Hailing from the Southeastern United States, the American Bulldog has held a long-time legacy as a courageous and hardworking breed. Read on to learn more about this tough canine!
1. They Come From (You Guessed it) America
The American Bulldog, hence its name, originated from the rural countryside of the Southeastern United States sometime around the 17th century. It resulted from dogs brought over by British settlers, mostly for working purposes. These canines descended from various lines of English Bulldogs used for various tasks ranging from cattle-droving to bullbaiting. Bullbaiting became banned in England in 1835, so afterward, these dogs were bred for a more work-oriented purpose.
The American Bulldog didn’t get its current breed name until around the 1980s. Throughout its native range, this dog went by a handful of names. “English White” or “White English” was coined in some areas, as many dogs were white in color. These canines were also called the “Alabama” or simply the “Southern Bulldog.” As the breed became more prevalent and noticed by the mainstream populace, “American Bulldog” was the final name chosen to distinguish them from their English cousins. It is very important to note that the American Bulldog is a completely different breed from the American Bully (though the American Bulldog has contributed to the Bully’s development).
2. These Dogs Were Bred to Work
The American Bulldog was born to work in the rural countryside, mostly kept to protect property and livestock. After the widespread prohibition of bullbaiting, this breed was then utilized for more laborious tasks, including guarding land from intruders or chasing down ornery cattle. Several lines were even maintained to further specialize the types for their specific duties. The American Bulldog was also utilized as a hunting dog and was especially noted for its ability to pursue destructive, feral hogs.
As noted, farmers focused mostly on breeding traits centered on their ability to work rather than perfecting their appearance or bloodline. While not all American Bulldogs today have the ability to take down angry boars or bulls, they still retain their traditional traits as intelligent, courageous, and stubborn canines. Even today, the American Bulldog is still used as a guard dog to protect households and farm property. The modern American Bulldog is also equally happy as a companion pet, though it requires an experienced owner due to its temperament.
3. American Bulldogs Once Faced Extinction
The American Bulldog was on the brink of extinction by the 1940s, just after the end of World War II. Very few individuals survived isolated on family farms across the Southeastern United States, their place of origin. Two men, John D. Johnson and Alan Scott, worked together and ran an intensive effort to save the American Bulldog from disappearing forever. As they searched throughout the countryside, they chose a handful of dogs deemed suitable to revitalize this breed, which would later create the main form of this breed, known as the “classic” or “Johnson” line of American Bulldogs (in the next section, the other forms of American Bulldog will be discussed more).
The American Bulldog is no longer at risk of extinction and is a relatively common dog today.
4. There Are Three American Bulldog Varieties
There are three main forms of the American Bulldog: the classic or “Johnson” form, the “standard” or “Scott” form, and the hybrid of the two.
The Johnson form is the original line of the American Bulldog; as noted, this type is named for the breed’s creator, John D. Johnson. It’s also referred to as the “classic” American Bulldog, as this was the main foundation breed. One could say that the Johnson form is “boxier” and could be described as “big-boned,” complemented with an undershot bite. This line has been crossbred with English Bulldogs and is considered the “bully-type” of American Bulldog.
Meanwhile, the Scott form is a line that was created by Alan Scott himself. The Scott form of American Bulldog is a bit smaller in size than its Johnson counterpart, and it is also considered the standard form. These dogs were bred for more selective traits based on their ability to work; henceforth, Scott-line dogs typically sport far more energy than their Johnson cousins.
The hybrid is the third main type of American Bulldog, and perhaps the most commonly seen of the three kinds today. As its name suggests, the hybrid line is a crossbred form between the Johnson dogs and the Scott dogs. Other minor lines of the American Bulldog exist, but the three main forms mentioned are considered the primary types of this breed.
5. American Bulldogs Are Generally Healthy
The American Bulldog is a relatively healthy breed, though like other dogs, it may potentially develop genetic health issues. Like most other dogs, hip and elbow dysplasia are both problems that this breed may develop. This occurs when a dog’s hips or elbows don’t properly align, which can cause significant health issues without treatment.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a genetic health issue that has been detected in some American Bulldogs; it affects the central nervous system. This breed may also be prone to skin problems, such as skin allergies and ichthyosis, due to an overactive immune system. While allergies are often grown out of after puppyhood, older dogs may suffer them as well.
A responsible breeder will screen for such genetic health issues before breeding their dogs, and any breeders who don’t should be avoided if you’re looking to purchase a puppy. Your dog should be examined annually by a trusted veterinarian to detect any health issues before they worsen.
6. These Bulldogs Have Low-maintenance Grooming Needs
The American Bulldog’s grooming requirements are rather straightforward when compared to breeds with longer coats. Unless your dog has gotten itself into a messy situation, bathing can be done on occasion. This breed’s short coat can be maintained by weekly brushing with a bristle or rubber curry brush, which helps especially during shedding season. Their face wrinkles may need to be cleaned throughout the day as well with unscented wipes or a warm, damp cloth with diluted baby or dog shampoo.
As with all other dogs, your American Bulldog’s nails should be trimmed every few weeks, as overgrown nails can cause pain and discomfort. You should also clean your dog’s ears at least monthly or more if needed to prevent buildup and/or infection. Keeping your dog’s dental health in peak condition is vital for your dog’s well-being, and this is best achieved by brushing its teeth. While brushing your dog’s teeth every day is highly recommended, even brushing them two to three times a week should suffice. While dental chews and treats are a great way to supplement your dog, they don’t offer the same benefits as regular toothbrushing.
7. This Active Breed Requires Exercise
The American Bulldog is a very high-energy breed; daily exercise is a must for this dog. This breed needs at least one to two hours of exercise a day, and this doesn’t just include walks; the American Bulldog appreciates being able to partake in a variety of activities. Leaving your dog alone outside in the backyard simply won’t suffice. A bored dog is a destructive one, and this rule especially applies to this breed. An understimulated American Bulldog may resort to entertaining itself through other destructive means, whether this be destroying your furniture or barking nonstop.
Jogs, hikes, and various playtime activities outside are great ways to exercise your American Bulldog both physically and mentally, keeping your dog happy and healthy. Whether it’s a game of tug-of-war or fetch, the American Bulldog finds lots of joy in being able to exert pent-up energy.
It is also important to note that while puppies need to exercise as well, playtime should be supervised carefully as their joints and bones are still growing. For the safety of your puppy, hold off on strenuous activities until they reach adulthood.
8. This Breed Does Best with Experienced Owners
The American Bulldog requires an experienced owner. This intelligent breed requires a firm yet gentle person who can establish proper boundaries consistently. Training and socialization must begin early in puppyhood to minimize any unwanted behaviors as they grow older. Being intelligent, the American Bulldog is known to be headstrong and stubborn, and both lots of patience and positive reinforcement are required to keep this breed under control. No dog responds well at all to harsh punishment, and in fact, can only create further issues, especially for the self-confident American Bulldog.
A high-energy breed, the American Bulldog thrives best in households with active families. Being a guardian at heart, this breed may also be protective of its loved ones, being wary around strangers. This canine is also known for having a high prey drive, often going after small animals; this should also be considered if other animals, such as cats or other pets, share the same household.
Obtaining your dog from a responsible breeder or rescue group is very important. As mentioned earlier, breeders should screen their dogs for any genetic maladies to ensure healthy litters.
