The Ameican Bulldog as a breed

FYI...Riggo had a great day. He was loose in my room half the day and crated the other half. We went on a 30 minute walk and he behaved very well. Once home we worked on "down" using cheese. He caught right on and is resting now. He was happy to lie on the cool floor when all done and even rolled over for a tummy rub today. :)

Description: The American Bulldog remains higher on the leg, more agile and swifter than its English The sturdy and powerful, yet compact frame, is characteristically stockier and heavier boned in the males and more refined in the females. American Bulldog color is white or white with patches of color. Up to 85% color allowed. Head must be minimally 15% white. Patches of color may be fawn and/or brindle. Fawn shades vary from tan to mahogany. All shades of brindle accepted. Serious Fault- More than 85% color. Disqualification- black mask, patches of solid black, patches of solid gray.

Gait: An American Bulldog should move with speed, agility and power. His movement should be balanced, sure and powerful with strong forereach and a powerful rear drive. The legs are parallel but as speed increases the legs will converge under body towards a center line, but should never cross. A slightly rolling gait is acceptable in the Classic type American Bulldog due to muscle mass.

Temperament: The American Bulldog is loyal, reliable, brave and determined. Not a hostile dog. Alert and self-confident, this breed genuinely loves children. It is known for its acts of heroism towards its master. They have strong protective instincts, and need a firm, confident, consistent pack leader. Developed to serve as a guard, working and companion dog the American Bulldog is alert, courageous and self-assured. At times aloof with strangers, the American Bulldog tends to take cues from his master and react accordingly. When appropriate, the American Bulldog is either quick to form friendships or quick to stand guard. With his family, the American Bulldog longs for attention and approval and can be quite clownish in nature. The behavior of the American Bulldog in the show ring should be animated and the dog should submit without objection to examination. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master, it should not be nervous or show nervous reactions. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Some assertiveness toward other dogs is not considered a fault.

Height, Weight: Height- Dogs 22-28 inches (55-70 cm.) Bitches 20-26 inches (52-65 cm.)Weight- Dogs 70-120 pounds (32-54 kg.) Bitches 60-100 pounds (27-45kg.)

Living Conditions: The American Bulldog will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard.

Exercise: The American Bulldog should be taken on a long daily walk.

Life Expectancy: Up to 16 years

Grooming: The short, harsh coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.

Origin:
Early Bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bull bating. Some of these dogs emigrated with their masters from England to America. The American version has longer legs and more speed and agility than the English show dog and started out as a southern farm dog, used to herd cattle and hunt boar. The dog had a square head and muscular, athletic body. Twenty-five years ago or so, John D. Johnson and Alan Scott decided that this wonderful working breed should be recognized as a breed and that ABs should be registerable as pure-breed dogs. They were successfully able to petition the Animal Research Foundation (ARF) to recognize these dogs. The biggest problem was making sure that the genetic pool was wide enough that these dogs would not be inbred. To expand the genetic pool of the AB, a certain amount of outcrossing was done. Alan Scott mainly crossed with Pit-Bulls and John D. Johnson crossed with English Bulldogs and Mastiffs. Over the years, these two lines developed into very distinct types, with Scott-type dogs of today, still showing similar traits to the Pit-Bull. Scott type dogs are compact and muscular, very athletic with a tendency to have long muzzles. Scott type dogs also have a tendency to dog aggression and make excellent hunting dogs, but lack somewhat in their ability to do man-work. Johnson-type often give a very English-Bulldoggy type appearance. They have a tendency to be too large for any real work, however, they do have a work ethic and can perform for short periods of time when the weather is not too warm. Johnson type dogs are less drivey than their Scott or Standard counterparts, possibly due to the fact that a great many Johnson-type breeders keep their dogs in overweight condition. Over the years, many breeders have decided that the dog should really resemble the original southern AB. These breeders bred the two types together and re-created a more functional, bulldoggy-looking American Bulldog....the Standard or Hybred typeThe American Bulldog has also been used as a guard and in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They have even been trained to drive cattle and guard stock from predators. Farmers prize these dogs for their stamina, protectiveness, intelligence and working abilities. Some of the American Bulldogs talents are hunting, watchdog, tracking, weight pulling, and guarding.

Group: Mastiff
Recognition: ABA, ARF, UKC, NKC, NABA, ARBA, JDJB, ABCC, AABC, NKC, CKC, APRI, ACR