Blue Nose Pit Bull vs Red Nose Pit Bull : Does It Matter?

It’s increasingly common these days to see advertisements for “Blue Nose Pit Bull,” often accompanied by copy promoting the “special” or “rare” or “valuable” status of these dogs. Somewhat less often, you will also see “special,” “rare,” or “valuable” claims made for “Red Nosed Pit Bulls.”

Sometimes, you will hear people discuss blue or red nosed pit bulls as if they were an entirely different breed, one distinct from other pit bulls, with unique characteristics.

Does any truth lie behind such assertions of rarity, uniqueness, and greater worth for red or blue nosed pit bulls?

Have red and blue nosed pit bulls indeed been bred in such a way that they are different from other pit bulls?

Or are these claims just so much bull? Let’s find out!

Blue Nose & Red Nose Pit Bulls History

Since they are of the same breed, Blue Nose and Red Nose pitties share a lot in common. Their ancestors are the Old English Terriers and English Bulldogs. They are believed to have been first bred in Europe to be used as bull and bear-baiting dogs.

At the time, people wanted to create the ideal dog by taking the muscle and strength that English Bulldogs are known for and combining it with the energy and enthusiasm of a terrier.

Both blues and reds also have a history of being used as fighting dogs in the past. This is partly where the negative stereotype of a vicious “pitbull” comes from.

However, we know that this is just a stereotype and has no truth. Like all dogs, they can be dangerous when trained to do so or when raised inappropriately by unethical breeders and owners. They are a perfect family dog when they have good, loving owners who invest their time into training.

Unfortunately, these dogs are sometimes still falsely labeled as aggressive or vicious dogs. Even today, many places, cities, towns, and counties have placed bans on the ownership of these sweet dogs based on the spread of misinformation and bad press.

Blue Nose Pit Bulls Appearance And Health

The main feature Blue Nose Pit Bulls are known for is their distinct “blue” color in their coat. Blue doesn’t necessarily mean bright electric blue, though! It is better described as more of a light silver, gray, or charcoal color, depending on who you ask. Nonetheless, it is quite a beautiful gray-blue color. This color is present throughout their body, from their hair to their nose to their toenails.

However, some do have white markings on their chest and head.

Their coat color is the result of recessive genes. Some of these genes are the same markers that lead to certain health conditions like skin problems, allergies, deafness, poor vision, heart disease, and alopecia. These are typically seen when breeders aren’t breeding their dogs appropriately or screening for these health conditions in the parents.

A reputable breeder will do everything they can to ensure a healthy pup.

More specifically, their coat color is due to a protein called melanophilin which is responsible for melanin-containing cells. This gene provides the instructions for making melanophilin and transporting melanophilin. But sometimes, a mutation in the gene leads to diluted coat color, as seen in the Blue Nose Pit Bull. Because it is a recessive gene, both parents have to carry the gene for a puppy to be a Blue Nose Pit Bull.

Red Nose Pit Bulls Appearance And Health

Red Nose pitties are easily recognizable by their distinct coloring. Though it can vary, their coat is usually a reddish-brown color, copper, or deep red color. Like the blue pitties, their entire body is this one color, aside from the possibility of some white markings. Even their nails and lips are a shade of red, and of course, their nose!

Red Nose pits don’t have as many potential health concerns as many other dogs, but there are some problems or concerns they can develop. They can easily get strained muscles and ligaments because of their weight, so it is important to ensure they remain fit and active and don’t become overweight.

Like the blue, they also are sometimes prone to skin conditions and retinal degradation. Like many bigger, heavier dogs, they are more prone to developing hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and kneecap dislocation.

Red Nose And Blue Nose Pit Bulls Temperament

Since they are simply different colors of the same breed, both Blue and Red Nose Pit Bulls share a similar temperament. When raised in a loving home with a responsible pet parent, these dogs are loyal to a fault, obedient, intelligent, friendly, and loving.

They are strong and active dogs who love an active lifestyle like running or going for hikes.

Mental stimulation is also important for these dogs, in addition to having an active lifestyle. They are incredibly intelligent and eager to learn and please.Many people even call the dogs “Velcro dogs” because they never want to leave your side!

Because they love their people so much, they can become quite anxious when left alone, especially for extended periods of time. When separated from their humans, they can act out by way of chewing on the furniture or excessive barking.

This is why crate training and plenty of mental stimulation are especially important at an early age.

Who’s Got The Value?

All pit bulls have value as thinking, feeling, loving creatures. This value exists independently of whether any humans recognize it or not. But clearly, that isn’t what these ads trumpeting “valuable” dogs are talking about. Let’s look at what the ads might really mean.

There are at least four ways of defining a dog’s value to humans. Most pit bull lovers are primarily concerned with the value their canine friend provides in terms of love and affection. Shelter dogs don’t cost much in adoption fees, but they are certainly just as valuable to their human companions as a pure bred show and working champion who cost a couple of thousand dollars.

