Blue nose Pitbulls are rare, and very popular. They are one of the most prized types of pitbull, thanks to their rare coloring. They are affectionate, playful, and always entertaining.
Blue Nose Pitbull Facts
First, it’s important to know what is meant by pitbull. There are actually four dog breeds that are considered Pitbulls. These are the Stafforshire Terrier, American Bully, American Bulldog, and the American Pitbull Terrier.
These pooches are all descended from English Bulldogs and English Terriers. However, over time, they’ve become their own distinctive breeds through intentional breeding.
Any of these breeds can technically be a blue nose Pitbull. However, the term Pitbull is typically used to describe the American Pitbull Terrier, so this is the breed we will focus on here.
What’s a Blue Nose Pitbull?
The blue nose pitbull is usually considered the rarest pitbull color. They typically have a blue or gray coat, and, of course, a gray nose as well. They often have patches of white as well.
Blue nose Pitbulls get their color from a recessive gene. This means they must inherit the gene from both parents to have the blue coloring.
The gene causes the color eumelanin, which creates a black nose and coat, to be diluted. Blue and black Pitbulls have the same color gene. However, the dilution gene causes the blue nose pitbull to appear gray or blue rather than black.
Other than their color, they are similar in appearance to other Pitbulls. They have a slim, muscular body. Their coat is smooth, short, and shiny. They have a medium muzzle, and often a square shaped head.
They have medium sized ears that flop over naturally, but many owners choose to crop theri dogs ears.
Blue Nose Pitbull History
Pitbulls get an undeserved bad reputation from their past. The truth is that their origins say much more about humans than it does the dog breed.
In 1835, Bull baiting was outlawed in England. The practice involved an English Bulldog who would attempt to bring down a bull. Instead of dying out, the practice changed.
Pits were dug, and rats were placed inside them. The dogs would then kill the rats. This was known as ratting. Dogs were also fought against each other in these pits.
Eventually, these practices were outlawed as well. However, they continued underground. Unfortunately, dog fighting still occurs in the U.S., despite it being illegal.
Blue Nose Pitbull Price
Blue nose Pitbulls are rare, so you may pay a bit more for them than average. However, the price listed for them is comparable with other Pitbulls.
Expect to pay $1,000 to $3,000 for a purebred pup. Some breeders may charge more for blue nose pits, due to their rare coloring.
Blue Nose Pitbull Rarity
Blue nose Pitbulls are rare because the color is caused by a recessive gene. The gene pool for blue nose pits is thought to be significantly smaller than average. This is because two parents with the blue nose gene are required to create blue nose puppies.
Blue Nose Pitbull Life expectancy
Blue nose Pitbulls have the same life expectancy as other Pitbulls, which is 10-16 years. Most Pitbulls will live for 12-14 years. Rarely, they will exceed 20 years old. In fact, the longest lived pitbull was Max, who made it to his 26th birthday.
It is important to note that genetics, along with their lifestyle, have a big impact on lifespan. Dogs who live indoors have a longer life expectancy than outdoor dogs.
Their diet, exercise, and veterinary care will also affect their lifespan, along with the genetics passed on by their parents.
Blue Nose Pitbull Size and weight
Blue nose Pitbulls are the same size and weight as other colors. They are medium sized dogs.
You can expect a female to grow to 17-20 inches tall, and weigh between 30 and 50 pounds. Males are a bit bigger, growing to 18-21 inches tall, and weighing 35 to 65 pounds.
Blue Nose Pitbull Health
Pitbulls are considered healthy dogs, and blue nose Pitbulls are included. However, they are at a higher risk of many health conditions than other Pitbulls. This is because the gene that causes the blue coloring is also associated with health disorders.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common concern for all medium and large sized breeds. Pitbulls are at an increased risk, however.
Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition. This means if the dog’s parents have it, they are at a high risk of developing it as well.
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint doesn’t develop correctly. This leads the hip to slip out of place easily. This causes pain and limited mobility.
In addition to genetics, your dog’s weight, diet, and exercise can increase or decrease their risk of hip dysplasia. A healthy diet and weight and proper exercise can reduce the risk.
Allergies
Pitbulls have a high risk of allergies, particularly skin allergies. Blue nose pits may be at a higher risk of allergies than other pitbull colors. Allergies can be triggered by environmental substances, including grass and dust. They can also be caused by foods, like dairy or wheat.
Ear Infections
Allergies can also lead to ear infections. Symptoms of ear infections include a yeasty or spoiled smell coming from the ear, discharge, and the dog scratching their ear or rubbing it on the ground.
Skin Problems
Pitbulls, particularly blue nose pitbull, are at a high risk of skin problems as well. They can be caused by allergies, ichthyosis disorder, or alopecia.
Common symptoms include scratching, licking, hair loss, and skin lesions. Ichythyosis can cause thickening of the skin, while alopecia causes significant hair loss.
Alopecia is only common in blue Pitbulls, but the other skin conditions can occur in Pitbulls of any color.
