Dog Breeds: American Bullnese (Purebred)

Sometimes, a dog lover will look at several breeds of dog, pick their favorite traits, and decide to breed a dog will all of these traits. This is what happened to Robert E. Rice. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Rice began a breeding program in 1989. He selectively bred animals from five different dog breeds, including the Pekingese and the French Bulldog. The other breeds used were the Pug, Boston Terrier, and Dachshund. Contrary to popular belief, the American Bulldog was not used in the development of what would eventually be called the American Bullnese.

His breeding program was successful and today there are many American Bullnese in North American. However, there has been a slight snag. Somewhere in the 1990s hybrid breeders got in on the action. They started crossing the French Bulldog with the Pekingese and calling the pups American Bullnese. As early as 2006, some of these puppies were being registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club as Bullnese, leading to a great deal of confusion. This confusion persists, but the purebred described as the Bullnese has bred true for more than twenty years.

I once heard a breeder describe this breed as "a little like pugs, but not really." This is kind of apt. Weighing in at up to 30 pounds, they are muscular dogs, heavy in the front, but with a strong bearing overall. The body should be broad in the chest, but narrowing considerably by the time you reach the base of the tail. Sturdy little things, they should be solid and low to the ground, rarely growing to more than 12 inches in height.. Legs are short; legs which are too long are considered a fault. The head should be large and square with well defined cheekbones. The eyes should be almost perfectly round and on the large side. Ears must have a soft fold; erect ears are a definite fault. The tail should have a slight curl, appearing a little like a sickle. If the tail has a screw-like appearance, that dog is disqualified, especially in the American Bullnese Association.

All coat colors and patterns for the American Bullnese are acceptable, even encouraged. The coat should be short with no curls. A long coat is grounds for disqualification. Though thick and dense, the coat should also be extraordinarily soft. The fur on the ears should feel like brushed velvet. This means grooming is generally easy. Most dogs need brushing once a week and the occasional bath. Be sure to clean the creases on the face regularly.

The American Bullnese is a happy, fun-loving, and even clown-like dog. They have a cute run that makes them look like they're hopping; this fits in perfectly with their personality, as they are joyous and ready for excitement. These guys are generally seen as adorable and sweet. But do not make the mistake of treating this dog like a baby. If there's any dog that embodies 'big dog in a small body', it's these compact dogs.

This non-sporting dog is fairly energetic and can be prone to obesity when not exercised. Taking your dog for regular walks can help combat this. Despite this, or maybe because of it, the American Bullnese makes a good apartment dog. They tend to be quiet and inactive when indoors and can manage without a yard if you make sure to exercise them on a regular basis.

It is the combination of features and the refinement during the initial breeding program that creates the unique lovability of the American Bullnese. This breed is considered to be one of the best house pets and is suitable for people of all ages.