Gator Pitbull: The Complete Guide - Dogsintl (2024)

Most people get intimidated by the term “Pitbull” by itself. There are many types of Pitbulls that are mostly misunderstood, and the Gator Pitbull is one of them. The Gator Pitbull’s long and dark history has associated the breed with various harmful stereotypes — such as aggression, or even viciousness!

However, most of the time these stereotypes are not proven to be true, as Gator Pitbulls are actually quite valued for their intelligence and affection they show for their owners!

When trained and socialized adequately, Gator Pitbulls can actually be charming and lovable pets. So if you’re planning to adopt or buy one of these breeds, make sure to educate yourself first in order to take care of it properly!

What is a Gator Pitbull?

A Gator Pitbull is a specific type of pitbull that has been said to originate from two fighting dogs — Plumber’s Pitbull named Alligator and Rodriquez’ Pitbull named Gator. Since its parents are both fighting dogs, this type of pitbull can be very strong, as they can jump very high.

Because of this, owners must install high fences for their backyard so their Gator Pitbull can roam without the risk of it getting lost or stolen. It is recommended for owners to have fences that are at least six feet high.

Gator Pitbulls can be quite diverse as the bloodline has been diluted, and exist in various forms.

Gator Pitbull Appearance

Gator Pitbulls usually have an average weight of 65 to 80 pounds or around a minimum of 29.4 kilograms. As for their height, they usually range from about 15-20 inches or 38 – 50 centimeters. Their fur coats are often glossy and quite short, and because of this their fur is easy to manage. The colors of their fur may vary. Among these hues, the most common colors are brindle, black, white, and red. Some may even come with a beautiful combination of these colors!

Gator Pitbulls also have highly muscular bodies, because they can be quite active — just like any other pitbulls. Gator Pitbulls also have tails that must never be docked, because their tails are thin and tapered.

Gator Pitbull History

The two original Gators — Plumber’s Alligator Pitbull and Rodriquez’ Gator Pitbull — were both bred and raised to be fighting dogs. As time went by, these two dogs’ bloodlines have spread thin, and one may only purchase a legitimate Gator Pitbull pup from a reputable breeder.

However, despite the history of pitbulls being raised as fighting dogs, these dogs were not trained to attack humans. Back when dog fighting was still a sport, pitbulls were trained to be vicious around other dogs, but not humans. As soon as a human enters a fighting ring, the dogs become docile as they are trained not to harm humans. It is said that this training is where their innate affection for humans came from.

Thankfully, dog fighting matches are now banned and illegal as it is incredibly inhumane and is designed to harm animals. As time went by, Gator Pitbulls have lost these fighting abilities and most present-day Gator Pitbulls are not designed for fighting.

Nowadays, Gator Pitbulls are now only bred due to the affection that they show for humans, especially to its owners. They are also bred for their social abilities.

Gator Pitbull Breed

The original bloodline of Gator Pitbulls can only be traced from its two parent dogs which were mentioned earlier. For their exact origin, some sources state that pitbulls as a whole were born from the fusion of two breeds: Terriers and Bulldogs. Bulldogs were dogs that are popular for their strength, while Terriers were known for their feistiness and agility. This is why Pitbulls were made to be fighting dogs, as they can be quite powerful.

Dogs that can be categorized as pitbulls, including Gator Pitbulls, were said to have originated from Great Britain.

Gator Pitbull Lifespan

Gator Pitbulls can actually lead long lives, and can be long term companions! Due to their natural athleticism and activeness, they usually have an average life expectancy of 12-14 years. This lifespan is longer than breeds of a similar size.

But, it is important to remember that your dog’s lifespan greatly depends on its health. So make sure to screen your dog for any acquired genetic disease prior to adoption — reputable breeders provide you with documents as proof of your pup’s health as this is the bare minimum. Also, regular visits to the vet can also help you detect any illnesses much earlier, so you’d be able to prevent them from worsening.

Gator Pitbull Temperament

The Gator Pitbull is a very intelligent breed! They are always willing to please their owner and their family. They can be really quite affectionate, for reasons stated above that are linked to its history, so despite the stigma surrounding this breed — they can actually be quite cuddly!

Despite Gator Pitbulls originally being bred to be fighting dogs, they are actually not aggressive outside of natural disagreements with other dogs, out of their innate instincts. However, a lack of socialization can prove to be a problem with your Gator Pitbull. Socialization, for dogs, is the process of getting them used to different types of people and their fellow dogs. This is done so your pet can deal with different types of situations in a collected and more social manner.

So, as long as you socialize them from a young age, your Gator Pitbull can have a pleasing, affectionate, and warm temperament not only with you but with other dogs!