Eye Problems
Pitbulls can also have eye problems. PRA, or Progressive Retinal Atrophy causes the dog to go blind, typically at 2 or 3 years of age. Cataracts are also a concern. This causes a film over the eye. Cataracts are more common in blue nose pits than other colors.
Blue Nose Pitbull Behavior/Characteristics
Blue Nose Pitbulls are good-natured and sensitive dogs. Some claim that they are more aggressive than other Pitbulls, but there’s no proof of this.
The truth is that Pitbulls aren’t typically aggressive, despite their bloody history. However, they are very devoted to their owners.
If they have a good owner, they are not aggressive. However, their desire to please and instincts mean that they can be trained to be aggressive, just as they can be trained to be friendly.
They are attention seeking, and can come up with charming antics as a way to get the attention of their owners.
The American Temperament Test
The American Temperament Test is a great way to get an idea of a breed’s temperament. The test measures aspects of temperament, including friendliness and aggression.
Pitbulls do surprisingly well on the test, with 86% of them passing. For comparison, 85% of German Shepherds pass the test. On the other hand, only 70% of Chihuhuas pass. This means that a chihuhua is more likely to be aggressive than a Pitbull. The German Shephard, which is not typically considered aggressive, is basically on par with the Pitbull.
Family Friendly
Pitbulls, including Blue Nose Pitbulls, are great family dogs. They need lots of attention, so they do well with families. They have plenty of energy, so they enjoy playing with children.
They are also exceedingly patient. They will not get mad if their tail is pulled. They also seem to understand that kids are kids, and have more patience for them than adults.
They are also protective, particularly when it comes to children. They are often referred to as nanny dogs for these reasons.
How to care for a Blue Nose Pitbull
If you are considering getting a blue nose pitbull, it’s important to know what’s required to care for them. The good news is that the blue nose pitbull is considered a low maintenance breed. However, they do have some special requirements.
Diet
Blue nose Pitbulls need a healthy diet. Puppies should be fed a puppy food three times a day. Once they are a year old, you can switch them to an adult dog food. It’s best to feed them two times a day.
Because they are muscular dogs with high energy, it’s important to feed them a quality food. Opt for a high protein food. Preferably, the food should be 30% protein, and have protein sources as the first few ingredients.
Pitbulls are notorious for eating just about anything, and having a healthy appetite. If you feed them on demand, they may overeat. This can lead to them being overweight.
Exercise
Pitbulls are active dogs. They need at least 1 hour of exercise each day, and do very well with two hours a day. In addition to physical activity, you’ll need to give them mental stimulation.
Walking, running, and swimming are great physical activities for pitbulls. You can give them mental exercise by training or teaching new commands, playing games with them, and offering them puzzle toys.
Pitbulls are intelligent, and become bored without both mental and physical exercise. This can lead to behavioral issues, including destructiveness and frequent licking.
Training and Socialization
Training and socialization are essential for blue nose Pitbulls. Remember, they will become very strong and active dogs. If they aren’t properly trained, they can easily cause difficulties or get into trouble.
Socialization is also important. They can be aggressive towards other dogs, or towards strangers. They are protective and may be wary or aggressive towards strangers if they are not properly socialized.
They also have a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs or animals. It’s important to socialize them with other animals, as well as humans.
How do you buy a Blue Nose Pitbull?
The best way to buy a blue nose pitbull is to find a reputable breeder. There are a few ways to do this. However, you can also consider adopting a pitbull.
Adoption
You are unlikely to find a blue nose pitbull at your local shelter, because they are rare. However, pitbulls are common in shelters, so it’s not impossible.
Keep in mind that most dogs in shelters are adults. Puppies are difficult to find.
Breeder Registry
Blue nose Pitbulls can be registered with several registries. Two of these, the American Dog Breeders Association, and the UKC (United Kennel Club), also offer breeder registries.
Breeders are vetted, and must meet the registry standards to be listed. This eliminates many unethical breeders, which can give you peace of mind.
Google Search
The other way to find a blue nose pitbull breeder is through an internet search. You should be aware that this doesn’t eliminate unethical breeders, so you will need to do your research on the breeder.
Indications of an Ethical or Unethical Breeder
One indication of an ethical breeder is a web presence. Most reputable breeders have a professional website for their kennel. If you encounter a breeder with no web presence other than a classified ad, you should be cautious.
Speaking with Breeders
Speaking with a breeder is essential to determining if they are ethical. You should ask them how they select breeding pairs, and how they ensure the health of their dogs.
Ethical breeders will focus on the health and temperament of the dogs. Unethical breeders aren’t concerned about these factors, and focus on profits. They will often breed unhealthy or related dogs to produce certain color characteristics, because they bring more money.
This is particularly common with blue nose pitbulls. Unethical breeders will commonly breed related dogs to produce blue nose puppies. This can lead to genetic and health problems.
You should also expect the breeder to ask you questions. An ethical breeder will care about the home their puppy will live in.
Expect them to ask you about your home, your experience with dogs, and your intentions for the pooch. If they don’t ask any questions about you or your home, they are not an ethical breeder.