Dog Breed
American Bulldog
- Full Name
- American Bulldog
- Your PupScore
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- Life Span
- 10 - 13 years years
- Weight
- 60 - 120 pounds
- Description
Friendly, Assertive, Loyal, Confident, Dominant. They are descendents of English bulldogs but have gradually been bred to be faster, stronger, and overall more atheletic. They are one of the most muscular breeds of dog, and can be fast and intense at times, but do not have high endureance because their pure mass.
- Origin
- England
- Bred For
- Different farm work such as catching feral pigs. Also as a general home guardian.
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
4/5
Is the American Bulldog good with children?
Yes, the American Bulldog is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the American Bulldog naturally loves children.
Stranger Friendly
3/5
Is the American Bulldog friendly with strangers?
The American Bulldog is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
Dog Friendly
5/5
Is the American Bulldog friendly with other dogs?
Yes! The American Bulldog naturally loves other dogs. As always, socialization is always important, but the American Bulldog typically gets along with every dog it meets
Likes to Cuddle
3/5
Does the American Bulldog like to cuddle?
The American Bulldog likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
Playfulness
5/5
Does the American Bulldog like to play?
The American Bulldog is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
Service Dog Ability
3/5
Does the American Bulldog make a good service dog?
The American Bulldog is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
Ease for Novice
2/5
Is the American Bulldog good for first-time owners?
The American Bulldog would not be the best fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and is motivated to please its owner.
Training Potential
4/5
How well can the American Bulldog be trained?
The American Bulldog can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the American Bulldog can be incredibly well-trained.
Amount of Shedding
3/5
Does the American Bulldog shed a lot?
The American Bulldog is an average shedder. American Bulldog owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Is the American Bulldog easy to groom?
The American Bulldog requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your American Bulldog to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a American Bulldog on your own as well.
Exercise Need
4/5
Does the American Bulldog need a lot of exercise?
The American Bulldog has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
Intelligence
4/5
How smart is the American Bulldog?
The American Bulldog is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
Amount of Barking
3/5
How much does the American Bulldog bark? Does the American Bulldog bark too much?
The American Bulldog barks an average amount. It can vary widely between American Bulldogs - some may be much more expressive than others.
Guard Dog Ability
4/5
Is the American Bulldog a good guard dog?
The American Bulldog is not a dog breed necessarily known as a guard dog, but they are alert. The American Bulldog is protective of its family, and has above average tendencies when it comes to guarding property.
Tolerates Being Alone
3/5
Is the American Bulldog good at staying alone? Is the American Bulldog independent?
The American Bulldog does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
Good for Apartment Living
2/5
Is the American Bulldog a good apartment dog?
The American Bulldog is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
Size
4/5
How big is the American Bulldog?
The American Bulldog is a large dog breed. A dog's size is important to consider when it comes to travel arrangements, budgeting for food, and how big of a living space you have.
Tolerates Heat
4/5
How much does the American Bulldog tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a American Bulldog?
The American Bulldog can tolerate hot weather well. They still prefer having some variation and a cool space to sleep, but overall they can do well in warm climates.
Tolerates Cold
4/5
How much does the American Bulldog tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a American Bulldog?
The American Bulldog can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
Potential to Run Away
4/5
Does the American Bulldog try to run away?
It is natural for the American Bulldog to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
General Health
3/5
Is the American Bulldog a healthy dog? The health of a American Bulldog should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The American Bulldog is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
Energy Level
4/5
How energetic is the American Bulldog?
The American Bulldog has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the American Bulldog into your home. Can you give your American Bulldog enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
Amount of Drooling
4/5
How much does the American Bulldog drool?
The American Bulldog drools a decent amount, especially if that irresistible food is nearby.
Prey Drive
3/5
Does the American Bulldog have a large prey drive? Does the American Bulldog like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The American Bulldog has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
Athleticism
3/5
Is the American Bulldog atheltic?
The American Bulldog is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
Breed Variations
Black and White
Brown and White
Brindle
- Dog
- Working
- American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a purebred dog that falls within the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds.
Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.
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