Learn more about the American bulldog breed .
American bulldogs are tender and caring , but also determined and full of purpose . They know how to cease a task , and they hope you ’ll appreciate it . They ’re powerful and well - built , they have incredible stamina , and they ’ll be at your side if you ’re out in the fields , in the woods , or hiking a rocky trail . They also enjoy cuddling .
" American bulldogs thrive in environments that ply both human company and jobs , " enounce Arlene Birt , owner ofBirt ’s American Bulldogsin Placerville , Calif. , along with her husband , Chuck Birt . " These dogs appreciate their humans and opt to be with them as opposed to being solitary . With a family , they ’re naturally loyal . "
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Appearance
American bulldogs are majestic , mesomorphic , and poised to run . Their hindquarters are narrow and lift with sculpted haunches . They have a high , slight tail like a rudder and a long back . stand about 2 feet at the articulatio humeri , their broad , square head is positioned on a solid cervix . With a quick glance , it ’s almost as though most of their 60–100 pound is in the front of the soundbox , but that ’s just because their burly dresser ripples with strength and their foreleg are lay astray asunder .
While American bulldogs do n’t have the wrinkledbulldogjowls most hoi polloi think of , they ’re still slimly loose compared to their flattened - but - define snout and jawline . They have a big forehead , and their dainty upside - down , quintuplet - shaped ears drape on either side of their chapiter . They have diffuse , round chocolate-brown optic . Most American bulldogs are white or have a white base coat usually check with black , brown , brindle , or tan . Their fur is short and neat .
Temperament
The American bulldog temperament is quite silly when excited or glad , and these dogs will clown around around to make their human associate express mirth . Your lap is often their preferent spot , regardless of how much oomph they have . They love to frolic and take on , specially fetching and jerk - of - warfare , and they ’ll spring many feet into the air travel after a Frisbee or another flying toy .
They ’re sointelligentthat it ’s easy to be enthusiastic abouttrainingto help them farm into effective hunters orwell - mannered crime syndicate dogs . American bulldogpuppies need early socializationandconsistent preparation , and mental and strong-arm stimulation for bully of all age is a must . They were bred to do good employment , and some of their job titles include feral pig wrangler , hunt blackguard , farm animal herder , personal protective covering canine , and ranch manus .
Establish a no - fear , positive reinforcement - ground training programwhen your American English bulldog is about 10 weeks honest-to-god after allpuppy vaccinationsare complete , and talk with a behaviorist about future stages of development .
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When a working firedog is blase , their impish good luck charm might toenail the line , and they ’re more probable to betroth in unsuitable behaviors such asdigging , chewing , andbarking . Birt enounce new American English bulldog owners require to be knowledgeable ( and vigilant ! ) regarding what these pooches should n’t chew on . " Rawhides , downlike bedding , rope plaything , shoes , and other items can be eat up and cause the intestinal nerve tract to develop an dead end , " she adds .
Include your American bulldog in any exercise you do . This helps them see you as the leader , and they ’ll derail for joyfulness — literally!—at the opportunity to join you and other home member for a run , boost , take the air through the neighborhood , bike ride , campout , backyard tumble fest , you name it .
They ’re firm loyal to their family and will often be your first alarm organisation to anyone they take for suspicious ( including the carrier ) come near their home . They ’re naturally wary of strangers and may need some redundant association with your children ’s friends so they recognize their play together as non - threatening . Early and consistent enculturation will aid your American bulldog be more prosperous around young people .
Living Needs
As long as American bulldogs are kept active and engaged , they ’ll do well on a farm , in a star sign with a big yard , orin an apartmentwith adog parknearby . As long as they ’re not left alone for too long , they ’re adaptable . Because American English bulldog crave natural process and input , potential owners should first talk with a veterinarian to determine if thisbulldog ’s exercise needsmatch their life-style .
