Red Nose Pitbull: The Sweethearts with a Bad Rap
It’s not just the red nose pitbull that gets a bad rap, it’s their cousins the blue nose pitbull, and really any dog that falls under the pitbull breed. These dogs have a long history of association with aggression, but is it warranted, or are they just sweet and adorable fur babies with a not-so-simple history?
We’ll find out the answer to that question, but spoiler alert – we definitely feel like they are a breed people should get to know and understand more. Let’s take a closer look at the red nose pitbull.
What is a Red Nose Pitbull?
A red nose pitbull is exactly what it sounds like – a pitbull with a red (or pinkish) nose. The red or sometimes copper-colored nose is a distinguishing feature among other characteristics and physicalities. If you see a pitbull with a rosey nose, then it is a red nose pitbull!
These red-nosed dogs are pretty rare within the pitbull breed and require both mom and dad dog to have the gene. Note that even if they do possess it, their offspring may not have Rudolph’s nose because it is a recessive gene.
Where Did the Red Nose Pitbull Originate From?
Is the red nose pitbull’s history different from, say, the blue nose pitbull? Not too much. They are quite an old breed that dates back all the way to 4000 BC! It is claimed that they are the descendants of mastiffs, a very large breed.
Many believe that the red nose pitbull is from Ireland, and their ancestors are of the Old Family Red Nose strain. Sounds almost like they are of noble origins, doesn’t it?
What Was the Red Nose Pitbull Bred For?
Pitbulls have a bad reputation largely due to their aggression, which can be argued was bred into them with a long history of dog fighting. It is said that red nose pitbulls excelled in the pit and had a ferocious temperament. This caused some breeders to conduct “selective breeding” to preserve the bloodline.
The red noses have been dubbed as the best fighting dogs not only within the pitbull line. This, of course, is attributed to their very athletic and strong builds and they are slightly larger than the rest of the pitbulls. Speaking of appearance, let’s get into what the red nose pitbull looks like.
What Does a Red Nose Pitbull Look Like?
As we said, what sets the red nose pitbull apart is, of course, their red noses and slightly larger build. But do their other physical traits vary as well?
Color
Pitbulls can come in a myriad of different colors including the rare bluish grey coats, but red nose pitbulls generally have warmer color coats. We can see combinations of red, brown, copper, cream, and white with these beautiful canines paired with their red noses.
The coat length is short and smooth to the touch, which makes grooming much easier for these sweet dogs.
Unique Physical Characteristics
1. Eyes
Red nose pitbulls usually have light brown or amber eyes that pair very well with their auburn coats and red noses.
2. Tail
Pitbulls have long or docked tails, and red nosed pitbulls can also have both, but we usually see them with long tails.
3. Ears
Pitbulls have smaller ears in proportion to their heads. They can be perky and a little curved or fold over at the top.
4. Snout
The snout of a red nose pitbull is the most special part, and their noses sit on a wider snout and an angular jaw.
How Big Does a Full-Grown Red Nose Pitbull Get?
Red nose pitbulls are medium-sized dogs but how big do they really get? Understanding the potential height and weight of a pitbull can help determine if it is indeed a suitable breed for you.
1. Height
Pitbulls can grow up to 22 inches at maturity. These are just generalizations and pitbulls can be slightly larger and smaller than the range.
2. Weight
60-70 pounds is the threshold between medium and large breeds, and pitbulls sit right on the edge. These dogs can reach 60-65 pounds at maturity.
3. Male vs Female
As with many species, pitbull males are larger and heavier than females. Male pitbulls can grow up to 22 inches and reach 65 pounds. Females are slightly smaller at 2o inches and 50-60 pounds.
How to Take Care of a Red Nose Pitbull?
One of the foundational considerations to make when thinking about what breed of dog to get is to understand how difficult it is to take care of.
We’ll be completely honest and say welcoming a new puppy or grown adult dog into a new home can be an ordeal, but the level of “difficulty” can vary because different breeds have different needs.
Exercise
It is no secret that pitbulls are active dogs. Just look at their strong silhouette! It speaks for itself. They need frequent exercise that tests and challenges their stamina. An hour-long walk plus play time would be ideal for a red nose pitbull.
One thing we want to remind all pet parents about is mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation. Mental stimulation encompasses socialization, new experiences and activities, training and puzzle toys.
Grooming
We gave a little spoiler above, and we’ll dive into more detail about it here. Pitbulls are easy when it comes to grooming! Unlike thick double-coated breeds, red nose pitties don’t need trimming, just a daily quick brush will do. They shed about twice a year (around spring and fall) and you can facilitate the cleanup with brushing.
