American Bulldog

Bulldogs in their purest form existed in the United States as early as the 17th century and were used for bullfighting and as fighting dogs. They were a great favourite with butchers at the time. The ancestry of the modern American Bulldog can be traced back to these original Bulldogs found in many parts of the southeastern states of America at the time.

They were bred not only as fighting dogs, but also to guard and protect their owner's property and to herd pigs and cattle. At the time, they were not considered a 'breed' but rather a generic type of bulldog.

No breeding records were kept of farmers and other people who bred dogs with the end goal of creating a 'type' of dog that would suit their specific needs. As such, numerous types of bulldogs were found in different regions of South America.

Bulldogs are thought to have been popular because they could control the numbers of feral pigs introduced to the New World at the time. It was especially important to control the numbers of feral pigs because there were no natural enemies. As such, bulldogs were highly valued because they were the only way for the colonists to control pests and feral pigs.

Bulldogs were not considered a breed as such at the time and did not get their name until the 1980s. As such, they used to be known by quite a few different names, including the "English White" and the "White English". In some parts of the United States, they were known as the "Alabama" and the "Southern Bulldog".

That said, the most common name for these dogs was simply "Bulldog" because of the task for which they were originally bred, involving bulls and cattle to be rounded up and guarded.

But by the time World War II broke out, the number of bulldogs in South America had fallen dangerously low and they were only saved from extinction when a man named John D Johnson, along with his father, took on the task of finding as many bulldogs as possible to save them. to prevent them from disappearing forever. Their efforts caught the attention of Alan Scott, who began working with them with the end goal of increasing the number of bulldogs.

He introduced working bulldogs he found on farms, leading to the breeding of the first of the American Bulldogs. Johnson then crossed his dog line with English Bulldogs that were more of the type found in the north, dogs that prided themselves on retaining their natural athletic robustness.

Today, the American Bulldog is one of the most popular breeds in the United States and as a result, their numbers have increased. They have also become a popular choice in other parts of the world, including here in Britain, thanks to their distinctive athletic appearance and friendly nature. They have proven themselves in many dog sports, including obedience competitions, weightlifting and many other popular activities.

Although American Bulldogs are gaining popularity in Britain, they are not recognised as a breed by The Kennel Club (June 2016), but are recognised by the American Kennel Club and the UKC. Interestingly, the roots of the modern American Bulldog can be traced back to four strains bred in Alabama, Georgia, namely the Williamson Scott Bailey and Johnson.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the American Bulldog a fragile breed? No, they are among the most popular breeds in Britain and in other countries of the world, including their native America
• The American Bulldog is often confused with the American Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bull, but is a breed in its own right.
• The breed was saved from extinction at the end of World War II by John D Johnson
• American Bulldogs have a strong prey drive, a trait deeply embedded in their psyche, but they are not an "aggressive" breed

Height at withers: Males 50 - 71 cm Females 50 - 61 cm
Average weight: Males 32 - 54 kg Females 27 - 41 kg

The American Bulldog is an athletic, powerful-looking dog that prides itself on being longer in the legs than its English cousins. They have large, broad heads that give the impression of enormous power to these bulldogs. They have a well-defined stop that is both deep and abrupt and at right angles to a dog's muzzle. However, their forehead is wider than high, contributing to the distinctive look of the breed.

There are two very different types of American Bulldogs, the first being the "Bully type" and the second the "Standard type", with the Bully type being slightly smaller and lighter than the Standard type. Their heads are also different: the Bully has a large round head with a pronounced stop, while a standard American Bulldog has a slimmer, wedge-shaped head.

The muzzles are thick and broad, but taper slightly from the stop to a dog's nose. They have an inverted scissor bite and the noses are large and black with wide-open nostrils. A Bully-type dog has a distinct underbite and their bites can be an inverted scissor, while a standard dog has a tight underbite with an inverted scissor bite.

Their eyes are medium-sized and everything from round to almond-shaped are well apart on the bully's face. Their eyes can be any colour, but dark brown is preferred in dogs with black rims to their eyes. Ears can be small or medium-sized and stand high on the head. They can fall down, be half pricked or pink ears are also acceptable.

The neck of a bully is exceptionally well-muscled and powerful, as wide as a dog's neck and has a slight curve at the crest of a dog before tapering slightly from the shoulders to the dog's head. Bullies often have a slight dewlap at their necks. Having said this, a Bully-type dog has a thicker neck, while in standard dogs their necks are much longer.

