American Bulldog

When the first British colonists arrived in America, they brought their bulldogs will them. A few centuries of steady breeding later, the American bulldog was born.

These strong and loyal pets are prized on farms and ranches across the country for their ability to scare off predators and keep other animals in line. As pets, they are known for being fun, sweet, and incredibly engaging.

Pictures of American bulldogs often portray them as fierce hunting dogs. However, these pets are also incredibly affectionate and are beloved by both their immediate owners and all members of the family.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning an American Bulldog

Evolution and Origins

The American Bulldog is a descendant of the Old English Bulldog, which was brought to America by English immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Old English Bulldog was originally bred for bull-baiting, a popular sport in England at the time, but as this sport fell out of favor, the breed was used for other purposes such as hunting, herding, and as a general farm dog.

In America, the Old English Bulldog was further developed and modified to suit the needs of American farmers, particularly in the southern states. This resulted in the development of two distinct types of American Bulldogs: the Johnson type and the Scott type.

The Johnson type, also known as the “Classic” American Bulldog, is larger and heavier-boned, with a wider head and more pronounced wrinkles. It is considered to be more closely related to the Old English Bulldog.

The Scott type, also known as the “Standard” American Bulldog, is smaller and more athletic, with a narrower head and less pronounced wrinkles. It is considered to be more closely related to the modern English Bulldog.

Over time, the American Bulldog became less popular as a working dog and more as a family pet. The breed was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1999. Today, American Bulldogs are used as a companion, show, and performance dogs.

Size and Weight

These dogs are a medium to large-sized breed with short legs, stocky torsos, and distinctively crushed faces. These dogs are strong and muscular, which makes them popular working dogs on farms and ranches.

The average male American bulldog weighs between 66 to 130 pounds and stands between 20 and 28 inches tall. Female American bulldogs are significantly smaller; they seldom weigh more than 90 pounds, and they usually stand between 20 and 24 inches tall.

Common Health Issues

American Bulldogs are a large purebred breed that is known to be susceptible to several health issues. The problems that your American bulldog might face as he gets older include hip and elbow dysplasia, skin allergies, and a variety of eye conditions related to the bulldog’s signature saggy eyelids.

They are also particularly prone to bone cancer and thyroid deficiencies, especially when compared to other dogs. In short, the list of conditions that your American bulldog should be checked for is as follows:

• Allergies
• Joint dysplasia
• Bone cancer
• Eye conditions
• Thyroid deficiency

Temperament and Behavior

American Bulldogs are sweet and loyal pups that love to spend time with their families. You can expect your bulldog to be engaging, excited, talkative, and generally involved with the activities of your daily life.

Most bulldogs exhibit extremely attached behaviors, even if they are a rescue who was previously part of a different family. Although this attachment can lead to separation anxiety, it also creates an incredibly strong bond between owner and pet.

Most bulldogs have a stubborn streak that can make them difficult to train. Luckily, this can be overcome with patience and a good understanding of bulldog psychology.

They love listening to their owners and want to be part of the family, but they may need multiple training sessions to get over some of their more difficult personality traits.

American Bulldog vs. Pitbull

American bulldogs and American Pitbulls are two breeds that are descended from the Old English bulldog. However, if you look at pictures of these breeds side-by-side, you’ll immediately notice the differences between the two.

The American Bulldog is a direct descendant of this breed that was confined to the Americas since early settlers arrived. American bulldogs differ from their English counterparts in that they have generally more athletic forms. However, their temperaments are surprisingly similar.

In contrast, the American pitbull is a mix of the bulldog and the bull terrier. The result is a larger-sized dog with a leaner torso and an elongated snout. The personality of an American pitbull is incredibly different from that of a bulldog; they’re more energetic, less emotionally attached, and generally suited for different types of work.