As for bathtime, don’t worry if your dog hates getting wet because red nose pitbulls can do just fine with a bi-weekly or monthly bath!
Diet
1. How Much to Feed
Whoa! This is a loaded question. Anything to do with diet can spark heated debates (trust us, we’ve looked at all sides), and we have come to the conclusion that feeding your dog according to its daily routine, size, activity level/ energy output is the way to go.
Keep in mind that your dog’s needs can and will change as it progresses through life stages. For example, growing puppies need much more calories, carbs and protein than an aging senior dog. Larger pitbulls and more active ones will also need more food than smaller slightly more relaxed dogs.
2. How Often to Feed
There will always be conflicting theories on what is best for dogs, after all, it’s all open to interpretation since they can’t communicate with us. Who knows if we will ever get things perfect, but I know dog lovers and the dog community in general really strive to.
After years of research from experts, puppies do better with more frequent meals throughout the day but a smaller amount. We’re looking at anywhere from 3 to 5 meals a day. As your dog grows, anywhere from 6 months to a year, you can gradually decrease the frequency down to 2 meals a day.
There are some people out there that advocate for just a single meal and ones that prefer free-feeding, but what you choose to do and believe is best is up to you.
3. Common Food Allergies
Pitbulls can suffer from food allergies that manifest in the form of skin irritation, but this depends entirely on genetics. There is a good chance that your dog won’t be allergic to anything, but if it is, the protein is most likely the culprit. The best way to find out what ingredient your dog is allergic to is with an elimination diet. This can take time while you cut out ingredients one by one to narrow down the cause, it really is the only way for food allergies to be identified.
Are Red Nose Pitbulls Easy to Train?
Pitbulls are very smart dogs as well as strong and capable. They are not as stubborn as some other breeds, so you’ll most likely have an alright time training your red nose pittie. After all, as fighting and working dogs, it’s in their blood!
Pitbulls, and not only the ones with red noses need an alpha dog to follow to fall in line. The training process will be less of a headache if you establish that you are the alpha of the house very early on. We don’t mean for you to be dominant and domineering, but firm.
Make sure you exude a commanding presence and reward pitties for their efforts and successes but don’t punish the accidents and bad behavior. Instead, ignore it. Teach your dog that obedience gets its treats and praise while acting out does not.
Are they Easy to Potty Train?
Potty training a red nose pitbull is not particularly easy or difficult – it all depends on the dog. However, since they are intelligent creatures, potty training, crate training, and other types of training shouldn’t cause you too much trouble.
What is the Red Nose Pitbull Temperament?
Let’s address the elephant in the room, which is the red nose pitbull’s aggressive fighting history. Does the ferociousness that its ancestors possessed trickle down through the generations? Yes, they were used for dog fighting, bull baiting, and more, but would you believe it if we told you that they do not have an aggressive nature?
Any dog can be aggressive, so of course, some pitbulls can be too, but that has more to do with the personality than the breed. We do believe that some people take more caution towards pitbulls nowadays because if there is a chance that it is aggressive (again, a possibility that all dogs have), it has more of a capacity to really injure the other dog because they do have such a strong bite force and powerful physicality.
But we stress again to all pawrents that aggression really has more to do with the personality. Of course, they are a controversial breed and is there a chance that aggression is inherent? We will be totally fair and say it is possible, but if they are raised properly and with love, they are probably as dangerous as the chihuahua next door.
Again, can a chihuahua be aggressive? Sure, but we believe there is more concern about aggression in a pitbull because they can definitely do more damage than a toy chihuahua.
Does this breed do well with children?
If raised properly in a loving home, yes! Pitbulls can be very sweet and well-behaved dogs. Most pitties in families with children will tell you this as well!
Does it do well with other pets?
The same logic applies to pitbulls and other pets. If they are raised right and the introduction is done in the proper way (slowly) then pitbulls are a dream. Again, it still has to do with the personality so your friendly red nose pitbull may take to a new environment with another animal instantly, or it could take time.
Make sure you observe the situation and make the proper adjustments so both animals can feel comfortable.
Are Red Nose Pitbulls Aggressive?
Red nose pitbulls can be aggressive, just like any other dog. It has more to do with the personality of the dog and how it is taught and raised than “inherited aggression”. Poor pitbulls have a bad rap, but let’s try to break this negative association!
