Pitbull Puppies: Types, Temperament, How to’s

Last Updated on 01/31/2021 by Veronica Jones

Pitbulls (sometimes written as “pit-bulls”) are a breed that is surrounded by speculations and controversy. All the speculations and controversy are based on their notorious fame for being ultimately aggressive fighting dogs that are trained for underground dogfights and present real danger even to their owner.

Mass media portrays such an image that many people simply think of pit-bulls in a prejudiced manner. However, reality and the gloomy picture on the TV screen are polar reflections, and caring pitbull owners can prove the contrary.

Despite their ferocious look, extremely tough jaw, and “Hulkish” build, they are great guards of private property, vigilant home security specialists, and great listening companions who show complex intellect and can be far more tender and gentle than you can imagine.

Blue Nose Pitbull Puppies

The overwhelming popularity of blue nose pitbulls has emerged recently and its repercussions have led to a term best described as “blue lust.” These dogs may be astounding to look at but, when choosing a dog primarily by appearance, one should know several things.

1. A blue nose puppy is a pitbull that has a coat of color ranging from silvery gray to the deepest charcoal. Therefore, the label “blue” is just some meridian between two color extremities.
2. The history behind the breed started almost a millennium ago in England where bull dogs were raised for bull chasing and baiting – a pastime that was practiced long ago. A bull was tied to a tree and trained bull dogs attacked the poor animal, mainly by the nose (which is the most tender part that tough-skin bulls have). The bulldog was, and still is, a selectively bred dog that has a powerful build, muscular frame and incredible biting force that gives him the ability to bite and hold until the very end with such a tenacity that they will not let their prey go. Only in 1835, the “sport” was banned in the country and dog owners had to switch to “ratting” – another bit of bloody fun that would show how many rats a dog could kill within a set period (according to Wikipedia) In order to make dogs more competitive, some owners would practice long-term crossing of breeds with types that are agile and energetic and could hunt down rabbits, foxes and badgers. The terrier was the most suitable breed. Its instinct to go into holes and track down its prey in a limited area led to the appearance of modern day pit-bull
3. Blue nose puppies are not of exquisite origin, nor are some other pit-bull breeds. The only difference is a pair of recessive genes that is responsible for producing a blue coat and blue nose markers. You should know that the term “blue nose puppy” doesn’t actually mean the dog has a blue nose.
4. Bad reputation is a myth. As we already know, these dogs were bred to drop bulls in closed arenas, but with the passing of the first laws against animal cruelty in the 1800’s, the sport and the purpose of breeding dogs for killing only came to naught. The natural build of the breed, and poor understanding of how to train them, has led to public condemnation. Any owner is as responsible for the character and behavior of his/her dog, just as parents are responsible for the education of their children.
5. Very active dogs. Bulldogs do not get along with lazy owners – they prefer to be constantly moving. So if you are a fan of jogging, working in your backyard garden, or are inclined to long promenades in the open air, this dog will certainly grow into the best companion that you could possibly ever get. Maintaining an impressive muscular build requires constant exercise such as playing fetch, walking, taking short runs and even pulling some light weights (usually a barbell plate attached to the collar). This will help them to stay fit at all times, but if you don’t take the dog out at least once a day it will spend energy on whatever breakable items you may have inside the house.
   

   

