If you’re just beginning your search for the perfect Pitbull line, it can be quite confusing! With many variations being bred for specific personality traits, colors, and build, it’s important to do your research before choosing your breed.
Relatively new still, the Razor Edge Pitbull line was created in the 1980s. With a stocky build, a thick head, and a short, muscular build, these guys look quite fearsome. But, with careful breeding and being raised in a loving, healthy environment, they are some of the sweetest, most intelligent, and most loyal Pitbull lines.
Most people don’t know a whole lot about them, so we’ve compiled the top 9 facts that every prospective owner should know. Read on to find out if these dogs are a good fit for you and your family!
Training and exercise needs of a Razor Edge Pitbull
The Razor Edge Pitbull is usually pretty easy to train. They are not known for being stubborn or anything of that sort. Their people-oriented nature means that they are often happy to please. They are moderately intelligent, so they can pick up new commands with some ease. Generally, these dogs are straightforward for experienced dog owners to change.
If you are new to dog ownership, we do recommend taking these dogs to obedience classes. These classes help you learn how to train them efficiently, which will help prevent frustration on both sides.
They do have “selective hearing” in some situations. They are known for being a bit overexcited at times and ignoring commands. This fact is especially true when new people and other dogs are involved. They can’t be allowed off-leash for this reason. It wouldn’t be odd for them to run off in search of new friends.
You should know your dog’s limitations, especially when they become overexcited. These dogs are pretty intelligent, but their overly friendly nature can get the best of them. Please don’t put your dog in a situation where they won’t be able to listen.
Many owners struggle with their Pitbull’s destructiveness. These dogs have big jaws and they love to chew. Be prepared to offer your Razor Edge Pitbull plenty of chew items. When he is unsupervised (especially during the puppy stage), you should keep him in a puppy-proof room or a crate specifically for Pitbulls.
These canines are pretty athletic. However, they do not require much exercise. They are often called “40 mph couch-potatoes.” They can go very fast and hard for a time, but their endurance isn’t what you would expect. They are quick to wear out. Many of them will be done playing after 15 to 20 minutes. They may play hard, but they don’t play for very long.
Two short to moderate walks every day is plenty for these dogs. You may also switch out these walking sessions with playtime in a fenced-in backyard if you wish. Their people-oriented nature means that they love doing just about anything as long as they are next to their people. These dogs are very good with children for this reason. They will happily run around and play just about anything.
While these dogs aren’t brilliant, some mental stimulation is recommended. Their alert, exuberant nature can lead to some problem behaviors if they are not worn out. Excessive barking and digging can occur as these dogs attempt to find something fun to do. Therefore, we recommend training sessions to keep your dog well-behaved and worn out. Puzzle toys and simple games are also a great way to exercise this dog’s mind.
This dog is relatively healthy. Because they result from mixing many gene pools, some genetic conditions are less likely to occur. However, because their breed has been pedigreed for a while, some conditions have had the chance to rise to prominence. This is bound to happen any time you continually mix the same population of dogs.
It makes the gene pool smaller and increases the likelihood of dogs with the same unhealthy gene breeding.
There is no overlying health organization that recommends health testing for this breed. Therefore, the only health testing generally done on the parents is what each particular breeder decides on. This can vary widely from kennel to kennel, so we recommend asking breeders about the specific details of their health testing.
Health testing is essential to eliminating and preventing health problems. You don’t want to breed two dogs with bad hips together, as their puppies will end up with even worse hips, for instance. However, many conditions do not show apparent symptoms until later in the dog’s life. Therefore, the only way to determine which genetic conditions a dog might be carrying is to check for them before breeding.
Not all breeders do this, which leads to genetic problems being passed onto the puppies.
Generally, it is recommended that Razor Edge Pitbull breeders test their dogs for at least these conditions before breeding:
While this breed is healthier than most breeds, they are prone to a few different health conditions. Some of these conditions can be prevented with the correct health screenings, but some cannot. For this reason, it is essential to be aware of what health conditions could potentially affect a Razor Edge Pitbull puppy that you adopt.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a fairly common problem in dogs. Many different breeds are affected by it. Most of these breeds are larger and heavier – a category that the Razor Edge Pitbull fits into.
Hip dysplasia is a malformity that occurs while the hip is growing. For one reason or another, the ball and socket do not grow at the same place. This makes the hip unable to fit together correctly, which causes excessive wear.
This condition does have a genetic component. However, environmental factors can also play a role. Often, overfeeding a puppy can make them grow at an odd rate, which can mess with the growth in their hips. Therefore, it is imperative to stick to the feeding guidelines when caring for puppies.
Typically, the symptoms are relatively similar to arthritis. The dog may be reluctant to move their hip and may seem less than solid upon standing. They may be a bit shaky and even limp on some occasions. They are often in pain, but this can be difficult to determine on many dogs.
Lameness is possible in extreme cases.
Treatment is usually similar to arthritis treatment. Sometimes, surgery is required to correct the hip. This surgery can be expensive to the tune of $4,000 per hip.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia, except it affects the dog’s elbow. It seems to be less common than hip dysplasia, but it can be just as troublesome. The elbow joint is made up of three different bones. If one of these bones does not fit properly, then problems are bound to happen. This condition can be caused due to genetics and abnormal growth.
This disease is considered genetic, but diet and other environmental factors do play a role. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid overexercising and overfeeding puppies.
