American Bulldogs might be muscular, powerful dogs but they’re also totally lovable and loyal family members, and even a little silly. Get an American Bulldog excited and happy and expect their clown-like tendencies to come out. They love nothing more than making their humans laugh and curling up in your lap after a busy day. And it will be a busy day, because these are intelligent, athletic, active dogs that crave lots (and lots) of physical and mental stimulation. American Bulldogs need firm yet loving consistent boundaries and early socialisation and training to help them become confident and comfortable around new people, pets and places.
American Bulldog Facts
American Bulldogs are descended from the English Bulldog and first came to the United States in the 1800s. They earned their keep as all-round working dogs, turning their paws to being farm guardians, stock dogs and catch dogs.
- Breed Group: Non-Sporting
- Height: Female: 50-58cm, Male: 55-64cm
- Weight: Female: 27-36kg, Male: 34-45kg
- Life Span: 10-12 years
- Coat: Short, smooth
- Colour: White plus white and black / brindle / brown / tan
What Does an American Bulldog Look Like?
If you hear ‘Bulldog’ and immediately think of an English Bulldog - all droopy jowls, wrinkles and a smushed nose - the American Bulldog might surprise you. Sure, an American Bulldog’s nose and muzzle is a little short and flat and their mouth has the same downturned look. But that’s where the similarities end.
An American Bulldog is a large dog that's much taller than an English Bulldog. They’re powerfully built, with wide, deep, muscular chests and solid necks. But their bodies are built to run: long, with narrow hindquarters and sculpted haunches and a thin tail that acts like a rudder.
Like its personality (more on that soon), an American Bulldog’s appearance has 2 sides. There’s the hardworking, athletic side. But there’s also the cute, cuddly side that makes them such popular family pets. Think soft, brown eyes and v-shaped ears that flop ever so sweetly on the sides of their head. A short, smooth easy care coat that comes in white and a variety of black and brown markings completes the picture.
American Bulldog
American Bulldog Temperament: Playful Protector
Originally bred to be working dogs, these days American Bulldogs channel their enthusiasm and zest for life into playtime. American Bulldogs love to play, jump and generally frolic. They’ll happily play fetch, tug of war, hide and seek and more for hours on end. These lovable, somewhat goofy dogs have a silly side, like a clown in dog format, which comes out when they’re happy or excited.
Although family-orientated, these are dogs that have been bred to be protective and on guard - expect a warning when a delivery turns up. American Bulldogs can be aloof and distant with strangers at first so early socialisation and training is really important to help them become more comfortable around new people. But when at home with their family, your lap is normally their favourite spot and they can learn to play nicely with kids too.
American Bulldogs are highly intelligent pups which makes training them a breeze. Consistent training and established rules and boundaries will help American Bulldogs know who’s in charge (that’s you). Because of their intelligence, they need mental and physical stimulation and a lot of it. A bored American Bulldog is a destructive one, who will go to town on your favourite home furnishings, clothes and more. Not only will they chew, but they’ll dig and bark too.
An American Bulldog won’t be happy playing or living in the garden by themselves - they want to be at the heart of their family, doing whatever you’re doing. Tramping, outdoor play session, bike ride, run - they’ll tackle it all.
Keeping American Bulldogs Healthy: 4 Issues to Watch Out For
American Bulldogs are generally healthy and sturdy, with an expected lifespan of 10-12 years. Preventative care, like regular vet check-ups and tooth brushing, can help keep your American Bulldog happy and healthy.
Joint Problems
Like most large dog breeds, American Bulldogs are prone to hip or elbow dysplasia, where the joint doesn’t form properly. The joint can become loose and eventually lead to osteoarthritis. A dog with dysplasia won’t be able to move as freely as other dogs, and will normally run, jump and climb less than normal. Depending on the severity, it can be treated with supplements, medication, physical therapy or surgery. Hip or elbow dysplasia is an inherited condition which responsible breeders should screen for.
Overheating
American Bulldogs are flat-faced dogs (also called brachycephalic). This makes them prone to overheating, which can be very dangerous. To keep them safe, exercise them in the coolest part of the day and make sure they’ve got plenty of fresh water, shade and some type of cooling.
Skin conditions and allergies
American Bulldogs can develop ichthyosis. This skin condition can be mild or severe. In mild cases, your pup will have flaky skin and need plenty of baths and oiling to keep them comfortable. In severe cases, your dog can be really itchy and need baths and oiling every day. Allergies are also a risk for American Bulldogs so keep an eye out for excessive itching.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)
NCL is a rare, inherited, progressive neurological disorder. It causes an American Bulldog to lose control of their rear legs, leading to paralysis. It also results in loss of coordination and vision. Symptoms can start when an American Bulldog is around 2 years old and sadly, there’s no cure. However, because it’s inherited, ensure your breeder has screened for it.
Caring for Your American Bulldog Dog
With their short, smooth coat, caring for your American Bulldog is less about grooming and more about keeping them busy with exercise and training.
Grooming:
A weekly brushing session will keep your American Bulldog’s short coat shiny and healthy. With minimal shedding, you won’t need to worry about finding fur everywhere. Even better, an American Bulldog doesn’t need regular baths. Use your nose to tell you when it’s time to get soapy.
They do need regular tooth brushing though, daily is best. Cleaning their teeth helps tackle plaque and tartar and ward off dental disease. You could also grab some good quality dental toys and healthy dental treats like Greenies Original Dental Treats.
Trim their nails every few weeks to keep them comfortable and clean their ears monthly, or when needed (like when they’ve been rolling in the mud!).
Nutrition:
Feed your American Bulldog quality commercial dog food that’s tailored to their life stage: puppy, adult or senior. You can choose a large-breed specific dry dog food which normally has larger kibble / biscuits for larger mouths, plus a blend of ingredients designed to meet the needs of larger dogs. Starting them on large-breed puppy food can help them grow slowly and steadily.
Making sure they enjoy dry food every day will help keep their teeth clean too, as the biscuits slough off plaque and tartar.
Exercise:
American Bulldogs are athletes. For puppies, try to avoid any high impact activities like jogging and running. These can damage their growing bones and joints. Instead, try hide and seek (hiding a favourite ball or toy in the garden) or puzzle toys. But once they reach adulthood, all types of activities are on the cards including jogs, hikes, tug of war, training sessions, fetch and more.
It’s important an American Bulldog has an outlet for all their energy otherwise they can engage in destructive behaviours, like chewing your favourite shoes. American Bulldogs need frequent exercise where they can develop their natural athletic abilities and constant stimulation to help them become happy and healthy pups. Leaving them alone in the garden to entertain themselves won’t cut it.
Aim to get them outside twice a day, minimum. These outdoor sessions can be a mixture of playtime and walks with a good leash and harness of around 30 minutes.
Training Your American Bulldog
Invest plenty of time in early socialisation and puppy training and you’ll have a well-mannered American Bulldog that has a positive outlet for their energy. It also helps your American Bulldog feel comfortable and confident with a range of new people, dogs and situations.
Putting in place rules and routines from puppyhood will help establish boundaries for an American Bulldog to grow up within. A firm, patient and loving hand and consistent, positive training ensures an American Bulldog will get to grips with pet life and master the basics, like walking nicely on a leash and coming when called.
Thanks to their intelligence, American Bulldogs do best with a confident, experienced pup parent who can devote the time they need to learn that you’re in charge.