The American Bulldog Dog Breed

The American Bulldog dog breed originated, like molossoids in general, known simply as Bulldogs, in Great Britain and was used in ancient times for fighting, both between dogs and against bulls.

Through various crosses in modern times it has diversified into English and French Bulldogs, while in America when it was brought, it retained its physical characteristics, precisely because it was mainly used as a utility dog, not as a companion, but rather employed on ranches and farms in the Middle and Southern United States, where it is an excellent herding dog. Over time, it has also fit into families because it is affectionate and very loyal to its owner.

This breed was selected by two breeders John D. Johnson and Allen Scott, who named two of at least four of its existing variants. It was brought to the United States to deal with the problem of wild herds in the Bronx's endless territories.

In America it has been crossed with several breeds including the Dogo Argentino, the Boxer and the Pointer; there are two main variants, the Bully selected by Johnson and the Bulldog Standard, developed by Alan Scott. In addition to these there is also the Hybrid, which is derived from a cross between the two and there is also a line of white Bulldogs that are thought to have been selected from crosses between Pitbulls and American Bulldogs to create a line of dogs that are more resistant and suitable for hunting.

Character of the American Bulldog dog breed

The American Bulldog is a very intelligent dog, very obedient and therefore well trainable, although it is a little stubborn and very dominant, but with the right training and good socialisation it is also a good playmate for children because it is also playful, friendly and cheerful. However, it should not be left unattended with them because it is sometimes too energetic, even though its tendency is to protect, but in the heat of play it may inadvertently bump into them and cause them to fall over.

It is a territorial dog and is very attached to its owner and his family and, being also very brave, does not hesitate to defend them, in fact there are reports of these dogs performing real acts of heroism. He suffers greatly from loneliness and if left alone for any length of time tends to be destructive both in the house and in the garden.

. He tends to be quiet, especially if he has a chance to release his energy. He does not tend to bark much. Towards strangers he is wary, but never aggressive unless there is a real threat.

It is not, however, a dog to be recommended for beginners; it needs authority, trust and respect for the development of a positive disposition. The American Bulldog unlike its French and English cousins needs a good amount of exercise every day. It is not a dog suitable for cohabitation with other dogs or other pets.

Appearance of the American Bulldog dog breed

The American Bulldog is a medium to large dog. Males vary between 58 and 69 cm at the withers and weigh between 40 and 55 kilograms. Females, on the other hand, range between 53 and 63 cm at withers and weigh between 32 and 45 kilograms. It is an athletic, strong and confident dog, powerful and compact, with powerful musculature.

It has a large head and powerful jaws, the muzzle is broad and slightly flattened, the ears are of medium size and generally hanging down, the eyes are round or almond-shaped, dark in colour and wide apart. Both neck and shoulders have very developed musculature. The tail is carried at half height.

Like all molossoids, it is a breed that tends to drool.

In variants of the breed, the Classic or Bully is larger than the standard and has a shorter muzzle.

The coat is short and can be either soft or bristly to the touch. Many specimens are entirely white, but some have patches of brown or red, but a good percentage of the coat is always white.

Care and health of the American Bulldog dog breed

In general, the American Bulldog is a strong and healthy dog. However, some specimens are prone to dysplasia, so it is a good idea to have him checked for this condition as soon as possible. It has a fairly long life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.

It is a dog that must be kept fit and therefore its diet must be balanced and controlled. Generally, a dog of this size eats about 500 grams per day, preferably divided in two, and above all it needs a lot of exercise.

As for the care of the coat, it is sufficient to brush it once in a while, a little more during the moulting period.