The shoulders are extremely strong and muscular and the shoulder blades are well back. Their front legs have heavy bones and are extremely well muscled. An American Bulldog has a compact, extremely muscular body with deep and moderately wide chests. The ribs are well arched and the topline slopes slightly from the withers to a dog's muscular broad back.

It is worth noting that a Bully-type dog has a shorter, slightly arched back, while the back of the standard type is slightly longer and has a flatter topline, with only a hint of the back visible.

The loins are also broad, slightly arched and short, passing into a sloping croup. The flanks are moderately raised and very firm. The hind legs are very well muscled and dogs have well-developed lower legs. Their feet are medium-sized and round and dogs have well-curved, tight toes. Tails are thickest at the base and set low before tapering to the tip. Dogs carry their tails upright when alert, but between their hind legs when relaxed.

When it comes to their coat, the American Bulldog shows off a short, dense and close-textured coat that can be either stiff or soft in texture. If they have a colour on their head, it should be a colour on a white head. The accepted breed colours under AKC rules are as follows:

• All white
• Fur or 85% colour including brindle black fawn/red

The colours that are not acceptable under AKC rules are as follows:

• plain black
• plain blue
• Merle
• tricolour
• An all-black mask is also unacceptable

Gait/movement

When American Bulldogs move, they do so with a well-balanced and smooth gait that shows a lot of strength and agility, with dogs covering a lot of ground with each step. They have a huge amount of thrust in their hindquarters and if dogs are moving at a faster pace, they should ideally do so in a single lane with a nice flat, firm back. American Bulldogs have a high head and tail carriage, which contributes to their confident, proud and alert appearance.

Faults

When it comes to faults in the breed, as recognised by the American Kennel Club, these are as follows:

• Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism
• Cruelty or extreme embarrassment
• Crossed eyes
• Wall-eyes
• Dry mouth
• An even or scissor bite in the plague type
• Unilateral or bilateral deafness
• Less than 15% white
• Blue colour
• Black and tinted
• Tricolour
• Merle
• Full black mask

As mentioned earlier, the American Bulldog is often confused with an American Pit Bull or an American Staffordshire Terrier, but they are not related at all. American Bulldogs are never overly aggressive, nor are they naturally nervous dogs, but they are known to be determined, confident and courageous.

That said, they are naturally dominant dogs and because they are so physically strong, they are not the best choice for novice dog owners as they need to be properly socialised and trained. American Bulldogs, in the right hands and in the right environment, are a joy to have around and they boast funny, comical personalities, meaning they love to play interactive games with their owners and families.

American Bulldogs are confident, energetic and highly social dogs that form strong bonds with their families. As they get older, they become extroverted, but puppies are always ready to get involved in everything that happens in a household.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to socialise early when sharing a home with an American Bulldog, as they are large, powerful dogs when fully grown, which can make them more difficult to handle if they are not properly socialised and trained at a young enough age.

The problem is that bullies all too often do not know their own strength, especially when they are playing, which can be a problem when there are younger children in a household.

As mentioned earlier, in the right hands and in a suitable environment, an American Bulldog is a wonderfully loyal and affectionate family pet. However, they need to know their place in a pack and who is the alpha dog in a household. In short, they are never happier than when they know who they can turn to for guidance and direction.

As such, they are not the best choice for novice owners, but a much better choice for those familiar with the needs of this type of energetic, intelligent dog. One thing worth noting is that American Bulldogs boast a very high pain threshold. This can make it much harder to recognise when an American Bulldog is feeling unwell or injured in any way.

Because they are so intelligent, they are easy to train and are known to be exceptionally obedient, provided their training is started early enough for a dog to understand what its owners expect of it. They do well in households where at least one person stays at home when everyone else is out of the house, as they are known to be quite demanding dogs by nature.

Therefore, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. If left to their own devices, they can quickly become bored and this can cause American Bulldogs to develop all sorts of behavioural problems, including separation anxiety and destructive behaviour throughout the house.

American Bulldogs can jump great heights, and they have been known to leap over a metre without difficulty. Therefore, a garden fence should not only be very safe, but also high to keep these athletic and powerful dogs safely inside.

Are they a good choice for starters?

American Bulldogs are not the best choice for novice dog owners, as they need to be handled and trained by people who are familiar with their needs and have enough time to devote to socialising and training their canine companions from an early age. American Bulldogs are naturally dominant dogs and therefore they need to know who is the alpha dog in a household and who they can look to for leadership and guidance, otherwise they may take on the role themselves.

What about prey drive?

