To understand a pitbull an its history you must first understand the history of dogs. There are about 800 dog breeds give or take one or two. Dogs originated from two early species of wolves, in fact all species of dogs can be bred to WOLVES! As time and man progressed, dog breeds were developed according to the use that man had for them. Back in the early days bloodhounds were bred for sniffiling the trails of slaves and hunting prey, early mastiffs were bred for war an combat along side man, most terriers were bred for burrow into holes for rats an other rodents. The almighty pitbull was bred early on to fight in the pits to the death for their masters. The characterictics that were necessary for dog pit fighting then allows modern pitbulls to take intrest in anything their master shows intrest in. This is what makes the modern american pitbull terrier the best breed on the planet. These dogs can be trained to do any and everything that you want them to do. They have a need an eagerness to please their master unmatched by any othe breed. Not only that, but they are wonderfull companions and execellant around children. I am a firm believer that your dog will be the way you raise it to be.
THE "OLD FAMILY RED NOSE" DOGS By E.L. Mullins.
I can not possibly say anything concerning the "Old Family Red Nose" dogs that has not already been repeated a hundred times before. This, therefore, is simply another record of what history has already given us and a re-introduction to the very significant part of the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier.
When we discuss the origin of the "Old Family Red Nose" dogs, we are really discussing the original dogs bred by such men as William J. Lightner and Con Feeley. It was around 1914-1916 that Red Howell, Al Dickson and Joe Peace had dogs from the first litters off of Lightner's "Vick" and Lightner's "Pansy". When the First World War came along, Joe Peace and Al Dickson were drafted and Red Howell was left with the dogs. Red Howell sold some of the dogs, however, most of the dogs he placed in capable and reliable hands of those he knew he could trust. During this time they were known as just food pit dogs. The name "Red Nose", at the time, had never been used to describe a particular line of dogs. It would be Dan McCoy who would later be credited as the first man to coin the phrase, "Old Family Red Nose" dogs to describe and distinguish these dogs as an individual line or strain of the American Pit Bull Terrier. History later gave us the litter of Ferguson's "Centipede", Hemphill's "Golddust", Morris' "Pinkie", and Howell's "Banjo", as well as their close relative, William's "Cyclone".
Robert H. (Bob) Hemphill, along with Red Howell, went to the kennel of Harvey and Owens in Amarillo, Texas and together they purchased "Golddust". "Golddust", of course, later went to Harry Clark and then to D.A. McClintock, where he died. Earl Tudor obtained "Centipede". "Centipede" was then loaned to Red Howell. Later, Earl Tudor sold "Centipede" to Dave Ferguson. Earl Tudor was also the man who owned the dog called "Cyclone" and eventually sold him to Jim Williams's. It is felt that if Earl Tudor and Red Howell had not won such great battles with these dogs mentioned above, as well as others, that made this particular line so popular. This was the first time you really began to hear about "Red Nose" dogs as a strain.
Now, not all of the offspring were whelped "Red Nose" from this stock. Some people still feel that the blood in the Con Feeley dogs was much more "Red Nose" then that of the Lightner dogs. It is said W.C. (Bill) Roper bred some of the best "Red Nose" dogs, sent to him by Jim Williams and Bob Wallace. I.D. Cole of Arizona also bred some extremely high caliber dogs, bred down from Slattery's "Mike" and William's "Blade". I.D. Cole also owned Cole's (Fulkerson's) "Spook", a direct grandson of the old Lightner's "Spook". However, the "Red Nose" dogs were never controlled by any one individual or select group of individuals. Many of the "Red Nose" dogs were produced through different crosses. In fact, there were many breeders and fanciers of the "Old Family Red Nose" dogs. There were men such as W.J. Lightner, Con Feeley, J.P. Colby, D.A. McClintock, Dan McCoy, Harvey and Owens, Ferguson, Ferrel, Conklin, Anderson, Bourgeous, Plemmons, Dickenson, Hanson, Williams, Roberts, Cole, Leo Kinard, Ed Crenshaw, Joe Beal, Jake Wilder, just to name a few. However, two of the leading breeders into the late 1960's and the man more often associated with the "Old Family Red Nose" dogs were Robert H. (Bob) Hemphill Jr. and Robert Forster (Bob) Wallace.
Robert Hemphill had been friends with Earl Tudor as early as 1914. Hemphill became personally interested in the Lightner dogs and in the 1920's began an extensive search to locate and obtain high caliber dogs from this line.
