The Gator Pitbull: Your Complete Guide To The Toughest Pitbull Bloodline

The Gator Pitbull has all sorts of extraordinary traits and quite the reputation among Pitbull lovers. These dogs are a Pitbull bloodline with a fascinating history that sets them apart from your everyday Pit. As a whole, Pitbulls have been the subject of major controversy, so choosing to own one should never be taken lightly. 

There are entire sites and social media pages titled “Ban Pitbulls” crawling with horrific stories involving Pits. We cannot ignore this canine’s fighting roots nor deny they can make sweet and lovable companions. This makes topics like Gator or Gator Mouth Pitbulls a tricky one, since it is very emotionally charged.

To be clear, Pitbulls are remarkable dogs and deserve the love they get from their fans. But at the same time, we must emphasize the importance of responsible ownership and that dogs with this kind of power and intensity need experienced owners. The Gator Pitbull is a unique bloodline with their quirks, traits, and requirements. Follow along as we explore all about the Gator Pit.

The name Pitbull is encompassing, much like how “retriever” refers to many breeds. Pitbull refers to American Pitbull Terriers (APBT or what most people call Pitbull), American Staffordshire terriers, American Bully, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Gator Pitbulls are typically APBTs.

History of the Gator Pitbull 

What sets apart the Gator Pitbull bloodline from the others is its history. There are several main Pitbull bloodlines, each having unique looks and temperaments true to their origins. These four are among the most popular:

• Old Family Red bloodline that produces the famous red-nose Pits
• Jeep bloodline
• Gotti bloodline
• Gator bloodline

A Gator Pitbull’s entire origin circles back to the term “game bred,” where the sole goal of breeding was to get the ultimate fighting champion. This is the tragic background of dog fighting, and as much as we want to ignore it, understanding the genetics that created the Gator Mouth is essential to understanding the dog. As you can expect, such dogs had distinct traits, like the willingness to fight to the death.

It gets a little confusing because there are bloodlines within this bloodline. The Plumber’s Alligator and Rodriquez’s Gator bloodlines resulted in our present Gator Pitbull. The Plumber’s and Rodriquez’s were themselves part of the red Boy and Jeep bloodlines which were the pinnacles of game-bred Pits. 

The Plumber’s Alligator roots gave this dog a strong mouth, while the Jeep heritage built agility and endurance. The Gator Pits that had Rodriquez’s blood in them were pretty recent and are what experts call Gator mouth pits. 

True Gator Pits plummeted in number when dog fighting was abolished back in 1976. Today, backyard breeders can toss around the term Gator Pitbull hoping that a gullible buyer will fall for it. It’s easy to fall for the trap because it isn’t a way to tell a Gator and a regular Pit apart. 

Gator Pits are not a different breed, but normal American Pitbull Terriers with a twist. The only difference is that these dogs strictly maintain the lineage from Pits initially game-bred or made to fight.

Even though the fighting nature of these dogs has been washed down over time, we strongly advise responsible ownership. This is also true for other Pitbulls who became the foundation stock for American Bullies like the Razor Edge Pit and the Pocket Bully. 

What Does a Gator Pit Look Like?

The Gator Pit is a powerful dog with a massive, square head, broad chest, and impressively muscular build. They have athletic and balanced physiques even if they’re bred to have as much muscle as possible.

Gator Pitbulls look nearly identical to standard APBTS, so only a bloodline certificate can distinguish them. They have the famous Pit short and shiny coats and can be almost any color except Merle. The Blue and red-nosed Gator Pits are the most popular colors.

They can have their ears cropped, although some breeders and owners maintain their natural pendant-shaped ears. Their tails are naturally short but never docked, and their blocky heads are the signature-Pitbull look.

Temperament and Trainability 

Despite their dogfighting ancestry, Gator Pitbulls have impressively friendly, bold, and outgoing personalities. They are confident, highly affectionate, eager to please, acutely intelligent, and quite goofy at times. They have unwavering loyalty to those they love, and their “never quit” attitudes make them one of a kind. 

However, you must note that what makes a Gator Pitbull is how connected they are to their fighting ancestors. It’s true that proper training makes a dog, but canines don’t come as a blank slate. A dog’s genetic blueprints heavily influence how they turn out. 

Their long-passed fighting days can show up in their behavior in the form of animal aggression and intense personalities. Pits can go from zero to a hundred real quick if triggered, without showing much warning before they retaliate. This somewhat explains their biting stats and why people call them unstable. They have also suffered from being used as “weapon dogs,” a term coined by Simon Harding.

