General Description
American Bulldogs are a stout, burly breed, but they are also extremely agile and swift. They have a wide chest and a tapered, muscular neck that may or may not have a slight dewlap. The breed features a strong-boned, compact body with straight limbs and burly hindquarters. They have broad, square heads with a pronounced furrow, muscular cheeks, and a box-shaped muzzle. Their stop is prominent, defined, and deep. Their well-developed teeth meet in a tight undershot or a scissors bite. American Bulldogs have a variety of acceptable ear types including pendant, half-pricked, and rose. Their eye color varies. The American Bulldog has black, loose-fitting lips and a black nose. Their tails are low-set and taper to a point. A variety of colors exist for the American Bulldog’s short, harsh, close-fitting coat. Many variations of white, brindle, brown, red, and tan are acceptable for show.They get black spots on their bellys
They can also have red noses not just black.
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Character
American Bulldogs are dutiful, courageous, and protective, but they should not be aggressive. Despite their reputation, American Bulldogs make wonderful family pets. While they are capable of being competitive with other dogs, they should not initiate a challenge unreasonably. The breed is not hostile, though they have a genetic disposition towards heroic acts, bravery, and fighting. When properly raised and sufficiently trained, American Bulldogs make excellent companions. They are naturally good with children and they cater to the wants and needs of their owner(s). The American Bulldog has an alert, intelligent, and confident disposition, and they have strong protective instincts. Sometimes leery with strangers or aggressive towards other dogs, it’s important for an American Bulldog to be obedience trained and well-socialized at a young age. Size
20 – 28 inchesWeight
60 – 120 poundspull about 1000lb
120-145 pounds
General Health
American Bulldogs are prone to hip dysplasia. They are a comparatively long-lived breed, and can often live for up to 16 years. They average 11 puppies per litter.History
Many of the earliest bulldogs came to England and America with their masters. The English Bulldog was bred down to a smaller size and given a softer a personality, but the American variety was still fierce and large by comparison. Just before and during WWII, the American version was becoming extinct. This development disappointed a man by the name of John D. Johnson, so he gathered the best species he could find. He then proceeded to breed them. Many claim that John D. Johnson is solely responsible for preventing the American Bulldog from becoming extinct. American Bulldogs have many natural talents including tracking, guarding, and weight-pulling. They also make excellent farm, working, hunting, and watchdogs. Maintenance
The American Bulldog’s short, harsh coat is easy to groom and take care of. Brushing with a firm bristle brush will help the shedding process. This breed should be bathed only as necessary. They are average shedders.Ideal Environment
American Bulldogs need a fair amount of exercise. They do best in households with at least an average-sized yard, but they can tolerate an apartment or house without one if they are sufficiently exercised. Because of their inactivity indoors, long walks and other forms of exercise are needed to ensure their mental and physical happiness.
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Ask a QuestionAmerican Bulldog Q&A
Can the american bulldog be in a cold climate?
Their skin and hair isn’t that thick. They aren’t meant to be cold weather dogs, but if you keep them inside they should do fine. The cold won’t matter when they go outside to play since they will be getting a lot of exercise and producing heat. They would probably only get to cold during the downtime. I’m not sure how cold it is where you live, but I have friends here in the Midwest and their American Bulldogs love the snow and do fine in the cold.
Their fur is relatively thin, but they should be fine if you keep a good watch on their temperature. Look up the signs of hypothermia in dogs, and just make sure that they're warmed up if they ever start showing symptoms. I agree, though, that I would keep them inside - though I think this is best anyways for a good bond with your dog - and if you live in the city, try and buy booties for the dog if he walks on salted sidewalks.
yes they can because my sisters stayed in it while having pups!
i have a 7 wk old puppy and he loves to bite. how can i get him to stop. has lots of toys and i exercise and play with him alot. help?
what I did with Zoey, was push a toy in her mouth every time we came home, and praise her for having a toy. She caught on. She is almost 5 and still greets us with a toy in her mouth, we still praise her. She used to hit us with her teeth, in her happiness.
A squirt bottle and some lime juice should do the trick.
I would use a toy as a 'replacement', not a squirt bottle with something foul. Do you really want your dog to associate you with pain and discomfort? Bulldogs do best with positive training, not harsh corrections.
I realize the squirt bottle seems "mean" but you dilute the lemon jucie (less than 1/4 cup and the rest of the bottle with water.)
I have a 1 1/2 year old American bulldog, who is wonderful but he greatly enjoyed using our fingers, hands and toes as chew toys. We tried the positive training and putting the toy in his mouth and prasising him, he is a stuborned love. The lemon juice doesnt cause pain, but it does shock them and it does work
I have a American Bulldog that is 5 weeks old, I have not gone to pick him up yet cause he is still to young. I wanted to know what is the Average weight for puppys ranging from 1 week - 10 weeks?
Our female had her lst litter and the last puppy is going to its new home today. Grunt (puppy) weighs 18 lbs. at 9 weeks. Female in litter weighs in at 15.6 at 9 weeks.
Does AB have a bad reputation?