It was Dan McCoy who received word of the Frenchman who lived in Louisiana by the name of Bourgeous. Bourgeous had received several dogs directly from Mr. William Lightner and for many years had bred and raised these dogs strictly for his own personal satisfaction. Bourgeous was extremely successful in preserving the "Red Nose" strain. Robert Hemphill went with Dan McCoy to Louisiana and aided by Gaboon Trahan, they purchased several dogs from Bougeous. Hemphill's kept only the highest caliber of these "Red Nose" dogs and began to form his foundation stock from them. Hemphill's early advertisements reflect that he had been raising "Old Family Red Nose" dogs since 1927. Throughout his life, Robert Hemphill remained dedicated to the breed and faithful to the "Old Family Red Nose" line. Old advertisements throughout his life reflected his great devotion to keeping the line pure. Until 1966 he advertised strictly "Old Family Red Nose" dogs. After that time, his ads began to reflect the adage of 1/8th to 1/16th "Dibo" breeding.
Concerning the Lightner dogs, some fanciers and under the false assumption that W.J. Lightner bred only "Red Nose" dogs because of his overwhelming association with them. Those who have really done their homework know that this is not the case at all. He also raised great blacks and dark colored dogs as well. The pinnacle of Lightner's success as a breeder is demonstrated through two dogs; Hall's "Searcy Jeff", owned through time by Jim Searcy, Bob Hemphill and Dr. Hall and then Bob Wallace, was reputed as being the best of the "Red Nose" blood that could ever be bred. The second dog was "Colorado Imp", owned by Jeff Runyon and said to be the best of the black and/or dark blood that could ever be bred. Both of these dogs being bred from the same basic foundation dogs of the same man, William J. Lightner. When these two dogs met each other at Medicine Park, Oklahoma in 1937, they proved William J. Lightner to be one of the greatest breeders of all time. After this meeting, Bob Wallace told Hemphill that he was going to buy this dog, "Searcy Jeff", even if it costs him a thousand dollars! Later, in 1937, when Hemphill left that part of the country, he divided up the dogs with Red Howell and Dr. Hall. Dr. Hall received "Searcy Jeff" and Bob Wallace did eventually buy "Jeff" from him. Also in 1937, Robert Hemphill sent a young dog back to William Lightner, that dog now appears in many of the "Old Family Red Nose" line of today, that dog is known as Lightner's Pumpkin.
Bob Wallace is also remembered in history for his association and great success with "Old Family Red Nose" dogs. However, there are two main misconceptions concerning Mr. Wallace that should be cleared up at this point. One is that Hemphill and Wallace were partners. They were not. They both shared a deep respect of the "Red Nose" dogs and were both dedicated to keeping the line pure. They were both successful breeders in keeping the line pure, strong and beautiful. They even shared common breeding and interbred their dogs within each other’s line, but they were not partners.
At the age of thirteen, Bob Wallace met and became friends with the "Old Timer", Ben Flannery. Throughout his teens, Bob Wallace owned many outstanding Bulldogs. He later obtained dogs from bloodlines of Dugan's "Pat". The second misconception concerning Bob Wallace was that he bred primarily "Red Nose" dogs. His original was quiet variable in color and were extremely talented dogs. Though these dogs did not show it, they carried a large amount of the "Red Nose" blood. One of the first foundation females of Bob Wallace was the famous Shipley's "Penny". Shipley's "Penny" was a direct descendant of the old Corcoran dogs. Wallace had always considered Corcoran to be one of the great breeders of all time. Other great dogs that are considered part of the foundation of the Wallace dogs were ones such as, Ferguson's "Centipede", Hall's "Searcy Jeff" and the famous Wallace's "Tony". "Tony" was said to be Wallace’s' pride and joy. Wallace bred Shipley's "Penny" to "Centipede" and produced these three great dogs, "Stinger" "Scorpion" and "Spider". He later bred "Searcy Jeff" to "Spider" and produced Wallace's "Madam Queen". When he bred "Madam Queen" to "Tony" he produced the ever-famous Wallace's "King Cotton". Other famous dogs appear in many of the popular "Old Family Red Nose" dogs of modern times are Wallace's "Red Rustler", "Red Rock" and "Red Rube", as well as the famous producing female Wallace's "Red Raven".
The old advertisements of Bob Wallace during the 1940's clearly reflect the breeding and maintenance of the old Corcoran and Lightner Line of dogs. Most of the advertisements were stated in bold print. During the 1940's Bob Wallace began to look "Red Nose" dogs to outcross his own with. At this time he felt that his own dogs were getting as tight as could be productively bred. When he began his search he found that the pure "Old Family Red Nose" dogs were almost extinct. Most of the lines were ruined or contaminated through careless breeding. However, he was finally able to locate and obtain seven pure "Red Nose" dogs of high caliber, whose pedigree he could authenticate.
