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Red vs Blue Nose Pitbull: Pictures & Key Differences

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Red Nose vs Blue Nose Pitbull

A lot of great people get a bad rap that they shouldn’t, and the same goes for dogs. And if there’s one breed in particular that garners a bunch of unjust hate, it’s the American Pit Bull Terrier. When many people look at the Pit Bull, they see a menace to society and a danger to people. However, this comes from their storied past as fighting dogs. Nowadays, these gentle beasts are just looking for a loving home.

And when it comes to getting a new Pit Bull, potential owners are presented with the choice between a Red Nose and a Blue Nose Pit Bull. But what’s the difference? There aren’t too many dissimilarities between the two. But we’ll break down some nuances about each type that’ll further help you make your decision.

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Visual Differences

Red Nose vs Blue Nose Pitbull side by side

At a Glance

Red Nose American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Average height (adult): 17–24 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 30–80 pounds
  • Lifespan: 10–15 years
  • Exercise: 1 hour a day
  • Grooming needs: Low
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Depends
  • Trainability: Very intelligent and eager to please
Blue Nose American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Average height (adult): 17–24 inches
  • Average weight (adult): 30–80 pounds
  • Lifespan: 10–15 years
  • Exercise: 1 hour a day
  • Grooming needs: Low
  • Family-friendly: Yes
  • Other pet-friendly: Depends
  • Trainability: Intelligent but stubborn

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Red Nose American Pit Bull Terrier Overview

Pit bull terrier red nose
Image Credit: nallathepittie, Shutterstock

When comparing a Red Nose Pit Bull to a Blue Nose, there’s not too much of a difference. And that’s because they’re from the exact same family of dogs. It’s just the coloring of their coat that really sets them apart.

However, there are three major differences that you’ll need to pay attention to so you can determine which is best for you.

Color

The main difference between the two dogs is the color. Red Nose Pit Bulls—like the name implies—have a reddish/pink nose. Along with their reddish nose, this variety of Pit Bull tends to have a matching coat whether it be fawn, brown, or even a red coat. They’ll also likely have amber or copper in their eyes. Genetically speaking, they’re the second-rarest variety of Pit Bull only behind White/Merle Pit Bulls.

Health Conditions

Red Nose Pit Bulls are generally healthy pups. They experience many similar ailments that most dog breeds suffer from. However, they are slightly more prone to hip dysplasia and cerebellar abiotrophy (Ataxia).

American Pit Bull Terrier at sand beach with bluffs
Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock

Price

The average price of a Red Nose American Pit Bull Terrier today will cost you at least $1,000 if not more. While this may seem pricey, you must find your Pit Bull from a reputable breeder. Even though these pups are trying to leave their fighting past behind, there are still cruel breeders out there who are impeding progress.

Suitable for:

These pups are great for an active family with children. They are super-protective dogs and absolutely love children. However, they’re not so keen on other pets—especially other dogs. Pit Bulls see themselves as ultimate protectors and will defend their family from any other animals perceived to be threats.

However, this doesn’t mean they’ll just randomly attack people and children. They adore children (family or strangers) way too much, and they’ll only defend against other people if it’s needed.

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Blue Nose Pit Bull Overview

Pit Bull Blue Nose
Image By: Joao Roda, Shutterstock

The Blue Nose Pit Bull is another variation of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Due to their specific breeding, you’ll find that some differences set them apart from other Pit Bulls.

Color

The Blue Nose Pit Bull sports a blue nose in favor of its namesake. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s actually blue. In the dog world, blue is just another fancy word for grey. Or more accurately, diluted black. This is created by the appearance of a double recessive dilution gene that causes the dog’s nose to become blue along with their coats.

Health Conditions

To achieve their beautiful blue noses and coats, there has been a lot of inbreeding between Blue Nose Pit Bulls. And it’s this inbreeding that causes them to have more health problems than other Pit Bull variations. For example, they are much more prone to skin allergies and hypothyroidism than the red nose variation.

blue nose pitbull waiting to play fetch
Image Credit: J.A. Dunbar, Shutterstock

Price

The price of a Blue Nose American Pit Bull Terrier is right around the same price—$1,000. However, there may be some slight differences between the two depending on current trends. In previous years, the blue nose was much more expensive than the red nose due to the breeding process.

However, at the time of writing, the Red Nose Pit Bull is a trendier choice and is currently selling for higher prices.

Suitable for:

Just like the Red Nose Pit Bull, this breed is great for active families with children. They’re still wary of other animals, though. So, if you are going to be bringing a new Pit Bull (of any variety) into your home, we recommend doing so as a puppy. That way, they can grow up and socialize around other non-human family members.

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Which Breed is Right For You?

When choosing between a Red Nose Pit Bull and a Blue Nose Pit Bull, there are three major considerations you need to look at. First, are they the right color for you? It’s all a matter of personal taste.

Next, you need to be aware of the potential health conditions that a Blue Nose Pit Bull may acquire. Now, there’s no guarantee that they’ll suffer from those ailments. However, there is a higher chance compared to other color variants.

And lastly, check your budget and determine how much you are willing to spend from a reputable breeder. These two Pit Bulls, in particular, change in price due to the current market trend.

Whichever you decide, though, be sure to help boost this pup’s reputation by raising them in a passionate, loving home.


Featured Image Credit: (L) Maayan Kuperstein, Shutterstock | (R) Diego Thomazini, Shutterstock

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