American bulldogs are associated with a bad reputation because of how similar they are with Pitbulls. I own my first American Bulldog right now and must say, he is the sweetest dog that I have ever had. Great with children, protective of his family and very loyal as well. I have also owned Pitbulls in the past and they are the same exact way. If you ask me, any dog can have a bad reputation based on how the owner has trained them.
we have a 10 week old female, working on training her, does any one have suggestions for training treats for there extreme sensative stomaches??
I use the milkbone PUPPY treats for my ab. He loves them and does great with them.
What do you consider a good food for this breed, we have ours on Blue Buffalo and she is having a hard time adjusting to this food, she has been on it for a few weeks now. She was on Nutro from the breeder and I was told to switch it to Blue Buffalo from another breeder, I want to make sure she gets the best that I can provide
I feed my American Bulldog food straight from the Vet...called Prescription ID...his stomach was to sensitive for anything else...
Treats for reward..try hotdogs...little pieces...he loves it and his stomach can handle it...
We had our AB on Blue Buffalo and it made him very sick, it was too rich for him. We have switched to Natures Choice, easier on their stomach's. For training treats we use a dog food that comes in a summer sausage form, we just chop it up into small pieces and it lasts for 2 to 2 1/2 weeks.
The dog food we cut into the treats is by Pet Botanics. The trainer calls it puppy crack. Our puppy seems to love it, we sprinkle it over his food when his is being stubborn and he eats it up.
I have my 4 month old on Blue Buffalo, we had to switch her from chicken and rice to lamb and rice, she is fine and putting on lots of weight, 42lbs. great coat and beautiful muscle tone.
wat is the average weight of an 11 to 12 week old american bulldog puppy and height
I have a 15 week old and she is 27lbs, she was about 23 at 12 weeks . We have not checked how tall she is. Everyday she seems different, one day she is tall and the next wide. she is growing nicely. I love her muscle definition. We exercise her a lot. she walk about 2 to 3 miles a day. she loves to run and climb. we are going to look into agility.
Can you please tell me what is a good kibble I can put my ab on. He's been eating raw and it's getting way to expensive .
We use Blue Buffalo, lamb and rice. It rates very high on the scale for dog food. The chicken and rice is great too. It is all natural 30lb bag cost about $42.00 at petsmart. It last our 3 to 4 weeks. You can go on there website for all nutrition values and were it available.
I have a 20 wk old fm, we feed her daily, but it does not show in her weight, is there anything wrong??
How much does your dog weigh? I have a male that is 4 1/2 months he is only 41 pounds. I was told by a breeder that this breed gets their size in the first year and their weight in their second year. If your vet isn't worried I wouldn't be either.
I have a 4 1/2 month old female she is 42 lbs. I was worried she wasn't that big also, but the more I look she is just fine. She is filling out nicely and is happy. She eats plenty and gets tons of exercise she is all muscle we walk her 3 miles per day and she needs it. I agree if you are concerned check around and check with your vet.l
I have been reading a lot other sites and noticed that they have quite a few skin issues and bumps. Has any one come across this?? If so what did you do for a cure??
My AB had a skin issue, little bumps all over her. I asked my vet and he said to buy a oatmeal shampoo and bathe her every so often. I did one thing extra and bought a conditioning spray also. Her skin cleared up in a couple weeks.
I have a 2 day old litter of American Bulldog pups. Two are brindle gray, is this common?
Has anyone ever heard of a grey AB
I am curious, we have covered dog food types that everyone uses for there AB but what is the approx. amount of food to feed a 5 week old, we think that we maybe giving too much.
I am sorry I posted a question without having my morning coffee, I meant to ask how much dry kibble, Blue Buffalo lamb and rice, should I be feeding a 5 month old AB? I am sorry for the mistake, thanks for you info.
My wife and I are interested in getting an AB, but want a breed that can run with her. She tends to run 3-6 miles at a time and are concerned that the AB is too heavy to keep up. We'd appreciate your help!
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Great dog!
I love my American Bulldog. Make sure to get one from a good breeder and ask to see both parents - I did, and I have never had any temperment issues with mine. He's an unaltered male, so that's pretty spectacular - he has no aggression whatsoever. I put slobbery as a con, but I've never really minded it - but if you don't want a walking drool factory, look into another dog. They can be stubborn, and sneaky to get what they want, but not impossible to train. They love affection and will do anything to get it - even behave. ;)
Pros: loyal, sweet, eager to please
Cons: stubborn, extreme slobber
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American Bulldog
We have a 4 month old American Bulldog and couldn't ask for a better dog. Otis is a very intellegent dog! He will sit, lay, stay, come, roll over, speak, give five and play dead and never give me a minutes problem doing it. I got him when he was 8 weeks old and started working with him as soon as I got him. I just made the biggest deal out of him doing things I told him to do and now he thinks its a big game. House traing was a breeze within 2 weeks he was totally house trained. I have a bell on my door knob that he rings when he wants out. I would say if you like the bigger tough dogs this is the breed you should check into. They are so funny to watch run and play as they are VERY clumsy.
Pros: Loyal, protector, big clown of a dog, very lovable!
Cons: Gassy dogs