American Bulldog
American Bulldog is a breed of utility dog descended from an old English bulldog. The breed was initially bred as farm utility dog to catch and hold wild pigs, kill vermin, and guard holder's properties. American Bulldog can become a family pet when properly trained, exercised and socialized.
The normal weight of an American Bulldog ranges between 27 to 54 Kg (60 to 120 lbs) and a typical size between 20 to 28 inches (52 to 70 cm) at the withers. But these dimensions have much increased, especially in ‘out of standard’, nonworking stock.
Appearance (Coat and Color)
American Bulldog is a strong, muscular, and healthy dog with a large head and strong body. Its coat is short and generally smooth. The breed is a light to moderate shedder. The colors, mainly white with spots of red, black, or brindle have grown in recent years to include various color designs comprising black, red, brown, fawn, and all shades of brindle. The color conformation is fairly different, but solid black or any degree of merle is deliberated a cosmetic fault, and a blue color is a disqualification by the NKC Breed Standard. Black color on the nose and eye rims are usually preferred, with only some pink allowed. The color of eyes is usually brown. But heterochromia also occurs that is said to be a cosmetic fault.
American Bulldogs are recognized to drool more than other breeds of dog. The Bully type is normally a larger and heavyweight dog with a smaller nose. The standard types are more athletic with a longer snout and a squarer head. Various modern American Bulldogs are a merger of two types, generally called ‘hybrid’.
American Bulldog Temperament
American Bulldog is naturally a confident, social, and strong dog which is comfortable with the families. It is not uncommon for an American Bulldog to require great attention due to extreme emotional behavior. The dog is capable of jumping in excess of 3 feet (0.91 m) vertical due to solid muscle build. American Bulldogs bond strongly with their owners but young dogs can be a little aloof with the strangers. As the breed gets mature, the normal confidence asserts itself. The breed is very tolerant and friendly with children and can do very well with them if they are socialized early and understand their limits. Early training and socialization inside as well as outside the home is essential for American Bulldog. A good training, familiarization with other dogs and people can be fruitful in controlling the dog.
History
The Old English Bulldog was preserved by working-class immigrants who brought their working dogs with them to the American South. Small farmers and ranchers used this versatile working dog for several jobs comprising farm guardians, stock dogs and catch dogs. These dogs were not an actual breed as deliberated by today's standards but were a generic bulldog type. There were no records or histories, so breeding decisions were dependent on the best working farm dogs despite breed or background.
Probably the most significant role of bulldog and the reason for its survival, and in fact why it thrived throughout the South, was because of the presence of feral pigs, introduced to the New World and without hunters. The Bulldogs were the settlers' only means of sufficiently dealing with the vermin.
By World War II, the breed was near extinction until John D. Johnson scoured the back roads of the South looking for the best specimens to revive the breed. During this time a young Alan Scott grew an interest in Johnson's dogs and began to work with him on the revitalization process. At some point, Scott began infusing non-Johnson catch bulldogs from working Southern farms with Johnson's lines, creating what is now known as the Standard type American Bulldog, also called the Scott type. At another point, Johnson began crossing his original lines with an atavistic English bulldog from the North that had maintained its genetic athletic vigor, creating the Bully type American Bulldog, also known as the Johnson type of the Classic type.
American bulldogs are now safe from extinction and are enjoying a healthy increase in popularity, either as a working/protector dog or as a family pet. All over the world, they are used variously as ‘hog dogs’ (catching escaped pigs or hunting razorbacks), as cattle drovers and as working or sport K-9s. American Bulldogs also successfully compete in several dog sports such as dog obedience, Schutzhund, French Ring, Mondio Ring, Iron Dog competition and weight pulling.
Also see: Cute Pictures of American Bulldog Puppies