Blue Nose Pitbull: Breed Facts & Temperament

It is not very often that you get to see an individual walking a Blue Nose Pit Bull. These dogs are as rare as Painite or even Alexandrite in the world of gems. After all, you don’t get to see that many blue things in the natural environment, except perhaps the sea and the sky. As rare as Blue Nose Pit Bull terriers are, they still share the same physical characteristics and temperaments as any other American Pit Bull terrier. Sadly, this also includes the not-so-pleasant reputation that the breed has come to be known for.

It is no secret that some governments ban the breeding of APBTs. Even the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize it as a breed. So far, only the United Kennel Club gives the Pit Bull the recognition it truly deserves. This speaks volumes about the American Pit Bull terrier’s reputation that people would have to think many times before even considering bringing one home.

But like any other dog that has been given ill reputation, there are way too many misconceptions about the Blue Nose Pit Bull. From unscrupulous breeders to punitive dog owners, these dogs have always been on the receiving end of man’s general distrust of the breed or anything that has a ‘pit’ and a ‘bull’ in its name. Hopefully, this article will help you gain a better understanding of the breed and become better-informed whether this is a good dog to have for your family or not.

History of the Blue Nose Pit Bull

Before we tackle the thing about the blue hue of the nose of this dog, let us first travel back in time to the days when man’s passion for gladiator-like sports was simply immeasurable.

The American Pit Bull Terrier or APBT is the result of crossbreeding an Old English Bulldog with an Old English Terrier. Perhaps this alone will already give you an idea of where the ‘Bull Terrier’ name came from. The dog originated from the British Isles sometime in the late 18^th to early 19^th century when bear baiting and bull baiting were favorite bloodsport events across the UK. The designers of the ‘bull-and-terriers’ (it wasn’t called American Pit Bull Terrier yet) wanted a dog that had the athleticism and strength of a bulldog and the gameness and agility of a terrier.

When immigrants from the UK arrived in the US, some of them brought their ‘bull-and-terrier’ dogs. These dogs are considered the direct ancestors of modern-day American Pit Bull Terriers.

Dog fighting in ‘pits’ (there’s your other word to the name) was deemed a lot more practical than bear or bull baits. They were a lot easier to conceal from the law, too, especially since the UK already began outlawing animal bloodsport activities by 1835. Aside from the fact that dog fighting was used as a form of gambling, it also allowed dog owners and breeders to evaluate the ‘quality’ of their dogs. Champions in the dog fighting arena were used in the breeding of more powerful, stronger, and more athletic Pit Bull terriers.

‘Bull-and-terrier’ owners in the US continued with the dog fighting activities, albeit clandestinely. However, by the early parts of the 20^th century, some of these dogs have already been ‘retrained’ as catch dogs in the hunt for wild hogs and semi-wild cattle. Some were also bred as livestock drover dogs while a few became family companions.

Many of the family companion-bred American Pit Bull terriers eventually became successful in their new role as companion dogs and therapy dogs.

A lot of celebrities today have American Pit Bull terriers as pets and they can attest to its gentle nature and mild temperament. In case you didn’t know, Cesar Millan’s favorite companion and therapy dog is an APBT. First it was Daddy. Now, it’s Junior. Both have shown their mild temperament even when faced with more aggressive, more behaviorally-challenged dogs. One can surely appreciate just how maligned these dogs are every time you watch Junior make friends with any dog.

The reason we had to take a look at the origins or the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier first is because the Blue Nose Pit Bull is a very rare type of APBT. It is very much an APBT except that its nose, skin, toenails, and even eyes have a blue hue. This is where your knowledge of genetics comes in.

Just in case you didn’t know there’s also such a dog as Red Nose Pit Bull. Like the Blue Nose Pit Bull, it is also a very rare kind of APBT. The colors blue and red are considered recessive genes that will only manifest if both parents of the puppy carry the same kind of gene. If only one APBT parent carries the genes that code for the bluish hue in the dog, then you cannot expect a Blue Nose Pit Bull. The only time you can get a Blue Nose Pit Bull is if you’re able to breed a male Blue Nose with a female Blue Nose.

