Dog
American Bulldog Champions
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Pronunciation:
uh-mer-i-kuhn bool dawg
Breed Description:
The American Bulldog breed of dog is a large sized breed that should be very muscular and athletic in appearance. They should have a sturdy build that is compact and it should give the appearance of a muscular dog. The body should be in proportion with their height and they should be fairly leggy, although males are usually stockier. The head should be broad with powerful jaws and the ears can either be rose shaped, folded forward or half pricked. The ears are also commonly found cropped. The tail should be medium in length and the top line should be level.
The coat of the American Bulldog should be short and thick. It should cover the dog completely, lying close to the skin and should be hard in texture and shiny. They can be found in white, red, fawn, brown, tan, and brindle or a combination of the colors although white with or without markings is commonly seen.
Temperament:
The American Bulldog breed of dog is an affectionate and loving breed. While they are known for being very brave and confident, the breed is a loyal companion that will defend their home and family with everything in them. They are very intelligent and while they can learn easily, they are recommended for experienced and firm owners since they can be aggressive and will take on the role of the pack leader if their owner is not strong enough. They are usually very good with children and tend to be gentle with them. They do well with other animals but socialization is important for this to happen since they can be very aggressive. In addition, the breed is usually suspicious of strangers and can make an excellent guard dog.
Height:
The average height of an American Bulldog is between 22 to 28 inches for a male and 20 to 26 inches for a female.
Weight:
The average weight for an American Bulldog is 70 to 120 pounds for a male and 60 to 100 pounds for a female.
Health Problems:
The American Bulldog breed of dog is a very hardy breed and is not prone to many health problems. However, the breed can be prone to hip dysplasia.
Living Conditions:
The American Bulldog breed of dog can live anywhere, including apartments if they are properly exercised. They should not live outdoors since they can suffer from aggression problems if they are left on their own too much.
Exercise:
The American Bulldog breed of dog is an active breed and they really do need a lot of exercise. Expect to give them about 60 minutes of exercise each day or about three very long walks. They make excellent jogging companions. It is important to offer the American Bulldog ample mental exercise as well since they can become very destructive and high strung if they become bored.
Life Expectancy:
14 to 16 years
Grooming:
The American Bulldog breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a week.
Origin:
The American Bulldog breed of dog is directly descended from the English Bulldog and was used for both bull baiting and dog fighting. The breed originally arrived in America with immigrants and settlers but unlike their English counterpart, the American Bulldog was not bred down. Instead, the breed was utilized as a working dog and was used as a farm dog, guard dog and hunting dog that was used for hunting raccoon, wild boar and even bear. Emphasis was placed on the breed being strong and versatile with long legs and more agility than the English Bulldog and their versatility made them a favorite with many farmers. However, the breed, like many other breeds, suffered during the World Wars and by the end of the second World War, they were nearly extinct. If it wasn't for the efforts of John D. Johnson, the American Bulldog would have disappeared, but he continued to breed and perfect the American Bulldog, making it a treasured working and family dog. In fact, many of the American Bulldog lines today can trace their lineage back to the dogs of John D. Johnson. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
