American Bulldog

The Ambulldog is considered tender, jovial and very expressive towards members of the family. Therefore they make very pleasant companion dogs, especially with children.

The clown-like side of this athletic dog, make this breed particularly enthusiastic when it comes to playing. Beware of their enormous amounts of energy which must be channeled from a young age.

This dog will be calm once it has used up its energy. That being said, they appreciate family life, especially spending time with their master, with whom they will become attached to very quickly. They will adapt a lot depending on their owner’s mood.

Built for work, whether as a watchdog for the Bully type or farm dog for the Standard type, their fine intelligence is put at the service of the missions entrusted to them.

The American Bulldog, Standard type (or Scott) is from a cross with a Pitbull, and has a much more accentuated hunter instinct than the Bully type (or classic) which is exclusively used for the guarding.

Very suspicious and vigilant around strangers, the American Bulldog should not be too shy or aggressive because this is considered a flaw. By nature, this dog is wary of strangers but never attacks without reason.

These dogs are very loyal and have an unfaltering admiration for their owners and all those around them.

Since this dog is very close to the members of its adoptive family, it does not cope well with loneliness. An American Bulldog will suffer if left isolated or excluded and gradual habituation to short absences is necessary.

In no case can an American Bulldog remain alone at home for an entire day, otherwise serious behavioural disorders could develop (excessive barking, destruction, separation anxiety, etc.). Ambulldogs require their families to be available and present to feel safe.

Although more docile than their molosser cousins, the American Bulldog remains a bit stubborn and can be difficult to educate, especially by amateur masters.

However, if a relationship of trust and mutual respect between the master and his dog is established and the educational methods respect the principles of positive and non-violent education, it can be very pleasant to interact with an American Bulldog. 

One must not in any case seek any balance of power with him, at the risk of fanning his aggression and turn him into a dangerous dog. There are no bad dogs, only bad teachers, so it is important to know how to educate a dog with firmness and gentleness before adopting this breed.

Socialisation will have to be one of the key points of your dog’s education because this breed tends to want to dominate other dogs, sometimes seeking a fight.

The Ambulldog rarely barks, their presence alone serves as a deterrent.

Far too faithful and close to their social group, this guard dog prefers to stay with their family to watch over them and participate in family life rather than run away.

Be careful though the Standard type can be more of a hunter than the Bully and can therefore be tempted to chase after prey. But they’ll always find their way back home.

The powerful jaw of this mastiff can do a lot of damage, especially when they’re left alone without having been trained to handle loneliness.

Given their strong attachment to their social group, it is usually objects that smell of their owners that will be the victims of the American Bulldog’s destruction (a phone, the remote control, cushions, the sofa, etc.).

However, if these dogs have not had enough exercise and are unable to use up their energy then they will take out any frustrations on everything they come across, mainly exits (doors and curtains etc.)

A very good eater, be careful not to overfeed this dog because it should under no circumstances be overweight. It is therefore important to ration your meals and avoid giving too many treats outside of mealtimes.

The American bulldog (and particularly the Bully type) is an excellent guard dog that is committed to protecting family from any intrusion. Vigilant and courageous, they are afraid of nothing and will not hesitate to impose themselves to defend their family. On the other hand, they are never aggressive without reason, especially if well trained and socialised.

Country life is an ideal living environment for this breed, but they can still cope with city life, in an apartment, if regularly let out every day (a minimum of 3 daily walks).

With very little ability to handle isolation and loneliness, it is advisable to let your bulldog sleep indoors, in the warmth.

The American Bulldog is a sporty dog, endowed with a lot of energy that must be used up every day to avoid developing behavioural disorders related to boredom.

It is best to be a dynamic person to adopt this dog, to offer various physically stimulating activities. But beware, their squashed noses can unfortunately cause some breathing problems; intense exercise, especially when hot, should be avoided.

This dog can reach a fairly impressive size and is not the easiest canine to carry. Additionally, their categorisation as a breed can hinder smooth travel.

Because they can be very predatory, cohabitation with a cat can be complicated and is not recommended. Nevertheless, there are of course exceptions and in many cases it is possible, especially if both pets have grown up together.

If well socialised from an early age, the American Bulldog puppy can get along with other dogs but beware, with this dog, nothing is guaranteed.

Even when he is a puppy and gets on well with his peers, he could still "click" when he reaches his physical and emotional maturity (about 18 months) and become more aggressive. In fact, socialisation must be constant in order to have a socially balanced dog.

On the other hand, there is no chance of two dogs of the same sex living together, especially males.

This breed loves children and enjoys playing with them. However, as it is the case for all other breeds, it is not advisable to leave a child alone with a dog unattended or to let a child irritate a dog.

Safety rules must be in place for children to learn to respect this dog and to cohabit serenely (do not disturb them when they’re in their basket, do not ride on their back, pull their ears or tail, ask parents for permission before playing etc.).

Since this dog needs owners who are available and present, retired people can prove to be good masters for the American Bulldog but must still be dynamic enough to meet their energy needs.

Not particularly easy to train and being very powerful, this dog cannot afford to be adopted by novice or lax owners. Training must be both firm and gentle, it is appropriate to find the right balance to highlight all the good qualities of this dog who, unfortunately, has a bad reputation.