6. Human-like emotions. Owners of different animals (whether it be dogs, cats, and parrots) tend to attribute sometimes extraterrestrial abilities of speaking, understanding and logical reasoning as well as a sense of compassion and envy to their pets. However, theory and practice don’t always have the same denominator. Blue nose pit-bulls can be very emotional and manifest rational and irrational emotions. When being emotional, it can get too stubborn and difficult to deal with. So should an owner hurt his dog’s feelings, it will react as some teenage girl turning its back on you, avoiding contact and even leaving the room.
7. They get sick. As any other living being, blue noses are prone to certain illnesses like grass allergies and cataract and heart conditions. What does this mean? A veterinary appointment will be part of your Remember that preventing is easier than curing, so systematic screening for possible diseases is a must.
8. Getting on well with children. Surprising as it may sound, blue noses get along very well with kids. When raised properly with many people constantly around, the dog learns its place not as some low-profile habitant in a closed hierarchical system but as a true member of the family. Therefore, when a blue nose pup is raised will little children, it views them as its mates who eventually gain more influence over him, and the dog understands it. This is how the dog learns to be patient and friendly, even with children who are not so reserved. Also, having great pain tolerance means that blue nose pits can be grabbed, be hugged very tight and, in a sense, take some abuse from kids, and it won’t react aggressively.
9. Despite having an intimidating appearance, they have some complex intellect. Having goofy maws can be treacherous and deemed to be as an absence of any understanding, but this is just another label attributed to rather clever dogs. When you attract a dog’s attention and want him to repeat some action, it will sit down and stare at you, trying to understand what you are trying to tell him. With constant practice of such “learning” sessions, you create a very interesting bond with your dog. The dog gets a complex understanding, and you notice the whole puzzle behind the dog’s nature. And, of course, it’s always funny to see somebody talking to a dog while he’s turning his head trying to understand what is being said.
10. Not dog-friendly. If you want your puppy to grow into a fan of other animals, you will want to do so as early as possible. Get the puppy surrounded with your cats or other dogs from a very tender age. The pup will think of them as his mates and, during his life, he will get along with them However, other animals outside can be viewed as potential offenders as the dog does not recognize their smell and appearance and does not accept them as non-hostiles.

Red Nose Pitbull Puppies

A red nose pitbull puppy is a yet another particular sub-breed in the pits’ family who has its own distinct features. As we have previously mentioned, any-color-nose breed is not a separate genetic family but is a recessive gene within the same family.

When the first pits were brought to the US, they were already showing red noses

A red nose pitbull puppy is a gentle creature with a coat color ranging from light brown to maroon with an almost pink nose that is prone to light spots. Red noses look different than blue noses, but it doesn’t mean they are not alike in their behavior and manners. Every owner should know that his pet, within his own family (i.e. own breed), has inherited the same habits, behavior and, unfortunately, the same predisposition to diseases as all representatives of his family/breed do. Therefore, your red nose puppy won’t differ from a blue or black nose one. However, what kind of pet you’ll get in the end depends solely on your devotion to its education and care. After some research and scrupulous selection of facts, there are some points worth mentioning.

• There exists an old “strain” of American pitbulls known for specific reddish color. Known as the “Old Family Red Nose,” this pit has a copper-red nose, red lips and even red eyes.
• The history of the red nose strain began in 19^th century Ireland. Pit dogs at those times were known as the “Old Family.” All breeds during those times were inbred so the red coloration became a recessive genotype that marked dogs as “Irish Old Family Reds” due to their coat color.
• When the first pits were brought to the US, they were already showing red noses, so a typical American pit-bull terrier is just a multi-bred strain of Irish pit with other strains.
• There are many pit-bulls with red noses, just as there are many others with blue and black noses. Some breeders try to pass red noses off as some special type just for marketing reasons. They may be unique in their appearance, but they are still usual pitbulls.
• You can find a red nose puppy from a pit-bull breeder with proven work ethics and care, namely for quality breeding. Also, consider at all times shelters where puppies are kept.

Bully Pitbull Puppies

Bully pitbull puppies are the same pit family, but with their own characteristics. Bully pit-bulls are often called “American bullies” and derive from pitbull terrier and American Staffordshire terrier. The breed was selected as a separate sub-breed in the 90’s. At first, bullies were considered a part of the pit-bull terrier breed but are now considered a separate breed.

Bully pitbull puppies have a big cranium with wide jaws and a short maw. All four limbs are short but very powerful – they can pull tremendous weights despite the size. At an early age, they already look way more muscular than any other dog. Their wide stance, maw and overall build are the only traits that differ bully puppies from other red, blue and black nose puppies. But as any other pit-bull puppy, a bully may grow into a devoted and smart companion who is always energetic and eager to earn his owner’s praise. So the image of bullies as ferocious biters is just a common misconception.

A bully pitbull puppy shows intellect from an early age and learns very quickly, so you should begin training at the age of 2-3 months. All pits, no matter their nose coloring and look, are the same in temperament, have the same health problems and share the same vast intellect.

