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Height:
19 to 28 inches.
Size:
Very Large.
Weight:
65 to 130 pounds.
Availability:
May take some effort to find.
History:
Early bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bullbaiting. Some of these
dogs emigrated with their masters from England to America. Eventually
the English Bulldog was bred down in size and his personality was softened,
but the American version remained a larger, fiercer dog. The American
version has longer legs and more speed and agility than the English show
dog. Today's American Bulldog breed was established about 25 years ago
from working bulldogs in the Sand Valley area of Alabama where farmers
used these dogs to help handle unruly livestock. The American Bulldog
has also been used as a guard and in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel
and raccoon. They have even been trained to drive cattle and guard stock
from predators. Farmers prize these dogs for their stamina, protectiveness,
intelligence and working abilities.
Description:
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. 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. The stop is sharply defined and deep. The teeth should meet
in a tight undershot, even or scissors bite. A variety of ear types are
accepted including rose, half pricked and pendant. Though some people
crop the ears, uncropped ears are preferred in the American Bulldog Breeders
Association Standard. Any eye color is permitted, but black eye rims are
preferred on white dogs. The nose is black or grizzle. In black-nosed
dogs, the lips should also be black, though some pink is permitted. 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. The short, harsh coat comes in combinations
of red, brindle, white and fawn.
Personality:
Brave and determined, but not hostile. Alert and self-confident. May be
assertive with other dogs and aloof with strangers. Because of his strong
protective instincts, the American Bulldog should be well-socialized and
obedience trained at an early age.
Behavior:
Children: Good with children.
Friendliness: Fairly friendly with strangers.
Trainability: Very easy to train.
Independence: Needs people a lot.
Dominance: Very high.
Other Pets: Good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood.
Combativeness: Tends to be fairly dog-aggressive.
Noise: Average barker.
Grooming and Physical Needs:
Grooming: A little grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Short coat.
Shedding: Average shedder.
Exercise: Moderate exercise needed.
Jogging: A good jogging companion.
Indoors: Relatively inactive indoors.
Apartments: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.
Outdoor Space: Best with a large yard.
Climate: Does well in most climates.
Owner: Not recommended for novice owners.
Longevity: Average (10 to 12 years).
Talents:
hunting, tracking, watchdog, guarding, and weight pulling.
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