Pitbulls are unfortunately often associated with aggression and dog fighting, and the Gator Pitbull makes no exception. But thankfully, more people are changing their opinions about Pitbulls and Gator Mouth Pitbulls thanks to the multiple resources and groups of fanciers of the breed who are refuting these false claims that Pitbulls are naturally violent and aggressive.
In fact, Pitbull owners and fanciers claim that Pitbulls are gentle and loving dogs and make perfect family pets.
The Pitbull is a term that is commonly used for several different dog breeds, including the American Pitbull Terrier.
This dog breed has various bloodlines, which affect the appearance and traits of the different dogs.
The most popular bloodlines (strain) of Pitbulls include:
- The Red Nose Bloodline
- The Gator Bloodline
- The Gotti Bloodline
- The Razor Edge Bloodline
In general, Pitbulls are intelligent and friendly, and easily adaptable to all kinds of homes and families, given that they are socialized in a timely and proper manner.
The dogs from the different Pitbull strains may differ in appearance, temperament, and demeanor.
Read on to find out more about the Gator Pitbull bloodline and its characteristics.
What are Gator Pitbulls?
The Gator Pitbull originates from the Plumber’s Alligator Pitbull and the Rodriguez’s Gator Pitbulls and is a type of Pitbull which was initially bred to be a fighting dog.
Over time, when dogfighting became banned, the Gator Pitbull has gradually become a much-preferred family pet thanks to its inherited traits and its love for its humans.
Today, the Gator Pitbull has evolved into a family-friendly dog and has very little of the fighting strains left, thanks to the responsible breeders who have bred out the aggression and are breeding these pups for their affection and sociability.
What is the origin of the Gator Pitbull?
Today’s Gator Pitbull is a dog from one of the following bloodlines:
- CH Plumber’s Alligator POR
- CH Rodriguez’s Gator ROM
While the first Gator Pitbulls were bred as champion fighting dogs, throughout the years, this fighting has been bred out, and they have been bred thin.
The Plumber’s Alligator
The Plumber’s CH Alligator dog was created for Mr. Williams in Fort Worth, Texas, from a black scatter-bred dog named Satin Lady from Maurice Carver and the males nigg*r dog from the Old Tudor line owned by J.E.King.
The result was three pups, including the big and unsightly Alligator, the smaller Soko resembling a bulldog, and Susan Renee, who also had a bulldog stance.
Alligator was bought by Plumbers’ and paired with the leading match dogs, and quickly gained a name as the best fighter, as well as a quite goofy dog.
The Rodriguez’s Gator
Rodriguez Gator was a combination of the Red Boy and Jeep line. He was sold by A. White to P. Rodriguez and quickly became one of the best fighters and ROM producers.
In a few years, Rodriguez was forced to sell Gator to the owner of the dog’s grandfather CH Jeep ROM and became a successful fighter.
What does the Gator Pitbull look like?
Today, more Pitbull fanciers prefer Gator Pitbulls due to their cute appearance and friendly and loving temperament.
The Gator Pitbulls have muscular bodies, shiny short coats, and short tails. The usual height at the shoulder of the Gator Pitbull is 15-20 inches, and its weight is up to 65 lbs.
There are different types of Gator Pitbulls, including:
- Black Gator Pitbulls
- Blue Gator Pitbulls
- Brindle Gator Pitbulls
- Red Nose Gator Pitbulls
- Blue Nose Gator Pitbulls
What is the temperament of the Gator Pitbull?
Like most of the Pitbull types, the Gator Pitbulls are loving, highly intelligent, and eager to please their human families. Although the fighting genes have been gradually bred out, dogs from this Pitbull bloodline can be dangerous and aggressive towards other dogs and animals if they are not socialized properly from an early age.
It is absolutely essential for dog owners to start introducing the Gator Pitbull to other dogs, people, animals, vehicles, and different settings as early as possible so that the dogs get used to meeting and socializing properly rather than fearing the unknown.
It is also vital that the owner establishes himself or herself as the pack leader from the very start in order to prevent dominant behavior from the pup.
The potential health issues in Gator Pitbulls
Gator Pitbulls are generally very strong, healthy, and active dogs. But like with all dog breeds, the pups from this breed and bloodline are prone to some health issues more than others.
Here are some of the health problems that Gator Pitbulls are at a greater risk of inheriting or developing:
Knee issues
Because they are very active dogs, Gator Pitbulls love playing and running, which can cause knee problems due to the impact and strain put on the joints.
Knee issues usually begin with a tear, which can lead to pain and limping. But if left untreated and the dog continues with its strenuous activities, it can become a problematic issue, often requiring surgical repair.
Thyroid problems
Thyroid disease, which is caused by the thyroid gland underproducing the essential hormones, is common among all Pitbull strains. This hormonal disbalance can lead to skin problems, excessive weight gain, and in some cases, behavioral changes, including aggression. When treated, this condition is manageable, but the affected dogs may need to take Thyroxin for the rest of their lives.
Skin issues
Like all other Bullies, Gator Pitbulls are prone to certain skin conditions, including allergies, itching, tumors, and cancer.
To prevent skin issues in Pitbulls, owners should regularly clean and groom the dogs, including the hidden parts, to prevent allergies. Also, it is essential to provide sufficient shade or use dog sunblock on the skin to protect it from sunburn and skin cancers, which can occur because of the dogs’ short coats.
