American Bulldog

The American Bulldog’s temperament is rather infectious, in part because they take their playtime seriously. Agile and alert, your American Bulldog will follow your cues, whether you’re training them to sit or you’re ready to throw the ball—again and again.

Their personalities are easy to love; they have a confident demeanor and are known for their almost clown-like antics when excited, making them an excellent family companion. They do well with kids and babies; even with their powerful bite force, American Bulldogs aren’t likely to bite. This breed is quite family-oriented but may be distant with strangers at first.

The breed’s intelligence is well-regarded—and “capable” is their middle name. With consistent training and established rules and boundaries, this powerful pup can learn with the best of them. As a working breed, they were known for their wild pig and cattle catching abilities, making them indispensable on southern ranches in the US.

The American Bulldog breed needs minimal work when it comes to grooming, which is good because you’ll be spending all that extra time exercising and training this active, assertive dog.

American Bulldogs are prone to several health issues. Pup parents need to be aware of some of these issues so they can help their dog live the healthiest life possible. If you’re getting your pup from a breeder, be sure your pup is screened and ask for copies of the parents’ health records. If you’re adopting through a rescue, be sure to get a copy of the dog’s vet wellness check.

• Joint Dysplasia: This joint abnormality is seen in the hips and elbows, and a dog with dysplasia may run, jump and climb less than usual. It’s an inherited condition commonly seen in medium to large dogs and treated with joint supplements, medications, rehab therapy or surgery.
• Knee Ligament: The CCL or cranial cruciate ligament is similar to the ACL in humans and helps stabilize the dog’s knee. Most often, the issue is a rupture or partial tear. Symptoms of this often-genetic condition include pain, swelling and lameness; surgery is usually the go-to fix.
• Cherry Eye: Did you know dogs have a third eyelid? If your American Bulldog has cherry eye, you’ll see a red mass (like a cherry) near the inner corner of the lower lid. If left untreated, cherry eye can cause secondary issues in dogs’ eyes such as dry eye, infection or corneal ulcers. For this reason, surgery is recommended to put the gland back in place and prevent the protrusion from occurring again.
• Deafness: Deafness, which can occur in one or both ears, may be acquired via drug exposure or infection. But deafness could also be hereditary and is linked to dogs with light coats (such as white) and eyes. While there’s no treatment for inherited deafness, dogs actually do well with the condition. Acquired deafness is usually permanent but may improve over time without intervention.
• Skin Conditions/Allergies: The American Bulldog Association (ABA) lists allergies caused by an overactive immune system as one of the common medical conditions associated with the breed that may have a genetic component. Clinical signs associated with allergies may include itching/scratching, hair loss, licking/chewing, red skin or skin infections. If you notice any of these signs, you should have your American Bulldog checked by a veterinarian as they may prescribe medications or even a prescription diet. Spinal Issues: Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is often genetic in nature and affects the spinal cord, leading to weakness and hind limb paralysis. While the condition isn’t typically painful, treatment isn’t that effective, though physical therapy may help.
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis: NCL is an inherited, progressive (and rare) neurological disorder that starts showing up between 1 and 2 years of age. The most obvious symptom is behavioral changes in the dog, and the pup will usually lose coordination and eyesight. It can be discovered through a DNA test, and at this time, there are no treatments.

Curious about the American Bulldog’s origin? This proud pup carries an imported pedigree, having been brought over from across the pond as a descendant of the English Bulldog, which was originally bred for bull baiting. (Bull baiting was a “sport” where Bulldogs attacked chained cattle to bring them to the ground. Thankfully, this horrific sport was outlawed in England in 1835.) Back in the 17th century, early settlers packed these working dogs with them for service on farms and ranches. The American Bulldog became a utility player, stepping in to accomplish many tasks, such as guarding livestock and catching cattle and feral pigs. In fact, were it not for their success as an excellent catch dog in the southern states, we might not know the breed today.

The American Bulldog’s history is also closely intertwined with that of two men who strove to revive the breed in this country, saving it from near extinction after World War II. John D. Johnson and Alan Scott were able to breed the last few native American Bulldogs in the southern US, resulting in two types (the Scott type and the Johnson type) that thrive today. These breeds differ in appearance; the Johnson American Bulldog sports a bigger, stronger build, a larger head and short muzzle, and the Scott American Bulldog has more lithe features, such as an athletic, small-boned frame and a longer muzzle.

While not recognized as an American Kennel Club (AKC) breed, the American Bulldog has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service in 2019, which means that they’re well on their way to becoming approved by the AKC.

Are you looking to add an American Bulldog as a family member? It depends on the breeder and the region where you live, but generally, this type of puppy will cost between $1,800 and $3,500, but for that, you usually are getting a dog who’s been screened for health and temperament issues. Check out the AKC puppy finder to find a reputable breeder. You can also seek out local American Bulldog rescues to find a worthy, loving dog to call your own, keep an eye out for the breed at your local shelter, or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area.

Looking for a true best friend? You’ll quickly find one in the American Bulldog. While lots of exercise is necessary, the playtime and walking you’ll experience with your pup will be great times to bond. Families of all kinds admire this agile, athletic breed and count themselves lucky to own such a loving, loyal pet.