A. The average lifespan for an American bulldog is 8-12 years.
Q. Do these dogs need a lot of room to run?
A. No, but they do need to be walked and played with to keep them in
top physical shape.
Q. How big do they get?
A. Males are 24' to 27' at the shoulder and 85 to 100lbs. Females are
23' to 25' at the shoulder and 65 to 85lbs on the average.
Q. Is it customary to get a 6-month health guarantee on a
purchased puppy?
A. Most "reputable" Breeders give a few days for a
"full refund" and a one year genetic guarantee that is only
void when you breed, sell or give the dog away or don't meet the terms
of the contract you signed.
Q. Are American Bulldogs aggressive?
A. They can be if not properly socialized or trained early, but are
not aggressive by nature. Starting the day of purchase it is important
the puppy to "gently" know who the "boss" is. If
this is done you will have a happy, confident, stable companion who will
readily give his life to save you and yours. Obedience training is a
must!
Q. Do these dogs breed naturally?
A. Yes, the reproduce 100% naturally and have up 6-15 pups in a
litter.
Q. Are American Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogge, Hermes
Bulldog, Alapaha Bluebloods, Old English Whites, the same breed?
A. No, they are not the same breed although they may share common
ancestors.
Q. What are people talking about when they say that they have
"Scott", "Painter", "Hines",
"Blackwell", "Johnson" dogs or lines?
A. These are names of American Bulldog Breeders and some are
established bloodlines. Both "types" have a certain
"look" that the breeder is trying to promote. There really is
no Painter Bloodline since he never bred long enough to establish a
bloodline. Scott and Hines, or as the type is now known as,
"Standard Type" tend to have longer thinner muzzles and are
taller and slimmer dog with little underbite. Johnson or rather
"Old" Johnson and Blackwell lines now called "Bully or
Classic Type" have shorter, broader muzzles and are low slung dogs
with more muscular thick bodies with an underbite. John D. Johnson has
branched away from the American Bulldog in 1998 to create the JDJ
bulldog, which is a very tall dog with a "Standard type" body
and a "Bully" head. This is to be considered a different
breed, which is now registered with John D. Johnson. Performance type
are refereed to by breeders who work their dogs in Schutzhund/Protection
or catch wild hog and are breeders preferring the extreme Standard Type
& have usually bred Pitbull Terriers in the past.
Q. Why aren't American Bulldogs registered with CKC or AKC?
A. American Bullldogs are considered a "Rare Breed"
(relatively small in numbers and inconsistent in type). Until CKC and
AKC member's vote for ABs to be recognized in the Miscellaneous class,
the breed will continue to be registered with the ABA (American bulldog
Association). ABA is promoting consistency in type and betterment of the
breed through ethical breeder memberships. There are many other
associations that register American Bulldogs. Some of the other ones are
ARF (Animal Research Foundation), NABA (National American Bulldog
Association), NKC (National Kennel Club), ABKC (American Bulldog Kennel
Club), UKC (United Kennel Club), WWKC (World Wide Kennel Club) to name a
few. Not all of them are reputable or conciencious about the breed.
Q. Are American Bulldogs expensive to buy?
A. They do cost more than the most common breeds usually
$800.00-$1,500.00 depending on the quality, and
guarantee offered. Because of how rare good quality ones are
(ones who have tested clear of Hip Dysplasia, and have some titles),
most breeders have had to import or ship their breeding stock and have
paid top dollar for them as well. They have priced their pups
accordingly. Most pet owners find the cost of a puppy minimal
considering the years of enjoyment that owning a "unique"
breed not just anyone has, or could afford, brings them.
Q. Do they require any special grooming?
A. No. They do need to have their ears dried especially well after a
bath (once a month), with a couple drops of baby oil in each ear. This
is a single coated non-smelling breed that does minimally shed 2x a
year.
Q. Do they dock their tails and crop their ears?
A. No, they cannot be shown in some associations, if that is done.
However your breeder may remove the dewclaws and dock the tails if you
request it to be done.
Q. Can I show or work my American Bulldog?
A. Yes. There is many clubs that offer events and titles for
"Rare Breeds". You can participate in Weight pulling, hang
time, tug of war, conformation, obedience, fly ball, pet therapy,
agility and many more. If you go to the US American Bulldog events
include hog catching, protection and Schutzhund. You may want to ask
your breeder about them or contact your local breed club. In Canada we
have the American Bulldog Club of Canada (705) 382-0519 or razoredg@onlink.net
Q. Is the American Bulldog sensitive to the heat and cold?
A. Yes. The American Bulldog does not have an undercoat and is
sensitive to "extremes" in temperature. He can be housed
outside in the winter if a heat source is provided and may suffer in the
summer if it is very humid outside. The shorter the muzzle the more heat
sensitive he will be & can die from heat exhaustion.
Q. What is better the Johnson/Bully type or the Scott/Standard
type?
A. Johnson/Classic/Bully types can suffer in the heat& and may
become winded easier than the hybrid or the Standard Types . The
Standard Types may be a little more excitable and very athletic. It is
up to you to decide what you want in an American Bulldog.
Q. Are they good with other dogs?
A. They can be, there is not usually a problem if both dogs are
spayed or neutered.
Q. Why do they have an underbite?
A. This is a trait man developed (not found in dogs naturally), which
aids the AB in performing his tasks of catching and keeping hold, of the
cattle or wild boar.
Man felt the canine correct "scissor" bite would not
"hold" the beasts well and may even tare and damage the
animals and bred to perpetuate the underbite..
