INTRODUCTION

The American Bulldog is stocky and muscular, but also agile and is made for chasing stray livestock and helping with farm chores. In fact, some have been known to jump six feet or more in the air. American Bulldogs are intelligent and affectionate, which makes them excellent protective family dogs; although they have great exercise needs and require an experienced and active parent. Their appearance can vary, as there are several types, such as the Bully or classic type, also known as Johnson type, the standard or performance type, also called Scott type, and hybrids of both. With patient training and care, American Bulldogs can be very loving family companions. If you are looking for a loving and energetic companion, this may be the dog for you.

HIGHLIGHTS

Although they were used for bull baiting long ago, they have since become working farm dogs and family companions. The breed was nearly extinct at the end of World War II, but has since recovered and is in no danger of disappearing. There are multiple types of American Bulldogs in modern times, and while they used to be mostly white, they now come in a variety of patterns and colors. This breed does not do well if left alone in the house for long hours and needs a lot of exercise. They do not adapt well to apartment living and prefer a large, fenced yard for walks. Their appearance is often confused with the Dogo Argentino, which is a completely different breed. They can also be confused with American Pit Bull Terriers, although the American Bulldog is usually quite a bit larger. American Bulldogs can be wary of strangers and territorial, which makes them good watchdogs. They need socialization training to know how to behave with guests.

HISTORY

The ancestor of the American Bulldog is the Old English Bulldog, which was brought to North America by working class immigrants who wanted to keep their working dogs to help on farms. Rather than worrying about maintaining the purity of the breed or certain genetic traits, early farmers bred the dogs with the best working qualities for farm work. The agility, intelligence and loyalty of the breed made them very useful for handling livestock as well as hunting. Feral hogs were a non-native invasive species in the southern United States that had no natural predators, and the American Bulldog’s strong jaws and musculature were perfect for hunting them. The history of the American Bulldog also has a sad part. They were originally used in the barbaric sport of bull baiting. By the end of World War II, the American Bulldog was almost extinct until a few breeders scoured the south in search of dogs to revive the breed. Today, the American Bulldog is not endangered and is primarily a family companion.