One of the great family dogs you should aspire to have is the Red Nose Pitbull. This breed loves being around people and is friendly with kids.
However, since the Red Nose Pitbull belongs to the popular Pitbull terrier breed, there are various controversies surrounding them. Some people believe that Red Nose Pitbulls, which are larger, are an aggressive breed that is challenging to pet.
But are these allegations true? What are the temperament, color, and size of the Red Nose Pitbull? If you're planning to have a Red Nose Pitbull as a pet, this guide will help you understand everything about the breed.
Red Nose Pitbull’s History
The Red Nose Pitbull is a popular breed that is believed to descend from the Old Family Red Nose of Ireland. These dogs were used mainly as fighting or working dogs in the early 400 BC. Some people used Red Nose Pitbulls as catch dogs, watchdogs, and home guardians.
But others preferred them for family pets or hunting. They are the rare Old Family Red Nose lineage breed, sometimes called the American Red Nose Pitbull. Interestingly, Red Nose Pitbulls are the most famous Pitbull breeds in history.
Origin of the Red Nose Pitbull Breed
Red Nose Pitbull breeds resulted from crossbreeding between bulldogs and terriers in England in the early 1800s. The breed later developed into the Old Family Red Nose strain, a trait used to differentiate between Red Nose Pitbull and American Pitbull terrier.
Unlike the American Pitbull, theRed Nose Pitbull had ferocity and gameness characteristics which the breeders retained when crossbreeding. The Red Nose Pitbull came to the US in the mid-1900s with Irish immigrants.
Characteristics of Red Nose Pitbull
Before buying or adopting Red Nose Pitbull, it's advisable to know its characteristics. With this in mind, getting along and learning how to handle your pet friend will be easier.
Red Nose Pitbulls have some outstanding features which make them more expensive than other dogs of the same breed. For example, you’ll spend more when buying Red Nose Pitbull from a breeder, unlike when buying a Blue Nose Pitbull.
Some of the characteristics of the Red Nose Pitbull include:
Appearance of the Red Nose Pitbull
One characteristic that makes Red Nose Pitbull stand out is their appearance. Red Nose Pitbull is larger than other Pitbull breeds because of their stocky and athletic appearance. These dogs weigh between 30 to 50 lbs for females, and males can weigh up to 65 lbs.
They have a chiseled-shaped head which is like a brick. Their jaws are strong and powerful with a matching coppery red-colored nose. Their necks are muscular, and they have a full chest that makes them stronger. They also have oval or almond-shaped eyes, red noses, and lips.
Color Types of the Red Nose Pitbull
As the name suggests, Red Nose Pitbull has a red, brown, or copper nose, fur, lips, toenails, and amber eyes. Some also have white patterned hair on their bodies, like around the chest or toes, and these features are visible right from birth.
Coat of the Red Nose Pitbull
Another unique characteristic of Red Nose Pitbull is its short, fine, and smooth coat. This makes it easier to groom them. They also don't have a hypoallergenic coat. Red Nose Pitbull’s coats tend to shed twice a year.
Temperament of the Red Nose Pitbull
Even though Red Nose Pitbulls are believed to be aggressive dogs and have a fighting history, they have good temperaments. All you need to do to maintain the right temperament and have a loving and sweet Red Nose Pitbull, is to raise it well.
So before bringing one home, ensure you can comfortably train a big dog and have control over them. You must also spare some time for your Red Nose Pitbull, who loves attention, companionship, and human interaction. They also make great family pets that are kid friendly.
Lifespan of the Red Nose Pitbull
Since Red Nose Pitbull is a hardy breed, expect yours to spend more years with you under the right care. They can live up to 14 years, but some can reach 16.
Known Health Issues of the Red Nose Pitbull
Although Pitbulls experience less health complications, Red Nose Pitbull are different. This breed can suffer from some known health issues, like joint problems. The joint problems arise because of their posture and heavy frame, which exert pressure on the joints.
This problem can lead to serious complications, like leg lameness, if you are not careful. So you must ensure your red nose is not overweight to suffer from joint pains.
Apart from that, Red Nose Pitbulls can also suffer from skin conditions. So it's advisable to check their coat for scabs or hot spots, which can occur at any time. Some might also suffer from retinal degradation, which makes them have difficulty seeing well. If your dog has eye problems, visit the vet for the right medication or treatment.
Furthermore, the Red Nose Pitbull is also likely to suffer from hip dysplasia, kneecap dislocation, or degenerative myelopathy.
Daily Life of the Red Nose Pitbull
The daily life of a Red Nose Pitbull is interesting, as this is an active breed that loves spending time outdoors. Being strong and active, they also need the right diet to keep them in perfect shape. You must also interact with them and play with them, as they love social interactions.
Food and Diet of a Red Nose Pitbull
You also need to keep your Red Nose Pitbull healthy by providing them with the right diet. Ensure you feed them the right food for their age, size, and needs. The food should be well balanced and keep changing as they age, for their calorie needs also change.
Give your dog foods rich in protein, like meat and low-grain foods. For example, fish, lamb, beef, or chicken are good foods for your Red Nose Pitbull. However, you should avoid giving your dog foods rich in garlic, onions, cinnamon, almonds. Also, avoid grapes, ice cream, chocolate and raisins.