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Training a Gator Pit is arguably the most crucial part of owning them. These dogs are not for everyone. In fact, most of the average population isn’t equipped for this intense dog. Their muscular build and powerful jaws make them potentially dangerous if ill-trained. 

Only experienced owners who can direct these dogs without having to punish them should own them. Luckily, these dogs would sooner die before quitting, and you can harness that trait into training. They are eager to please, so taking the right, persistent approach will result in a well-trained dog. Early socialization is also vital to promote good relations between them and other people and animals.

Many people who are capable of handling this dogs intensity have had success channeling them into working protection dogs as in this video:

Are Gator Pits More Aggressive?

Gator Pits are very unlikely to bite a person save for aggressive individuals. This is a remnant of their fighting days, where dogs had to avoid biting an intervening person, or else they got euthanized on the spot. Most of these dogs love people.

However, they can do significantly more damage because they will hold on and shake their head (this is not locking). This gives their bites a high mortality rate (10% +), explaining why they’re illegal in some countries.

Pit aggression is complicated because, except for genetics, they’re more likely to have owners with criminal backgrounds who’ll train them to fight. Pitbulls are also one of the most abused dog breeds in the world, so this is another factor behind Pitbull aggression.

Their animal aggression is an entirely different story, especially toward same-sex dogs (or other dogs in general). Early socialization mitigates this aggression, but it doesn’t always eradicate it. 

For many people with a Gator Pitbull, taking your dog to a dog park may never be a good idea. It’s worth investing in precautions like:

• Muzzle training; 
• Good recall training; 
• Keeping your dog on leash in public spaces; and 
• Keeping your yard secure.

This is part of responsible Pitbull ownership. No matter how great your dog is, it’s not worth ignoring the power of the breed and risking tragedy. Failing to respect the power of the breed is one of the many ways that people can fail their Pitbulls.

General Care and Maintenance for a Gator Pitbull

Energy Levels

With fighting and agility embedded in a Gator’s genetic code, you can expect massive bouts of energy. Everything this dog does, they do with vigor and intensity. They were made never to stop doing something, even if it causes physical exhaustion, and they maintain this trait to date. A daily walk is not enough for this dog. An intense, high-drive dog needs intense activity. An example is this pit on a treadmill:

Housing

Ideally these dogs need a secure yard. Crate training is an essential tool. Bored Pitbulls are exceptionally destructive, so never skimp on the chew toys. 

Exercise Needs

These dogs need 1 to 2 hours of daily exercise; the more, the better. They are athletic so games like weight pulling, fly ball, and agility work are great for these dogs. Running helps tone their muscles while burning excess energy. Mental exercises like scent work, food puzzles, and obedience training engage their intelligent minds. 

Food & Diet Requirements

Pits are very unfussy eaters who will eat any amount of anything if you let them. They usually need a high-protein diet (30%) to avoid problems like obesity and hypothyroidism. They may do well on raw or homemade diets, but you must consult your vet or animal nutritionist if you take this path.

Your vet will check your Gator for any health issues and create the proper meal plan for them. Don’t let them overeat to prevent problems related to obesity.

Grooming Needs

A simple coat brush or dog grooming glove twice or thrice a week is enough grooming for these pups. They also need regular nail trimming with dog clippers and ear cleaning with an ear solution. Brushing their teeth at least twice weekly is mandatory to prevent dental issues like periodontitis.

The Health of a Gator Pitbull

This is a hardy dog with few health conditions, thanks to the breeding for athleticism. Due to their rarity, some breeders may resort to inbreeding with the few they have, causing health issues.

They most commonly suffer from hip dysplasia, with thyroid problems coming as a close second. Skin issues are also prevalent, thanks to their short coats. Paler dogs may need sunscreen, and those with color dilution have an increased risk of skin problems like color dilution alopecia.

Generally, they may suffer from the following conditions:

Severe Medical Problems

• Hip dysplasia; 
• Patellar luxation;
• Heart problems like Dilated Cardiomyopathy and congenital heart defects; 
• Cerebellar Ataxia;
• Bloat;
• Different cancer types; and
• Cataracts. 

Mild to Moderate 

• Hypothyroidism; 
• Skin issues like color dilution alopecia;
• Allergies;
• Dental issues;
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament tears; and
• Obesity.

Occasional

• Ichthyosis, a skin disorder that leads to dry itchy, red skin, and hair loss. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

Gator Pitbulls are a specific Pit bloodline associated with fighting dogs. These dogs are powerful, and only very few people are suited to owning them. Heritage papers are necessary because there is no way of telling a Gator from an APBT of another bloodline.

Meet Your Experts

Tamsin De La Harpe

Author

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.

Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs.