| Recognized By |
ABA
,
ABCC
,
ACR
,
APRI
,
ARBA
,
ARF
,
CKC
,
NABA
,
NKC
,
UKC
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| Category |
Mastiff
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| Appearance |
The American Bulldog has a very muscular and sturdy body with a large and powerful head and jaws. They are very strong yet agile and light on their feet.
|
| Life Expectancy |
The average life expectancy of an American Bulldog is up to 16 years of age.
|
| Size |
Male American Bulldogs are between 22 to 28 inches tall and weigh around 70 to 120 pounds when fully grown. Females are a bit smaller, usually 20 to 26 inches tall with an overall weight between 60 to 100 pounds.
|
| Characteristics |
American Bulldogs are known for their acts of heroism towards its master. They are said to have fought wild dogs, bulls and even fire to protect their master. Some may have a tendency to be aggressive with other dogs and reserved with strangers. American Bulldogs tend to drool and slobber. The American Bulldog is a great guard dog. They are also used in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They can drive cattle and guard stock from predators. They are prized for their intelligence, stamina and ability to work.
|
| Temperament |
American Bulldogs should be neither shy nor aggressive towards people and other dogs. They are brave and determined dog but should never be hostile in nature. They are alert and self-confident dog that genuinely love children.
|
| Family Dog |
The American Bulldog is a loving family companion that is great with children and other pets.
|
| Companionship |
American Bulldogs are said to have true grit, true devotion and true love with very strong protective instincts. They need to be around people to be truly happy.
|
| Head |
The American Bulldog's head is relatively square in shape with broad, muscular cheeks and a furrow between the eyes. The stop is deep and well-defined.
|
| Nose |
The nose American Bulldog should be black or grizzle in color.
|
| Eyes |
The American Bulldog's eyes may be any color. The eye rims are typically black in color and this is especially preferred on white dogs.
|
| Ears |
The American Bulldog's ears come in many types including rose, half-pricked and pendant. The ears are sometimes cropped even though uncropped ears are preferred by the American Bulldog Breeders Association Standard.
|
| Muzzle |
The American Bulldog has a strong box-shaped muzzle. The lips should be loose and black in black-nosed dogs but can be pink in other dogs.
|
| Teeth/Bite |
The teeth of the American Bulldog should meet in a tight undershot or scissors bite.
|
| Neck |
The muscular neck of the American Bulldog tapers gradually from the shoulders to head. The neck may have a slight dewlap.
|
| Body |
The American Bulldog has a wide chest with a sturdy and compact frame. This is especially true in the males who are stockier and heavier boned than the females.
|
| Forequarters |
The front legs of the American Bulldog are straight, strong and heavy-boned.
|
| Hindquarters |
The American Bulldog's hindquarters should be muscular and very broad.
|
| Tail |
The tail of the American Bulldog is low-set and tapers to a point.
|
| Color |
The coat of the American Bulldog comes can be white, brindle, brown, red, or tan or combinations and variations of these.
|
| Coat |
The coat of the American Bulldog is short and harsh in texture.
|
| Shedding |
The American Bulldog is an average shedder.
|
| Grooming |
The short coat of the American Bulldog is easy to groom. It should be brush with a firm bristle brush. They should be bathed only when necessary.
|
| Training |
The American Bulldog should socialized and trained at a young age.
|
| Exercise |
The American Bulldog should be taken on long walks daily.
|
| Physical Ability |
The American Bulldog is quicker and more agile than its English counterpart with some able to leap six or more feet in air.
|
| Living Conditions |
The American Bulldog will do okay as an apartment dog provided they are given ample time for exercise. They are relatively inactive when inside and should really have an average sized yard.
|
| Health |
American Bulldogs are prone to hip dysplasia.
|
| Litter Size |
The average litter size of an American Bulldog is 11 puppies.
|
| History |
Historically Bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bull bating. The dogs were brought by their masters from England to America. The English Bulldog was bred for a smaller size and softer personality than its cousin the American Bulldog which remained larger with a feistier personality. The American Bulldog is more agile and quicker because of it longer legs. After WWII, the American Bulldog like the English Mastiff was nearly extinct. Thanks to John D. Johnson of Summerville, Georgia the American Bulldog still exists today. He found the best dogs he could find from all across the south began breeding these dogs. He has been breeding them longer than anyone else in the world and his father bred them before him. His family is attributed with saving the American Bulldog breed. The American Bulldog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1999 in the rare, working class.
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