• American Bulldogs
  • American Bulldog Dogs
  • American Bulldog Dog Breed
  • American Bulldogs in the UK
  • American Bulldog Breed
  • American Bulldog Dog
  • American Bulldog in the UK
  • American Bulldog
  • American Bulldogs in Great Britain
  • American Bulldog in Great Britain
Size:
Grooming:
Exercise Level:
Trainability:
Barking Level:
Good with Children:
Good with other pets:
Affectionate:
Protective:
Height: 52 - 71cm M | 52 - 61cm F
Weight: 30 - 54kg M | 27 - 41kg F
Life Expectancy: 10 - 15 Years

Thinking of buying or adopting an American Bulldog?


Introduction

American Bulldog possesses many nicknames including Southern White, White English, Old Southern White Bulldog, Hill Bulldog, Country Bulldog, and English White Bulldog. However, he is famously and simply known as the Bulldog. This large dog breed is yet to be recognised by the Kennel Club.

The Bulldog was originally used as an all-around working dog because of his strength and endurance. Stocky, muscular, and medium-sized, the American Bulldog becomes a dutiful farm guard dog and hunter when he is fully mature. The modern-day Bulldog is a well-loved family member and an effective watchdog.

The American Bulldog is an energetic dog that needs plenty of exercises and mental stimulation. The breed requires plenty of space to run around to burn off excess energy. The Bulldog may feel cooped up in an apartment and small spaces.

Because of his short coat, the American Bulldog has minimal grooming needs. Regular brushing and the occasional bath will keep him nice and clean.


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History

The origin of the American Bulldog is quite tricky due to the lack of documentation. It is believed to have descended from the English Bulldog and was brought by immigrants to the US in the 1800s. The breed was originally used as a working dog by small farmers and ranchers.

The American Bulldog guarded farms, hunted bears, and gathered hogs and cattle. He was also used in bull-baiting before the sport was eventually banned. He was not considered a breed before, but a generic type of Bulldog.

The number of Bulldogs significantly declined during World War II in Southern America. He was saved from extinction by a man named John Johnson, who gathered the best specimens. This endeavour was supported by another man named Alan Scott, who helped him create the first American Bulldog puppies.

Johnson infused the line with a primitive Bulldog from the north. The breed variation he produced is called today as the Johnson-type Bulldog. On the other hand, Scott went to cross with catch Bulldogs from Southern farms. The American Bulldog puppies that resulted from these dogs are known as the Scott-type variety.

Johnson and Scott had a falling out and went separate ways after they crossed their Bulldogs with other lines. The American Bulldog is still not recognised by the Kennel Club as a breed. However, he is recognised by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club.


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Appearance and Grooming

The two types of American Bulldogs are the Johnson, classic or bully type, and the Scott, standard, or performance type. Bred as a farm utility dog, this large breed is generally a tall and stocky dog with a large head, thick neck, and a muscular body.

Since the emphasis is on ability rather than appearance, his height and weight considerably vary. He can weigh 27–54 kilos and stand at 52–70 centimetres at the withers. As American Bulldog puppies are a large breed, it would take between 12 and 18 months for them to become fully matured. However, their physique may continue to develop until they reach around 2 to 3 years of age.

American Bulldog’s coat is short, smooth, and shiny. The breed doesn’t shed heavily, but he sheds throughout the year. Hence, he is non-hypoallergenic and not a great match for dog lovers with allergies.

Although you cannot stop the American Bulldog from producing allergens, there are many ways to reduce it. These include bathing and brushing the Bulldog regularly and cleaning your home frequently. Washing your dog’s items such as his bed and blanket is necessary too as these items collect a lot of dander. This also applies to fabrics such as curtains and carpets inside your home for the same reason.

Grooming the American Bulldog does not require a lot of effort as he is a low-maintenance breed. He only needs twice a week of brushing with a rubber grooming mitt. Only give him a bath when he begins to have that particular doggy smell.

American Bulldogs are big droolers. This is because of his loose jowls. His constant slobber makes eating and drinking quite messy. It is a good idea to provide chew toys to your Bulldog. These toys soak up some of the Bulldog’s drool and encourage him to swallow more often. Moreover, they help in removing plaque and improve dental health.

Weekly tooth brushing is also required since he is prone to bad breath. Start brushing his teeth whilst young to help your Bulldog puppy getting used to the routine. Giving him chew bones and toys will also keep his teeth free from tartar build-up.

Dogs generally don’t like their paws to be touched, so it is best to acquaint your American Bulldog to nail trimming early. Always make this process a positive experience by being extra careful and giving rewards and praises after. Also make sure that his ears are clean and his skin free from spots, redness, and parasites.

Do American Bulldogs have Pit Bull in them?

American Bulldogs do not have Pit Bull in them. Although both breeds have many similarities in terms of appearance and temperament, they have different ancestries. The Pit Bull Terrier is the result of cross-breeding a Bulldog with a Terrier to create a muscular dog with the agility of a Terrier. Meanwhile, the American Bulldog is a descendant of the English Bulldog.


