The American Bulldog is a large and muscular but stocky dog breed that is believed to be a descendant of the now-extinct English Bulldog.
But despite his size, this dog is also loving and affectionate towards his family members which makes him a great family pet.
With this pooch as part of your family, you have a strong, loyal, and friendly companion. However, to achieve these there are things you need to understand about this Bulldog, some of which you may not know.
This dog needs to be socialized and properly trained from an early age to make him the best dog you ever had.
Also, you need to make sure that they get constant mental and physical stimulation.
These are just some of the things that you need to know, just to mention a few.
But there is more to this dog breed than what meets the ear or any other stereotypes that dog lovers may have towards him and we are going to cover all that in this guide.
In this guide, we are not only going to cover about this dog’s personality and looks but we are also going to look at some of the essential things that you need to do to keep him happy and healthy.
So, why don’t we get right into it?
About the American Bulldog
Also known as the Old Country Bulldog or Am Bulldog this canine friend is a powerful and agile dog.
Most people do not understand the American Bulldog because of his past and some of the myths surrounding him.
He is also commonly confused for the American Pitbull Terrier which is a different dog breed.
You can learn more about the American Pitbull Terrier by visiting the dog breed guide that is on this link.
This Bulldog may have a mean look but once you get to know him, you realize that he is a loving and very emotional dog that you should not be scared of.
They make exception playmates for children and for their size they are also very gentle with them.
This Bulldog is, however, can be shy towards strangers and will need to be socialized from the time he is a puppy.
He is best suited for dog owners that had experience dealing with large canines like the German Shepherd. However, even as a novice dog owner, you have a very good chance of being very happy living with as long as you understand and take care of his needs.
There are several variations of the American Bulldogs that we are going to briefly look at.
Types of American Bulldogs
1. The classic or Johnson Bully
Just as his name states the classic Bull was created by a breeder who goes by the name John D.Johns in the 70s.
This American Bulldog resembles the white, tightly built, and athletic Bullmastiff.
The Johnson Bully is less athletic than the other American Bulldog types but he has a more bully appearance than the rest.
Some dog lovers consider this Am Bulldog to be a breed of his own according to the Johnson standards.
2. The Scott/Performance/Standard American Bully type
This American Bulldog type has a very muscular appearance and is lighter than the Johnson Bully type.
These canines can be aggressive towards other dogs and a very strong prey drive.
Here are some of the ways that you can manage a dog that has a high prey drive.
3. The Margentina or Painter American Bulldog type
This pooch was developed as a 2nd performance American Bulldog by Margentina Tappe and Joe Painter.
However, this Am Bully was mainly used to fight in dog arenas.
They are also smaller than the Standard American Bully size.
4. The Old Southern White Bully types
This variation is believed to be where the other types of Old Country Bulldogs were developed.
To say the least this is the true American Bulldog type with no infusion of the other variations and is commonly referred to as the “White English.”
5. The Hybrid American Bully type
This is an Am Bulldog that has been developed by crossing the Standard American Bulldog with other types of bullies.
It is done to create a dog that has the characteristics and traits of the other Bullies.
Origin of the Old Country Bulldog
The American Bulldog was developed from the now extinct English Bulldog.
In the 17th century, this canine was used for bull-baiting. This was a horrible sport that involved bulls fighting dogs.
But after the sport was banned these dogs slowly found themselves in people’s homes across Egland as their pets.
English Bullies were then taken to the US to help in farm works. This is where they were bred with other working canine breeds to develop an all-round working dog for the farms.
These dogs a great determination and agility which helped them double as hunters and herders.
As time progressed and the breed was refined further, he became friendlier and more attractive for families.
In the 1st and 2nd World War the breed almost went extinct.
Today these dogs are mainly kept as family dogs and companions but some dog lovers still keep them as utility dogs for hunting and in farms.
Pedigree and breed recognition
This dog breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club(UKC) in 1999.
In 2019, the American Kennel Club added this breed to FSS or Foundation Stock Service.
Pros and cons of the Old Country Bulldog
Pros
✓ The American Bulldog is a low maintenance pooch.