The recessive gene primarily affects the body’s ability to produce pigments by reducing the amount of melanin. Aside from the obvious change in color of the dog’s skin as well as mucus membranes, insufficient melanin can also lead to a host of problems such as deafness, alopecia, skin spots, and a number of nervous and immune system disorders, not to mention a not-so-ideal temperament.

Given the rarity of the breed, it really isn’t easy to get a hold of a Blue Nose Pit Bull. It is also for this reason that this dog can have a very prohibitive price tag especially if you’re going to get it from highly reputable breeders.

Quick Facts

The Blue Nose Pit Bull can be an adorable breed, especially when trained by and in the company of someone who truly understands the unique nature of the breed. But before we dig deeper into the unique needs of the BNPB, let’s take a quick look at some facts.

• Since the Blue Nose Pit Bull is an American Pit Bull Terrier, it is only recognized as a breed by the United Kennel Club. Unfortunately, even the UK government has banned ownership of the dog. While it is not recognized by the AKC, the breed is nonetheless acknowledged by the American Dog Breeders Association.
• A male BNPB can stand about 18 to 19 inches while females are usually shorter by an inch or so.
• American Pit Bull Terriers usually tip the scale between 30 and 60 pounds. However, some breeders have been known to produce APBTs that can weigh as much as 85 pounds. The Blue Nose Pit Bull should weigh within this range with the female slightly lighter by several pounds.
• The Blue Nose Pit Bull can grow old up to 16 years, although health problems can significantly reduce this to about 14.
• They are excellent human companions. It is because of this natural tendency to be so affectionate to humans that make them very poor candidates for the watchdog role, unless of course you’re going to train it for such a role.
• While the Blue Nose Pit Bull is friendly to humans, the same cannot be said when talking about their relationship with other dogs.
• These are high-energy dogs that require plenty of exercises every day.

Things You Should Know

For obvious reasons, the Blue Nose Pit Bull is not for everyone. In case you’re not convinced, try reading the following to see if you’ve got what it takes to be the pet parent of a very rare type of American Pit Bull Terrier.

Training

When properly trained, the Blue Nose Pit Bull can be an excellent family dog. It loves to please its owners, making them exceptionally easy to train. They are highly intelligent dogs, too. Teach them well and you will be rewarded with one of the well-mannered and even-tempered dogs on the planet. They respond very well to positive reinforcement training methods where they are rewarded for every correct or desirable behavior that they show. Basic obedience training is a must, but you will easily find that this is not enough. Because of the BNPB’s intelligence, it needs continuous training well into advanced courses. If you’re not prepared to go down this route, you’d essentially be left with a dog that can show its destructiveness as easily as snapping your fingers.

Train the Blue Nose Pit Bull harshly and you’ll have a fearful dog that will often act out its fear through aggression. It is okay to be firm and assertive in your training methods, but these should always be tempered with gentleness. Punish a BNPB and it will grow less friendly towards other people and other animals.

Feeding

The BNPB is a large dog. And if you’ve seen those muscles on its body, you’d know that its food should comprise mainly of high-quality animal proteins. Additionally, its high energy levels also mean that a calorie-dense, high quality dog food is more effective than one with fewer calories on a per-serving basis. This is also to help minimize bloat which is quite common among large breeds of dog.

For an average-sized BNPB of about 60 pounds, you will need to give about 1,350 to 1,400 calories per day. This can be divided into two meals or even three especially since this dog is quite prone to obesity. You can increase the amount of food intake if your Blue Nose Pit Bull is very active. But if your Blue Pittie happens to be a couch potato, then you should definitely reduce its caloric intake.

Take a look at our reviews of Dog Food for Pitbulls, Wet Dog Food and Dry Dog Food for more options.

Exercise

Blue Nose Pit Bulls love to jump. It is one of those skills that they have acquired through the years of trying to bring down an animal much bigger than them. They are known to be especially proficient at climbing walls as well as jumping over fences. Their powerful hind legs enable them to propel themselves to greater heights in pretty much the same way as a frog would use its hind legs to jump far and high.

This alone means that the Blue Nose Pit Bull will require plenty of exercise. It is not enough that you walk it for a measly 15 to 20 minutes every day. At the very minimum, the Blue Nose Pit Bull will require 60 minutes of brisk walking two times a day. That means you’ve got to devote a minimum of 2 hours every single day to help prevent muscle atrophy and canine behavioral problems resulting from doing nothing.

