Dog breed American Bulldog: review, photo, size, color, habits and character, appearance, size, content

The American Bulldog or Bulldog, like other types of bulldogs, is distinguished by a strong, muscular physique and a fighting disposition. Dogs of this breed have a wayward character and can become a devoted friend of their owner, as well as an excellent guard.

Raising an ambulant must be done from the first days of life in order to prevent the emergence of stubbornness and harsh character traits. In the photo of the American Bulldog you can see the officially approved appearance features characteristic of this species.

Description of the American Bulldog breed

Popularity 193rd place among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

11-12 years old

Breed group:

Fighting

Height:

males: 55-70 cm, females: 52-65 cm

Country of origin:

USA

Average price:

10-20 thousand rubles

Weight:

males: 32-54 kg, females: 27-45 kg
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Disadvantages, defects and disqualifying signs of ambulees

Any deviations from the standard are assessed depending on the degree of their manifestation and impact on the welfare of the dog.

So, the disadvantages include:

• ease of build in adult dogs (allowed in young dogs);
• slight depigmentation of the nose;
• not very straight teeth;
• semi-erect ears that do not hold their shape well;
• high-set or short tail (knee length);
• weak push of the hind legs.

Breed defects:

• cowardice, shyness;
• long muzzle, tapering strongly towards the nose;
• too bulging eyes;
• straight bite;
• large or low-set ears;
• curled tail, docked tail or thrown over the back;
• full black mask on the face;
• too small white areas on red or brindle coats;
• weight less than 27 kg (for females), 35 kg (for males).

Having the following signs, the dog will be disqualified:

• excessive cowardice and any manifestations of aggression;
• blindness or deafness;
• blue eyes (one or both);
• squint, inversion or eversion of the eyelids;
• undershot, scissor bite;
• long wool;
• colors black, blue, black and tan, tricolor, harlequin;
• cryptorchidism.

A belligerent attitude towards other dogs does not lead to disqualification; the sign is regarded only in relation to people, in particular judges and handlers.

Key facts

The characteristics of the American Bull Terrier breed say that the ambul (short name) can become a faithful friend and assistant to a person who has a strong character and a fairly high level of self-confidence. From the first days of life, the American Bulldog shows its tough character, and if training is neglected, then an aggressive and unceremonious animal will grow out of a beautiful puppy. But a well-trained ambul, despite its stubborn nature, will be the most faithful and loving creature.

The description of the American Bulldog breed is replete with positive reviews: excellent watchdog qualities, observation, ideal physique, high intelligence - all this makes this dog unique.

Ambuli are quite jealous, they are unlikely to be able to get along with other pets. The only exceptions are those pets with whom the dog grew up, but this is only possible with the right educational regime.

American bulldogs are very active: if you do not want to find your yard or house in a dilapidated state upon returning from work, then you need to give the bulldog physical activity as often as possible. By doing this, you will help your pet release endless energy.

Ambulances have negative aspects, for example, their appearance - it is not conducive to close acquaintance. Also, this breed is not suitable for beginners in the field of dog breeding.

The health and life expectancy of the American Bulldog are average: the dog lives up to 12 years.

Pros and cons of the breed

The American Bulldog is a dominant breed with a willful character, therefore it is suitable for purposeful people with leadership inclinations. In the right hands, the pet will grow up balanced, fearless, and infinitely devoted to the owner and members of his family.

History of the origin of the American Bulldog

Bulldogs were created specifically for bullfighting. Any representative of the bulldog differs from other breeds in its great endurance and high pain threshold, which was very significant for their owners in those days. The breeding of bulldogs began in the Middle Ages, and their division into species occurred in the 19th-20th centuries.

The final outcome of the fight with the bull depended on the strength and courage of the dog. Even when it was not possible to get into the ring, bulldog owners specially staged demonstration performances, driving the dogs into a frantic state in order to demonstrate the animals’ abilities.

Often such performances ended in the death of one of the individuals. But this did not in any way reduce the popularity of the breed, and its price grew at a rapid pace. The puppies of the fighting champion were considered especially valuable. If we talk about the commercial side of the issue, the maintenance of this dog was not cheap for the owner, but it still justified the income that was received from the fights.

At the end of the 19th century, dog fighting and bull baiting were prohibited. Owners had to keep dogs in their yards because the danger they posed to people was enormous. Because of this, the development of the breed was stopped for a short time.

A little later, the bulldog was successfully crossed with a pug, which gave the breed softness and reduced its size. This is how the English bulldog appeared, but what about its American relative?