If you have a Gator Pitbull, you can further protect it from skin problems by using a pet-friendly repellent for mosquitos and other bugs.
Make sure you inspect the dog’s skin on a regular basis and speak to your veterinarian if you notice anything out of the ordinary as soon as possible.
Cataract
Cataracts are common among Gator Pitbulls but are usually not serious. Still, to be on the safe side, you should take your dog for checkups at the vet at least twice a year.
Hip dysplasia
This is an inherited condition that can occur among Gator Pitbulls and is when the hip joint does not fit the bones snuggly and causes pain, lameness, and pain. Pups with hip dysplasia can face becoming completely lame if the condition is not treated.
Responsible breeders test their dogs and do not breed dogs that carry this gene.
Cerebellar Ataxia
This is another genetic condition that can occur among Gator Pitbulls and is characterized by the loss of balance and poor coordination of the muscles and body. It can lead to the inability to walk at all and can require the use of a wheelchair.
Owning a gator Pitbull – Pros and Cons
Gator Pitbulls are naturally intelligent and very affectionate to their families, but if you have not owned a dog from this breed, you should be warned that owning a Gator Pitbull requires a lot of patience, commitment, and time, if you want a well behaved and properly socialized dog, which is not a threat to other dogs, animals, and people.
Here are the pros and cons of adding a Gator Pitbull to your family:
Pros
- Gator Pitbulls love being around their people and are affectionate and playful, but when they are properly socialized from a very early age
- They are active and agile dogs, which, when socialized, can become your children’s best playmates and friends
- They require minimal grooming, including weekly baths and some brushing, thanks to their short coats
- They are intelligent dogs with excellent learning abilities
- With proper training, their resilience can be channeled into more productive social activities
- They usually remain playful and active even in their senior years
Cons:
- Without the correct socialization and training, they can be aggressive towards other dogs and animals, so they are not suitable for a household where there are already other pets
- They can be quite stubborn, and due to their strength, can be problematic for inexperienced dog owners or older and frail owners
- They require more supervision than many other breeds and will want more attention, which makes them unsuitable for owners who don’t have the time for it
- You will need a very secure fence that is at least 6ft. high in order to ensure that your dog doesn’t jump out of the yard
Where to buy a Gator Pitbull?
If you are planning on buying a Gator Pitbull, make sure that you look for a reputable breeder and Kennel. It would be best if you abstained from purchasing a Pitbull online without knowing the breeder or seeing the puppies and mother.
It is best to choose a reputable breeder who tests and breeds the dogs responsibly and without health or temperament issues.
You should ask the breeder to confirm the bloodline of the puppy, and if possible, meet the mother, parents, or siblings of the dog.
The most popular Gator Pitbull Kennels in the US are:
- Tom Garner Kennels – located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, this reputable Kennel breeds dogs according to APKC standards and to be intelligent, athletic, courageous, and most importantly, people-friendly.
- Bayou Blood Kennels – these are relatively new Gator Pitbull breeders located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and breed dogs from the bloodline for family dogs.
- Bossy Kennels – this is the most famous of all Pitbull kennels and produces some of the best dogs from the bloodline and breed. The Kennels pride themselves on having one of the most famous females in the world.
- Dark Dynasty Kennels – these breeders are some of the few who specialize in training and protection services as well. They are located in Twin Mountain, New Hampshire.
How much can you expect to pay for a Gator Pitbull?
The prices of Gator Pitbulls vary depending on the breeders. If you choose a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay from $2,000 to $10,000 and even more for a purebred Gator Pitbull.
You can find some breeders who ask for lower prices, but few of them can be trusted to provide healthy and responsibly bred Gator Pitbulls.
The factors which can affect the price of a purebred Gator Pitbull include:
- Having papers, which include the official lineage of the puppy, will increase the cost of the dog
- The gender of the puppy – females, is usually more expensive than the males unless the breeders are selecting the best studs for breeding purposes, in which case the males will be more expensive
- Physical traits can affect the price as well. For example, Red Nose and Blue Nose Gator Pitbulls are usually more expensive because they are rarer
What about adopting a Gator Pitbull?
If you prefer to adopt rather than buy a dog, then you can consider adopting a puppy or dog from a local animal shelter or rescue center. You can search the online resources for dog adoption or communicate with Pitbull rescue centers to find a dog that is suitable for you.
You can expect to pay somewhere between $150 to $600 for adopting a Gator Pitbull.
Final Words
The Gator Pitbull is among the most impressive Pitbull bloodlines and has become increasingly popular due to its affection and its sociability, which make it an excellent family dog, even though the bloodline was initially started with the intention of producing the best fight dogs. Thankfully, the bloody sport of dogfighting has been outlawed now, and respected breeders breed these dogs as family dogs and have gradually bred out the fighting genes.
It must be noted that the prices for purebred Gator Pitbulls are continuously rising because more people are willing to pay higher sums for dogs from this bloodline based on the reputation of the Kennel and the dog rather than based on its personality and actual traits.
To be sure that you are buying the best Gator Pitbull puppy, make sure that you request certification for the dog’s bloodline and its qualities.
