The Blue Nose Pitbull is a beautiful dog with a mixed reputation. Is the Blue Nose Pitbull a ruthless killer deserving of a bad reputation or a friendly family pet?
Despite any fears you may have, well-bred and well-socialized Blue Nose Pitbulls can make a great family pet that loves children and will tolerate rough play better than many other dog breeds.
Could the Blue Pit be right for your family? Read on to learn the facts about this dog breed.
History and Origin of Blue Nose Pitbulls
The term “Pit Bull” is thrown around a lot to refer to several different dog breeds including the American Pitbull Terrier, the Staffordshire Terrier, and the American Staffordshire Terrier. These different types of Pitbulls are all separate breeds, but they have similar characteristics and a similar history.
The Blue Nose Pitbull is not a separate breed and Blue Nose Pitbulls are most commonly an American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or a mix of both.
While most Pitbulls have a red nose, Pitbulls contain a recessive gene that, if both parents carry the gene, can result in a Pit Bull with a blue nose instead of a red one. In fact, it’s possible for one litter to have both Red Nose and Blue Nose Pitbull puppies.
While Blue Nose Pitbulls are rarer than Red Nose Pitbulls, they shouldn’t cost that much extra since they are the same breed, just with a different color. There are no personality differences that separate Blue Nose Pit Bulls from Red Nose Pit Bulls.
All “Bully Breeds” were originally bred in Europe to be used in bull- and bear-baiting, events where one or more dogs would be pitted against a bull or a bear and people would bet on which animal would win the fight. When baiting games were outlawed in the 1800s, Pitbulls were then used for either farm work or dogfighting.
Pitbulls were brought to America and further refined as dogs that could do a variety of jobs on a farm from guarding the property to killing rats to providing companionship. These dogs needed to be friendly with families and children, even as they were aggressive toward vermin or predators.
Even Pitbulls that were bred for fighting are inherently gentle with humans. Since humans must handle the dogs between fights, dogs that were aggressive toward people weren’t allowed to breed. Thus, even Pitbulls that were bred to be aggressive toward other dogs were also bred to be gentle with humans.
Blue Nose Pitbull Size
The size of a Blue Nose Pitbull can vary greatly depending on the dog’s gender and what lines they were bred from. A fully grown female Blue Nose Pit Bull may be as small as 30 pounds, while a muscular male Blue Nose Pit Bull could reach 90 pounds or even heavier!
Blue Nose Pitbull Temperament
Every dog breed has a unique temperament based on their genetic line and how well they were socialized as puppies, but Blue Nose Pitbulls tend to be very friendly toward their families, especially children, while being aggressive toward other animals.
They often perceive smaller animals as being prey and larger animals as being predators. Unless they are socialized with other animals from a very young age, Pitbulls usually do best being the only pet in the house.
If you adopt or rescue a Blue Nose Pit Bull, make sure the rescue group or shelter does personality testing first so you can get an idea of the dog’s temperament first.
You don’t want to find out the hard way that the dog you lovingly rescued would likely bite your child if they tried to reach into their food bowl.
Blue Nose Pitbull Health Problems
As with any breed, Blue Nose Pitbulls are prone to their fair share of health issues. The most common health problems affecting them include:
- Allergies
- Heart disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Hip dysplasia
- Demodectic mange
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Kneecap dislocation
Blue Nose Pitbulls may be at a higher risk for these genetic problems if they are bred by a dog breeder who selects breeding dogs only for their nose color rather than their overall health, so be wary of any dog breeders who proudly exclaim that they have Blue Nose Pitbull puppies.
How to Care for a Blue Nose Pitbull
Blue Nose Pitbulls don’t require any unusual care compared to most other dog breeds, although it’s important to note that many cities have breed-specific legislation (BSL) banning Pit Bulls and other bully breeds. You should always make sure the city you live in allows Pit Bulls.
Most apartment buildings and many hotels also forbid Pitbulls, making it much harder to move and travel when you have a Pit Bull, so be sure to keep that in mind. Your best bet is to own a house in a city without any BSL and plan on boarding your Blue Nose Pit Bull when you travel.
Food and Diet Requirements
Blue Nose Pitbulls are quite prone to allergies. While their allergies tend to be more environmental than food-related, be aware that your dog may be sensitive to food ingredients like wheat, corn, rice, or beef.
Since Blue Nose Pitbulls are such a muscular ndog breed, they tend to benefit from foods that are higher in protein. Check out our article on the 5 Best Dog Foods for Pitbulls for specific dog food recommendations for your Blue Nose Pitbull to make sure they’re getting the best nutrition possible to help keep them healthy.
Exercise Requirements
Blue Nose Pitbulls have quite a bit of energy and require an hour of exercise every day. Between their strong jaws and their stubborn streak, a Pit Bull that doesn’t get enough exercise can become quite destructive if left to their own devices.
