American Bulldogs
American Bulldogs appeared in the USA, but they trace their origin to the UK. In the middle of the 19th century, when bull baiting was outlawed in Great Britain, all fighting breeds lost their popularity and became extinct or underwent serious modification to fit to the role of family pets or working dogs. Fighting Bulldogs of the original type were transformed to short, stocky, and very quiet dogs named English Bulldogs. Some fighting dogs were taken to the New World to assist the settlers in their difficult life. The strain of dogs taken to the USA formed a new breed – the American Bulldog. It was preserved by workers and farmers who needed a guard dog, a hunter, and a herder. This breed retains the best features of its ancestors, but lacks its aggression and ferocity. Among all present-day Bulldogs, the American Bulldog is closer to their agile and strong common ancestor.
Today, American Bulldogs are still popular for their working abilities and strength. They are used for hunting, catching escaped pigs and driving carts. This breed makes good cattle drovers and working K-9s. American Bulldogs are good at Schutzhund, Iron Dog competition, French Ring, weight pulling, and other sports. Since this breed has no AKC recognition, it cannot compete in AKC conformation, agility, and obedience. Lack of AKC recognition is in a way good for the breed, because its personality and working abilities are more important for the breeders and buyers that correspondence to the breed standard, as it happened with the English Bulldog and many other breeds.
American Bulldogs vary considerably in size and coat color. The weight of these dogs varies from 60 to 125 lbs (27 and 57 kg;) the wither size of the American Bulldog varies from 20 to 28 inches (52 and 70 cm.) The coat of the American Bulldog is very short, and coarse. The common coat colors are solid white or white with brindle, fawn, black, or blue patches. Any coat color is accepted in this breed, if white is presented somewhere in the coat.
The American Bulldog is not for anyone. Like all large and powerful breeds, it needs a strong-willed and experienced owner. These dogs bond strongly with the owner and thrive on attention. They tend to be protective and territorial when guarding the house. Poorly trained American Bulldogs can become dominating, stubborn, and difficult to control.