Gator Pitbull Food and Diet Requirements

As Gator Pitbulls have naturally muscular bodies, their owners must ensure that their diet is full of proteins. Different sources of proteins such as a variety of meats keep their meals balanced, healthy, and yummy!

Owners must also be careful about the type of meats they’d feed their Gator Pitbulls. You must choose organ meat preferably only from your dog’s preferred meat-animal to eat and make sure it is screened for parasites before buying. Unsafe meat can cause several illnesses to your dog as parasites can dwell in their internal organs, so be extra cautious!

As for vegetables, the types of healthy veggies your Gator Pitbull can eat are potatoes, spinach pumpkins, kale, parsley, mushrooms, and carrots. These are some of the best vegetables you can feed your pittie with, as these strengthen digestion and the immune system and promote healthy skin and coat!

Gator Pitbull Exercise

Packed with tons of energy, Gator Pitbulls may require an average of 30 t0 45 minutes of exercise per day. Due to pitbulls’ innate activeness, it is recommended to exercise your Gator Pitbull vigorously.

If you let them roam free in your backyard or garden, you must at least secure it with a six-foot tall fence as Gator Pitbulls can jump quite high, as mentioned earlier.

Gator Pitbull Grooming

Thankfully, Gator Pitbulls are quite low maintenance when it comes to grooming, and they won’t take too much of their owners’ time!

Yet, as a pet owner, you must still keep in mind that every single dog loves to be brushed, and with pitbulls it should be done on a regular basis. Also, when you properly groom your pets, it is also quite easier to spot allergies or skin conditions common to their breed.

Also, another important fact that should be kept in mind is that bathing them too often can prove to be unhealthy. However, quick rundowns under the shower head can be quite enjoyable to them. Lastly depending on how aquatic your Gator Pitbull is, you should try to go to the sea or smaller rivers. It is common for dogs to love beaches!

Gator Pitbull Training

Firstly, make sure that your Gator Pitbull is used to any kind of touch — such as petting. You should ensure you get them used to — and even enjoy! — your gentle touches and pets where Gator Pitbulls usually not enjoy being touched, such as the underside of their belly. Usually, in dogs, letting their owner touch their bellies is a sign of vulnerability.

Because of this, you must also teach your dog how to relax. Find a way to teach your Gator Pitbull relaxation — a specific cue mixed with a specific touch can be memorized by the dog to have a calming effect on them.

Start immediately at a young age so they are used to all kinds of things, including practices that are highly important for their hygiene. This includes cleaning their ears, bathing, administering medication, and others.

Also, another thing to keep in mind is that you have to learn to train your Gator Pitbull calmly. Make sure that you don’t show any kind of aggressiveness towards your pet. Use eye contact to teach them focus, which eventually leads to obedience.

Lastly, give them the exercise they need so they would not have any kinds of pent up energy that they need to release — so you may be able to train and handle them easily.

Something important to keep in mind, though — is that all kinds of dogs need patience and commitment for them to be trained. So, you must learn to be calm, committed, and patient when training your pet, no matter what breed they belong to.

Gator Pitbull Health Issues

With proper maintenance and regular visits to a veterinarian, the possibility of any health issues in your Gator Pitbull can be drastically lowered. Also, you must screen your breeder first prior to the adoption or purchase of your pup to ensure that there aren’t any hidden genetic diseases your dog might possess.

In order to help you, we had listed the common health issues that can be found in Gator Pitbulls for your reference:

• Skin problems
• Knee complications
• Hip dysplasia
• Allergies
• Thyroid Disease
• Gastric Dilation
• Ichthyosis
• Cataracts
• Cerebellar Ataxia
• Heart Disease

Is the Gator Pitbull a Good Family Dog?

Yes, absolutely! Gator Pitbulls have a beautiful combination of affection and energy, perfect for both games and cuddles!

However, if you have any family member that is allergic to animal fur, having a Gator Pitbull can be a huge no-no. Pitbulls as a whole have allergens contained not only in their fur, but also their dander, saliva, sweat, and urine.

Conclusion

With adequate training and socializations, Gator Pitbulls can actually be one of the sweetest and most affectionate dogs you can ever find. They can also be good family dogs! When we ignore harmful stereotypes that have stemmed from this breed’s history, we can find that they are more than just vicious and aggressive dogs, as they actually really aren’t. They are naturally affectionate to humans!

Coming from a very specific bloodline, Gator Pitbulls can be hard to find. So, make sure that you find a legitimate and reputable breeder to purchase your Gator Pitbull pup from.