The American Bulldog has a high prey drive, a trait deeply ingrained in a dog's psyche, having been bred to protect and guard livestock, as well as to round up livestock. Early socialisation and training are a must when sharing a home with an American Bulldog, and care should always be taken when walking them on a leash in areas where they may encounter livestock and wildlife.

What about playfulness?

American Bulldogs are naturally curious, cheerful and comical characters, especially if they are well-bred and why it is important to contact reputable breeders and meet both parent dogs.

What about adaptability?

The American Bulldog needs plenty of space to express itself as it should. Therefore, they are better suited to those with backyards, whether in urban or rural areas. They are highly intelligent and need plenty of mental stimulation and daily exercise to avoid boredom, which could cause an American Bulldog to develop unwanted and destructive behaviour.

What about excessive barking?

American Bulldogs are not known to bark excessively unless they are unhappy or left alone for long periods of time. That said, a dog would quickly let its owners know if there are strangers around thanks to their protective nature.

Do American Bulldogs like water?

Some American Bulldogs love to play in the water, while others don't even like to get their feet wet. Anyone sharing a home with a dog that likes to be in the water should always be very careful when walking with their pets near more dangerous water courses, in case their pets decide to jump in. American Bulldogs that do not like water should never be forced to go swimming, as it would only make them more afraid.

Are American Bulldogs good guard dogs?

American Bulldogs are natural guard dogs because they were originally bred for this purpose, namely to protect and guard their families. Having said this, there is no need to 'train' an American Bulldog to guard anything, as it is something that comes naturally to him.

American Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to 'voice', but they are also known to be naturally dominant. Therefore, they are better suited to people who know how to train and handle them. The education and socialisation of an American Bulldog should start early as soon as puppies arrive in their new homes, and their training and handling should be consistent throughout a dog's life so that they understand what is expected of them.

American Bulldogs are intelligent and do nothing more than please their owners. However, they are powerful and extremely confident dogs and if they are not socialised early enough, trained correctly and can be handled well, they can show a more assertive and dominant side of their nature, which can cause a dog to become stubborn and therefore much harder to control.

American Bulldogs do not accept any form of harsh correction, nor do they respond well to a heavy-handed approach to their training. However, they respond exceptionally well to positive reinforcement, which gets the best out of these dogs, with the end result being a confident, well-behaved and obedient dog.

American Bulldogs need to learn boundaries and limits from an early age, making them understand how far they can go, although they may test them from time to time. Therefore, their training should be consistent throughout their lives.

Puppies should learn basic commands right away, including the following:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Let it
• Down
• Bed

American Bulldogs get along well with children they have grown up with in a household and especially with older children who know how to behave in their environment. In short, they are better suited to households where the children are older than toddlers, as playtime can get a little rambunctious and these dogs have no idea of their own strength, meaning they can easily knock over a younger child.

Therefore, any interaction between children and their dog should always be properly supervised by an adult. Due to their size and the fact that they can be so noisy, Pets4homes advises that Bullys are not the best choice for families with babies or very young children.

Anyone already sharing a home with an American Bulldog where there are younger children should always ensure that they are never left unattended together. It is also crucial for parents to teach young children how to behave around dogs and when to stay away from them, especially if there is food around or while playing.

They should be extremely well socialised from an early age, which means meeting other dogs on a walk after they have been fully vaccinated, although even then an American Bulldog may very well lash out at any other dog it encounters. Care should be taken when they are around small pets and animals, including cats.

The average life expectancy of an American Bulldog is between 10 and 15 years if it is cared for properly and given an appropriate diet of good quality appropriate to its age.

Like so many other breeds, the American Bulldog is known to suffer from a number of hereditary health problems that are worth knowing about if you plan to share your home with one of these energetic, powerful dogs. The conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include:

• Certain forms of bone cancer
• Hip dysplasia - breeding dogs must have a hip score
• Elbow dysplasia - breeding dogs must be tested
• Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) - breeding dogs should be tested
• Ichthyosis - breeding dogs must be tested
• Nemaline myopathy - DNA test for congenital muscle disease available
• Kidney diseases
• Thyroid problems
• Anterior cruciate ligament or ACL
• Cherry eye
• Entropion (eyelids folding inwards) - dogs with this condition should not be bred
• Ectropion (eyelids roll outwards) - dogs with the condition should not be bred with
• allergies

More about NCL

Although a less common condition in the breed Canine Neuronal Ceroid Lipofiscuionis is a serious health problem that can affect an American Bulldog when it is about 2 years old. The condition negatively affects a dog's hindquarters and causes dogs to fall over, but this leads to them being unable to move.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure for the condition and dogs do not recover. Fortunately, dogs can be tested for the condition and all responsible breeders would have their stud dogs tested before using them for breeding purposes.

