American Bulldog: A Comprehensive Guide

American Bulldogs are an incredibly athletic, loving, and powerful dog breed, requiring lots of attention, exercise, and socialization. With strong protective instincts, American Bulldogs are fiercely protective of their owners and can be great hunting dogs. On the other side, this playful breed is also known for its goofy personality, getting along well with other pets and children. 

Overview of the American Bulldog

American Bulldogs typically live an average of 10 to 14 years, growing up to 25 inches and 100 pounds. Most of these dogs have a white base coat, short snouts, and a stocky build. 

History of the American Bulldog

American Bulldogs are said to have come from England in the late 1800s with immigrants who brought their working dogs to the United States. As the closest descendants of old English Bulldogs, American Bulldogs were primarily known for property and personal protection, and their ability to hunt and herd on farms in the southeastern states.

These loyal and athletic dogs were also known as the White English Southern Bulldog, most commonly seen with stark white coats. The “bulldog” part of their name comes from their strength and hardworking personality type on farms and ranches. 

Since they’ve made their way to the United States, American Bulldogs have become popular family dogs for their loyalty, affectionate personality, and confidence. 

American Bulldog Breed Characteristics

American Bulldogs are primarily known for their athleticism. At first glance, the muscular and wide build of this breed indicates their strength, endurance, and agility. Though tough on the outside, American Bulldogs are also known for being sweet and sensitive, making them great family dogs. 

Though their size varies greatly depending on genetics and proper care, all American Bulldogs are known for being stocky, muscular, athletic, and having large heads with powerful jaws. Most of these dogs have a white base coat, but secondary coat colors can be tan, brindle, brown, red, or fawn. 

In most cases, American bulldogs are friendly to strangers, provided they’ve received proper training. It is important to be consistent when training your dog to be obedient. American Bulldogs also tend to get along with other pets, but again, proper training and socialization is important to ensure the safety of other pets.

Even though they require lots of exercise to manage their high energy levels, American Bulldogs are eager to please their owners, making them easy to train. Whether you’re raising your next hunting dog or a silly, well-mannered loving family companion, the American Bulldog is a remarkably versatile breed that can be well-trained with the proper patience and care.

Caring for an American Bulldog

Health

American Bulldogs are considered to be a generally healthy breed; however, they are prone to a few health problems that you want to be aware of. The most common health issues to arise in American Bulldogs are hip and elbow dysplasia (due to a stocky build and high energy). Additionally, adult American Bulldogs can have health issues arise related to cherry eye, deafness, rupture/tear in knee ligaments, degenerative myelopathy, and inherited (but rare) neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. 

They can also have breathing issues, especially those with shorter snouts, as they are a brachycephalic breed. Because the American Bulldog is considered a short-headed breed, they are predisposed to health issues such as overheating, overfeeding, skin fold inflammation, face fold, and other various issues. 

Be sure to consult a veterinarian to discuss potential health issues, and also be aware that your dog can develop genetic health issues over time. It is especially important to purchase an American Bulldog from a reputable and responsible breeder, to minimize genetic health problems that may arise. 

Exercise

The American Bulldog is a highly energetic breed, requiring frequent exercise and stimulation. During puppyhood, American Bulldogs should be socialized early on and have the proper training to establish boundaries and routines. Adult American Bulldogs do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, especially inside. 

American Bulldogs love any kind of play and exercise involving biting, tugging, and wrestling. If you like tug-a-war, you and your four-legged pal will probably get along very well! Regular exercise will help your American Bulldog to stay fit and healthy, also avoiding destructive behaviors that can develop with pent-up energy.

While American Bulldogs require lots of exercising, you must be equally cautious about overheating and stress with this brachycephalic breed.

Nutrition

American Bulldogs should be fed high-quality, large-breed dog food. This breed is not generally known for having stomach issues, so there are many options when it comes to feeding. American bulldogs are also not known to be a picky breed either and can be easily satisfied on a variety of meat-based diets. Puppies will need large-breed puppy food for the first year of their lives. Adults will need large-breed adult food, accompanied by supplements recommended by your veterinarian to support joint and muscle health as they age.

Grooming

While the American Bulldog may be considered high maintenance when it comes to exercise, this breed is very low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Though the breed is not hypoallergenic, shedding is considered minimal and mostly seasonal. Regular brushing can help you achieve a shiny coat. It is only recommended to bathe an American Bulldog when they become dirty since their short coat is not prone to matting and knotting. Occasional ear cleaning and nail trimming are also recommended. As for most dogs, it is recommended to brush their teeth regularly. 

American Bulldog: Pros and Cons 

If you’re deciding whether or not to make an American Bulldog the next addition to your family, it is important to consider how much time you can devote to training, socialization, and caring for the health of your dog.

Pros of American Bulldogs

American Bulldogs are wonderful for families who can devote the proper amount of time and attention to caring for this high-energy breed. They are loyal and protective, making them great guard dogs. They are also wonderful hunting dogs, with jaws perfectly sculpted to catch prey on command. American Bulldogs are easy to groom and straightforward to care for and have been a popular dog breed in the United States for over 200 years.

Cons of American Bulldogs

As can be imagined, without the proper exercise and attention, American Bulldogs commonly resort to destructive behaviors. These dogs do not like to be left alone and require lots of attention and love. If you don’t have the time to properly train an American Bulldog, this breed is probably not right for you. In addition, the health problems that come with this breed also need to be taken into consideration. 

FAQ

What breeds are similar to the American Bulldog?

Rottweilers, Salukis, Pit bulls, and Belgian Malinois have similar exercise needs to meet their energy levels. Bloodhounds share the same kind of friendly attitudes that American Bulldogs are well known for. Boxers and Mastiffs are also very similar to the American Bulldog in energy, loyalty, and protective instincts.

Are American Bulldogs good with children?

With the proper training, routine, socialization, and daily exercise, American Bulldogs make wonderful family dogs. This breed is known for being equally friendly and athletic. Make sure you have enough time to devote to exercise and training to ensure that pent-up energy does not get taken out in an unhealthy way. With the right care, an American Bulldog can be a protective and loving addition to your family. 

Should I get an American Bulldog?

American Bulldogs are best for those who have an active lifestyle, with enough time and attention to devote to proper training and socialization. These dogs are loyal and caring, but without the proper care, they have destructive tendencies when dealing with pent-up energy. If you can commit to proper socialization, exercising, and obedience training, an American Bulldog can make a great addition to your family.

Where can I find American Bulldog puppies?

The American Kennel Club Marketplace is a recommended place to shop for American Bulldog breeders. Be sure to do research on the breeders you choose to ensure your puppy has been raised by high-quality, reputable breeders. Remember, your dog will only be as healthy as its parents, so it is important to know where your puppy comes from. Great breeders will be more than happy to reveal parent information and discuss details on how the puppies were raised.

Are there different types of American Bulldogs?

Yes! The two most common types of American Bulldogs are the Johnson and the Scott. The Johnson bulldog is known for its classic bully structure, with a broad chest and wider bones, resembling an English Bulldog. The Scott is usually a bit taller and leaner, typically found with a pure white coat and longer muzzles. The Scott American Bulldog typically has fewer breathing problems than its shorter-muzzle counterpart. These two breeds were named after the breeders who saved American Bulldogs from nearly becoming extinct in the 1940s.