Brindle Pitbull Puppies

Among all pitbull puppies, the brindles are the most interesting to look at. Their coat consists of shades of brown with tiger-like stripes that look like a military khaki color. What is more interesting to know and see is that a pup may not be covered with the same color completely, some have a coat covering the entire body while others have patches on a black or white coat. Other than coat, there is no other distinction and, even so, brindle puppies are not among the rarest of colors. However, breeders keep claiming that dogs of such coloring are hard to find, thus raising the price. You may find a brindle of any size and shape, so the color is just a genetically inherited feature but not a label pointing at some “extravaganza.” Just like any other pitbull puppy, a brindle is energetic, always enthused to explore his surroundings and play. They are fond of interaction with other animals but when growing into an adult, pits should be taught what is allowed in the area and what is wrong to do.

As stated previously, all pit-bull puppies/adults are the same adorable and loving dogs who must be raised and treated right. Different coloring of coat and nose does NOT stand for specific temper, behavior, life expectancy or whatever “exclusive” label you may think of. Therefore, with all this being said, we can outline the first common denominator to continue our acquaintance with the breed – the temperament.

Pitbull Puppies’ Temperament and Personality

Pitbulls are notorious for their ferocious look and fame of being fighting dogs, but it is only common with owners who consider their dogs to be expendables instead of life companions. In order to reveal a pit-bull’s complex inner world, we will go through 4 points.

Their personality.

Any dog well-raised among people and other animals in a loving atmosphere will be the opposite of the “killer” the media portrays them to be. From an early age, pit-bull puppies show an unfading desire to be the center of everybody’s attention. When the pup gets older, it wants to have a finger in every pie that may be funny. Should you greet a guest, the dog will accompany you; should you go for a ride with the family in a car, it will demand a separate spot; should you be digging in the backyard garden, your pitbull will be there to see what his owner is trying to find.

Activity

“An active dog is a happy dog.” This saying works best with pitbull puppies who can’t stay a day without proper exercising – whether it be chasing the cat, chewing old socks and table legs, or being trained on purpose. When speaking of activity we usually mean something physical (playing, walking, running), but in the case of pit-bulls, this word has two sides – physical training and intellectual drills. Long walks, short runs and games are an absolute must for every pitbull owner. If you don’t pay attention to your dog and let it be on its own, some furniture, clothing, and papers may be chewed. They are not doing it on purpose but due to a lack of activity. Such “bulls in a China shop” must be given enough space for running and playing. Intellectual drills like teaching commands are more complex activities than running and playing, so they should be done first and be constantly supported with tasty rewards, but only after you’ve let the dog be rowdy with a ball on the grass.

Trainability

Training starts early and must be done in a calm and assertive manner without rude intonation. Pitbulls are very sensitive and, what is more important, have a short attention span, so you should make training sessions short but effective based on reward, repetitions and constant but steady complication. Even when the puppy becomes an adult, it may decide to test the boundaries of permission to project some dominance. Such situations must be handled calmly and with assertion only. Just imagine a teenager who wants to see what he/she can get away with. When bringing a puppy home, you should socialize your dog from an early age to accept not just your children but also those from outside, as well as guests and other animals.

Behavioral traits.

Pit bulls display attacks of separation anxiety that develop when being kept isolated or alone for a long time. It is important not just to make the puppy occupied physically, but to pay him enough attention as well. Their fighting roots are still present and there is no guarantee that your puppy won’t go after cats and other dogs alongside whom he was raised. It seldom happens but still is possible. Your puppy will not start a fight but will end it for sure, so you need to supervise his interaction with others so that you teach him a lesson of friendship every time he gets too carried away.

What conclusion can be drawn:

• Pits can be affectionate towards strangers and children when raised properly.
• They adore attention and never redirect aggression on people when being aroused.
• They remain calm, cool and confident.
• They are all submissive but do not lack confidence completely.
• They are emotionally stable but show some reactivity toward other dogs.

Don’t forget that each dog is individual and should be evaluated on its own level of reaction.

Picking a Puppy

When looking for a puppy, always consider a reputable breeder first. According to the United Kennel Club, pit-bulls are the second most popular breed in the US. So when you begin searching for a puppy, you will find breeders everywhere. A responsible breeder pays attention to one breed only, thus ensuring the quality and health of every dog born. Therefore, you should consider first those breeders who have a decent web site and positive reviews from previous customers. Breeders with a proven history of success do not need to advertise their kennels in newspaper ads or local bulletin boards – their names speak for themselves.

