Some dog breeds rushes unfortunately an unflattering reputation in advance.
However, they are not responsible for this, but “people” who enjoy making fighting machines out of animals.
Same with American bulldogwho is many things, but not an aggressive dog.
You can find out what it’s really all about in our detailed breed portrait.
American Bulldog Wanted Poster
Size Male: 50 to 71 cm Female: 50 to 61 cmWeightMale: 30 to 58 kg, Female: 27 to 41 kgColorsWhite, Brindle, Red, Brown, Fawn, Sand, CreamLife expectancy10 to 15 yearsOriginUSAcharacter/temperamentConfident, friendly, loyal, energetic, gentle, dominant, assertiveFCI groupnot recognized by the FCI
Look
At first glance, the American Bulldog resembles a boxer. This is mainly due to the head, which appears just as beefy and angular as in this breed.
As a physically strong dog, it is not surprising that the American Bulldog has a very compact and muscular physique has.
However, for all the strength and muscle there isn’t a single part of the body that would appear overly developed.
In fact, this dog is reminiscent of the Bulldogs – also called Bullenbeisser – how they looked in the 19th century.
With this breed – although it no uniform breeding standard there: Health and quality of life are more important than supposedly «chic» visual features.
However, there is one important optical feature – and that is not the result of excessive breeding: The triangular floppy earswhich give the American Bulldog a very mischievous appearance.
coat, coat texture & coat color
The American Bulldog has a very short and dense fell. Despite the wiry structure it appears soft and shiny.
Since there is no prescribed standard, it can appear in almost any color variant.
And so can an American Bulldog black, white, cream, brindle, fawn, red or sand colored as well as brown be.
Good to know:
Despite the nickname, this is not the American Bully, which is also a dog breed from the USA!
eye colors
The almond shaped eyes of the American Bulldog are – in contrast to the coat – almost a little boring in their color palette.
Because the eyes are usually dark and oscillate between one here deep chocolate brown and one Nearly black.
Height Weight
Do you have a American Bulldog boys decided, this can reach a shoulder height of fully grown 50 to 71 centimeters to reach. The weight can between 30 and 58 kilograms lay.
Move in against it American Bulldog female with you, lies the height between 50 and 61 centimetersand at a weight of 27 to 41 kilograms.
History & Origin of the American Bulldog
The ancestors of today’s American Bulldog, of course from the USA came to the New World with English settlers.
In terms of looks, they didn’t have much in common with today’s American Bulldog.
This was created over the years by the natural crossing with many other breeds.
The name Bulldog indicates one of this breed’s duties. Because they were used, among other things, for the guarding bulls deployed.
A rather sad story about this: These bulldogs had a so-called «Bully Catch»a very pronounced underbite.
This allowed them to pin the bulls to the ground and still breathe through the muzzle – regardless of whether the bull was bleeding.
Like the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Bulldog has another sad breed story to tell.
He too became used for dog fighting. And even if these are now banned, they still take place illegally time and again.
Not least because of this fact, the American Bulldog still has to see itself confronted with a reputation that puts its actual nature in a bad light.
Fortunately, there are breeders who focus on the family-friendly nature – and do not try to turn the peaceful dog into a fighting machine.
Incidentally, the American Bulldog not recognized as a separate breed. Neither of them FCIstill from American Kennel Club/AKC.
Accordingly, there are no breed standards. Since it is not recognized as a breed, it is considered in Germany officially too not as a list dog.
Nature & Character of the American Bulldog
There is one thing that unites all dogs that enjoy a «dubious» reputation: They do indeed have a very affectionate, loyal and friendly nature.
This also applies to the American Bulldog. This breed is considered extreme friendly and lovable and is with one gentle temperament fitted.
These traits are paired with some character traits that at least upbringing challenging can do.
Because despite all the gentleness, the American Bulldog is also very confident, assertive and dominant.
So not necessarily a simple dog that can sometimes mess with strangers of the same species.
attitude & upbringing
It’s not just the size of the dog that matters upbringing and attitude a role.
The temperament and character traits also have an effect on these factors – especially on the upbringing of your furry friend.
attitude
The American Bulldog is one of the fur noses that in terms of attitude only low demands place.
He feels comfortable in pretty much any kind of four walls – whether house, city apartment or apartment building.
But it is important that he every day extensive laps in the great outdoors allowed to rotate. Because the very playful dog just loves to romp around outside.
Ideally, of course, in your company. This By the way, the American Bulldog does not lose its playful nature until old age.
Upbringing
Especially with the American Bulldog it is very important that the Socialization and education already at puppy age take place.
Even the little American Bulldog has to learn which of you two the metaphorical pants wears
Although this fur nose both mental as well as physically very strong is, she is at the same time very perceptive and sensitive. This also has an impact on upbringing.
This is most successful when based on deep trust between you and your dog.
And then you can look forward to a roommate who is not just for you faithfully at your sidebut probably you too read almost every wish from your eyes.
Health & Care
What about the grooming of the American Bulldog? And, more importantly, are there any diseases that can cause him problems?
Let’s look at the aspects Health and care take a closer look.
Grooming & General Grooming
Thanks to the short fur, grooming is very manageable. That means: It’s enough if you do it brush properly once a week.
In addition, your dog will thank you if you frequently check whether eyes, ears, mouth and paws are free from possible inflammation.
Also not to be forgotten are things like care Spot-ons, wormers and annual check-ups by the vet.
Health
Unfortunately, despite a robust basic health, there are some diseases that can cause problems for the American Bulldog.
But these are so-called disease dispositions.
So there is a predisposition and a increased risk of disease.
However, that does not mean that your roommate will actually suffer from one of the following diseases:
- hip dysplasia
- bone malformations
- Blindness & Deafness (in pure white dogs)
If you want to be on the safe side, you should anyway only ever from a reputable breeder looking after your American Bulldog puppy.
And you might choose to do that Get dog health insurance.
Life expectancy
The American Bulldog can Age 10 to 15 years to reach.
As a new roommate, you can contribute to this age, among other things, by maintaining a species-appropriate attitude with a lot of love and attention as well as a species-appropriate diet.
Is the American Bulldog right for me?
If you a dog newbie are, the American Bulldog is unfortunately not the right dog for you.
Because in addition to a strong will, he also has a lot of physical strength. And accordingly he needs a person who can deal with these qualities.
But he is one of the breeds that fit well into families – and he has that in common with the American Pitbull Terrier, among others.
Please note that the American Bulldog has it because of its people relatedness not left alone with him. Sufficient time for this dog is therefore a must.
American Bulldog fun facts
If you didn’t know it before our breed portrait, you know it now at the latest: The American Bulldog is anything but a compact fighting machine. And so there are a few for this happy and friendly brat fun facts.
Despite having such a short coat, the American Bulldog sheds hair like crazy.
So be prepared that fur-free clothes with this furry nose are a thing of the past.
After the Second World War there was almost no longer any need for this breed in the USA – which was therefore on the verge of extinction.
American Bulldogs are terrible swimmers.
American Bulldogs were the pet dogs of 2 US Presidents, Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge.
In the UK, the American Bulldog is also known as the Churchill Dog.
A rogue who thinks evil and blames the optics. In fact, the dog is said to be as brave as Churchill was – who incidentally preferred poodles.
Is an American Bulldog already your four-legged roommate? Then you can certainly tell us one or the other anecdote, right? We would be happy if you share them with us in the comments 😊 Hip