Mental games should also be made an integral part of its daily exercise regimen. The Blue Nose Pit Bull is an intelligent dog. It needs continuous mental stimulation if you don’t want it to grow bored. If it gets bored, you’ll easily find the Blue Nose Pit Bull to be more than what you can effectively handle.

When exercising, it is best to keep your Blue Nose Pit Bull on a leash. It is also important to always bring its bottle of water and bowl to keep it hydrated. Its muscles tend to overheat a lot faster when it exercises.

Socialization

American Pit Bull Terriers, Blue Noses included, have always been described as very aggressive dogs. Criminal elements often use these dogs to protect their lair. It is one of those breeds of dog that are often misunderstood and misused. They only become aggressive in the hands of a breeder or a dog owner who values violence and aggression over love and compassion. Like any other animal, groom a Blue Nose Pit Bull into a mean fighter and it will readily enter any gladiator ring. Train and socialize it the way family dogs should be socialized and trained, and you’ll be gifted with a dog that has an even temperament that is almost on par with a Golden Retriever.

This underscores the need for early socialization. APBTs and BNPBs love being around their human families. They love playing with children. They have high levels of energy to play with children all day long. They can be especially friendly with other pets, too, despite what other people will tell you. The key is to socialize them as puppies. This makes it super easy to mold them into the kind and gentle dogs that they truly are. If you cannot see the gentleness in their oft-maligned characterization, then you’re not fit to be a Blue Nose Pit Bull’s pet parent.

Grooming

American Pit Bulls tend to shed quite a lot, but not as heavy as other breeds. This is despite them having relatively short coat. On the bright side, they are very easy to groom, super low-maintenance. But this doesn’t mean you can already skip the brushing part. They still need regular brushing so you can maintain the natural shine of their coat. Once weekly brushing as well as occasional bathing is often enough.

Clipping the nails at least once a month is crucial. Brushing their teeth is also important and this can be done at least twice a week. Checking and cleaning the ears should also be made as integral part of their grooming regimen.

Check out some of our dog grooming guides, such as dog toothbrush, dog toothpaste, dog wipes, dog bathtub and dog nail clippers.

Health

Hip dysplasia, allergies, heart diseases, and hypothyroidism are quite common among Blue Nose Pit Bulls. Some are also prone to immune system disorders as well as problems in the nervous system. Other diseases common in Blue Nose Pit Bulls can include mange, alopecia, and cataracts. But, if you can get a hold of the health history of a Blue Nose Pit Bull’s parents, you can somehow prepare yourself and your dog for its proper care.

The Blue Nose Pit Bull is highly advised to individuals and families who…

• Have experience handling large dogs
• Understand and actively practice positive reinforcement techniques in dog training
• Lead a very active lifestyle and enjoy plenty of outdoor activities
• Have spacious backyards
• Are ready to pay several hundreds to thousands of dollars for a puppy
• Can provide high quality dog food and routine veterinary care
• Can regularly groom and care for their pets
• Can socialize their puppy as soon as it arrives home

Regrettably, we don’t advise you to get a Blue Nose Pit Bull if you…

• Believe in punishment as a means of disciplining dogs
• Have very young children below the age of 5
• Are allergic to pet dander or one in the family is
• Find it very difficult to get out of your couch to exercise everyday
• Don’t believe in puppy training and socialization

Temperament

Contrary to what the media wants you to believe, Blue Nose Pit Bulls, like any other American Pit Bull Terrier, are very agreeable pets provided they are trained and socialized properly and early in their lives. They are non-threatening companions that will love you until its last breath. Its passion for life can only be surpassed by very few dog breeds. Underneath the Blue Nose Pit Bull’s tough and rough exterior is a gentle breed desperately trying to shed its fearsome reputation.

The Blue Nose Pit Bull is just like any other American Pit Bull Terrier, save its bluish hue. Sadly, it also takes with it the unwarranted ill-reputation of pit bulls in general. But if you truly understand what it needs and are prepared to meet them wholeheartedly, the Blue Nose Pit Bull can be your companion for life.

Source:

1. Blue Nose Pitbull – Complete Rare Breed Owners Guide – Animal Corner