the outer layer of the skin and footpads of a Pitbull. It is mostly an inherited condition that worsens with age if left untreated.

What Are Their Allergies?

Red nose Pitbulls have a short, flat coat that makes them more susceptible to skin allergies. Their short fur provides greater access to pests, allergens, and other irritants. They are also highly susceptible to seasonal allergies.

Allergies in red nose Pitbulls manifest as skin problems. The most common sign of an allergy is itchy skin. The areas most affected are the ears, feet, belly, and the folds of the skin. Frequent ear infections, face rubbing, and licking the paws are other common symptoms of allergies in red nose Pitbulls. 

The good news is that allergies are not very serious and can be easily treated by your vet.

Nutritious foods fortified with copper, zinc, and vitamins can help fight off allergies and restore skin health. For example, if your Pitbull is not getting sufficient amounts of zinc, it may suffer from a skin infection called zinc-responsive dermatosis. Symptoms include hairless, crusting, scaling, red, or oozing skin around the mouth, eyes, or ears. You may also see lesions around the nose or footpads. Increasing the amount of zinc in your dog’s diet can help recover from this condition. 

What Are The Best Exercises?

Red nose Pitbulls are extremely energetic dogs. They require a lot more exercise than some other dog breeds to remain healthy. They are extremely agile dogs and can easily scale small walls when other dogs struggle with climbing stairs.

Due to their agility, many pet owners build their own obstacle course for their red nose Pitbulls. Walking and running are other good exercises for this dog breed. They need to be taken for a walk or a run frequently, or they may create their own playground in your home. Imagine the amount of damage their powerful jaws can cause to your furniture. 

Red nose Pitbulls have a lot of stamina and hence are ideal for hikes and other high energy activities. They are also aggressive chewers. Hence, giving them a variety of chew toys can help prevent damage to your furniture at home. 

What Is The Best Way To Train Them? 

Red nose Pitbulls are powerful animals. The best way to train them is through love, respect, and positive reinforcement. They are smart, intelligent, and not to forget physically very strong.

When you bring one home, let them know who is in command. However, do so with love and respect. Use a commanding voice but always make eye contact. Also, never forget to praise and reward to encourage positive behavior.

They are pretty easy to train, which is why they were so popular as fighting dogs. When you show love and affection, you will realize that the training process becomes much quicker. 

Never use force to train these dogs. Instead, use positive, reward-based training to encourage good behavior instead of correcting the wrong ones. They are very eager to please. So rewarding them will encourage them to be more well-behaved. Using force to train your dog could have lasting negative effects on his behavior. 

Some states in the US have legislation that requires your Pitbull to be muzzled and on a leash in public areas. You may want to start training your dog to be comfortable in a muzzle and leash early on. You will avoid a lot of tension and stress if you do so. Plus, your walks with your beloved dog would be much more enjoyable if he is comfortable being muzzled and on a leash. Red nose Pitbulls are incredibly strong. If they are not comfortable on a leash, they may pull, and with their strength, may cause you to fall and injure yourself.

Do They Make Good Pets? Are They Family-Friendly?

Yes, red nose Pitbulls make great pets, but a lot depends on you too. They are friendly, energetic animals, which means that you will need to make time to take them out frequently for walks and runs. 

Are you a social person? Red nose Pitbulls are great towards humans, but the same cannot be said for other dogs and animals. You will need to regularly expose them to other dogs to ensure that they are no longer wary or aggressive towards other dogs. If you are a couch potato, then a red nose Pitbull is definitely not the pet for you. These dogs need a lot of mental stimulation as well as physical activity.

Red nose Pitbulls are extremely gentle and loving towards children earning them the moniker nanny dog. If you train them right, give them sufficient physical exercise, they make the best family pets. 

How Much Are Red Nose Pitbull Puppies?

Red nose Pitbull puppies can range anywhere between $500 to $2000. Some puppies may cost higher. However, if your breeder is selling you one for dirt cheap price, please make sure to do your research.

What Is The Difference Between A Red Nose Pitbull And Blue Nose Pitbull?

The most striking difference between the red nose and the blue nose Pitbull is the color of their nose. The red nose Pitbull has a copper-toned nose while the blue nose Pitbull has a bluish nose. The coat of a red nose is reddish, brown, or copper color. On the other hand, the coat of a blue nose is bluish. Don’t expect a bright blue color. Instead, it is more of a silver-gray or charcoal in color.

Conclusion

Despite their unfortunate history, red nose Pitbulls are extremely loving and loyal animals. They are great with children and make fantastic family dogs. It is a majestic breed, and if you love and train it well, you would have earned yourself the most faithful companion ever.

If you have experience handling a large dog before, a red nose Pitbull is just perfect for you. For a first-time pet owner, it might just be too much.

They make excellent companions for people who are adventurous and are always on the move. 

Have you been thinking of adopting one? Be sure to check out our dog naming guides if you are thinking of bringing a puppy home.