A leashed walk or jog is best, but leash training is critical for Blue Nose Pitbulls because they are very strong and may want to chase small animals or tangle with other dogs. You don’t want to be in a place where your Pit Bull is the one walking you instead of the opposite!
If your Pit Bull isn’t great on a leash, you may need to burn off your dog’s energy with a run around the back yard, a vigorous game of tug, and lots of fetch if your dog shows interest.
Training Requirements
While Blue Nose Pitbulls are quite intelligent, they can also be quite stubborn, making training them a bit difficult at times. Make sure you start training your Pit Bull as soon as you bring them home and use high-value treats as rewards for behaviors that you ask for.
There’s a lot of stigma surrounding Pitbulls, so you want your dog to be an ambassador for the breed by being well-trained and well-socialized.
A Pit Bull that walks on a loose leash and calmly obeys commands is much less intimidating to those who haven’t experienced the wonderful personality that most Pitbulls have than one who pulls on the leash and follows its own desires rather than obeying its owner.
There is arguably more pressure for Pitbulls to be obedient than any other dog breed due to people’s preconceived notions, so take advantage of your Pittie’s intelligence to present a less-intimidating animal to the public. Help spread the message about this wonderful breed!
Grooming
Blue Nose Pitbulls have short hair that sheds all year. Use a rubber curry-style brush (like the Zoom Groom) or a grooming glove (like this one) once or twice a week to keep shedding to a minimum.
You may use a Furminator once or twice a month for additional shedding relief, but be gentle with it, because you can irritate the skin of your Blue Nose Pit Bull or even cause bald spots if you aren’t careful.
Since Pitbulls are prone to skin problems, you should bathe them at least 3-4 times per year with a gentle shampoo formulated specifically for dogs. You can wash your dog as often as once a month, but try not to wash your Blue Nose Pitbull more frequently than that because it can dry out their skin.
Blue Nose Pitbull Breeders and Rescue Groups
Unfortunately, many people aren’t ready for the responsibility of owning a Pit Bull, and many Blue Nose Pitbulls end up in shelters and rescue groups. Pitbulls are one of the most common breeds found in shelters and are also one of the breeds most likely to be euthanized in a shelter as a result, so consider adopting before purchasing a Blue Nose Pitbull puppy from a breeder.
Apart from your local shelter, some popular Pit Bull rescue groups include:
- Bad Rap
- Pit Bull Rescue Central
- Pit Bull Project
- Animal Farm Foundation
If you choose to look for a Blue Nose Pitbull puppy through a breeder, make sure you can visit the puppies and see at least one of the parents on site. Ask the breeder for health testing certificates on the parents and how they manage their breeding program.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous breeders out there looking to make a quick buck from the popularity of Pitbulls who aren’t interested in improving the breed at all. This is especially true for the rarer Blue Nose Pitbull puppies.
Common Questions about Blue Nose Pitbulls
Since Pitbulls are so misunderstood, people tend to have plenty of questions about the breed. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about Blue Nose Pitbulls.
Most Pit Bulls have a pink or tan nose, but some Pit Bulls have a recessive gene that affects their skin and makes their nose look like a bluish shade of black. This recessive gene only affects the dog’s skin and nose color (and may cause blue eyes) – there are no personality or other differences between Blue Nose Pitbulls and Red Nose Pitbulls.
Since Pitbulls were bred to be friendly toward people, they generally don’t make good guard dogs. They may bark to alert you to the presence of a stranger, but they are unlikely to become aggressive toward an intruder.
Generally speaking, yes, Blue Nose Pitbulls love children! They have the patience to let even small children climb on them, poke them, or be a little rougher all in all than many other dog breeds.
With that being said, every dog has upper limits to their patience, and small children should never be left alone with any dog, but especially a Pit Bull. While Pitbulls have a much lower incidence of biting humans than other breeds, they have one of the strongest bites of any dog breed and can cause significant damage when they do decide to bite.
Is the Blue Nose Pitbull Right for Your Family?
With the right training and socialization, the Blue Nose Pitbull can make an excellent addition to most families. They are generally friendly with most people, including children, and they can make gentle, loving companions.
They aren’t the right fit for everybody, however. They often have a hard time getting along with other pets, they can be stubborn, and there’s the constant public perception that they are evil dogs out to kill or maim anything in their path.
If you aren’t confident in your training abilities or if you don’t want to explain your choice of a family pet to every person you meet, the Blue Nose Pitbull may not be a good fit for you and your family.
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Jennifer Nelson is a passionate dog lover and pet care professional based in Denver, Colorado. With over 12 years of experience as a pet groomer, Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge and expertise when it comes to the health and well-being of dogs.
She is an accomplished pet care professional and writer who truly embodies the spirit of a dog lover. Her passion, expertise, and commitment to the dog community make her a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn more about the care and wellbeing of these wonderful animals.
Jennifer’s writing style is warm, engaging, and informative, and her articles are always well-researched and backed by her extensive professional experience. Her goal is to provide readers with valuable insights and advice on all aspects of dog care, from feeding and grooming to exercise and health.