One of the cutest dog breeds of all time has to be the Red Nose Pitbull. Dr. Jess will breakdown what makes them such a great pet (or not so great), and some considerations you will want to think about before introducing this type of pittie into your family home.
Please keep in mind that this article was written for the purpose of discussing the average red nose pitbull. There will be outliers to some of the points made. Please note that the points are for the general red nose ‘pitty population’.
What Makes For a Great Pet?
What makes for a great pet, will vary among every single person reading this article. Everyone has different things that are important to them.
For instance, one person may prefer a pet that takes very little time to care for, while the next person values a pet that is affordable to purchase – two very different desires.
So I can’t answer that for you.
No matter what is most important to you, you need to make sure that the greatest pet for you checks many boxes that fit into your lifestyle, so that both you and your pet are happy for many years to come.
For me, a great pet is one that fits my life.
My little dog, is small and compact, the perfect size for my smaller home. She is quiet, which is perfect for me, working at home quite a bit and needing a quiet space to work.
She is low-maintenance – not requiring much as far as exercise, or time (she’s happy curling up on my lap), or costly materials or medications.
Obviously any of these can change in the future, but I am prepared in case this happens.
She makes a great pet for me.
Let me give you some information on the pitbull dog, and then you can decide for yourself, whether this hybrid is best for you and your family.
What is a Pitbull?
A pitbull is a medium-sized breed of dog with many many differences within the breed. One of those differences includes what makes the red nose pitbull so special!
A “Pit Bull” in the pet world often refers to a few different breeds with similarities to one another.
The breeds that are sometimes included in this list of “bully breeds” differs from person to person, but can include: the American Staffordshire terrier, the American Bully, the American Pit Bull Terrier, etc., or a mix of any of those breeds.
A pitbull is a substantially-built dog, identified by its short, muscular, stocky body, boxy head and wide forehead, prominent cheeks, and shortened nose with loosened jowls.
Pitbulls can come in a beautiful blue (silvery-gray color), red (rich bright brown), black, brown, white, or spotted with a combination of any of the above colors.
Breed-Specific Legislation:
This article would be remiss if it did not atleast touch on the topic of breed specific legislation, allowing or not allowing certain breeds or types of breeds in specific locations as pets.
Pitbulls, along with other specific breed types [source], are usually the ones which this legislation focuses on keeping out of these locations, as they are sometimes viewed as unsafe animals [source].
Most locations are in heavily populated areas or in areas with many young families.
Please be mindful of legislation in your area – make sure that a red nose pitbull is allowed in your neighborhood, city, and county, before bringing one home to your family.
What is a Red Nose Pitbull?
A red nose pitbull, is a pitbull, with a red-tinged nose.
Their nose can be red, pink, or orange in color.
Darker noses can look black or brown and are not considered to be of the red nose variety.
For the most part, it is only the color of their nose that distinguishes a red nose pitbull from any other type of pitbull.
However, because of the specific color of their nose, they may be prone to certain health concerns that an owner should be aware of.
Keep in mind that some people consider multiple types of bully breeds as pitbulls, so the general term for red nose pitbull can be subjective as of the date this article was written.
There may come a day where there are more stringent breed specifics on what makes a pitbull a pitbull and other bully breeds, their breeding.
Behavioral Description:
The pitbull is a very confident dog, a very loyal companion, and can be quite intelligent and easy to train.
They typically respond best to positive reinforcement and praise during the training process.
They can also be quite goofy, silly, amd outgoing. These muscular-bodied dogs have a sense of humor that is hard to miss. Ever seen a pittie with a case of the zoomies?
It is very funny to see the ‘bodybuilder‘ of the dog world running in fast circles around an inanimate object with their butt tucked underneath them, like they are running faster than the speed of light!
They are not well-known for being good with other pets, but in the proper environments with the proper training, they can live out their lives with other pets in the family.
Exercise Requirements:
Pitbulls are quite athletic.
Because most pitbulls can be energetic and playful on top of their athleticism, daily exercise and playtime is a must.
Most red nose pitbulls will do best with more space to move around, so a small apartment usually isn’t the best fit for this larger dog.
Consider mixing up the exercise routine and playtime toys as these dogs like many different forms of exercise and energy release.
Some pitties that I have know love to go on runs or hikes with their owners.
Others are more happy romping around their backyard with other ups or the family.
While other pitbulls prefer a slower pace and can be quite lazy with just the random case of the “zoomies”, mentioned previously.
And if you don’t know what a case of the zoomies is or have yet to be blessed in witnessing this funny feat, it’s when your dog runs in circles very quickly, typically around you or someone else, trying to impress you with their speed or to get you to play with them.
Grooming:
Just because pitbulls have a short hair coat, does not mean that they do not need proper and routine grooming, nor does it mean that they are hypoallergenic – they are not hypoallergenic.
Red nose pitbulls still need routine baths, nail clippings, ear cleanings, and skin checks.
Pitbulls are one of the breeds that are notorious for having certain skin conditions, such as demodex infestations – more on that medical issue further down in this article.
Health:
Many sources will say that the average life expectancy of a pitbull somewhere between 12-15 years.
However, there are many factors, many of which were discussed above, that come into play when talking about the length of a pitbull’s life.
Relationships With Other Animals:
Just like any other type of dog, a red nose pitbull can be good around other animals. And just like other dogs, a pitbull can have issues with other animals.
If the dog is raised and trained around other animals, you should have very few problems having your red nose pitbull around other living creatures.
