If you are thinking of buying an American bulldog or you have one and you want to find out what it is like, in this article we will explain everything you need to know about it.
What is the history of the American bulldog?
Currently, this breed of dog is considered to belong to the United States. Instead, it is descended from the original (now extinct) bulldogs, which hail from 13th-century England. At that time, bulldogs used to be raised on farms. These dogs served as guardians and shepherds of the cattle.
At that time, it was fashionable to do dog fights. In such a way that they began to use bulldogs in bullbaiting. In these fights they force the dogs to fight against bulls. Fortunately, in 1835 they were banned.
When the Second World War was over, crosses with the races began to be made. In particular, John D. Johnson and Alan Scott were the main breeders of this breed. Today some differences can be distinguished between the breed of American bulldog that Johnson created and the one that Scott bred. The breed Johnson bred is called the bully or classic bulldog. They have the particularity that they are much more muscular and strong. Instead, the breed that Scott bred, they are less muscular but more athletic. In this case, the breed is known as standard. Currently, they cannot be considered to be two different breeds, since many bulldogs are crosses between the two.
Next, they immigrated with their owners to America, creating the breed that is known today by the name of the American bulldog. This new race was stronger, faster, and more agile than its ancestors.
Next, we are going to describe the physical characteristics and the character that this type of dog has.
Instructions for an American Bulldog
- Physical appearance. It is a robust, muscular and agile dog. It has a body that is slightly longer than it is tall. His head is large, square and with quite wide cheeks, which gives the person who looks at him a great power. The neck is quite muscular, short and wide, and also has a little dewlap. His eyes from him are slightly separated and are brown. The nose is wide and long, ending in wide nostrils. The ears are pointed and small. They have wide and strong bones and the forelimbs and hind limbs are wide and strong. The chest is quite large and wide, well formed. The tail is straight and thick at the base that lengthens until it ends in a point.
- Coat and color. The hair that American bulldogs have is short, smooth and tight. It usually has a fine texture, but depending on the dog and the care it can vary until it becomes rough. This type of dog is usually mixed colors. Although there are dogs that are completely white, the most common is that they are patched. They usually have a mixture of brown, black and other shades derived from brown. What you will never find is a completely black American Bulldog. 10% of its coat should be white and, usually, almost all dogs of this breed have most of the body of this color. Usually the color of these dogs is usually white, white and brown, gray or brown and white.
- Size and weight. The numbers vary depending on the sex of the dog. When it is female, the weight is usually between 30 and 45 kilograms, and it usually measures between 53 and 65 centimeters. However, when it comes to a male, the numbers increase. The weight usually ranges between 35 and 55 kilograms and the height is usually between 57 and 67 centimeters.
- Life expectancy. The life expectancy of the American Bulldog is usually between 10 and 15 years.
- Temperament and character. Since ancient times, these dogs have a protective character that makes them ideal to act as guardians. He is a determined and brave dog and, contrary to popular belief, he is not aggressive and violent by nature. Rather, it is the education of humans that makes them so. If he has been given a good education from puppies and has been socialized as he should, he will not show any signs of uninhibited aggressiveness. He is a loyal and faithful dog, perfect for a family life and, in addition, he will use his protective nature to defend his family, but especially with the little ones in the house. They are friendly, have a lot of energy, and are docile, trusting and kind. Perfect for those who play sports due to their muscular and athletic body and sporty attitude? They are also considered good hunters, standing out from other races.
- Care. In reality, they do not need more care than dogs of another breed, they simply have some indications. Considering his coat, being so short and smooth, excessive care is not necessary. Just regular brushing three times a week or so will suffice. The bathrooms do not need to be daily either, simply when it is dirty and needs to be washed. The only special care in terms of physical appearance is the folds of the skin, which you have to make sure to clean well. If not, reactions or skin problems may appear. Another indication that you should keep in mind when caring for an American Bulldog is that they need regular exercise. If your house has a garden where you can run, much better. If this is not your case, make sure you take it out of the house as many times as necessary. If you are an athletic person who is used to running, do not hesitate, take your dog with you so that he can also exercise.
- Education. These dogs need their owners to be firm and disciplined people with them. Also, be consistent and calm. You may need training that is different from the one used with other breeds of dogs. The best thing is that you find out what is the best way to teach your Bulldog. It may be a bit difficult at first, but these dogs are smarter than they seem and will have no difficulty learning tricks and games.
- Health. Although his athletic body allows him to live many years in good health, sudden changes in the weather affect him a lot. The most common complications in this breed are hip dysplasia and tumors. In addition, professionals advise keeping a close eye on their bone structure since they are puppies. But you don’t have to worry. With proper care and regular visits to the vet, your dog will grow up strong and healthy.
American Bulldogs are a highly demanded breed of dog, not only in the United States, but throughout the world. Many people keep these dogs to take care of their family and home. As we have commented, they have all the skills to do it. There is a popular belief that these dogs are very dangerous and violent, but you have already seen that they are not.
