Information On American Bulldogs

By Author: Ricardo Lumbardo
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American bulldogs are athletic, a little intimidating but very beautiful dogs. These dogs have a complex personality and they can be full of energy and protective about their owners. These dogs are quickly becoming popular as working dogs and as family pets.

Background on the Breed

Originally, the American bulldog breed had been used in the 17th century for guarding homes, bull baiting and catching livestock. Then, they made their way to the US as working dogs and for gambling purposes. Bull baiting was outlawed in 1835 in the UK and the breed slowly gained popularity as family pets, now known as the English bulldog. The breed itself hasn’t undergone much change. They weren’t quite popular in World War II and were on the brink of extinction. However, with preservation efforts they are once again in our midst and are thriving.

Appearance and Traits

American bulldogs have a stocky and muscular appearance. They can have a wide range of expressions on their faces. Brindle, fawn and white are common colors for coats with these dogs. Fully grown dogs can weigh typically from 60 to 125 pounds and ...
... can be 20 to 28 inches tall at shoulders. The classic variety tends to be larger than standard breed that is known for its shorter muzzle. There are several mixes of both these variations also available. These dogs can make a very devoted pet for the family. Over the years they have been known for their heroism acts and they have great protective traits. However, they can also be aggressive towards strangers and other animals. Those who intend to bring these dogs home should ensure that have a good amount of time on their hands to devote to them.

Training and Health Issues

In order to have a well behaved pet it would be necessary to socialize and train them from a very early age. These dogs can be trained to be friendly with other dogs if they are trained well. Their coat is low maintenance and therefore they need to be bathed and brushed as needed. Elbow and hip dysplasia are two conditions that affect these dogs. Some of the eye conditions that owners should know about are enropion, retinal dysplasia and third eyelid prolapse. At birth, these dogs may be deaf or the condition may develop with age. They may also have a congential defect, patent ductus arteriosis that causes their lung blood vessels to be open post birth. Because of this, extra blood flows into their lungs.

These were a few basic health problems to look out for if you plan to get a puppy home. With proper care it is possible to avoid all problems. American bulldogs can easily live 8 to 15 years healthily as a loving family pet.

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