American Bulldog

This bodybuilder of a dog arrived in the United States from England as early as the 1700’s. They were farm utility dogs before becoming pets, helping small ranchers with cattle and pigs. The breed was almost wiped out during the two World Wars but survived due to its ability to thrive and function on a less-than-ideal diet. The two men who are credited for bringing American Bulldogs back into prominence are John D. Johnson and Alan Scott.

American Bulldog owners will need to commit to training and socialization as they are critical to a good-tempered dog. They learn quickly—and that includes bad habits, so positive reinforcement training needs to be a focus for owners. You will need a larger living space with a well-fenced yard. They should not live with fragile family members, small children, or other dogs.

American Bulldog puppies need non-impact exercises in their daily routines to help alleviate any possible bone or joint damage while helping expend energy. Adult dogs will need a wide array of daily activities to engage in such as jogs, hikes, scent games, tug-of-war, and training exercises. American Bulldogs are athletes who require constant stimulation, attention, and exercise. This is not a breed that does well being left alone and will need significant training to cope with being on their own for even a few hours.

Big dogs need big things to help accommodate their size in their daily environment: big living spaces, beds, sofas, cars, yards—the list goes on. Owners will also need a secure fence that can keep in a muscular, heavy athletic dog. Rural or suburban areas are ideal for American Bulldogs. Urban spaces with a lot of foot traffic are not recommended and will most likely be stressful and frustrating for them to experience.

Grooming an American Bulldog is a relatively easy job because they have short and smooth coats. Baths only need to happen when the dogs get dirty. A regular brush to prevent shedding is helpful.

Rules and routines should be set in stone early and adhered to closely as the American Bulldog breed matures. They require a firm, loving hand to challenge their energy and maintain boundaries that the Bulldog will try to test. The more exposure to positive training, humans, and other animals the better.

An American Bulldog that receives socialization and training can be a good fit for a family with older children or no children. Due to their size and strength, they are not recommended for small spaces or homes with small children or elderly family members. American Bulldogs are not recommended for multi-dog homes because they do not always get along well with other dogs.

The cost of an American Bulldog from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.