Large
15 Years
58 Kg
Working Dogs
Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Loyal
The American Bulldog breed is quite a muscular, powerful and sturdy, yet it's frame is quite compact and the American Bulldog remains higher on the leg and much more agile and swifter than its English peer. The males are characteristically broad and heavy boned than the more elegant females. The American Bulldogs head is large with quite strong jaws. They are also quite agile and light on their feet, the chest is wide and moderately deep, giving the perception of athletic proficiency and power. It's coat is short and quite smooth, they comes in all shades of brindle which include varying degrees of red, white, brown, tan, fawn, red brindle and piebald.
The males are typically sturdier and heavier-boned than females. It has a square muzzle which is about a third of the head length. There is a characteristic furrow between the eyes and a sudden, deep stop. It has a black nose and black pigmentation on the eye rims and a strong jaw with reverse scissors bite. The ears set high in the head are either cropped, rose-shaped, half-pricked or pendant. A moderately deep, wide chest portrays athleticism and power. The front, straight and powerful legs are made up of heavy bones while the hind legs are very broad, thick and very muscular. It has a low-setting tail that starts thick at the base and tapers to a point. This medium-sized breed, sports a short, smooth coat which is predominantly white with patches of black, red, brown, fawn, and brindle patterns.
Males have a height of 55cm – 70 cm and weighs 32kg – 54kg while females are typically around 52cm – 65cm and can weigh between 27kg – 45kg.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
Like many other dog breeds with no written historical records, the American Bulldog’s exact origin is also unclear. However, the most popular theory is that the American Bulldog is a result of selective breeding of English bulldogs and bull terriers brought to America by the settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries. These dogs provided the much-needed protection for the settlers as well as for the farmers in catching livestock that roamed in wide areas, hence the term “catch dog” came into prominence. This selective breeding created a dog that is not only strong and agile but courageous enough to bring down a livestock as large as a cow or a pig and hold on to it until the farmer is able to subdue the animal. These same abilities continue on in today’s modern American Bulldogs where they are used to hunt wild game. The existence of today’s American Bulldogs is owed through the efforts of John D. Johnson of Summerville, Georgia, who, after returning from service during the second World War, decided to gather the remaining breeds from American’s rural South and saved the breed from dying out. Today’s modern American Bulldogs are descendants from these strains.
The American Bulldog is a powerful, agile and athletic breed that is known to jump up to six feet high in the air. It is a brave canine breed, determined but not overly aggressive or shy. It is also somewhat dominant compared to other breeds, highly inquisitive, and can sometimes be comical when frolicking around. It is generally an obedient dog but it can also be stubborn and unpredictable at times. The American Bulldog is usually calm and composed especially if given the right amount of exercise. Attitude towards strangers vary, depending on socialisation – others are friendly while others are aloof, but one thing is guaranteed – the American Bulldog makes a very good guard dog.
This is a protective breed and should be given early socialisation and firm training preferably during the puppy stage. Exposing the American Bulldog as a puppy around people and other dogs is beneficial for this breed. It excels in canine sports such as weigh pulling, obedience, agility, hunting, or Schutzhund.
The short, smooth coat of the American Bulldog is very easy to maintain. A comb or brush with a firm bristle is sufficient to comb the coat and maintain its vibrancy. Bathe only when needed. This breed tends to drool
The American Bulldog is generally a sturdy and healthy breed, but like any working dogs, it is prone to canine hip dysplasia and skin problems. Natural home-prepared diet is an ideal feeding requirement for this breed given in equal proportion to the amount of exercise it gets. They have a lifespan of 15 – 16 years.
This muscular and strong breed needs plenty of vigorous exercise on a daily basis. Jogging on lead or alongside a bicycle is an ideal exercise. An inactive American Bulldog can easily gain weight which can lead to serious health issues. Without proper exercise to meet his mental and physical requirements, this breed can become high strung and hard to handle. It will do fine in an apartment setting if given enough physical and mental stimulation. It is relatively inactive indoors and will do best in a home with an average-size to a large, fenced yard.
The American Bulldog is not a breed for first-time pet owners. It needs an owner that can take control of any protective instincts and apply a positive and steady training program to raise a stable family companion. However, if properly trained and socialised, this breed is a perfect companion to children as well as other dogs.
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