The history of the American branch of bulldogs begins at the end of the 18th century, when English debtors from prisons went to colonize America. The settlers took with them the most important things, including bulldogs - those dogs that still participated in bullfights and were not crossed with other breeds.

Therefore, the ambul, in a sense, is the most purebred descendant of Molossian dogs - for this he is valued. He also has another, less common name - bulldog of bulldogs.

In America, dogs showed their best side, and their toughness, death grip, and hunter's instinct grew into qualities that are invaluable to humans: courage, bravery, hard work and intelligence. A big plus was their athletic build and fighting instincts, which made them ideal guards.

Attempts to include this breed in the American Kennel Club (AKC) list were unsuccessful, and no importance was attached to the breed. Therefore, until the middle of the 20th century, the American Bulldog was not recognized by any canine organization. However, thanks to its amazing external and physical characteristics, the ambul began to be bred for service in the police and other authorities. Endurance coupled with high intelligence made dogs loyal soldiers of the American army.

Later, the breed was nevertheless included in the register of cynological organizations. And ambuls found their niche among those dog breeders who were not deterred by the breed’s unpleasant past – bullfighting.

Similar dog breeds

English bulldog

American Staffordshire Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier

Video

* We invite you to watch a video about the American Bulldog . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what an American Bulldog looks like.

Appearance of an American Bulldog

General impression

Even the photo of the American Bulldog shows that these are large dogs of the same breed, but of several directions. If we consider them separately, Johnson's Bulldogs (classic) are large and at the same time short, and Scott's American Bulldogs (standard) are more similar to American Pit Bull Terriers. The sizes of American Bulldogs of different lines also vary slightly. This is why uninformed people often mistake dogs of one type for deviations from the norm, although this is not the case.

Head

The appearance of the muzzle differs significantly depending on the branch of development.
Classic look: square but smoothly defined, occupying 30% of the head area. Standard appearance: wedge-shaped muzzle, the transition from the forehead to the nose is less pronounced. Johnson's Bulldog has deeper folds. Black or brown large nose with wide nostrils. The lips are dark and fit tightly to the jaw. When the mouth is closed, the teeth are not visible.

The eyes are small, widely spaced, and color can vary from hazel to dark brown, but dark colors are preferred.

The ears are medium, clearly set on the line of the forehead, can be either erect or hanging, have a triangular shape, but “rose” or “envelope” types are possible. Ear cropping is not recommended.

Neck

The neck is muscular, the scruff is well defined, set at an angle of 45 degrees to the body.

Torso

The Johnson type is more similar to an English bulldog: the body is squat, shortened, without pronounced narrowing and widening. The Scott type is characterized by a more elongated body, standing on long legs.

Limbs

The front paws are set wide apart, the elbows point back and merge into rounded paws with the toes tightly clenched. The muscles of the shoulders and forearm are developed. The hind legs are spaced wider, have an elongated shape and a pronounced relief of the knees and hips.

Tail

The tail has a wide base and tapers to a tip; the ideal tail size is reaching to the hocks.

Color

The colors of the American Bulldog have several variations: white (the most valuable), white and red, brindle or white and brindle. The following options are also possible: black, black and tan, marble or blue, but there must be white spots that occupy 10% of the body area. The length of the coat is 1.5 cm, the hairs lie very tightly to the body and have a healthy shine.

Size

At the withers, the height of male American Bull Terriers reaches 55-70 cm with a body weight of 32-54 kg; females have smaller parameters: height at the withers is 52-65 cm, the weight of a female American Bulldog is 27-45 kg.

Distinctive features

To begin with, it is worth noting that there are as many as 3 types of American Bulldogs. Many publications write that there are only 2 of them, but at the moment this is not the case. Breeders have been creating a new type for the past 10 years. So far, this subspecies does not have a specific name and characteristics, but some information about it is still known.

Description of each type:

1. Classic . Alternative name: Johnson type. Classic ambulins differ from other types in their purpose. These dogs have pronounced protective qualities. Due to this, they are considered excellent companions and old-timers. External differences: powerful build and short muzzle .
2. Standard . Alternative name: Scott type. Dogs belonging to this subspecies are real pursuers. They retained the maximum number of features of their ancestors. Standard representatives of the breed are ideal for hunting and scaring away large wild animals (for example, wild boars). The appearance of such dogs differs in several respects: an elongated muzzle, short stature and an athletic, prominent physique. Naturally, all this is in comparison with representatives of the classical type of the same breed.
3. Mixed . Alternative name: hybrid. This is what many breeders have been working on for the last 10 years. Typically, two types of American Bulldogs are crossed. The “output” is a dog endowed with the best qualities of the classic and standard subspecies. Representatives of the mixed type may have different external features (within the breed). They have greater physical strength and endurance

You need to understand that dogs belonging to any of these types are real ambulans. Even hybrids that include the gene pool of classic and standard bulldogs cannot be called “defective”. Of great importance here is the fact that the breed, in principle, does not have a single standard, only a set of characteristic qualities.

