American Bulldog Complete Profile

Key Facts:

Size: Large
Height: 48 - 71 cm (19 - 28 inches)
Weight: 30 - 58 kg (65 - 130 lb)
Life Span: 12 years
Grooming: Minimal
Exercise: Demanding
Feeding: Medium
Temperament: Fearless & confident
Country of Origin: United States
AKC Group: Not registered
Other Names: Old Country Bulldog

Temperament:
The American Bulldog is confident, gentle, fearless, determined and protective. American Bulldogs should not be overly aggressive with other dogs depsite their self-confidence and bravery. These dogs genuinely love children and have strong protective instincts towards their handler and family. To prevent American Bulldogs from becoming overly protective or dominant they need to be socialized with a variety of animals, people and situations during puppyhood. They tend to be reserved towards strangers and make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs. American Bulldogs make truly devoted and loving pets when they receive proper training and socialization from an early age.

Grooming:
American Bulldogs don't need much grooming except when the coat is shedding. During these times the coat should be brushed regularly with a firm bristle brush to remove the dead hairs.

Exercise:
American Bulldogs are extremely energetic and need plenty of exercise. They enjoy long walks, jogging, playing catch or participating in agility trials. If American Bulldogs receive adequate daily exercise they should be calm when indoors.

History:
In the 1800s a number of European immigrants brought the original type of Bulldog from England to the United States. These Bulldogs had been used for bull baiting in England until this brutal sport became illegal. As a result these dogs disappeared from Britain and made their way to America with working class immigrants. These dogs were used to work with livestock, but almost became extinct by the end of World War II. It was John Johnson, Alan Scott and some other dedicated breeders who managed to revive this breed and develop the American Bulldog from them.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Sturdy, athletic, powerful, muscular and hardy.
Colour: Any colour, colour pattern, or combination of colours is acceptable, except for solid black, solid blue, and tricolor (white with patches of black and tan).
Coat: Short, close, and stiff to touch.
Tail: Set low, tapering and can either be natural or docked (a natural tail is preferred).
Ears: Set high, of medium size and may be dropped, semi-pricked or rose-shaped. The ears may be cropped but natural ears are preferred.
Body: The chest is deep and moderately wide with well sprung ribs. The back is broad and muscular with the topline slightly declining downwards. The loin is short, broad, and slightly arched, blending into a moderately sloping croup. The flank is moderately tucked up and firm.

Additional Comments:

The American Bulldog is higher on the leg and more agile than the English Bulldog. Some of these dogs are reportedly able to leap six feet or more into the air.
The American Bulldog should not be confused with uniquely different breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Related Information of Interest:

3 Simple Steps For A Healthier Dog
We all want what is best for our pet. Yet sometimes because of your hectic schedules, we tend to put our dog’s care at the bottom of the list or it just becomes a habit of chores we perform every day without giving it much thought. We stumble out of bed in the morning, let the dog out, fill the water bowl, dump some food in the dish and go on with our daily routine. Let’s face it this can get very boring for you and especially for your dog.

In order to maintain your dog’s health there are really only three simple steps you need to follow:
1.A good diet
2.Plenty of fresh water
3.Exercise

A good diet is essential to your dog’s health. Be careful what you buy! Read the ingredients label not just the name of the dog food. An all natural dog food is what you should be looking for, not one that contains filler and by-products. Remember you get what you pay for. Although an all natural dog food may be more expensive, studies have shown that your dog will in almost all cases eat more of the “bargain brand” than the all natural, nutritious dog food. The “bargain brands” will pass through your dog more quickly because they do not contain as much of the daily nutrients your dog requires. This leads to your dog being hungrier more often and thereby eating more. Your dog will retain more of the nutrients contained in the all natural food which means they will be less hungry, have healthier coats, more energy and better overall health.

Give your dog plenty of fresh water. Change it as often as you can. A good rule to follow is that every time you get yourself something to drink, add new water to your dog’s bowl.

Exercise your dog daily. This is good for you also. Take long walks, throw a ball or stick around the backyard or park. Remember your dog’s cardiovascular system, heart and muscles need exercise just like yours.

About the Author

Jim De Fazio is the successful webmaster of www.natural-pet-supplies.com. A site that offers all natural food and supplies for your dog or cat.

A Good Tip For Dogs With Itchy Skin
Now that summer is in full swing, many dogs are experiencing dry skin and excessive itchiness. I know that my dog, "Forbes," certainly has been! Of course, the first thing you'll want to rule out is fleas. But barring fleas, I've found that the best way to alleviate itching is to:

Splash approximately 2 Tablespoons of either vegetable oil or canola oil in your dog's food.
The additional fat will give your dog's coat a soft, shiny look and will help alleviate dry skin and itching.
You can also try an over-the-counter product you can get at most pet stores called, "Lipiderm," which works pretty much the same, but costs a bit more.
Something else you might try: One of my newsletter subscribers writes, "Best thing for itchy skin is lemons. Slice a couple of lemons in a litre of water and boil it. Let it cool down for a day then you can spray it on. Works wonders and is cheap."

About the Author

Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!“ which you can read more about at:
tinyurl.com/4efaq

Body Language Before Dog Bites
Dear Adam:

After catching up on doggy email, I've noticed your reference to submissive posture. Your book helped more than a professional trainer I hired for my adopted Golden. We went through biting and dominance issues. The problem I am having now is I still do not trust him 100%. When he bit there really wasn't any sign it was coming (that I noticed). Even now, the only sign that he doesn't like something is a lowered head and sometimes a low growl (the groomer told me this). This dog growls sometimes when he is happy. It is almost like someone taught him not to make any other noise in doors. Outside he will bark. I guess the big question is how do you read a dog's face, body, etc.?

Thanks,
Mark.

Dear Mark:

It's a tough situation you've got. You've really got to just pay close attention to the dog at any time you suspect she may display the aggression. The most common indicators that I used when working with clients who had aggressive dogs was to watch:

1. The mouth. A dog will always pull has mouth closed tight just before he bites.

2. Body language. The dog's body language will get stiff and still just before he bites. Especially watch the stillness. It's very subtle, but at the same time very noticeable once you train your eye to look for it.

There are other things that you could look for depending on the dog and the type of aggression. However, you need to recognize that there are ALWAYS cues... it's just a matter of whether we are quick enough (or aware enough) to catch them.

To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): tinyurl.com/4efaq
Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!

About the Author

Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!“ which you can read more about at:
tinyurl.com/4efaq