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Temperament and Intelligence

Are American Bulldogs dangerous?

The American Bulldog is active, confident, and friendly toward people. However, he can be extremely dog-aggressive if not socialised early in his life. He has a high tolerance for kids, but he is not favourable for families with very young children. The Bulldog can get hyperactive and may not be aware of his size and weight.

How to train an American Bulldog

American Bulldog is known to be strong-willed, which is why training is difficult. He is not recommended to first-time owners because he will challenge authority.

Since the Bulldog is naturally dominant, you need to establish leadership or alpha role first to earn his respect. During training sessions, positive reinforcement treats and consistency is key. That said, the breed is more suited for families with experience in handling Bully breeds.

American Bulldogs are known to excel in various dog sports such as nose work and agility.

Are American Bulldogs good with cats?

The American Bulldog is tenacious and can be aggressive to cats if he did not undergo early socialisation training. Thus, socialise him at an early age, specifically between 16 and 20 weeks. By exposing him to cats in different settings and contexts, your American Bulldog will then have a positive experience with cats.


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Nutrition and Feeding

A Bulldog’s typical daily serving is two to four cups of high-quality dry dog food. The amount and frequency of feeding will depend on his age, size, build, activity level, and metabolism.

How Much to Feed an American Bulldog

An adult American Bulldog’s (weighs 38 kilos ) typical daily calorie needs are as follow:

  • Senior and less active: up to 1,400 calories daily
  • Typical adult: up to 1,900 calories daily
  • Physically active/working-dog: up to 2,700 calories daily

As an active, muscular dog, the Bulldog needs plenty of protein as this helps fuel and maintains his stocky body. Since this breed loves to eat and easily puts on pounds, control his carb intake. Also, choose complex carbohydrates and avoid simple ones like soy, corn, and sugar.

As a canine prone to dysplasia, introduce dog food containing glucosamine and chondroitin and key nutrients that will promote general bone and joint health.


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Health and Exercise

How long do American Bulldogs live?

American Bulldog has an average lifespan of 10 - 15 years. He is a generally a healthy breed, but he is predisposed to certain conditions like neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Other diseases include:

Joint Dysplasia

The American Bulldog is more susceptible to joint dysplasia in the hip, shoulder, and elbow than other dog breeds. This condition can lead to the early development of osteoarthritis. For this reason, Bulldog breeders are encouraged to test their breeding stock for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia.

Cherry Eye

The American Bulldog is prone to the cherry eye. It is clinically known as the prolapsed nictitating membrane, which is also known as the third eyelid.

This ocular problem is characterised by a red lump that bulges out on the inner corner of the eye due to inflammation. Although it is not often painful, the dog may scratch the affected eye as if it were itchy. Cherry eye can be treated through surgery.

Bone Cancer

Large and giant dog breeds like the American Bulldog are prone to bone cancer. The cause of this disease is unclear, but it is believed to be a mix of many factors such as genetics and environment. A Bulldog with this disease tend to be lethargic, lack appetite, and reluctant to move around due to the pain caused by the tumour.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Problems

American Bulldog is one of the breeds at high risk of developing ACL. This disease can lead to osteoarthritis and hindlimb lameness. The cause of ACL is unknown, but it is often linked to obesity, genetics, conformation, and ligament laxity. ACL can be treated by surgery, which ensures fast healing and lessens the chance of osteoarthritis to develop.

As a very active working dog, this breed has high energy levels. Thus, he requires a vigorous exercise regimen to keep him satisfied and unlikely to develop destructive behaviors.

However, American Bulldog puppies should avoid excessive exercise as this can cause bone and joint problems. Taking them for long walks or jogs needs to be done once they are fully grown.

An adult American Bulldog needs at least two walks per day or long hours of exercise in a fenced backyard. Another way to drain the energy of this dog is to teach him tricks and games. Stubborn as the breed is, once he gets used to training routines, he will enjoy physical activities with his owner.


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Cost of Ownership

How much does an American Bulldog cost?

A well-bred American Bulldog puppy costs between £400 and £1000, depending on his pedigree. High-quality food, including treats, costs around £40 a month (£480 a year). The initial cost of basic dog supplies and equipment including bed, crate, and dish bowls is estimated at £150–£200.

Aside from providing the best food, make sure that your American Bulldog has regular veterinary visits, yearly vaccinations, and preventive treatments. These could cost up to £1,000 annually. Getting pet insurance (£50 to £120 a month) can cover sudden expensive veterinary costs when your dog gets sick.


American Bulldog Breed Highlights

  • The American Bulldog was bred as a farm dog belongs to the utility group.
  • He is a large breed with a big appetite and high exercise needs.
  • The Bulldog is easy to groom as he only requires occasional brushing and wiping, and he can be bathed as needed.
  • He can be challenging to train because of his stubborn nature, but he can be controlled through early training and positive reinforcement.
  • The American Bulldog breed is friendly towards people, but he may be dog-aggressive.
American Bulldog

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Disclaimer:
The information, including measurements, prices and other estimates, on this page is provided for general reference purposes only.

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