Should I Get An American Bulldog?

Can you provide a lot of exercise and mental stimulation for an American Bulldog?

Do you have small children or elderly family members?

Can you provide a lot of socialization that American Bulldog require?

Do you have any small pets or other dogs?

Do you mind having a dog that cannot be trained easily?

Can you deal with shedding, slobbering, and potential gassiness (flatulence)?

Do you mind having a pet that is predisposed to many health issues?

American Bulldog needs to have regular exercise and mental stimulation. They are quick to become bored - which they usually express with barking and destructive chewing. American Bulldogs were never intended to be just household pets. They need regular running, hiking, swimming, and biking, or to get involved in weight-pulling, tracking, obstacle courses, or any similar canine activity.

Young American Bulldogs are known to jump with great force. If you have small children, or if you or someone who lives with you is older or infirm, getting an American Bulldog puppy is not recommended.

Many American Bulldogs have a protective instinct towards strangers. They need extensive exposure to people to learn to recognize the normal behavior of people. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone.

Many American Bulldogs will not tolerate another dog of the same sex. Some American Bulldogs have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.

The best American Bulldogs are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they are stubborn with an independent mind of their own which makes them very difficult to train. The owners of these dogs must do their best to let them know who is in charge. Absolute consistency and persistence are necessary for American Bulldogs to be trained properly.

For a shorthaired dog American Bulldogs shed a great deal of fur. Their short coarse hairs will stick to clothing and furnishings. Some American Bulldogs, especially those with loose heavy cheeks and lips, slobber and drool after eating and drinking. Potential gassiness (flatulence) is another problem with American Bulldogs. Fortunately, this problem can be alleviated with a homemade diet of real meat and vegetables.

American Bulldogs have high rates of hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 2100 American Bulldogs and found 36% dysplastic. In addition, 20% of nearly 500 elbow X-rays were dysplastic. Skin problems are also very common in American Bulldogs. Demodectic mange occurs in the breed, especially in American Bulldog puppies and adolescents. Hypothyroidism is being reported with increasing frequency in American Bulldogs.

If you want a muscular and powerful dog that thrives on vigorous athletic activities and has a sleek, easy-to-groom coat an American Bulldog may be the right choice for you.