✔ They are great and friendly family companions.
✓ This canine is great for active owners.
Cons
✘ These dogs tend to drool a lot.
✗ They need to be exercised a lot to keep them happy and healthy.
✘ You may be required to feed in on a special diet.
General characteristics of the American Bulldog
| American Bulldog summary table | |
|---|---|
| Height | Male: 20–28 inches, Female: 20–24 inches |
| Weight | Male: 66–130 lbs, Female: 60–90 lbs |
| Lifespan | 10 – 12 years |
| Breed Type | Working dog |
| Purpose | Can be a working dog and a companion |
| Suitable For | Experienced and active dog owners |
| Grooming requirements | low |
| Color Variations | Red, white, brown, black, brindle and fawn |
| Health concerns | Hip and elbow dysplasia, kidney problems, canine cancer |
| Temperament | Assertive, Energetic, Friendly, Happy, Loyal, lively, Confident, Gentle, Dominant |
| Other names | Am Bulldog or Old Country Bulldog |
Weight and Height of the American Bully
The American Bulldog is a large dog that is slightly larger than the French or English Bulldog.
These dogs have a height of between 20 to 28 inches for the males which also weigh between 66 and 130 pounds. Their female counterparts have a height of between 20 to 24 inches and weigh between 60 to 90 pounds.
Physical appearance
The American Bully is a leaner, taller, and faster than his English cousin.
These dogs are known for having a muscular but stocky appearance but are extremely quick on their feet.
They have furrow brows, box-like muzzles with noses that are either brown or black.
The eyes of an Am Bulldog are very adorable coming in several colors that include;
- Blue
- Amber
- Brown
- Hazel
However, some bullies can have cases of heterochromia where one eye is colored differently from the other.
The ears of an Old County Bully are short and folded and they also have strong jaws and thick, tapering, and undocked tails.
Old Country Bulldog coat appearance and shedding
This canine has a thin, fine and short low maintenance coat that can come in various colors and color combinations that include;
| White | Brown | Red |
| Black | Fawn | Brindle |
The American Bulldog does shed all year round but with regular grooming, you can reduce the level of shedding to a bare minimum.
With that said, you should note that this Bulldog is not hypoallergenic and therefore not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Am Bulldog Temperament and personality traits
The American Bulldog is a loving and affectionate but he can also be headstrong and stubborn. This can affect you, especially during training.
These dogs also have confidence and assertiveness that should never get out of control.
They build strong bonds with their family members and should therefore never be left alone for extended periods. Doing this can make them suffer from separation and make them very vocal.
These dogs are protective of their families going to all lengths to ensure that they are safe and are shy towards strangers with no signs of aggression.
However, they can be aggressive if they are provoked and not well socialized from an early age.
These are very emotional dogs and you should never shout at them or scold them but rather give them enough of your time and attention. If you do this, they will go to all lengths to be loving and obedient to you.
Is the American Bully a great family dog?
The American Bulldog is a great family dog that thrives on human affection and attention.
They are also extremely patient and playful with children and make great partners for them. However, you should supervise any interactions that they may have because he sometimes forgets how strong he is.
You should always let this Bulldog know how powerful he is for him to be gentle with small children.
Other dogs may have a rough time living with this pooch, especially if he not well socialized.
Frequently asked questions
Is the American Bulldog dangerous?
American Bulldogs have fewer cases of aggression when compared to breeds such as Pitbulls. Only about 6% of all dog fatalities in the US are associated with American Bulldogs which is low for a dog that is considered by some to be dangerous. However, socialization and early training are crucial to getting rid of any aggressive tendencies.
Are American Bulldogs Pitbulls?
The American Pitbull Terrier is a different dog breed for the American Bulldog although they are both only recognized by the UKC but not the AKC. The Am Bulldog is a bit larger and more powerful than the pitbull.
What is the average lifespan of an American Bulldog?
Am Bulldogs have a lifespan of between 10 and 12 years.