Main external features:

• Torso . Strong, muscular. Has a developed and deep chest. The body type is square, knocked down. The neck is quite wide, tapering slightly closer to the skull. The back of the body (croup) is strong. The structure of the croup is distinguished by wide shoulders, which gives the impression that the dog’s paws are a little “wheely”. Closer to the pelvis, the body becomes narrower, which creates a smooth line and adds elegance to the appearance.
• Head . Quite wide and large, with a flat top and a groove running along the frontal part of the skull. Almost all representatives of the breed have muscular cheeks. The pigment of the nose, eyelids and lips is usually black, but can also be dark brown. The nose is turned up, which, by the way, allows the dog to breathe while it has prey in its teeth.
• Wool . Short, smooth. Several color options are allowed, but most often there are dogs with a predominance of white fur. Ambules may have large spots of various shades all over the body and on the face. Criteria due to which a dog can be disqualified: “dirty” pattern (the presence of a scattering of small dark specks on a pure color), black coat.
• Tail. Smooth, low set.
• Paws. Strong, straight, with visible muscles.
• Ears. Hanging, medium length. They can be docked (have a sharp tip, small size and triangle shape).
• Eyes. Wide set, located almost at the ears. They may have an almond or round shape. The eye color can be any, but hazel and dark are preferable.
• Bite. In most cases it is incorrect (undershot), but for this breed this is not considered a fault. Moreover, dogs belonging to the classic type should not have a scissor bite. If a bulldog participates in an exhibition, it may be disqualified based on this criterion alone. It is desirable that the ambulant has strong and healthy teeth.

Bulldog puppies do not have pronounced external features. They acquire them only with age. It is for this reason that you need to buy a dog from a trusted and experienced breeder.

American Bulldog Personality

The external appearance of the American Bulldog is deceptive, because menacing and stern-looking dogs, with proper upbringing, can become very affectionate and devoted pets. The character of an American Bulldog directly depends on his upbringing and family relationships.

Ambuli love children madly, they are ready to play and frolic with them for a long time, but it is worth remembering that in this game they cannot match their physical abilities. Powerful dogs will simply knock down a child in the heat of the game, so watch the games of your household members from afar, but closely. Under no circumstances should a dog be allowed to growl at a child or one of the family members - even a playful display of aggression must be eradicated immediately.

Individuals of this breed do not get along with other pets and can even tear apart an animal regardless of its size. Therefore, it is necessary to stop any attempts at bullying, growling and fighting with other dogs or cats. You should also be careful when adopting other dogs, especially those of the same gender as your bulldog.

Ambul has a high intelligence, which is both a joy and a difficulty for the owner: even at a young age, he can easily figure out how to open the door, enter a forbidden place and play pranks. The salvation from hooliganism will be daily physical activity, which will reduce irrepressible energy. Please note right away: self-discipline is not one of the advantages of this breed.

Character and behavior

According to descriptions from owners and breeders, the American Bulldog is a vigilant and courageous breed, deeply devoted to its owner. She is wary of strangers, so she has become an excellent security guard and bodyguard. First, the animals try to scare away the uninvited guest with a menacing roar. If the attacker does not retreat, bulldogs fearlessly rush into battle.

On a note. Cowardly or aggressive dogs are subject to disqualification. Puppies may show some timidity, but such traits are unforgivable in adult animals.

The character of the American Bulldog cannot be called simple. The breed is willful, stubborn, and prone to dominance. She needs a strict leader, so she is not suitable for novice dog owners. Animals try to demonstrate superiority over their relatives - skirmishes are not excluded during walks. Dogs are very jealous, which makes them almost impossible to keep with other pets. An exception may be individuals who grew up together.

Characteristics of the breed include a good attitude towards children - this is indicated by the descriptions given by the owners of American Bulldogs. However, playing together must be done under adult supervision.

The dog, not realizing how powerful and big it is, can accidentally knock over or injure a child. To avoid conflicts, younger family members should be told in advance about the dog’s body language and the rules of behavior with the animal.

Education and training

There is a main rule in raising and training an American Bull Terrier: the dog must obey its owner unquestioningly, and his requests cannot be violated under any pretext. This result can only be achieved by clear commands and the introduction of rules, the violation of which must be strictly, but not cruelly, punished. Under no circumstances should you show aggression or hit the dog - this can turn into an embitterment of the animal. Perseverance, fortitude and patience - this is a list of qualities that should be in a person who decides to have an American bulldog.

