American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is living proof that cats aren’t the only animals out there with 9 lives. This brave and loyal breed, gentle as it is tough, was nearly extinct as recently as World War II. The fact that he thrives today as either a working class dog or a family pet can be attributed in large part to one John D Johnson and, believe it or not, feral pigs
Johnson, a returning World War II veteran, combed the south after the war looking to revive this dying breed. The fact that the dog survived that long at all was due to the presence of wild pigs which roamed free and had no known predator. This left the American Bulldog as the only option for locals to deal with the vermin.
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Origin
The American Bulldog, as the name implies, originated in the United States. The breed was derived from English bulldog stock and first appeared in the 18th century. Early English bulldogs were primarily used in the “sport” of bull baiting, wherein a bull was collared and staked to the center of a ring. The dogs were trained to “pin” the object animal by seizing hold of the nose and not letting go of it. ‘Baiting” was a bloody sport for both dog and bull, and many characteristics of the bulldog today are a result of owner breeding in an attempt to improve the dog’s chances of survival in the ring.
There is little doubt that Johnson kept this rare breed from extinction and in the course of doing so improved the standard of the breed as well. They are still popular throughout the world today as a “hog dog” used to catch escaped pigs. They make excellent cattle drovers and even find employment as K-9 dogs.
Appearance
The American Bulldog is a strong, sturdy and fearless animal, with a large, powerful head and jaws. The American version has longer legs, and is a swifter, more agile breed than his English forebear. The chest is wide and the muscular neck tapers from shoulder to head, making the bulldog look a bit like a Mack truck with four legs. The coat is short and stiff to the touch, and comes in white, white with brindle or red, and the opposite, brindle or red with white. It is not uncommon for this breed to have two different colored irises. They have a tendency to drool and slobber which may not always be endearing but is certainly harmless.
There are two main types. The “Johnson” is a bit larger than the “Scott” who, by virtue of its build and shorter muzzle, tends to resemble its Pit Bull cousin. Males are 21-28 inches and 70 – 120 lbs. Females are 20 – 26 inches and 60 – 100 lbs.
Temperament
The American Bulldog is a self-assured, outgoing and friendly fellow with family members and any other folks that he’s sure the family accepts. They are known to form a very strong bond with their owners. They will do just fine with children too and even other animals, including cats, provided they are socialized early, and that includes obedience training. It’s an assertive breed that can at times be aggressive with other dogs, particularly of the same sex. He wants to be the boss, so it’s imperative that your American Bulldog understands who the pack leader in his family is. As such, it’s not the ideal dog for a first time owner. Nevertheless, with early training this breed has the ability to make an exceptional family pet and its protective instincts render it a superb watch dog as well.
Grooming
The American Bulldog is not much of a shedder and requires only a quick brushing, at least once a week, if not daily. Most bulldog owners will only bathe their dogs every other month or so, particularly ones that are not working dogs, as the short coat will not pick up much dirt. The ears need to be cleaned frequently to prevent yeast infections, and the mouth of the bulldog has pockets that can trap food so brush the teeth regularly. While some owners crop the ears of their American Bulldog, this is not the preferred standard for the breed.
Exercise
The American Bulldog has substantial exercise requirements. This is a high energy breed, and like others of its ilk needs physical and mental stimulation daily. This is a must! A bored American Bulldog can become a very destructive one. They will benefit greatly from long walks, and should have ample opportunity to run too. They are far more agile than most people realize, and have been known to leap as high as 6 feet. So don’t forget that this four-legged Mack truck can actually play catch with the best of them.
Summary
The words tough and gentle don’t usually collide in the same sentence, but they do accurately define the American Bulldog. He’s as tough as they come, and yet incredibly loyal and protective of his loved ones. Make no mistake about it though; the American Bulldog needs an experienced owner to establish who is boss. With proper and early training, one would be hard pressed to find another dog as loyal anywhere in the world. A dog so brave and fearless it would tackle Hell with a bucket of water for its family without a second thought.
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