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AMERICAN
BULLDOG
Country of Origin: The
American Bulldog is a descendant of the English Bulldog, imported to
the American South to catch livestock and protect plantations, and
used in the North to fight off feral pigs. The English Bulldog (or
simply ‘Bulldog’) was bred in England in the 1500’s for bull
baiting, a popular gambling ‘sport’ in which one or more dogs were
matched up against a chained bull (or bear). These dogs were bred
for sheer fighting capacity, and they were famed for latching onto
their prey with an iron jaw which they refused to release—they could
even suffocate opponents this way. The American Bulldog is perhaps
the most faithful strain to the English Bulldog as it was imported
to America before the English Bulldog was crossed with the Pug
during the Industrial Revolution. American Bulldogs are generally
divided into two strains: the Classic American Bulldog, also known
as the ‘Johnson’ (after its breeder) or ‘Bully’, and the Standard
American Bulldog, also known as the Scott (after its breeder) or
‘Performance’.
Size: The American Bulldog is a bit
faster and substantially larger than the French or English Bulldog
at 50-71 cm (20 to 28 in) and 27-54 kg (60-120 lbs). The Johnson
American Bulldog is the larger of the two strains. The American
Bulldog’s face resembles a Pit Bull, but the muzzle is boxier and it
typically has uncropped ears and a bulkier head. The American
Bulldog is built strong and agile, with a large chest and legs,
low-set tail, and stocky frame.
Coat: The American
Bulldog has a short coat which is close and stiff to the touch. Most
American Bulldogs are white with patches, but any color combination
is acceptable except solid black or blue.
Character:
The American Bulldog is powerful, confident, and agile. It is
naturally alert, inquisitive and fearless. It has often been called
heroic, and when deployed against an intruder it is nearly
unstoppable. The American Bulldog is a highly obedient and confident
breed.
Temperament: The American Bulldog is
affectionate toward children if properly trained and socialized. It
can be somewhat standoffish or aggressive around strangers. Because
they were originally bred to bring down bulls and other livestock,
American Bulldogs have a strong aggressive instinct with other
animals. They should be properly socialized when young.
Care: When the American Bulldog is shedding, use a
coarse comb to remove dead hairs. It is prone to hip dysplasia. The
American Bulldog has a lifespan of 8-12 years.
Training: Consistency is important, but the American
Bulldog is highly sensitive to the tone of its handler's voice,
making training a fairly simple process. It is inquisitive and quick
to learn simple tasks, yet unpredictable as it is a bit stubborn on
occasion. Training should begin as early in the American Bulldog's
life as possible. It retains what it learns for a very long time.
Activity: The American Bulldog is very energetic and
needs lots of exercise. American Bulldogs enjoy long walks, jogging,
playing catch, and agility or skills trials.
-Information
provided by http://www.puppyfind.com/
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