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American BullDog: Origin, Temperament, Training, Exercise
Group: Non-Sporting
Also known as: Old
Country Bulldog
About
American Bulldog
History of the Breed
In England during the 17th
and 18th centuries, bulldogs were used on
farms to catch bitches and hold livestock;
as butchers' dogs; as guardians and in bloodsports.
n 1835, the sport of bull-baiting was outlawed
in the United Kingdom and, over time, the
Bulldog there became a common pet, being bred
into today's more compact and complacent version.
Description of the
Dog
The American Bulldog is a
very muscular, sturdy dog with a large, powerful
head and jaws. He is very strong, but agile
and light on his feet.
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The chest is wide and the muscular
neck tapers from shoulders to head. The neck may
have a slight dewlap. The head is square and broad
with muscular cheeks and a furrow between the rounded
eyes. The strong muzzle is shaped like a box. Any
eye color is permitted. The nose is black or grizzle.
The lips should be loose and generally black. The
heavy-boned front legs should be strong and very
straight. The hindquarters should be very broad
and muscular. The low-set tail begins thick at the
base and then tapers to a point.
Coat
The short, harsh coat comes in
combinations of solid or varying degrees of white,
all shades of brindle, brown, red, or tan. The American
Bulldog remains higher on the leg, more agile and
swifter than its English counterpart.
Height
Dogs 22-28 inches (55-70 cm.)
Bitches 20-26 inches (52-65 cm.)
Weight
Dogs 70-120 pounds (32-54 kg.)
Bitches 60-100 pounds (27-45kg.)
Temperament of the Dog
An American Bulldog is typically
a happy, friendly, brave, determined, alert, self
confident and assertive dog that is at ease with
its family, specially children, and fine with strangers
as they get to know the stranger in question. It
is known for its acts of heroism towards its master,
displaying its strong protective instincts. These
dogs have fought wild dogs, bulls and even fire.
They are said to have "true grit, true devotion
and true love." Some may be aggressive with
other dogs and reserved with strangers. They need
to be around people to be truly happy. This breed
tends to drool and slobber.
Activity
Level
How active is the breed?
They are working dogs with high
energy drives. They need room to expend their energy,
and so American Bulldogs do best in a home with
a backyard and preferably a "job" to do.
A tired well worked bulldog is a happy bulldog.
Living Conditions
The American Bulldog will do okay
in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised.
They are relatively inactive indoors and will do
best with at least an average-sized yard.
Training
Because of strong guarding instincts
and a somewhat dominant attitude, they need a firm
but fair hand; they should be socialized and obedience
trained early to expose them to other dogs and people
and to ensure that they can be controlled around
company as they get older and larger, they can be
stubborn and mischievous if not exercised enough.
They can be stubborn with training though once they
are trained they tend to obey their masters faithfully.
American bulldog puppies can be
relatively difficult to housebreak, thus it is important
to be persistent.
Grooming
The short, harsh coat of this average
shedder is easy to groom. It should be combed and
brushed with a firm bristle brush, and bathed only
when necessary.
Health
Prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia,
entropion, ectropion, kidney and thyroid gland disfunctions,
deafness, bone cancers, blindness.
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Life Expectancy: Up
to 16 years
National Breed Club
– U S – Bulldog Club of America –
www.thebca.org
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