Bob Wallace was a man of character and honesty and often stated that there is no "magic" to the "Old Family Red Nose" dogs, that they are just one good line of many. The "Red Nose" dogs have the intelligence, talent and personality to stand on their own merit. Bob Wallace has gone down in history as one of the greatest breeders of his ear. Over the years as a breeder, Bob Wallace was known to sell less than a dozen dogs. He stated that he never sold dogs as a matter of personal principle. The results of his dedication to the breed is still apparent and appreciated in the modern day American Pit Bull Terrier.
This has been a short narrative introduction to the "Old Family Red Nose" dogs and few of the men dedicated to their preservation. It is by far complete or conclusive. Their significance cannot be finalized in a few short paragraphs. Entire volumes could be written on the "Old Family Red Nose" dogs and their place in the history of the American pit Bull Terrier.
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It is not known exactly how and when the Red Nose Pitbull originated, although according to some accounts they are said to have come from Ireland. In fact, this breed of dog is to be a descendent of the strain of Old Family Red Nose, which can be traced back t a long time indeed, and hence the Red Nose Pitbull is much sought after. However, apart from their red colored nose, they do not differ from other types of pitbulls such as the Black Nose Pitbull or the Blue Nose Pitbull.
It is said that it was John Sullivan, a boxer, who introduced the Red Nose Pitbull into the United States from his native country, Ireland.
The Temperament of the Red Nose Pitbull
The pitbull breed of dog, including the Red Nose Pitbull, is much misunderstood by most people, largely due to the unfavorable press they receive, being labeled as vicious and dangerous to people around them. So much so, in a few parts of the country, it is actually illegal to sell pitbulls. However, this is completely false. The reports about aggressive behavior are basically based on dogs that have been originally bred for fighting, and have experienced much abuse and maltreatment. Any breed of dog that receives this kind of treatment will display aggression.
Another misconception about the pitbull dog breed, including the Red Nose Pitbull, is the belief that they have a mechanism in their jaws that enables them to lock their jaws once they get hold of something in their mouth. However, according to studies made on pitbulls, it has been found to be another myth. As a matter of fact, the jaws and mouth of the pitbull is not any way different from other dog breeds. However, it is also a fact that the pitbull is a generally powerful dog, so are its jaws, so obviously it will have a powerful grip. No breed of dog has the ability of locking its jaws shut.
Although the Red Nose Pitbull (as well as other types of pitbulls) may appear aggressive and powerful, they are actually quite playful and friendly. Although they may have a streak of stubbornness in them, they are courageous, intelligent, and really want to please their owner, which makes them highly trainable. Actually, the very fact that they were trained to get into bloody fights, even though most of them used to be grievously injured, just shows how loyal and trainable they are temperamentally. Hence, this breed of dog can make a very loyal pet and is also very protective towards the people who own him/her, and the environment he/she may live in, which makes them very good guard dogs. They also display a lot of love and affection for all the members of the family, having the ability of getting on well with both the old as well as the young.
Red Nose Pitbull Puppies
If you are thinking of getting yourself a Red Nose Pitbull puppy, you will have to do some research first, like you would with any other breed of dog. However, there are some special considerations to take into account for the pitbull breed.
One of the first things you have to know about pitbulls is that they highly energetic, and hence need a lot of exercise. Therefore, you will have to be able to give a fair amount of your time and also be the kind of person who likes activity. If you do love getting out and exercising, then a Red Nose Pitbull would make an ideal pet.
Another thing you need to be careful about is not leaving your Red Nose Pitbull outside by itself. First, it has a tendency and the ability to escape, and secondly, because of the bad press it has received, your neighbors and friends may react with fear.
Also, you need to keep in mind the training and socializing required for your Red Nose Pitbull puppy, for which you will have to keep aside a considerable amount of time. Plus, get a Red Nose Pitbull if you truly love this breed and want him/her as a loving friend and companion, not to impress others or merely as a conversation piece.
There are plenty of sites on the Internet that have Red Nose Pitbull puppies for sale. However, before actually buying one from any of these sites, make a thorough check of their antecedents, visit them and find out how they treat and breed them.
Generally speaking, if trained and raised with love and affection, along with being socialized early with other animals and children, your Red Nose Pitbull puppy will grow up to be a wonderful and loving companion indeed.
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