The Gotti pitbull has an intimidating name, and an even more intimidating appearance. However, they are often considered the best pitbull line. They are well known for their utter devotion to their owners, and their gentle temperament.
Gotti Pitbull Facts
The Gotti Pitbull is an American Bully. This is often confusing, even for many pitbull lovers. There are four breeds that are commonly considered pitbulls.
The most common, and what most people mean when they say pitbull, is the American Pitbull terrier. The other breeds include the Stafordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, and the American Bully.
All of these breeds have their own characteristics and breed standards. They are often closely related, but there are key differences in each.
Gotti Pitbull History
The pitbull itself originated from English bulldogs and terriers in England. They were initially bred for bloodsports, but eventually made their way into hearts and homes in American and the UK.
The Gotti bloodline has a more recent history. In 1997, Richard Barajas, owner of West Side kennel, bought a puppy named “The Notorious Juan Gotty”. He paid $1,300 for the pooch, which turned out to be an incredible investment.
He changed the name from Gotty to Gotti, and began breeding Gotti. He sired over 900 puppies, and had a large role in creating the American Bully breed.
The American Bully was recognized by the United Kennel Clubin 2013. The AKC has not recognized the American Bully, nor do they recognize pitbulls as a breed. The International Bully Kennel Club also registers Bullys, and considers themselves the “voice of the American Bully”.
Gotti Pitbull Appearance
The Gotti pitbull looks different from most pitbulls in a few ways. First, they are larger. American Pitbull Terriers are proportional, but the Bully is not. They are wider than they are tall. This gives them a stocky tough appearance.
Like other pitbulls, they can come in a wide range of colors and patterns, and have a short double coat. They have very thick neck and a large head, with wide jaws. They have a deep or barrel chest as well.
Their eyes can be any color but blue.
In short, the Bully resembles a bulldog more than a pitbull. Their body size and head shape are more similar to a bulldog.
Gotti Pitbull Price
The price of a Gotti pitbull can vary significantly. They typically cost between $1,000-$5,000. The average price of a pitbull ranges from $1,600-$2,200.
You can expect Gottis to be a bit more expensive than average in most cases, but still reasonable.
Like any pooch, the price will vary based on the breeder, the size and health of the dog, their appearance, and their size. Dogs who have desired characteristics can be more expensive.
Gotti Pitbull Rarity
Pitbulls are a common type of dog, but not all breeds within the pitbull umbrella are common. The American Bully is considered a rare breed, and a Gotti pitbull is rarer still.
However, they are growing quickly in popularity, so they are far from impossible to find these days.
Gotti Pitbull Life expectancy
The Gotti pitbull is fairly long lived, like other pitbulls. They have a lifespan of 10-15 years.
It’s important to know that there are factors that will impact how long your Gotti will live. The first is genetics, which are out of your control. However, their lifestyle and diet also have a big impact. Dogs who receive a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and proper veterinary care tend to live longer than those who don’t.
Gotti Pitbull Size and weight
The Gotti pitbull has an absolutely remarkable size and weight range. In fact, it comes in 4 sizes.
To understand how this differs from a standard American Pitbull Terrier, let’s take a look at their size and weight. Pitbulls are typically 17-21 inches tall, and weigh between 30 to 65 pounds.
The Pocket Gotti males are 13-17 inches tall, and weigh just 11 to 24 pounds. The Standard Gotti is 16-20 inches tall, and weighs 65 to 85 pounds.
The XL Gotti is 19-23 inches tall, and weighs 80 to 150 pounds. the XXl Gotti is 22 inches or taller, and weighs 110 and 130 pounds.
Just like other pitbulls, females are a bit smaller than males. However, both males and females should fall within these ranges.
Gotti Pitbull Health
Pitbulls, including the Gotti, are a healthy breed. However, like any pooch, they are prone to certain health issues. It’s important to be aware of these before you bring a Gotti home.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common issue for many medium to large sized dog, including Gotti pitbulls.
It can occur if the hip joint isn’t properly formed. It can also happen if the ligaments around the joint are too loose.
This leads to the hip not being in place correctly. This causes pain and loss of range of motion.
You can reduce the odds of your dog developing hip dysplasia by watching their weight and giving them appropriate exercise.
Eye Problems
Gotti pitbull are prone to a few eye problems. This includes cataracts, which cause a cloudy film on the eye. The film will affect vision. Cataracts commonly occur in elderly dogs, as well as humans.
The other problem they are prone to is progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA. This condition causes the dog to go blind. The eyes are programmed to stop working at a certain age, usually around 2 to 3 years old.
Obesity
Pitbulls are prone to obesity. They love to eat, and are not known to be picky. Essentially, they will eat nearly anything offered. If they aren’t given a healthy diet, this can lead to obesity.
Obesity increases the risk of many health problems. This includes bone problems, joint pain, and diabetes.
Bloat
Bloat can occur in any dog, but Gotti pitbulls are at a higher risk due to their barrel chest. Bloat occurs when the gas in the stomach can’t be released.
