Red nose pit bulls and blue nose pit bulls are color variations of the American pit bull terrier. Because they are simply color variations within the American Pit Bull Terrier breed, red nose pit bulls and blue nose pit bulls share the same underlying breed characteristics. The one noticeable variation is the coloring of their coats. However, to better distinguish these two pitties, there are three differences to consider: color, health, and price. Continue reading to discover more about these three key differences.
Color
Red nose pit bulls are typically rust colored with noses to match.
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Color is the most obvious difference between the red nose pit bull and the blue nose pit bull. Red nose pitties have reddish-pink noses that typically match their coats, which come in shades of red, fawn, brown, copper, or amber. The gene responsible for these red hues is recessive, making red nose pit bulls less common than blue nose pit bulls. Blue nose pit bulls have darker noses than red nose pit bulls, though their noses are gray to black, and not actually blue. Blue noses are a result of a recessive dilution gene that turns a black coat into a dark to light gray coat.
Health
Blue nose pit bulls are darker than red nose pit bulls.
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Red nose pit bulls and blue nose pit bulls tend to be healthy pets. However, they are still predisposed to ailments, including hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation), and hypothyroidism. They are also prone to skin infections, cataracts, heart disease, and cerebellar abiotrophy, a progressive, inherited neurodegenerative disorder that causes premature death of cells in the cerebellum, leading to a loss of balance and coordination.
Blue nose pit bulls can have specific additional health concerns due to their dilute gene, including a higher risk of alopecia (hair loss) and increased susceptibility to skin allergies and infections.
Price
Pit Bulls are a dog breed that has one of the most powerful bite forces.
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Red nose pit bulls typically cost between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on factors such as lineage, quality, and breeder reputation. Unfortunately, some breeders engage in inbreeding (mating closely related dogs) to accentuate specific traits, which can result in dogs with an increased risk of genetic disorders, hereditary diseases, weakened immune systems, and behavioral issues.
Blue nose pit bulls typically sell for $750 to $3,000, depending on breeder and lineage, and their prices may overlap with or be lower than those of red nose pit bulls.
