American Bulldog

Description: The American Bulldog is bred from working dogs and designed for catching livestock and protecting property. They are larger then their close relative the Old English Bulldog. American Bulldogs are powerful, athletic short-coated dog, strongly muscled, and well boned. The head is large and broad with a wide muzzle, and very powerful jaws. American Bulldogs generate the impression of great strength, endurance and exhibits a well-knit, sturdy compact frame. The American Bulldog should be evaluated as a working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work. Other Names: Old Country Bulldog, Old Enghlish White Type: Guardian Dog

Height: Desirable height in a mature male ranges from 22 to 27 inches; in a mature female, from 20 to 25 inches. Weight: Desirable weight in a mature male ranges from 75 to 125 pounds; in a mature female, from 60 to 100 pounds.

Colors: All white, pied, or up to 90% color; brindle or red patches (red is defined as any shade of tan, brown or red) Coat: The coat is short, close, and stiff to the touch.

Temperament: AmericanBulldogs havethe essential characteristics of the Bulldog which enable it to work as a hog and cattle catching dog, and a protector of personal property. These tasks require a powerful, agile, confident dog with a large head and powerful jaws. The American Bulldog is a gentle, happy, loving, family companion who is fearless enough to face an angry bull or a human intruder. They are fine with strangers if they have a chance to meet them. They love children but might be unintentionally too rough with them and therefore should be supervised. With Children: Yes, the American Bulldog is known for it’s Love for children. With Pets: Yes, the American Bulldog is excellent with other pets, especially when raised together and socialized.

Watch-dog: High Guard-dog: High

Care and Training: Brush their coat with a firm bristle brush or rubber mitt and bathe only when necessary. Puppies should have early socialization. They need short walks in a cool environment, overexertion, or exertion in hot, humid weather, is dangerous. Bulldogs cannot swim! Most wheeze, snore, and drool. Tail folds and facial wrinkles should be cleaned daily. Special Needs: Attention, fenced yard, leashed, socialization, training. Learning Rate: Highly intelligent, mostly an independent thinker, living to please their masters.

Activity: Medium – High Living Environment: Indoor or outdoor, The American Bulldog requires an experienced owner who has time to train and socialize their dog. American Bulldogs should generally only be housed with a dog of the opposite sex

Health Issues: A very healthy, hardy dog. Some strains have hip dysplasia, parvovirus, skin allergies, or eye problems.

Life Span: 8-15 years Litter Size: 6 – 16

Country of Origin: USA History: Bulldogs in England were originally working dogs who drove and caught cattle and guarded their masters’ property. The breed’s strength, courage, and familiarity with livestock led to its popularity in the brutal sport of bull baiting. When this sport was outlawed in England, the original type of Bulldog disappeared from Britain and was replaced with the shorter, stockier, less athletic dog we now know as the English Bulldog. The original Bulldog, however, was preserved by working class immigrants who brought their working dogs with them to the American South. Small farmers and ranchers used this all-around working dog for many tasks. By the end of World War II, however, the breed was almost extinct. Mr. John D. Johnson, a returning war veteran, decided to resurrect this breed. Along with Alan Scott and several other breeders, Johnson began carefully to breed American Bulldogs, keeping careful records and always with an eye for maintaining the breed’s health and working abilities.

Class: Rare, Working Registries: UKC