Contact your dog trainer and/or your veterinarian on how to properly train and acclimate your dog to other animals before introducing them, to make every opportunity for a positive experience for everyone, both you and your dog.
Of course, you should follow your local government’s rules and regulations on safe handling of dogs and pitbulls in your area.
Common Major Health Issues of Red Nose Pitty Include:
Demodex Mange:
Pitbulls in general are notorious for having skin issues.
One of the more common skin conditions that I have diagnosed in my years of being a veterinarian is demodex, or demodectic mange.
Demodex canis is a species of skin mite that lives naturally in the hair follicle in the skin of dogs (and humans too!).
However, when the immune system isn’t its strongest, like when your dog is still a puppy or is geriatric, or your dog is sick with cancer, or your dog is using certain immunosuppressive drugs that suppress, or lower, their immune system to fight off infections and “invaders”.
These cigar-shaped mites can cause issues, such as “mange” in dogs.
Demodectic mange in dogs can also be referred to as ‘red mange‘, leaving the dog to lose their hair in patches, typically starting on their face and working down the body.
It is diagnosed with a deep skin scraping, where the tissue is then added to a microscope slide and then viewed under the microscope to find the outlines of these clear, long/slender mites in the field of view.
Once treated with topical medications, shampoos, and/or other medications, a dog that has previously been diagnosed with demodex can relapse and contract it again if their immune system is lowered again for any reason.
Red Nose Issues:
Pups with red noses, red nose pitbulls included, can have specific health concerns that you should be made aware of.
For starters, the skin that makes up that cute red nose can be much more prone to sunburn.
If your red nose pittie has bumps, blisters, or peeling on their red nose, or if they have a sensitive red nose after being exposed to the sun’s rays, then your dog may have sunburn.
The sunburn can be anything from a minor burn, to something more serious, depending on how severe the burn is and if it is treated promptly if necessary.
Another skin issue that pitbulls with red noses can be seen getting, is skin allergies.
If your red nose pitty is constantly scratching or breaking out in rashes or hives, it is definitely time to bring them in to see your veterinarian – they may be dealing with sensitive skin and/or allergies (or demodex as discussed in the previous section).
Weight Issues:
The older a pitbull gets, the more likely that their metabolism starts to slow as well as their energy levels.
However, sometimes a pitbull is not given enough exercise or they are given too much food that equates to an overweight dog.
Because of their overall large mass with their large, thick musculature on top of extra weight, a fat pitbull puts too much pressure on their joints.
This added weight on their important joints creates pain and eventually arthritis, making it harder and harder for them to move around.
The older they get, the harder it will be for them to move around comfortably and enjoy their golden years.
You may have heard of the medical term, hip dysplasia, where the ball and socket joint that makes up the hip, does not fit together appropriately. This usually happens overtime as the dog ages, creating bone rubbing on bone and the misalignment of the hip joint, causing pain for your dog.
On top of weight being a problem with mobility, an overweight pitbull is predisposed to diabetes, heart issues, and a plethora of other conditions.
Keeping excess weight off of your red nose pitbull is going to help them live a longer and healthier life!
What Makes a Pet a Bad Choice?
A bad pet?
The answer is kind of like a good pet in regards to that the answer will depend on the individual answering the question.
Everyone will have a different answer as to what makes a good pet a good pet and what makes and bad pet a bad pet.
For many people, a bad pet is going to be one that will use up one or more of that individual’s resources, whether they are using up their money (pets can be expensive!), their time (pets require attention), their space (pets need to live, sleep, and eat somewhere), or a plethora of other resources.
For me personally, a bad pet would be a messy pet, and a pet that is not trained properly.
I like to keep a clean house, so a pet that is tidy is the best type to keep me sane.
That is not to say that accidents don’t happen, because they do.
My little dog Pippy is pretty clean – she even puts her toys away, back into her toy box when she is done with them!
Pros of the Red Nose Pitbull:
Red nose pitbulls can make for great family pets when brought up and trained appropriately.
Their goofy and energetic personality always gives them the option of being the class clown and stealing any show.
They can be big sweethearts, being very tender, loyal, and protective over their families, just like many other dogs can be.
Some pitbulls will be shy or standoffish by nature, just like many other large-breed dogs – big babies!
If you are looking for a running or hiking buddy, then a red-nose pitbull may a good option for you.
Red Nose Pitbull Cons:
There are also some cons to owning a red nose pitbull.
Some local governments do not allow pitbulls inside their lines or areas, meaning that if you live inside those lines, you may not legally be able to own a pitbull.
Another con, going off of the government regulation con that was previously mentioned, is the stigma of owning a pitbull being a dangerous breed.
I am not going to go in to detail here about my personal beliefs on this issue, but please be aware of the stigma that pitbulls may hold in certain individual’s minds.
Another con for red nose pitbulls as pets is their skin issues. Be prepared, no matter what, that your dog will need veterinary care throughout their lives.
If you own a pitbull, skin issues are going to likely be a part of those medical issues at some point.
If you live in a small apartment, condo, or in an area where your dog will not have an outdoor space to run and burn off energy, then a pitbull may not be the best choice for you.
Red Nose Pitbull Summary:
The pitbull is a hefty-built medium-sized breed of dog.
The red nose version of the pitbull that we discussed today is one type of pitbull with the red or lighter brown coloration of the nose.
This is usually paired with a red or lighter brown, or light grey hair coat and possibly red skin surrounding the eyes too.
This pitbull type combines intelligence, loyalty, energy, and companionship in a densely-muscled package.
Now it is your job to decide if this is the breed that is best for you, your family, your home, and your lifestyle.
