What Is an American Bulldog? Everything You Need to Know

What Is an American Bulldog?

If you’re looking for a loyal and loving companion, then you should consider an American Bulldog! These dogs are known for their tough exterior, sweet nature and are perfect for those who want a dog that will stand by them through thick and thin. In this post, What Is an American Bulldog? we’ll give you everything you need to know about these adorable dogs, from their history, physical characteristics, temperament, care needed, to their personality traits. Ready to add an American Bulldog to your family? Let’s get started!

The History of the American Bulldog

American Bulldogs are descended from the Old English Bulldog and were brought to America from England.

They were most likely introduced to America in the 1880s when immigrants brought their working bulldogs with them. American Bulldogs soon became popular in the United States as working dogs.

This versatile working dog was used by small farmers and ranchers for a variety of duties, including farm guardians, stock dogs, and catch dogs. Because of its capacity to bring down and capture feral pigs, the breed largely persisted, particularly in the southern United States.

Before the name American Bulldog became the standard, the breed we know as the American Bulldog was known by various names. The White English Southern Bulldog was his nickname in parts of the South, although “bulldog” was his nickname overall.

During World War I and World War II, the breed nearly went extinct, with just a few surviving canines retained on farms in the southeast. Breeders John D. Johnson and Alan Scott. are the two men most associated with resurrecting the breed from extinction.

Today, the American Bulldog is a popular breed not only in North America but also worldwide.

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Types of American Bulldogs

Two types of American Bulldogs came about from the efforts of the two gentlemen that revived the breed, breeders John D. Johnson and Alan Scott.

Classic / Bully

The Johnson type of Bulldog is known as the Classic and also known as Bully. This breed strain was created when John Johnson crossed his bulldogs with English Bulldogs from the North.

Standard

The Scott type of Bulldog is known as the Standard type. This strain of the breed was brought about when Scott bred Johnson lines of Bulldogs with non-Johnson Bulldogs of the working farms in the South.

What Are The Physical Characteristics of An American Bulldog?

What Is an American Bulldog?

The American Bulldog is a medium-sized dog with a muscular body with a life span expectancy of 10-12 years.

The average height of the American Bulldog male is 22-25 inches, and the average female is 20-23 inches.

The weight of male bulldogs run from 75-100 lbs, and the females, being smaller, run from 60-80 lbs.

A distinction between the Bully and Standard breed is the Bully is a larger dog with a shorter muzzle, whereas, the Standard is smaller and has a longer muzzle than the Bully.

Coat and Coloring

The American Bulldog has a short, smooth coat, coming in various colors, including black, brown, brindle, tan, and white.

The American Bulldog’s Temperament

The American Bulldog is a loyal and courageous breed that loves to play games such as fetch and tug-of-war.

Some of the common personality traits of this breed include being brave, friendly, affectionate, and loyal to their family members and friends.

Typically they are gentle and easy to handle and train, making them a good choice as a family pet.

American Bulldogs are usually good with kids, but like all dogs, they should be supervised when around them.

As bulldogs are athletic dogs, they make great guard dogs and can be very protective of their owners. This means it’s important that the American bulldog puppy early socialization from a young age so that it is able to get along with other animals and people.

The more training practices given the American Bulldog, the more likely the success of being managed inside and outside their environment.

American Bulldogs are also known for being very active – which means they need plenty of exercise.

Video: American Bulldog Breed Review

Care To Provide The American Bulldog

One of the most important steps you want to take in the care of the American Bulldog is ensuring they get enough exercise. If they don’t, they can resort to unwanted behavior. The American bulldog needs to be mentally and physically stimulated; exercise is a way to provide this and avoid boredom.

Exercise

  • Owners may provide daily walks or play in the yard to meet American bulldogs’ needs, which require at least an hour of exercise every day.
  • Exercise is a fantastic method to stimulate your dog’s mind and help it maintain its health and a suitable weight.
  • American bulldogs may get into mischieve if they don’t get enough exercise. Behavior such as chewing on furniture or getting into forbidden items at home are a few examples.
  • Active families with large amounts of playtime with their dogs are best suited for this breed.
  • Non-impact exercises such as walks, hikes, and games like fetch or tug-of-war are suitable for your American bulldog. You may even try lower-impact dog sports like agility training.

Aside from exercise the American Bulldog’s care is pretty simple.

Grooming

  • Baths
    • Baths are only needed occasionally. Of course, if your dog becomes dirty, you’ll want to give him a bath as well.
  • Brushing Their Coats
    • Though the American Bulldog has the type of dog hair that is short, they do shed somewhat all year round. Remove dead hair and distribute skin oils by brushing once a week.
  • Cleaning Ears
    • Ear cleaning should be done every month or so unless more is needed.
  • Nail Trimming
    • Upkeep the nails by trimming them every few weeks.
  • Dental Care
    • Teeth should be brushed regularly

Drooling

Be prepared – bulldogs are known to be droolers – it’s just part of the makeup. You will probably need to wipe their drool off.

Some owners have their bulldogs wear a bandana. But be aware of the fit so the dog isn’t in danger of the bandana getting caught on something and choking.

Vet Visits

As advised by their veterinarian, owners should maintain a vaccination and examination schedule.

Common Health Problems Found In American Bulldogs

American Bulldogs, as well as the Old English Bulldogs, are one of the healthier choices among dog breeds. Because of their low rates of major illnesses and injuries, they are a good choice for both new and experienced dog owners.

However, American Bulldogs, like all other dogs, do have the potential to develop genetic health problems. The good news is that there is genetic testing that the breeder can use that can tell if the breeding dog has certain genetic markers that increase the likelihood of certain disorders.

Because of these possible genetic health issues, it’s important to go to a reputable breeder that conducts all health screening recommended by the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).

Ask for all available health information if you’re adopting through an American bulldog rescue.

Elbow and Hip Dysplasia

What Is An American Bulldog - Canine Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
    • Elbow dysplasia is the elbow joint’s abnormal development early in the dog’s life. It may cause discomfort, laxity of the joints, and lameness. To manage pain and discomfort, medication and sometimes surgery may be needed.
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Hip dysplasia is a condition that may cause discomfort, lameness, and arthritis in later life. Hip dysplasia is more common in larger dogs. X-rays may be taken to determine if the dog is experiencing hip dysplasia.

Allergies

  • Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system.
  • If your dog suffers from allergies, there is a chance that they may outgrow them with age, but usually, allergies will remain for life.

These three maladies are the three most commonly found in American Bulldogs. Having said that, your dog may suffer from other health conditions. If you notice any abnormal symptoms in your pup, it’s important to take them to the veterinarian for a check-up as soon as possible.

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Conclusion

In this blog, What is an American Bulldog, we have explored the American Bulldog breed. From its history to its temperament and more, you now have a better understanding of this beloved breed!

We hope that you have found this informative and that you will be able to make an informed decision when it comes to getting an American Bulldog as your new pet!

Thanks for reading!

What is it that intrigues you the most about the American Bulldog? Please comment below.

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