What Environment is Ideal for the Red Nose Pitbull?
These dogs are highly energetic, so the more space the better! But don’t worry if you’re a big city person, because as long as you give your red nose pitbull a long daily walk supplemented with some playtime, it’ll be good to go!
Because pitbulls have short coats, they can handle the heat better than the cold, but that doesn’t mean they can’t live in colder climates. All you have to do is keep them warm and maybe get them a sweater for snowy seasons 🙂
What Is the Average Life Span of a Red Nose Pitbull?
You’ll be happy to learn that your red nose pitbull can stay with you for around 14 to 15 years! What can really help your pitbull get there is routine health checks, a good and balanced diet with quality ingredients, and plenty of exercises.
Red Nose Pitbull Common Health Issues
Another important factor in getting your pitbull to live a long life is to understand what potential illnesses that are prone to this breed.
Aside from possible skin allergies, your pitbull could also suffer from eye issues (retinal degradation), and joint issues. While the average life span is around 14-15 years, there have been plenty of documented cases with pitties exceeding 16!
How Much Does a Red Nose Pitbull?
A red nose pitbull is very rare, which can make them more expensive than other pitties. While the price is not the only indication of a reputable breeder (more on that in a bit), a very low price such as a few hundred can definitely be a red flag, unless you’re looking at a shelter.
The average price for a red nose pitbull will usually start at 1000 to well above that.
Other Similar Dog Breeds
Blue Nose Pit Bull
We can’t forget about their cousin the blue nose pitbull. What sets the two pitbulls apart are just the colors of the fur and noses. Blue nose pitbulls are also quite rare and can command a high price.
American Bulldog
American bulldogs can be quite large, and larger than the pitbull, but they exhibit very similar traits such as a muscular body and strong jaws. American bulldogs can have special coloring and patterns such as white with splashes of brown that can also increase the similarity between the two breeds.
We will say that both breeds have a very formidable presence that is appealing to many dog lovers.
We Think You’ll Like: Best Dog Foods for American Bulldogs
Boxer
The boxer is a very popular breed in the U.S. and by looking at the picture, you can definitely see some resemblances between the two breeds, although the boxer is a little leaner with larger ears. They also have a face that is a little more “squished”, making them a brachycephalic breed. A brachycephalic dog is one that has a short snout that can suffer from respiratory distress.
Aside from the physical resemblance, boxers are also high energy and friendly like the red nose pittie.
Finding the Right Breeder
Going with AKC (or similar organizations in your country ) registered breeders will also be a safe bet when you’re looking for a trusted breeder. Your vet may also have a list of recommended breeders that practice under humane conditions.
Once you have your heart set on a breeder, visit the kennel to make sure it isn’t a puppy mill and the circumstances and environment are clean the dogs are treated well, in a clean environment. We understand that this may not always be possible as some breeders are located in other cities, but maybe even a video call can shed some light on the situation.
Other important questions to think about and ask are:
- Is the breeder shifty and won’t answer questions or reveal to you the kennel environment?
- How many litters do they produce a year? Do they use the same parents? If yes, stay away! Those are puppy mills that should be shut down and the poor dog parents need to be rescued right away.
- Do they have a waiting list? If so, it’s less likely they are a puppy mill and only breed at optimum times to give the moms and dads a break.
- What do they know about the breed? The breeder should be able to answer all your questions about the breed and more.
- How does the breeder treat the pups before sending them off to you? They should be socialized and some even do early potty training.
- When do they let you take them home? No dog should be taken away from its mother before 8 weeks at the very least.
- Do they have a reputable vet they work with?
- Do they engage in responsible mating?
- What does the internet say? Look for references, reviews, etc.
- Are they asking you the right questions? A good breeder should be concerned about where their puppies end up. They should ask you questions too.
- Do they keep in constant contact with you and are always available for advice and help for the duration of your pup’s life?
- Is there a contract? Does it stipulate returning the pup rather than giving it up to a shelter? Is there a health guarantee?
- Does your pet come with necessary papers stating the pedigree, etc., if applicable?
- What does your gut say? If you’re not comfortable and something feels off, trust your instinct!
Conclusion: Is the Red Nose Pitbull Right For You?
Not every breed is ideal for every living situation, so it is important to assess your lifestyle and what you can provide for your dog. For example, red nose pitbull are dogs that require a lot of exercises, so, if you are a homebody that spends long hours at work, they may not be the best choice for you. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other breeds that are independent, easy to train, and have more subdued personalities. Just find them on our site!