It’s worth taking your ambulant for a walk twice a day: this will help teach the puppy the rule that they relieve themselves outside, and will help develop a certain daily routine. It is recommended to take your dog’s favorite toys for walks: this will bring a lot of positive emotions, for which the pet will be very grateful.

You should not allow a small puppy to pull on the leash and drag you, because this habit can cause serious problems as an adult. Walking on a leash, but next to the owner - this is another one of the basic rules of education and training.

At the sight of a stranger, even in the presence of the owner, the dog can behave aggressively or warily, since individuals of this breed are characterized by a long habituation to someone. It is necessary to stop the dog’s desire to jump on people with its front paws. Firstly, an adult dog can easily knock down a person in this way, and secondly, given the formidable nature of the breed, this can result in injury.

Like any fighting dog, the American Bulldog must undergo socialization almost from infancy. To do this, the animal is walked in crowded places while it is still a puppy and introduced to different people and children. Ambul should know that under no circumstances should you attack a person without a reason.

In order for the dog to be controllable, it is taught a whole set of commands. It is advisable that the owner train the animal under the supervision of an experienced instructor. Undoubtedly, the American Bulldog will perfectly understand and learn all the commands, the catch is to teach him to carry them out unquestioningly. This will require remarkable patience and persistent character of the owner.

With proper training, a dog's qualities can be directed in the right direction and the result will be an excellent watchman, a devoted friend, an excellent protector and the most beloved pet on the planet.

Key points in training

You need to start training bulldogs from puppyhood . Dogs of this breed must be kept under discipline, otherwise they will become insolent and unbearable. Of course, it is useless to give any commands to very small puppies, but they can be taught where the bowl, toilet and sleeping place are.

The main nuances that need to be taken into account during training:

• No violence or rough treatment, otherwise the dog will rebel and stop obeying;
• You need to encourage a bulldog, but you shouldn’t get carried away with it, since, again, he will easily and quickly become impudent;
• You shouldn’t have high hopes for the first training, since ambullies are not the smartest dogs;
• When aggression appears in a dog, it is necessary to completely change tactics;
• You can conduct full and productive training only in a place that is equipped with an obstacle course.
• Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

Dogs of this breed really take quite a long time to learn commands. The process is especially difficult at first. The best learning tactic is playful.

American Bulldog Health and Diseases

Possible diseases

The Ambul is an active breed that will not be boring until the dog’s old age. They are very hardy, strong, thirsty for life. But even the above qualities will not save these dogs from diseases that are specific to this breed:

• difficult childbirth in bitches;
• epilepsy;
• strabismus and cataracts of the eyes;
• heart disease and heart failure;
• deafness.

There is no need to worry about being the owner of a sick dog. With proper care and feeding, you can easily avoid many ailments. And in order not to buy a puppy with a hereditary disease, carefully study its pedigree, meet the parents, and ask the breeder for the necessary documents and certificates.

Ambulance diseases

In general, American Bulldogs are healthy and hardy pets. Their lifespan is 10–15 years. They rarely develop diseases, most of them are hereditary. So, ambulees may experience:

• inversion or eversion of the eyelids - treated surgically;
• hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of joints, in this regard, up to 6 months, outpatients should not be given increased physical activity, especially since even babies are not small in weight, an advanced form of the pathology is corrected surgically;
• allergic skin reactions - manifest themselves in the form of dermatitis, the allergen (food, household chemicals) should be identified and eliminated;
• congenital deafness - since ambuli are pure white in color, blue-eyed individuals are removed from breeding so that deafness does not develop in the offspring;
• epilepsy is a chronic disease of the nervous system, manifested by convulsions and, possibly, loss of consciousness, but with therapy, dogs with this pathology live a long time and live no less well than their healthy relatives.

Reproductive health

The first heat in a female dog occurs before the age of one year and passes with regularity for 6-8 months.
The duration of the period is 24-30 days, the discharge can be profuse. The owner will have to purchase special panties and also wash the dog twice a day. Mating is prohibited during the first heat, and after it it is already possible to breed a female and a male. Take your dog to the vet several times during pregnancy. Be prepared for labor to take a long time. It is advisable to invite a veterinarian to your home: there are often cases when a surgical caesarean section is required.