More about Icthyose

American Bulldogs are known to suffer from a skin condition known as Icthysosis, which is often seen in puppies when they are just born. The condition can be moderate to severe, but never life-threatening. Dogs with a moderate form of Icthyosis experience scaly itchy skin and should be washed more often and an ointment applied to their skin to relieve symptoms and make a dog more comfortable.

Fortunately, puppies can be tested to see if they are carriers of the harmful gene that causes Ichthyosis and if they are carriers. A puppy tested as a carrier would not develop the condition, but would pass on the faulty gene to its offspring if bred with it. Dogs tested as 'affected' should not be used for breeding purposes to avoid passing on the defective gene to their offspring.

What about vaccinations?

American Bulldog puppies would have had their first vaccinations, but it is essential that they get their follow-up shots at the right time, with the vaccination schedule being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection immediately, but would be fully protected two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

There has been much debate about the need for dogs to have boosters. Therefore, it is best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether an American Bulldog should continue to receive annual vaccinations, also known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

A male American Bulldog can be safely neutered at 6 months of age and females can also be spayed at 6 months of age.

What about obesity problems?

Some American Bulldogs get heavier after being neutered or spayed. It is important to closely monitor their calorie intake and the amount of daily exercise they get to prevent obesity. An obese American Bulldog would be at risk of developing certain health problems that could shorten their life by several years.

What about allergies?

The American Bulldog is known to suffer from certain allergies caused by their immune system being overactive. The allergies can be hereditary or can be acquired and caused by various things, including over-vaccinating a dog.

Some young American Bulldogs grow over their allergies, but if a dog suffers from a more severe allergy, it may remain so for the rest of its life and as such, its condition should be managed continuously. American Bulldogs known to suffer from any form of allergy should therefore not be used for breeding purposes.

As with any other breed, American Bulldogs need regular grooming to ensure their coat and skin remain in top condition, especially as they are prone to specific skin allergies, namely Icthyosis. They also need regular daily exercise to ensure they stay fit and healthy. Moreover, dogs should be fed good-quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for an American Bulldog puppy

Having decided that an American Bulldog is the right dog choice, it is important to get everything in the house ready for the arrival of a puppy. That said, it is not just a house that needs to be puppy-proofed, but also the garden needs to be made safe for them to roam in.

All puppies like to gnaw on things and this includes electrical wires and cables, so it is essential that they are put down. out of their reach. Garden tools and other implements should be put away to prevent a noisy puppy from injuring himself.

Puppies need lots of naps and can sleep up to 21 hours a day, which they need to develop and grow properly. Therefore, it is important to set up a quiet place in a house where they can retreat when they want to take a nap. Ideally, this should not be out of the way, but away from too much traffic. If there are children in the house, they should be told not to disturb their pet when they are sleeping and also not to come near them when they are eating.

It is always a good idea to limit the number of rooms a puppy can roam in, for several reasons. One is because he needs to be housebroken and the second is so he is less likely to get into trouble. A good way to keep them in a certain place is to put child gates on the doors to prevent the puppy from entering rooms the owners don't want him to enter.

An American Bulldog puppy would have been dewormed before being sold, and the documentation provided by a breeder for a puppy should include full details of the date of deworming and the product used, as well as information regarding its microchip. It is essential that puppies are dewormed again, adhering to the following schedule:

• Pups should be wormed at 6 months of age
• When they are 8 months old, they should be wormed again
• Pups should be dewormed when they are 10 months old
• They should be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you need for your puppy

There are items needed to care for a puppy that should be purchased well before arrival. Items needed include the following:

• Make sure food and water bowls are not too deep and should ideally be made of ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A good quality dog collar harness and leash
• A dog crate that is neither too small nor too big, so that a puppy would feel lost in it
• Good-quality toys and chewy snacks
• A well-made dog bed where you take into account that a puppy can chew on it properly
• Baby and/or dog blankets for use in the puppy's crate and dog basket
• Dog-specific toothpaste and toothbrush
• Shampoo and conditioner specially developed for use on dogs
• Care equipment

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are very sensitive to loud noises, so it is important to keep the volume of the television low and also not play music too loudly, as this can scare an American Bulldog puppy and prevent him from taking a nap during the day as he should.

