American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is a powerful working breed from the American south — taller, longer-muzzled and far more athletic than the English Bulldog it descends from.

History

It comes from the old working bulldogs brought to the American colonies, kept on farms to catch feral cattle and hogs and to guard property. The type nearly vanished after the Second World War and was rebuilt from surviving farm dogs, which is why two distinct lines — a heavier bulldog type and a leggier standard type — still exist.

Temperament

The breed is known for being confident, loyal and strongly protective of its household, with real working drive behind it. That combination makes early socialising and consistent handling a requirement rather than a nicety.

Care and training

It needs substantial daily exercise and a job to think about, and it responds to firm, reward-based training from the start. The short coat is easy; the strength is not, and a dog this powerful must be reliable on a lead.

Health

Known tendencies include hip and elbow dysplasia and, in some lines, an inherited neurological condition breeders test for. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.