Features of feeding and diet

Bulldogs are big fans of begging for a tasty morsel from the table, and it is worth weaning your pet off this habit as early as possible. A healthy ambulant diet is 30% protein, carbohydrates and fiber. You cannot feed your dog meat alone - the menu must include:

• boiled durum cereals;
• steamed vegetables;
• boiled eggs;
• a small amount of fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you find it difficult to cook for your dog every day, give preference to dry food. It must be of high quality, with a high content of minerals. Ideally, you need to buy food created specifically for this group of breeds.

Even if your dog eats dry food, treat it with fermented milk and fresh meat (not minced meat) once or twice a week. Remember: goodies from the table are strictly prohibited! You should also not give:

• legumes;
• fresh bread or seasoned crackers, chips;
• peppery, spicy food;
• river fish;
• sharp bones;
• fatty meat - pork, lamb.

If you have difficulty feeding your dog, be sure to consult a specialist. This could be the veterinarian or breeder from whom you purchased the puppy.

Socialization

By default, bulldogs do not view other animals as equals, and therefore from an early age you need to start teaching the dog how to behave correctly in society.

If you do not teach a bulldog to calmly react to strangers and dogs, he can turn into an animal that is extremely aggressive towards everyone except his family.

Care and maintenance

Luckily for bulldog owners, there is no need to wash or brush your dog regularly. Short hair significantly reduces the time and financial costs of grooming. So, you can completely wash your dog 2-4 times a year, and only at those moments when it is really necessary. Otherwise, wipe your dog with a cloth or rinse its paws after a walk.

You can comb your bulldog once a week, during periods of shedding - 2-3 times a week. To do this you will need a special brush. Claws should be trimmed only when necessary - animals often grind them down during walks.

Check your pet's ears once a week: clean off any accumulated plaque with a cotton pad. Then brush the dog’s teeth - teach the puppy to this procedure from the first days of your acquaintance, otherwise he simply will not let you look into his mouth. Activities for the care and maintenance of an American Bulldog are simple and do not take much time and effort.

Lifespan and reproduction

On average, ambuli live a long time, from 14 to 16 years. There are also long-livers. These are healthy and strong dogs, well suited for security and companionship. If you decide to start breeding them, then before doing so you should thoroughly study the standards of all bulldogs so as not to confuse them with each other and not to cross, for example, an “American” with a “French”.

Tips for breeders on organizing dog mating:

• Animals are selected based on the following parameters: age (from 3 to 7 years), blood relationship (absent), mental adequacy (balanced and calm).
• Ambules occur at the time of female estrus, preferably on the 4th day from its onset.
• There is no point in forcing dogs on each other.

A pregnant American Bulldog bitch becomes more tender and vulnerable. She bears puppies for about 67 days.

Tips for choosing a puppy

Buying a puppy is an exciting experience, especially if you have never owned a bulldog in your home. Before choosing a baby, you need to ask the breeder about the availability of all documents and certificates. You can adopt an American Bulldog puppy if:

• there is a certificate from a veterinarian and a passport with vaccinations;
• the bitch remains calm when examining the puppies, her health is not in doubt;
• puppy age – from 1.5 to 3 months;
• the puppy is active, has a wet nose, shiny coat, and does not show excessive aggression or cowardice when communicating with its future owner.

It is worth spending some time at the kennel or breeder to observe all the puppies from the litter. You need to choose not only a healthy, but also a baby you like.

Mating

Experienced breeders do not recommend early mating, since the body of American bulldogs has been in a teenage, unformed state for a long time.

• Ideal age: 2-3 years . In theory, it is possible from 18 months , but this can simply injure the animal’s body.
• Estrus in female ampules occurs approximately once every 6 months and lasts about 3 weeks.

Selecting a mating partner is an important and complex process. The owner must choose a dog that matches his own and observe its behavior live. And even if a partner is found, it is not a fact that the mating will be successful. It is necessary to introduce the dogs in advance and observe their interaction with each other.

How much does an American Bulldog cost?

The cost depends on the purpose for which you need an individual of this breed. Fluctuations in the price of an American Bulldog are quite large, so you should decide in advance. So, how much do ambul puppies cost:

• without pedigree: 7000-8000 rubles;
• with a pedigree, but without participation in exhibitions and without breeding this breed: 20,000 rubles;
• breeding and exhibition specimens: from 50,000 rubles.

If you need a friend and watchman, and not a show champion, feel free to go for the budget option.
After all, the absence of documents from a responsible breeder does not make the dog worse. Do you like the article? 0

Application

A pet cannot be called universal in use, since it requires a certain amount of employment throughout its life. The dog will be a good companion if you work with him regularly. The history of the breed suggests its use for official purposes and for protection.

There are successful examples when American bulldogs were used in hunting to drive wild boars and even took part in a fight with a bear, while their modest size compared to a large predator did not prevent them from being successful.