American Bulldog - Origin and characteristics
When we see an American bulldog we have a rare feeling, then It seems to be seeing a giant English bulldog and in a way it is so, since this breed in its origin was how the American is now and had little to do with the animals that can barely move what we have now.
The lineage of the "American cousin" comes from England, although it developed separately in the new continent in which it adapted to some functions that saved it from the complete extinction, which was about to happen.
- Size: medium or large, depending on the line to which it belongs.
- Weight: 55 to 70 kilos.
- Hair type: Short, smooth and thick.
- Character: strong. Affectionate with its owners, but it can be very territorial and dominant.
- Health: Very good due to how it has been selected for decades.
- Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years.
Origin of American Bulldog
Here we cannot go back many centuries, as it happens with European breeds, but you just have to go at the beginning of the 19th century, when England emigration to the United States was very large.
With the emigrants were their dogs and among them was the one who was then the English bulldog, whose appearance resembled that of which today is the American bulldog, a powerful, strong and functional dog.
While the English race crossed Pugs in order to become the companion dog that is today, when the harassment of bulls was banned as sport, it remained intact on the other side of the ocean.
The emigrants took advantage of the strength of these animals and used them in the guard of their properties and also in hunting, without any care when raising them and crossing them, since for them it was a mere working dog.
His jaw also helped a lot at cattle fairs, where he could hold the cattle without suffocating for his snout, and we must also mention that he was used in dog fights in the United States.
In addition to all these tasks, some to forget, one of the ones that did best was the hunting of wild pigs, which were introduced in North America, and that not having predators became a plague.
In fact, it is said that this was what saved him from extinction, then At the end of World War II there were no copies of the race as such and only resurfaced thanks to the efforts of John D. Johnson, an ex -combatant who returned home decided that he had to do something.
He looked for the best specimens that remained and began a breeding program, which has arrived until today with the participation of many people, although the race has not yet been recognized by the International Canine Federation.
Characteristics of the American Bulldog
One of its main characteristics is your physique. We immediately realize that we are facing an athletic dog, with enormous strength and with a very powerful jaw.
Right now there are two breeding lines. One is the so -called "bully" that gives heavier specimens and the other is called "standard" and gives lighter dogs. Therefore, in the standard of the breed a maximum weight is not mentioned, nothing more than is provided with respect to the body.
The elevation is large, from 53 to 67 centimeters to the cross, which combined with a weight that is around 40 kilos in males makes it impose respect for anyone who sees it.
By standard it must have prognathism, the lower jaw is advanced with respect to the superior, which makes it bite even more force, something that comes from its time when it faced bulls and other animals.
The hair is very short and at least 10% of your body must be white, although almost all dogs have the mantle of this color, accepting almost all except for black, blue, mirlo and tricolor.
Despite how strong it is, when they walk they have to give a feeling of fluidity, that they move with total ease without their weight affecting them.
There is a number of differences between both lines, which in our opinion helps little to the race, or at least to recognize it internationally. In fact, even the different American clubs differ in what they allow or not, accepting one of them that cut their tail.
American bulldog character
He is very comfortable with those who consider his own, with his owner and his family. With them he will be affectionate and very protective, but That changes with the strangers who do not accept as well as And it will only relax if they see that they are friends or acquaintances of their owners.
It is very territorial, which makes it an exceptional guard dog (its origins are in the care of farms), but that can cause us some problem, especially with other dogs that it does not accept.
Therefore, and in order that it is not dangerous when we are away from home, the best thing we can do is socialize it from a very young age, surround it with other dogs and people as soon as you have the first vaccines placed.
In fact, It would not be a bad idea to visit a trainer soon, especially if we notice that he begins to want to dominate us or show aggressiveness at very early ages.
American bulldog health
They have a very strong health, since we must not forget that since their appearance they were selected in order to be useful on farms and for hunting, so the specimens with tares and less agile were discarded.
Now, breeders take into account health, much more than in other races, although As a large dog there are diseases that can be suffered, among which are hip dysplasia and elbow.