Certainly, the color of a dog or its nose plays no role in this valuation.

Then there is the value a dog might have for a specific purpose as a working animal. If you are searching for a cattle dog extraordinaire, a guide dog for the blind, a therapy dog, a tracking dog, or a bomb sniffer, you would seek out certain traits, and these traits would make the dog more valuable to you.

But whatever some unscrupulous breeders might argue, there is absolutely zero correlation between any of these traits and a specific color.

You might also seek out particular traits for breeding. If it is your goal to breed red or blue pit bulls, then you would seek out a red or blue nosed dog. But this is no different than seeking out a white, black, mottled, sorrel, or brindle dog because you like those colors.

Finally, we arrive at the definition of “valuable” the ads really mean. Are these dogs worth more money because of their color? In purely monetary terms, they are worth what people are willing to pay for them.

If enough people are willing to pay more for a specific color, then yes, they are worth more for the people selling them, which gives the dog a higher sticker price, so to speak.

But you should never acquire a pit bull because you want it as a prestige ornament. And breeding for profit? You’ll be hard-pressed to cover expenses unless you’re running a puppy mill, and if you’re running a puppy mill, you should be prosecuted.

Red Nose And Blue Nose Pit Bulls Cost

Generally speaking, both Blue and Red pitties in the United States can be purchased from breeders for amounts as low as $500 and as high as $2,500. The pricing depends entirely on the market trends and the current popularity of the breed and its colors.

The pricing will also depend on the breeder. Remember that just because one breeder may charge more for a puppy, it doesn’t mean that breeder is better than a cheaper one. There are many people who like to take advantage of the popularity of these dogs but don’t actually put in the time, education, or effort to ensure they are healthy.

Unscrupulous breeders also try to upsell puppies with blue and red coats and noses by saying their puppies are incredibly rare, come from distinct lineages, and try to convince people to spend more money on them. When in reality, these colors are simply a variation in the breed.

It should be mentioned, though, that there are breeders who love the breed and prioritize the health of their dogs. They may ask for premium prices for their puppies, but only because they have invested money into ensuring the health of their pups and not just for a quick buck.

You’ll want to thoroughly research your breeder, ask plenty of questions, and ensure they are in it for the right reasons.

Are Blue Nosed And Red Nosed Pit Bulls Really Different Breeds?

No. Just no. They are all pit bulls. The only intrinsic difference between blue nosed pit bulls, red nosed pit bulls, and other colored pit bulls is that they are different colors.

One can line breed purely for color, but all of these dogs are still pit bulls. In addition, line breeding as a practice is of dubious value and may actually be harmful to the health of the line in question.

What Kind Of Pit Bull Is Ideal For You?

The answer to this question is entirely up to you. If you think blue nosed pit bulls are the most beautiful dogs in existence, go visit some blue nose breeders. If you like red pit bulls, by all means consider getting one, always provided, of course, you have what it takes to be a proper pit bull guardian.

Temperament and health should be much more important criteria than color, but with any pit bull adoption or purchase, the odds are favorable that you will be adding a wonderful addition to your family.

Keep in mind, however, that many people breeding for a specific color may be overlooking other important traits, including health and temperament. Many hunters claim nearly all Irish Setters have been ruined for their original purpose because they have been bred purely for looks.

Explosions in demand for Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels saw a marked increase in the number of overly aggressive or fearful goldens and cockers.

Practically all types of dogs who see a dramatic rise in popularity also see a dramatic rise in health problems due to unscrupulous breeders trying to produce dogs as fast as possible to take advantage of demand.

As of this writing, all of these issues are a potential concern with blue nose pit bulls in particular. It frequently seems like the majority of blue nose advertisements are from unethical breeders. There is, of course, nothing wrong with liking a particular color, and there are many outstanding, ethical breeders of both blue and red nosed pit bulls.

But make sure you do your homework before purchasing. You might also want to consider adopting, as rescue dogs will have been pre-screened for temperament, and you can be sure your adoption is not helping anyone make a profit from poor breeding practices.

Conclusion

Blue Nose Pit Bulls and Red Nose Pit Bulls are steadily gaining in popularity due to their distinct colors and their loving and kind nature.

A common misconception is that Blue Nose Pit Bulls and Red Nose Pit Bulls are different breeds altogether. In reality, they are just variations of the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Though they differ in color, that is about the only difference they have! They are both loving, sweet, and fun dogs.

In the past, these dogs, no matter their coloring, have received an unfair reputation, but thankfully, those who love the breed are reminding people that stereotypes, misinformation, and unethical breeders and owners don’t speak to the true nature of the breed.

The fact is, Blue Nose and Red Nose pitties are becoming more popular than ever, and this time, it is for all the right reasons!