Keeping vet appointments

Reputable breeders always make sure their puppies are vaccinated before they are sold, but as mentioned earlier, it is up to their new owners to make sure they get follow-up shots at the right time, which should be as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection right away, but is not fully protected until two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it is best to discuss them with a vet, as there is much debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. But if a dog ever had to go to a kennel, his vaccinations would be needed

What about American Bulldogs when they reach their golden years?

When American Bulldogs reach their golden years, they slow down in many ways and may start to show their age with more grey hair on their face and especially around their muzzle. Apart from a change in their appearance, an American Bulldog's personality can also change, and this includes how quickly they respond to a command or when their name is called.

This is because many older dogs' hearing is not as good as it used to be. Other changes to look out for in an American Bulldog as they reach their advanced age include:

• Their vision may be impaired and their eyes appear cloudy
• Their teeth may not be in good condition, meaning they may need dental work
• Older dogs tend to sleep more during the day and get up more often at night, which is often because their cognitive function is not as sharp as when they were young, meaning older dogs get confused more easily.
• They tend to be less tolerant of loud noises and sounds
• Dogs can be a bit pickier about their food when they are older, so it is important to rethink their diet and make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need to stay healthy
• An older dog's immune system often does not offer him the same protection against illness and infection, putting him at greater risk of contracting something and why he should visit the vet more often
• An older American Bulldog may not like walking as much and especially not longer walks
• Their muscle tone and body condition are not as good as when they were young
• Older dogs often suffer from joint problems that can subsequently lead to arthritis, so it is worth investing in a comfortable dog bed and ideally one that an American Bulldog can get out of more easily.

American Bulldogs pride themselves on their short, close-fitting coats, which in short means they are low-maintenance in terms of grooming. However, as they are prone to skin allergies, it's best to give them a few a week.

The earlier a skin problem is detected, the better, because if it persists for too long, it can turn into something painful and much more serious. Regular wiping with a chamois leather will also help keep an American Bulldog's coat nice and shiny.

It is also important to check a dog's ears regularly and clean them if necessary. If too much earwax accumulates in a dog's ears, it can lead to a painful infection that is difficult to cure. In short, prevention is often easier than cure when it comes to ear infections.

Grooming tools needed for an American Bulldog

Having the right grooming tools helps keep an American Bulldog's coat and skin in top condition. The tools needed to keep a dog's coat looking good are as follows:

• A grooming glove
• A smoother brush
• A brush
• A fine-toothed comb
• Nail clippers
• A pair of scissors with rounded ends
• Dog-specific shampoo and conditioner

American Bulldogs are intelligent, energetic and curious dogs. Therefore, they should get the right amount of daily exercise, combined with as much mental stimulation as possible, to keep them fit and healthy. Ideally, they should get 40 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, and more if possible.

If they are left to their own devices for long periods of time, not only will boredom set in, which can cause dogs to develop unwanted and destructive behaviour, but it can also cause them to become much overweight. This can shorten a dog's life by several years.

A shorter walk in the morning would be fine, but a longer, more interesting walk in the afternoon is a must. These dogs also like to wander around the backyard as often as possible, so they can really let off steam. However, the fencing should be extremely secure and high enough to keep these curious, energetic dogs inside, because if they discover a weak point in the fence, they will quickly escape and get into all sorts of trouble.

With this said, American Bulldog puppies should not be overloaded as their joints and bones are still growing and too much pressure on them can result in causing a few problems for a dog later in life. For this reason, they should not jump on or off furniture or run up and down stairs.

If you want to buy an American Bulldog, a well-bred puppy with a pedigree should cost anything from €400 to over €1000. The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old American Bulldog in the Netherlands would be €53.10 a month for basic cover, but for a lifetime policy it would be €118.99 a month (June 2016 quote).

When insurance companies calculate the premium for a pet, they take several things into account, including where you live in the UK, the age of the dog and whether it is neutered or spayed.

When it comes to food costs, you need to buy the best quality food, both wet and dry, so you can feed your dog throughout his life and make sure it suits the different stages of his life. This will save you between €30 and €40 a month.

In addition, you need to factor in vet fees if you want to share your home with an American and this includes their initial vaccinations, their annual boosters, the cost of spaying or neutering your dog when the time is right and their annual health checks all. of which quickly add up to more than €1,000 a year.

As a rough guide, the average cost of keeping and caring for an American is between €90 and €170 per month, depending on the level of insurance cover you choose for your dog, but this does not include the initial cost of buying a puppy.