All dogs gain from early , positive socialization so they can learn to knead well with their owners and children , and this is reliable for an American bulldog , too . Though he be happily with animals he ’s known since puppyhood , Birt says he might get a little grumpy if his four - legged sibling tries to run with his toy or eat all his food .
verify your puppy has asecurely fence in yardso he can go around safely . An American English bulldog ’s temperament is so persistent that he ’ll probably dash through invisible fencing , especially if he ’s chasing a rabbit or squirrel . Tall board fence is a good option and concentrated for these dogs to leap over .
create a labyrinth or a busybodied corner to provide mental arousal is a terrific problem - solve activeness to eliminate ennui and avoid undesirable behaviour . Something simple , like discard scads of crumpled newspaper across the flooring with little treats hide underneath , assist keep your American bulldog happy and engaged . When you ’re not around , he ’ll loveinteractive toysto keep him busy .
Care
There ’s no indigence to pass a slew of time spiffing up an American bulldog — he ’s a by nature handsome breed . hebdomadal brushingcontrolsmoderate sheddingand spreads essential vegetable oil through his coating to keep it healthy . But you might involve to give him an extra combing - through when outpouring and flow seasonal shedding pick up .
They only needbaths when they ’re dirty , and that ’s a good time totrim their nailsandcheck and clean their ears , too . Regular homedental careis important , not only for healthy teeth and fresh hint but also because they have a tendency to slobber a lot , specially after eating and drinking . Their cunning facial plication need cleaning throughout the 24-hour interval .
Most types of bulldogs , including the American , are a bit gassy . A veterinary can explain how their particular flesh affects digestion and what diets minimize flatulency .
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Health
An American bulldog ’s life is 10–12 years , and they’regenerally healthyand robust . But as abrachycephalic ( or straight - confront ) breed , they ’re prostrate to overheating , and you have to take action quick . " These are n’t dogs that can play Frisbee on the beach in the sunlight for an elongated period , " Birt says . " If they overheat , the tongue turns purple . " Make trusted to fix your American bulldog ’s time alfresco on hot summertime days , and always ensure he has access to water , shade , and AC — but maybeskip the ice .
accord to the American Bulldog Association ( ABA ) , this breed can also develop elbow orhip dysplasia , a condition where the joint does n’t properly form . This results in a loose junction and , if untreated , osteoarthritis .
The ABA also say American bulldogs can also originate two disease :
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The good news : Both of these experimental condition are perceptible with transmitted testing . check that your American bulldog breeder conduct allhealth cover recommended by the OFA . If you ’re adopting through an American bulldog saving , ask for all usable wellness data .
History
American bulldogs ' ancestry began in the English countryside , where they were often find oneself in butcher workshop . When laborers immigrated to the American Colony in the 17th century , they brought their stout working frank with them . accord to the ABA , this breed was in the first place known as the English whitened bulldog or the white English English bulldog because of their mostly white coats , even though they did n’t have the distinctive " sour phiz " fount of their English cousins .
The hot dog ' popularity rose in the 17th and 18th century throughout the southerly U.S. , and they were presently called " southerly bulldogs " or " Alabama bulldogs . " It was n’t until the 1980s that " American bulldog " became their common name .
American bulldogs almost faded away after World War II , but breeders John Johnson and Alan Scott each worked to amend the animals ' family sociableness and guarding skills . Now , there are two primary strains of American bulldogs , and those with Johnson ’s trait are a little larger and more gymnastic than canines in Scott ’s strain .
This breed is sometimes confused with perdition bulls , but there are some things prospective owners need to get it on about American English bulldog vs. cavity bulls . For one , the term " stone copper " in the U.S. can refer to any type of dog fall from bulldogs and terrier , or those who have the characteristic wide head , short coat , and muscular frame . But pit bull are recognized as their own breed by the United Kennel Club .
While both can be loving and rambunctious dogs , the American bulldog always has a blank base for their coat , while pit bulls can be almost any coloring . They also have dissimilar lineages — American English bulldog descend frommastiffs , and pit bulls from various terriers , includingAmerican Staffordshire terriersandStaffordshire bull terrier — although some breed historians believe there ’s a piffling English bulldog mixed in .
Neither the American bulldog nor the pit Taurus is register with the American Kennel Club ( AKC ) , but the AKC recognized the American bulldog in its Foundation Stock Service in 2019 .
Fun Facts
wellness . American Bulldog Association .
Breed Standards . United Kennel Club .