You are going to care for your dog for 12-15 years, so the time you spend on choosing the perfect match will certainly pay off in the future. Avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills – they are notorious for producing puppies in an assembly line fashion with no regard for their health and behavior.

Here are 10 tips on how to pick the best puppy:

1. The area where the puppy dwells must be clean and secure, with water and food. There must also be an area where they spend some time together among other mates. This builds solid bonds for a well-socialized puppy. If a puppy is always kept in a cage with little or no comfort, you can only feel pity for him and his psyche.
2. When reaching 5 weeks of age, all puppies of the same litter become energetic and playful. You may find them all sleeping but wait until they wake up! They shouldn’t be weak or trembling, which can be a sign of disease.
3. Puppies are always eager to meet a stranger. If the one that you like keeps trembling in corner, he may be ill or insecure. This puppy will become a fearful adult not suitable for a noisy family with children.
4. If you attend the kennel at feeding time, all puppies must be eager to eat their food. Refusal to eat may be taken as a sign of illness.
5. The dog’s coat should be smooth, clean, and without any sores. If a puppy constantly bites or scratches himself, it means he has fleas.
6. If a puppy keeps scratching his eyes or has redness, it means he’s in need of veterinary assistance.
7. It may sound unpleasant, but you should see a puppy eliminate to make sure that its droppings are not watery or bloody.
8. A puppy who is constantly fed cannot be skinny. Take him in your hands and feel his ribs – they must be easy to feel but hard to see. Ribs protruding through the skin is a sign of malnutrition or serious disease.
9. Puppies should walk without paws that are trembling or
10. The parents of the puppies are something to consider, as a proven record of good breeding may be more eloquent than any word said by the breeder.

Before You Bring Your Pitbull Puppy Home

Pit-bulls are a controversial breed, so before bringing one home you should answer several questions:

Why do you want a pitbull?

Are you looking for a dog who’ll become a great companion or do you live alone and want a dog companion for active exercising outdoors? Few breeds bond as closely with their owners as pit-bulls do. Do you need a dog to guard your stuff or to match your tough demeanor? Pit-bulls are not great guards despite their tough look. Being very fond of humans, a pitbull may even welcome an intruder as a friend. If you act like a tough fella by encouraging aggressive behavior in your dog, it may lead to serious imprisonment, and the consequences for the dog will be even worse.

the apple never falls far from the tree

Are you committed enough to training the dog?

Every pit-bull needs training. While a Dachshund may jump at people and they will think of it as cute, a jumping pit will be seen as pure aggression. That’s just the prejudice every pit-bull owner has to face daily. You are responsible for the behavior of your dog, so be ready to spend at least 20 minutes every day on teaching basic commands.

Can you afford a puppy?

Not only the puppy itself, but his food, vet visits, license, flea control, crate, collar, bowl, training, treatment, toys and so on. The puppy itself costs around $500-800 and you will spend another $1000 for all the necessities. In consecutive years you may be spending $500-1500 per year, which may be too costly.

Can you provide your puppy with sufficient exercise?

If you tend to spend your weekends on the sofa watching TV, this dog is not for you. Having no outlet for energy, your pit-bull may become depressed or direct energy into destruction.

Can you deal with the prejudice against your dog?

Media reports as well as actions of reckless owners have led to a grossly distorted image of pit-bulls. Some people would express fear, hostility or excessive curiosity while others will think strong about not only the dog but its owner as well! The best way to oppose the prejudice is to be a responsible owner with a properly socialized dog.

Are there any laws in your area that prohibit owning a pitbull?

There may be some breed-specific legislation that bans ownership in your area.

Are you ready to own a pitbull dog? Do you have what it takes to be a responsible owner? Please don’t be one of those people who underestimate the cost of keeping a pitbull at home and who abandon their poor dogs in shelters.

Conclusion

A pitbull puppy is a companion who needs care, love, training and constant care just like a human being. If you spend enough time, practice command training and invest in your dog’s future, it will become the dog you want it to be – calm, cool, attentive, listening, curious and easy to care for your whole lifetime.