Completely white animals suffer more allergies than usual and also deafness, which is a common disorder to the dogs of other races with this mantle.
They usually snoring the shape of the head, although this is not a problem and the eyes are another of their weak points, especially if we choose a puppy of one of the lines that focus a lot on “creating” very striking heads, because that makes their eyes cry.
They live between 12 and 14 years, almost a record in dogs of this weight and size, so that choosing a good breeder we have assured that health problems will be uncommon.
Feeding
As with all dogs, you always have to seek a feed of quality, better if it is of premium range, of those that do not carry grains and that are manufactured with flesh or fish suitable for human consumption.
Yes indeed, We must know that they are quite tragons, so they have a tendency to gain weight and your weight will have to be controlled Throughout his life, for which we can take measures such as using a I think light.
When choosing it we will always do it according to the veterinarian, who will be the one to pay for the amounts that he must eat in order to be healthy.
Anyway, we can avoid obesity if we give it the recommended portions for its weight, with the exact amount, seeing how it affects their body because not all dogs have the same metabolism, so that we can go up or lowering the amount depending on whether it thinns or fattens.
It is convenient that we give some of those snacks that they sell to clean the teeth, that they will be healthier while doing what this race like is to eat.
What care do you need?
His care is very simple, starting with his hair, very short and dense, that it is barely necessary to brush, because we do it once a week with a mituation or rubber comb.
The bathrooms can also be spaced if you do not stain in mud areas or smells badly, and we will always wear a dog shampoo with this type of mantle, although it will not be necessary if we brush it every week.
Yes you have to be a little more careful with eyes and ears. The former usually cry a lot, so we can clean them with gauze and physiological serum, at least once every two days or when we see that tears accumulate.
As for the ears, like all the dogs that have the closed auditory pavilion, they have some tendency to otitis. We can clean them with the same serum and the gauze we use in the eyes or with a product for the cleaning of ears.
We will go to the veterinarian if you have otitis, something we will know if you walk with your head tilted and shake it a lot, and also because of the bad smell that the inside of the ear gives off.
How much exercise does the American Bulldog need?
The American bulldog is a dog that must exercise, but always with some moderation.
You can run next to its owner and go to the bike side, although It is important that we avoid the days with very hot, because it can suffer a collapse due to the shape of its jaw, being an animal that breathes worse than other dogs.
The physical constitution is what limits it, because it will not be the fastest dog or the first in Agility competitions, although it can practice various sports disciplines.
Anyway, he will settle for the walks that we give daily like any other dog, because he will not leave them to run ten km every day.
Summarizing, it is an animal that is formed with a moderate exercise And that you can do some of more intensity if we help you a little, although for this it is best to visit the veterinarian before in order to check how you have the hips and elbows.
Can I have an American bulldog?
This is a race that can live with us in the city if we have a wide floor, because it is a large dog that should not be locked in 30 square meters.
You will have enough to leave several times to the park and we can release it so that we run whenever we have the opportunity, that is, when it does not bother, nor scare anyone and cannot fight with other dogs.
The greatest limitation to have an American bulldog is experience, since as happens with all races of this type, it is not the best for those who have not had dogs before, since their character is usually very strong.
It is true that we can take them to a trainer to help us, but It is better that if it is our first dog we opt for another race with less force and less territorial, which will not give us problems.
When it comes to having a very strong race, it is not usually mentioned, but the truth is that we should have a certain physical strength to be able to get an American bulldog to the street, since if we lack it it is likely that we end up on the ground without the possibility of controlling it if it attacks, something that can happen.
If it is well socialized, there is no problem in which you live with children, especially if you have raised with them from puppy. In fact, it is normal for protecting the children from their family to a point that it is advisable to comment to strangers not to approach the little ones when bulldog is with them.
Finally, despite the fact that it is a rather stubborn dog and Cabazota, the truth is that training is not as complicated as it may seem to the naked eye. In fact, they usually learn tricks very quickly and do not take long to sit, shake hands, etc., although another thing is that we get well with other dogs.
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