What to feed your Red Nose Pitbull Puppy
You should give your Red Nose Pitbull puppy dry kibble. Before they reach 6 months, feed them between ¼ and ½ a cup of food daily. But you should portion the food into 4 or 6 meals. After your puppy reaches 6 months, give them 3 meals per day.
Note that you should feed your Red Nose Pitbull puppy high-quality protein, as they can't digest it well like the older ones. If feeding them dry kibble, ensure the protein content is 30-40%.
Also, ensure your puppy gets about 14%-17% fat in their food. You can attain this by feeding them fish oil or chicken fat. Calcium is also crucial for their strong bones, so make it part of their meals.
Note that you shouldn’t leave food around your puppy after they feed, as this encourages unhealthy overeating. If possible, have a feeding routine and only bring food near them when the feeding time reaches. This should be four to six times daily for the younger puppies and the older ones 3 times daily.
Feeding an Adult Red Nose Pitbull
Feeding an adult Red Nose Pitbull tends to be different from that of puppies. The adult Red Nose Pitbull from ages 18 months should be fed depending on their body size. A larger dog will need more food, say 3 cups per day. However, the smaller ones can feed on ⅔ of a cup or less of dry food daily.
Furthermore, avoid giving Red Nose Pitbull grains. Instead, make their food consist of about 15 to 30% protein and fat from 15% to 20%. Also, watch out not to overfeed your Red Nose Pitbull. Remember that overfeeding affects the dog; being active doesn't mean more food.
If you want to know if your pitbull is healthy, check if they have an hourglass figure which you should see when looking down at its body. Additionally, you should feel a healthy pitbull’s ribs.
Exercise Routine of the Red Nose Pitbull
A healthy dog should exercise regularly. So make sure your Pitbull exercises regularly to keep in good shape. It's advisable to allow your pitbull to exercise for about 1 hour per day. The exercise should involve both mental and physical sessions, which help them stay fit mentally and physically.
One of the best ways to achieve mental and physical exercise would be working your dog out with a flirt pole. Pitbulls love the chase and tugging of a flirt pole and they can be made at home for very cheap.
Since Red Nose Pitbull are an active breed, you can play with them indoors or outdoors depending on your moods and weather. Exercising helps your pitbull not to be overweight. Remember overweight increases your dog's chances of having diabetes mellitus, hypertension, urinary bladder stones, or degeneration of joints. Additionally, obese dogs can be destructive, making you lose valuable items in the house.
Are Red Nose Pitbulls Great Family Companions?
Most people look for companionship in dogs. That's why before getting Red Nose Pitbull, you need assurance that this is a good dog for your family. Red Nose Pitbull is great with kids and loves human interactions. So you’ll have a great companion for your pitbull.
However, you must know how to handle and train this breed well to enjoy its company. You can ask around or join a group of people with Red Nose Pitbull to learn how to manage them better.
Also, know how to socialize your dog from a tender age to enable them to interact with people in different situations. Doing this helps your dog to understand that conditions can change and that everything around them is not a threat. And avoid leaving your pitbull alone for long hours, for they love being around people.
Remember, if you leave your pitbull for more than 4 hours, it triggers signs of separation and anxiety. Some tend to be destructive, while others howl and bark after being alone for hours. Buying your Pitbull enough puzzle toys to keep them busy when you're out for long hours.
Also, create their space somewhere indoors where they can feel your presence. The indoor space can also help them when they're tired, feel overwhelmed, and need some alone time.
Is the Red Nose Pitbull Dangerous?
No. Red Nose Pitbull is not dangerous. However, a misconception about them makes many people fear owning these dogs. But in reality, Red Nose Pitbull is a friendly, loving dog.
According to the American Temperament Test Society, Pitbulls are among the most tolerant dog breeds. They are playful and social and are only naturally aggressive towards unfamiliar pets or animals. But you need to train them well.
Train them on how to behave around people, food, and a new environment. To simplify the training, include rewards, praises, and positive reinforcement. Be in command, maintain eye contact, and show them love to make the training easier and faster.
Note that Red Nose Pitbull only gets aggressive or dangerous when not properly trained, and lacks social interactions. This is not the typical behavior.
What is the Difference Between a Red Nose Pitbull and a Blue Nose Pitbull?
The main difference between a Red Nose Pitbull and a Blue Nose Pitbull is their color. The blue nose pitbull coat is a mixture of gray and blue, while the Red Nose Pitbull is red. They also differ in price as the Red Nose Pitbull is more expensive than the blue nose pitbull. The Red Nose Pitbull is more costly because it's a rare species. However, the two share temperament and are great for family companionship.
What Other Colors Do Pitbulls Come In?
Pitbulls are available in different colors. Some common colors are blue, black, white, and brown. Other Pitbulls are fawn, tan, spotted, or patched, and others are tricolor. Note that black is common in Pitbulls as it’s the basic eumelanin color. However, other colors like red are basic phaeomelanin colors.
Bottom Line
Red Nose Pitbull is an ideal pet if you like a large, strong, muscular dog. Although the dog looks intimidating, it's caring and friendly to everyone. They love interactions and staying active outdoors and are easy to care for.
However, you have to learn how to train them to avoid having an aggressive puppy. Train your Pitbull in love, and appreciate them where necessary. If you do things right, you’ll enjoy having one of the greatest family companions in your pet.
You also need to know that this breed is rare to find; hence, it attracts high costs. Additionally, you might face insurance and legal liabilities challenges because of the wrong public perception of the Red Nose Pitbull.
Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi.com.
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