American Bulldog puppies
American Bulldog dams have litters with an average of 11 puppies. This number can be different from one Bully to another with some having smaller litter sizes.
These puppies are usually very energetic and super playful and take about 24 months to reach their full weight. However, some can take as low as 18 months to reach maturity but still retain their playful tendencies.
Below is a puppy growth table;
| Age | Male Weight (pounds) | Female Weight (pounds) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 50 | 45 |
| 6 months | 64 | 60 |
| 12 months | 77 | 74 |
| 18 months | 100 | 90 |
On average, one Old country Bulldog puppy will cost you about $800 with the superior lines and pedigrees going for between $1500 and $3000.
The price will depend on the breeder and the location with some pups being expensive because they have to be delivered by cesarean section.
This happens because most of the time the puppies often have heads that are too big for normal delivery.
With that being said, you should make sure that the Bulldog puppy you get is from a good and reputable breeder.
Follow this guide and get some tips on how to find a reputable Bulldog breeder.
Also, if you are considering adopting the American Bulldog Rescue is a great place to start your search.
Grooming an American Bulldog
The Old Country Bully is a reasonably low maintenance dog breed and will not need to be groomed much.
You can take care of your Bully’s moderately shedding coat by giving him a few brushed and week.
However, American Bullies drool a lot which you should monitor and make sure that your canine friend is wiped occasionally.
You should also invest in quality nail clipper to trim the nails when they start getting long. Once the nails start clicking on the floor, they have started getting too long.
Brushing and using dental toys and chews should be on your to-do list to make sure that the dog’s dental hygiene is up to par.
Bulldog exercise requirements
The American Bulldog is an active and energetic dog breed that will require upwards of 60 minutes of daily exercise.
This means that he also needs enough space where he can play burn up some of that energy. Having a yard can be of great benefit to you as a dog owner, just make sure that is well fenced.
Mental and physical stimulation is essential for this dog because once he gets bored, he will look for ways to entertain himself, and it will be a disaster. He may end up being destructive and even barking a lot.
Taking this dog for two 30-minute daily walks can help you meet his exercise requirements.
But make sure that he has a leash on and leash train to make sure that he does not overpower.
You can follow some of the steps that we have for you in our leash training guide to make walking your pooch enjoyable.
American Bulldog nutritional and dietary requirements
The American Bully is a large dog and will require a diet that meets his energy needs.
You should choose a high-quality diet that is formulated for large dog breeds.
These dogs are big eaters with their dietary needs changing as they age.
Puppies should be fed twice as much as an adult American Bulldog and this is until they are about 4 months old. The meals should be divided into 4 portions as they tend to gorge when given all the food at once.
At the age of between 4 and, 7 months cut back the amount you feed your puppy to about 2/3 of what you were feeding him before. This should be done in three feeding sessions.
When they mature feed them about 20 calories of food for every pound they weight and make sure that they do not gain too much weight.
| Age | Daily calories | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|---|
| 4 months | 3000 | 7 |
| 24 months | 1500 | 4 |
Training
Although the American Bulldog is intelligent and eager to please pooch, his stubborn side may take over making him challenging to train.
As we may have already mentioned above this canine is emotion and using any aversive training methods such as punishment can be detrimental to him.
Use a more positive approach during training making sure that you shower this dog with praises.
You can also use treats during training as he is very food-oriented. However, the treats should be high-quality.
Have patient and be consistent with the training to achieve the best results.
Health concerns
With a life expectancy of between 10 to 12 years, the Am Bully is a generally healthy breed.
However, just like any other dog breeds, he may be predisposed to some health complications some of which are hereditary.
Some of the most common health issues are;
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Kidney problems
- Canine cancer, especially bone cancer
Breed summary of the American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a dog breed that was created from the now extinct English Bulldog to be kept as a farm and hunting dog.
They come in a variety of colors although they used to be mostly white.
If you are considering getting this dog as the next pet for your family, you should also keep in mind that he will require your care and attention.
You also need to keep in mind that they are suspicious of strangers and you should, therefore, make sure that you train them from an early age.
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There you go, WOOF!
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