This gas continues to build, and pressure increases. This can cause the stomach to twist, which is often fatal.
The symptoms of bloat include gagging or retching without productive vomiting, bloating, and severe stomach pain.
Allergies
Pitbulls are prone to allergies, particularly skin allergies. These can be caused by something in the environment, including dust, grass, and fleas. They can also be caused by things in the diet. Common food allergens include corn and wheat.
The symptoms of allergies include itching, frequent licking, scratching, rash, and hair loss. Dogs can also experience sneezing, and coughing.
Gotti Pitbull Behavior/Characteristics
The best way to describe a Gotti pitbull is charming, relaxed, and loyal. Gotti pitbull are known to be extremely affectionate. They need plenty of love and attention. In fact, they make incredible companions, because they need lots of human interaction.
They are wonderful with children. They are very patient and protective. In fact, they make great nanny dogs.
Gottis are not likely to start a fight. However, if they or their family are threatened, they are fierce. They tend not to attack unless absolutely necessary.
They are also protective in other ways. They may alert you to dangers, like a snake on a trail, or a fire. If they begin acting strange or barking, you should investigate. They are doing so for a reason.
Are Gottis Aggressive?
Pitbulls, including the Gotti, have a reputation for being aggressive. However, this is undeserved. The American Temperament Test indicates this.
The test measures characteristics including aggression and friendliness. The American Bully isn’t listed in the test results. However, both the American Pitbull Terrier and American Bulldog pass 87% of the time.
To put this in perspective, German Shepherds pass 85% of the time.
How to care for a Gotti Pitbull
Caring for your Gotti pitbull will ensure that both of you get the most from the experience. It will keep your pooch happy and healthy, allowing them to bring happiness and charm into your life.
They are a low maintenance breed, but like all dogs, they do need proper care.
Diet
Diet is one of the most important aspects of caring for your Gotti pitbull. First, you should feed them the appropriate food for their life stage. Puppies should eat puppy food, preferable 3 times a day. At one year, you can transition them to an adult food.
Be sure the food is high in protein. It should have chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, or pork as the first ingredient. Follow the guidelines on the package to determine how much to feed them.
Exercise
Like other bullies, Gotti pits need an hour of exercise each day. They usually prefer to lounge around most of the time. Expect them to be energetic when exercising, but to be low activity the rest of the time. You may need to split their exercise into 2 or 3 sessions, because they can tire when active.
Training
Training is important for any dog, but it’s particularly important for pitbulls. They are medium to large muscular dogs, so it’s difficult to control them through physical strength.
Instead, you’ll need to train them well and early. Then, you can keep control through commands, rather than physical force. This is healthier for you and your pitbull.
You should also socialize them well. Pitbulls aren’t typically aggressive towards people, but they can be aggressive towards other dogs or pets.
When they are socialized well, this isn’t a problem. Start socializing them when they are puppies. Be sure to introduce them to other people, other dogs, and any other pets they may be around.
The good news is that they are easy to train. It’s in their nature to be extremely eager to please their owner. They develop a very close bond with their owner, and will do anything for them. This willingness to please will motivate them to follow your commands.
Grooming
Gotti pitbulls are low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They do shed throughout the year, but they shed little at a time. They don’t typically smell strongly like some breeds, so they don’t need frequent baths.
Usually, once a month is ideal. If they are bathed too often or too little, this can trigger skin issues. Be sure to use products designed for dogs with sensitive skin when bathing or grooming.
How do you buy a Gotti Pitbull?
Buying a Gotti pitbull is a great way to start a journey with a new pet. However, you will need to take your time and do your homework.
Adopting a Gotti Pitbull
One way to get a Gotti pitbull is to adopt. Pitbulls are common in shelters, but Gottis are less common. It’s possible to find one in a shelter, but not very likely.
You can also check organizations just for pitbull adoption. Pitbull Rescue Central is a great starting point.
Buying a Gotti Pitbull from a Breeder
There are a few ways to buy a Gotti pitbull. The surest way to find an authentic Gotti is to purchase one from a registered breeder, who has their puppies registered.
You can check the UKC breeder registry. You can also take a look at American Pitbull Registry. These organizations have standards, and promote responsible breeding. This greatly reduces the chances of finding an unethical breeder.
It also eliminates much of the concern about finding a genuine Gotti, as registered dogs must demonstrate their lineage.
No matter where you find the breeder, there are a few questions you should ask. Ask them how they ensure the health of their puppies. Do the parents undergo genetic testing? Are the parents and puppies screened for health issues?
An ethical breeder will always put the health and temperament of the dogs, and the breed, ahead of profits. Unethical breeders only focus on profits, with no concern for the well being of the dog or breed.
Albino or merle pitbull, and Gotti with blue eyes are red flags. These are often discouraged, because they have a higher incidence of serious health problems.
It’s possible for an ethical breeder to have one of these dogs. However, unethical breeders will intentionally breed for these characteristics, because they are considered rare.