Usually, symptoms will include pain and lameness in one of the front legs that progressively gets worse. Unfortunately, this is a progressive disease, so it will continue to worsen over time if it is not treated. Sometimes, both legs can be affected, which means that both will require treatment.
In many cases, surgery is required to treat this condition. However, mild occurrences may only need medication and joint supplements.
Brachycephalic Respiratory Syndrome
Brachycephalic Respiratory Syndrome is a condition that affects dogs with shorter muzzles. While these dogs are often described as “cute,” the shorter muzzle often results in many problems. The breathing passages of these dogs are often not the correct size, which leads to difficulty breathing.
Usually, dogs with this condition will snort and breathe noisily. This noisy breathing is due to their inability to breathe correctly. As a result, affected dogs will experience exercise intolerance. After all, they cannot breathe heavily as is necessary during exercise.
They are more sensitive to anything that affects their breathing. These factors include heat, humidity, excitement, and any activity. As a result, they will often sleep on their backs, as this position is often the easiest to breathe in.
While these complications can sometimes be avoided by monitoring only, surgery is sometimes provided. Usually, this involves removing some of the dog’s soft palate, making their breathing passage larger.
Eye Conditions
These dogs are affected by a variety of different eye conditions. Cherry eye, ectropion, and entropion are also possible. These conditions are prevalent if the dog has a shortened muzzle, which often causes their eyes to bulge a bit. This can increase the odds of eye injuries, such as corneal wounds and other cuts.
Cherry eye is a primarily benign disease that involves the third eyelid popping out underneath a dog’s eye. Simple surgery is all that is typically required to repair it. For the most part, this is only an aesthetic problem. However, this condition is genetic, so both eyes are usually affected over time.
Entropion occurs when the eyelids roll inwards. The most significant issue with this is that the hair on the eyelid’s surface will irritate the eyes, resulting in pain and eventual damage. This condition is often genetic, but trauma and chronic squinting can cause it as well.
Cone-Rod Dystrophy 1
This condition explicitly affects the American Pit Bull Terrier. It is entirely genetic and causes retinal degeneration at an early age, which quickly results in complete blindness. Visual impairment is usually apparent before the dog’s first birthday. However, blindness can sometimes be difficult to notice in dogs, as many canines act completely fine until they are put in a new environment.
This disease is recessive, so both parents must be carriers for it to pass onto their puppies. Carriers are entirely asymptomatic, so it is easy to breed them together unless the proper health testing is performed. Two healthy dogs who happen to be carriers will produce a litter containing a decent number of affected puppies.
Tests are as cheap as $50, so there is little reason for breeders not to test their dogs before breeding.
These dogs do not require much grooming due to their smooth and short coat. Typically, they only require a weekly brushing session using a slicker brush, which should remove much of their dead hair. Brushing will also remove dirt and debris that may have built up in the coat, helping it stay cleaner for longer. Many brushes are also designed to spread around a dog’s natural oils. These are important for your dog’s skin and coat health. Many natural oils are also dirt-repellent, so they will prevent your canine from becoming dirty in the future.
Beyond this, most Razor Edge Pitbulls will not need a significant amount of grooming. We recommend starting at a young age to get the dog used to the brushing sessions. This will prevent many headaches later on, even if you do end up unnecessarily brushing a puppy.
Like all dogs, you should also keep your dog’s teeth clean. While they are not particularly prone to periodontal disease, all dogs can develop teeth problems if they are not cleaned and brushed. We recommend brushing their teeth at least twice or three times a week. The more often, the better.
You should also keep an eye on their ears. Dirt and debris can cause severe problems for a dog’s ears and eventually lead to ear infections. The Razor Edge Pitbull isn’t prone to ear infections, but you should clean their ears with a damp cotton ball anyway if you notice any dirt.
The only place you can usually find these dogs is from a breeder. They are a newer breed that was carefully developed by several kennels. Therefore, the only dogs of this bloodline that exist are descended from those few kennels. Most of these dogs are either sterilized and owned as companions or kept by breeders. They don’t tend to show up at rescues or local animal shelters. There simply aren’t enough of them.
Furthermore, it can be difficult to tell the Razor Edge Pitbull from other bully breeds, so rescues and animal shelters will often incorrectly label them. Therefore, your dog is probably not a Razor Edge Pitbull unless it comes with papers and a pedigree.
There are quite a few breeders that specialize in this breed. However, because of their rarity and the amount of careful breeding involved, these dogs can often cost anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000. Some breeders may sell dogs for as much as $35,000. Therefore, you should plan on paying quite a bit for these dogs, especially if you’re planning on getting a specific gender or coloration.
Razor’s Edge Pitbull Puppies – Before You Buy
Energy Shedding Health Lifespan Sociability
They often have a Blue or Brindle coat
Almost all Razor Edge Pitbulls will have a “Blue” or “Brindle” coat. This doesn’t mean you’ll be picking up a blue puppy! Rather, this is a shade of coat color referred to as “blue” and is actually a variation of silvery-gray.
These guys were bred specifically to have blue or brindle coats. Many reputable breeders will be sure to advertise their blue coats, as it is a trademark of the breed. Along with a blue coat, Razors will also have blue noses and often, blue eyes. Sounds like an awful lot of blue, but in reality, it is a stunning combination!
FAQ
What color are razor edge Pitbulls?
Is a brindle Pitbull rare?