How to Take Care of an American Bulldog

These dogs carry a high price tag because they require a significant amount of care and attention. If you can’t afford to purchase a purebred American bulldog, you probably won’t be able to pay for the veterinary costs associated with this breed. That said, whether you rescue your bulldog or buy them from a breeder, you should still make sure that they receive the best care possible.

The Best Dog Food

American bulldogs have incredibly sensitive stomachs and may need a specialized diet. In particular, bulldogs are susceptible to kidney stones, which can be caused by an excess of unhealthy proteins and calcium in the dog’s food. One of the best ways to avoid this issue is to feed either homemade food or high-quality kibbles that have been designed with bulldogs in mind.

Due to the shape of their snouts, these dogs have a tendency to ingest a lot of air while they eat. This can result in either minor flatulence or more serious stomach issues if too much air is ingested. Savvy owners avoid this problem by feeding smaller kibbles, hand-feeding their dog, or simply watching the contents of their diet to limit the amount of gas that their pet naturally creates.

Keep your American Bulldog healthy by feeding it food with high-quality ingredients. You may want to try dog food with limited ingredients to help prevent allergies. This type of food might also help keep American Bulldogs’ weight and thyroid under control.

The A-Z Animals recommendation for American Bulldogs is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diet | Adult Dry Dog Food with Healthy Grains.

This limited-ingredient food uses lamb as a quality protein source. The amino acids contribute to lean muscle, and combined with B12 and zinc, they contribute to overall good health. Since the ingredients are so selective, your American Bulldog may be less vulnerable to endocrine disruptions and allergies.

Check Chewy or Amazon for this product.

Best Overall

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Dry Adult Dog Food

• Dog food with real salmon, sweet potato, and canola oil
• Balanced nutrition for healthy bones, heart, digestion, skin, and teeth
• Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies
• 12lb bag

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Maintenance and Grooming

American bulldogs have short coats and do not require much more grooming than would be needed for another canine. Make sure to wash your bulldog at least once a month, and remember to trim their nails and clean their ears. You should also pay careful attention to the area around your bulldog’s eyes, as these pups are prone to skin infections and other eye problems.

Training

American Bulldogs are loyal but stubborn pets that may require a little extra training and patience. Start working with your bulldog as soon as you can, and keep working with them throughout their adult life. Try several short training sessions interspersed throughout the day, and pay attention to how exhausted your dog is. If you consistently make training a positive and successful activity, your bulldog is sure to respond.

Exercise

The American Bulldog is a high-energy breed that needs a lot of exercises to keep its anxiety down. However, due to the health issues that many bulldogs suffer, getting this exercise can be difficult as the dog gets older. The solution that most bulldog owners end up arriving at is taking their dog on a leisurely 40-minute stroll one to two times a day.

Puppies

American bulldog puppies are sweet, loving, and eager to learn. Make sure to take your puppy to the vet right away to see if they have any outstanding health issues that will need to be treated throughout their life. If your dog is a rescue, you may also want to run a blood test to see if they are purebred or if they have different genetics that may require varied medical care.

American Bulldogs and Children

American bulldogs are playful and engaging, which means that they can get along incredibly well with older children. However, due to their stubborn streak, leaving an American bulldog alone with small children is never recommended.

Dogs Similar to American Bulldogs

Bulldogs are the source breed for several different types of lovable pups. If you find the price of an American bulldog is too high, try adopting one of these breeds instead:

• Bulldog: English bulldogs share many of the same traits as their American counterparts. Look for different types of bulldogs that have been curated by breeders over the centuries.
• Boxer: Boxers are usually larger, taller, and healthier than most bulldogs. They still have the strong jaws, short faces, and stubborn streak that make bulldog descendants so distinct.
• Pitbull: The American pitbull is an energetic breed that is often much cheaper than a purebred bulldog. In exchange, you’ll get a mix of personality traits and a dog that is more flexible to your family’s needs.

Popular Names

Popular names for American bulldogs include:

• King
• Royce
• Bear
• Donut
• Mama
• Tulip
• Monster
• Diva
• Boo