Feel sympathy for dogs whose appearance screams for power, strength, fearlessness and confidence? Then take a look at the American Bulldog breed. These dogs have a lot of advantages, but also conceal some difficulties in training and breeding. We consider all the pros and cons in the article.
Origin
The American Bulldog is the closest descendant of the Old English Bulldog. From ancient times, these dogs were assistants to hunters and farmers. They are fearless, powerful and like no one loyal to the owner.
American Bulldog: breed description
The nature of these dogs is friendly and sociable. They are very active, strong, persistent, decisive and self-confident. The American Bulldog is the owner of incredible energy. A dog will never become a couch potato. With such a four-legged friend, you must definitely go in for sports, run and walk for a long time. In no case should a dog be brought up by chance: prone to domination, they may not perceive the owner as a leader, then keeping the pet will become almost impossible.
The height of the dogs on average is from 58 to 69 cm, weight - from 34 to 56 kg.
The height of the bitches varies from 53 to 66 cm, and the weight - from 27 to 47 kg.
American bulldogs are not bulky, while their body is quite voluminous and strong. The muscles are well developed, the chest is wide, with convex ribs. A powerful back goes into a slightly convex lower back.
Small, a little hanging. May be slightly raised on the cartilage, pulled back or tight to the cheekbones.
Straight, very thick at the base. Set low, lowered down at rest.
Shorthair.
From white to red and brindle. Spots can occupy up to 90% of the body. Color without the presence of white color is considered unacceptable, just like the presence of black and marble colors.
American Bulldog: breed characteristics, reviews
As mentioned earlier, the American Bulldog is a lively, energetic dog not used to sitting still. Consider the nature of this animal in more detail.
- Attitude towards children.
What to expect from an American Bulldog breed dog? Responses of owners say that no matter how external the severity representatives of this breed possess, they treat children well. The most important thing is that the dog fully trusts his master, respects him and feels like a pet, not the head of the family. Then the animal will be patient with the child, will play with him and protect in case of danger.
At the sight of a stranger, the dog behaves restrained and wary. Will not show aggression. Of course, if the stranger would not pose a danger to her master.
- Relation to other animals.
As a rule, the American bulldog is aggressive towards other animals. This can be avoided if the dog is properly raised.
Representatives of this breed are easily trained, quickly assimilate a variety of cynological disciplines, whether it is a security service, obedience or trace work. It is worth noting that the dog is suitable for an experienced owner who previously had other pets. The novice dog breeder will not cope with the upbringing, as well as a weak person.
Care Features
The dog is short-haired, so there will be no difficulties in grooming. You only have to periodically file or trim the nails and clean your ears.
The average life span of an animal is 10-16 years. The breed is characterized by diseases such as allergies, lung stenosis, dysplasia of the elbow and hip joints. These very serious diseases can entail high treatment costs for the owner.
Varieties of breed
Large muscular dogs with a square head of the American Bull breed are a type of American bulldog that has not been accepted by any cynological club to date.
There are no specific principles or standards for this variety. American Bull can be anything in height and weight. The main thing is that the dog seemed proportionate and not obese.
The American Bull, in turn, is divided into several subspecies:
- Pocket - males at the withers reach 43 cm, females - 40 cm.
Massive dogs at low speed. Perhaps the most “shocking” variety of breed with well-developed muscles. Before you get such a dog, you should think about the psyche of your neighbors.
- Standart - male height 43-51 cm, female - 40-48 cm.
Tall, stocky, full of strength and health dogs. Such a pet needs frequent long walks and physical activity. Will be a great companion for morning jogging.
- XL - at the withers of males from 51 to 58 cm, bitches - from 48 to 56 cm.
The highest representatives of the breed, reaching at the withers up to 58 cm. There are representatives up to 60 cm tall. Reliable defenders and faithful pets.
- Extreme There is no clear standard for describing a variety.
They are determined by the structure of the body. They are distinguished by massiveness, large body weight and developed musculature.
- Classic also do not have standards.
Dogs of this variety are characterized by a "light" format, have a lower body weight than all others.
The decision to have an American bulldog is more than serious. Before buying, you must definitely study all the subtleties of the breed in order to be ready, if not for any, but for most of the surprises in education and training. Once again, I want to repeat that the dog is suitable for a person with great willpower and steel character. Only then will the pet accept the owner as the leader of the pack, listen and implicitly trust.