Dog Breeds: American Bulldog

American Bulldogs are sometimes confused with English Bulldogs, but they are two separate and unique breeds. They don't look the same and they certainly don't have the same traits. American Bulldogs have longer legs and a wider head. They are also faster and considerably more agile. American Bulldogs are better suited to hard work than their English counterparts and actually enjoy being a working dog.

Though the American Bulldog was once used for bull baiting, today they are typically employed as working dogs on the ranch or farm. They are often used for guarding or hunting. They are highly intelligent and quite protective, so they can be trained to guard flocks and herds from predators. They can also be used to drive stock on ranches, though other breeds are more common for this purpose.

The American Bulldog, like so many other breeds, was near to extinction after World War II (WWII). It was thanks to a young man from Summerville, Georgia that the breed survived at all. John D. Johnson returned from the war in the 1940s to discover his beloved breed was near to dying out. His father had bred the dogs and he felt a responsibility to ensure the American Bulldog was not lost entirely. Johnson spent the remainder of his life gathering the best specimens of the breed. He created a prolific breeding program that is continued today by John D. Johnson Kennels in Georgia.

Weighing up to 120 lbs and standing up to 28 inches high, this breed is considered medium-large in size. This is not a hostile breed, but it can be determined and highly protective. The American Bulldog can be aggressive with other dogs, but is generally gentle with children. Brave, loyal, and reliable, this breed needs to be with people and would benefit from structured obedience training. This dog needs plenty of exercise or it can become high strung and difficult. For this reason, the American Bulldog tends not to enjoy apartment living.

The American Bulldog is powerful, muscular, and sturdy in appearance. Their athletic legs can propel them up to six feet in the air. The head is square, the chest is deep, and the neck is exceptionally strong. The muzzle is broad and the preferred bite is a reversed scissors. It should be noted, however, that most associations in which this breed is recognized will also accept a scissor bite, under bite, or even bite. The tail should be low set, thick at the base and tapering to a point.

Forward flap ears are preferred in most associations, though rose, half-pricked, and even cropped are acceptable. Those looking to obtain a dog for show purposes should understand that cropped ears are not considered desirable even when they are accepted. This is because unnecessary cropping is now frowned upon in both North America and Europe.

Eyes can come in any color, but black rims around the eyes are a must. Pink rims are considered a fault and can sometimes lead to the disqualification of an otherwise acceptable dog. The nose is preferably black, but grizzle, brown, or red are also acceptable. The lips should also be black, though a small amount of pink showing is permissible. Those lips should be full and well defined, not loose and they certainly should not flap. This dog tends to drool and slobber, though excessive slobbering may indicate a health problem.

The coat of the American Bulldog can come in a variety of brindles including red brindle with varying degrees of brown, fawn, red, white, tan, and even piebald. The coat should be short, smooth, and just a little harsh, making grooming easy. Comb your dog with a firm bristle brush weekly and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder, and the hairs sometimes embed in carpeting.

The American Bulldog is a breed that can make a lovely family pet, but they are happiest when they're working. If you have a large yard and something for the dog to do, this may be the breed for you.