They belong to the rare, working, and guardian groups of dogs.
CKC, UKC, NKC
This breeds coat is white or white with patches that are either red (i.e. any shade of tan) or brindle.
Short
Large, Extra Large
Moderate Shed
22-27 inches
75-125 pounds
20-25 inches
60-100 pounds
American Bulldogs are sturdy dogs that are capable of living outdoors. In fact, the ideal setting for the American Bulldog is on a farm or a home that has a large backyard that is securely fenced in which your dog can roam freely within. When you have such a setting for your American Bulldog you will want to ensure that they then have a nice indoor environment they can go to sleep or rest. Because the breed has a short coat, they are typically less tolerable to extreme hot or cold weather, and as a result, you may need to keep them indoors on very hot or cold days.
Description
As man's best friend the American Bulldog sometimes referred to as the Old Country Bulldog truly lives up to this. The American Bulldog symbolizes true love, devotion and grit. Often they are describes as athletic, all purpose, hardy working dogs. They have been widely known to conduct great heroic acts to protect its owner. The American Bulldog is strong, stocky dog that has a short coat that is stiff to touch. This breeds coat is white or white with patches that are either red (i.e. any shade of tan) or brindle. In addition, the American Bulldogs ears are usually uncropped.
There are two different types of the American Bulldog. They are the Classic or the Johnson, Bully and the Standard or the Scott, Performance. The Scott, Performance is often times confused with its second cousin the American Pit Bull Terrier. The current American Bulldog is a combination of the Scott type and Johnson type dog which has a shorter muzzle, but is a larger dog. In comparison to the Johnson and the Scott breeds, the American Bulldog has a much more massive build.
Generally, the female American Bulldog weighs about 60-100 pounds while the male weighs about 75-125 pounds. The female typically measures about 20-25 inches and the male about 22-27 inches. American Bulldogs typically have litters that are anywhere between 6 to 16 puppies. And they belong to the rare, working, and guardian groups of dogs.
American Bulldogs will also take to living in an apartment or home if they are given regular attention, stimulation and exercise. In fact, they are typically inactive within a home or apartment making them very suitable to indoor living. Many people actually recommend and believe that it is preferable keep American Bulldogs indoors because they are not well equipped for the different weather elements. But, if you live in a climate that does not experience extreme weather conditions allowing your American Bulldog to live outdoors is just as suitable as allowing them to live indoors.
The American Bulldog is strong, stocky dog that has a short coat that is stiff to touch.
History
The history of the American Bulldog begins in the time period of Caesar around 1066. In the 17th and 18th centuries English Bulldogs were mostly used on farms to hold livestock and catch others. They were also used as guardians and butcher dogs. Eventually the temperament of the breed led people to use them in blood sports like bull-baiting for gambling and entertainment purposes.
The sport of bull-baiting was outlawed in 1835 within the United Kingdom and in time the English Bulldog became common, complacent pet. However, within the United States, the American version of the breed was steadily declining in comparison to other breeds. The survival of the American Bulldog has most to do with feral pigs. Because the American Bulldog seemed to be the best way to chase off and protect owners from these predators, they soon became popular pets again. However, because the American Bulldog was close to extinction by World War II and John D. Johnson and Alan Scott began inter breeding dogs; thus, creating the Johnson and Scott versions of the bulldog.
Temperament
Typically, the American Bulldog is known as a loving family pet that is good with other pets and children as well. This breed of dog is fearlessly determined and will attack predators or any threat toward its owners. It is confident, powerful, and agile with powerful jaws and a large head that has made it quite naturally used in hunting everything from small squirrels to larger game like bears. The American Bulldog has also been trained to guard stock and drive cattle.
The American Bulldogs are known for their great versatility as working dogs as well. They are able to learn many different things, but they are also very independent. They are obstinate, dominant and willful. They want to be the boss in any situation. They will see if you can make them do something they do not want to do. As an owner, you must be consistent, firm and always mean what you say.
In addition, American Bulldogs need to be exposed regularly to friendly strangers because they have a natural protective instinct toward anyone they do not know. They need to know how to recognize the difference between good people and bad people. If they do not have careful socialization they can end up biting others and being suspicious of everyone.
It is important to note that there are many American Bulldogs who will not get along and tolerate another dog of the same sex. They have strong instincts and will chase fleeing animals and capture cats. When breeding, training, handling, socializing and or management of the American Bulldogs goes awry these dogs are known for being able to seriously maim or even kill other animals.
Health Problems
Though the American Bulldog is a healthy and sturdy animal it is important to be aware of the potential Health issues it can be faced with. To begin, the most devastating and prevalent health concern for the American Bulldog or any other breed for that matter is Canine hip dysplasia otherwise known as CHD. CHD occurs when the femoral bone does not fit properly in the joint socket causing pain and difficulty in standing or walking. In addition, if CHD is not treated properly it can cause another disease that is known as Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD.
Some other health concerns you will want to be aware of regarding your American Bulldog follows:
When you are purchasing an American Bulldog, it is thus very important to make sure you are dealing with a reputable breeder who certifies and gives their puppies health screenings. You want to also make sure that they give you warranties for the dog or dogs that they are selling you.
Grooming
The American Bulldog has a short coat that is harsh to the touch. This breed of dog sheds regularly and thus, brushing its coat regularly is a good idea. You can use either a bristle brush or a rubber mitt to groom your American Bulldog's coat. Brushing your dog's coat outside your home on a weekly basis is a good recommendation. This will ensure that your dog has a shiny coat and also keeps hair from accumulating around the house. Furthermore, American Bulldogs do not need bathes on a regular basis. Only bathe your American Bulldog when he or she needs a bath (i.e. it has gotten muddy or has gone into the ocean and its coat is salty).
In addition to brushing your American Bulldogs coat, you will also want to trim their nails once a week to prevent overgrowth. This is a very simple process and you will only need a pair of animal nail clippers that can be found in most pet stores. Be sure to trim only the top portion of the nail.
You might also need to clean your American Bulldog's ears especially if they suffer from bacterial infections, allergies, or have a wound or injury. When you clean their ears use baby oil and a cotton ball. It is imperative that you do not clean too far into the ear as you can damage the ear canal. Be sure to only wipe gently around the outer part of the ear. If you notice your bulldog is scratching its ears or shaking its head too often, you will want to take it to the vet to check for infections.
Exercise
American Bulldogs are at their best when they are given a job or task to accomplish. These dogs love to be walked frequently with a secure leash. They enjoy playing with family members and romping and roaming in a generous yard.
The American Bulldog should be exercised on a daily basis for at least one hour a day regardless of the weather conditions. Keeping your bulldog indoors is fine, but you must make sure it has sufficient exercise. Just as long as you are able to give your bulldog sufficient exercise so that they can release their pent up exercise, your dog will be happy and healthy.
Training
When you decide to train your American Bulldog you must be prepared. If you are not, the breed tends to become bored easily and will end up using its energy on things within your home like tables, shoes and other such things. Remember adequate daily attention consists of only one hour. But, you need to make sure that you have this time and energy to exercise and train this active breed. If not you will probably want to try another type of breed.
Training an American Bulldog must begin early for this breed. They do not do well with heavy handed or harsh training methods so this is important to keep in mind. Training that is fair, firm, consistent and patient work best for this breed. American Bulldogs have many skills that can be enhanced like hunting, guarding, weight pulling, and tracking.
It is important to note that this breed's level of training requirements is moderately high. These dogs do not do well with self discipline and, thus, they will need much attention and time. Because they are highly intelligent and confident they have been known to get in trouble easily and become inappropriately protective. These potential problems can be remedied with proper attention, care and training.
House breaking your American Bulldog is very important and must be started as soon as possible. Thus, it is important to create an immediate daily routine to help prevent urination accidents that can occur when you first bring a dog home. If you set a consistent routine like taking your dog outside before you go to work, when you get home, and one additional time before bedtime this will help your dog learn to have more control during the times you are not home. Instilling daily routines will also help to make the American Bulldog feel more comfortable around people and their surroundings. Depending on the situation, developing a routine can potentially take up to six months, and once your dog is trained you will need to maintain the routine in to keep your dog happy and feeling secure.
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Ratings and Attributes
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