American Bulldog dog. Description, features, care and price of the American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is one of the most fearsome, but at the same time reliable breeds of fighting dogs. A distinctive feature is its protective and hunting qualities, which are manifested excessively and this creates a negative reputation for the ambul. Raising an American Bulldog puppy is not easy work, which is why such wayward pets are recommended to breeders with extensive experience working with four-legged friends.

How did American Bulldogs originate?

According to one version, the American Bulldog is a direct descendant of the modern English Bulldog. Connoisseurs of the breed claim that the relationship with English relatives is low. The most famous bulldog breeder, John D. Johnson, believes that the modern American dog is a direct descendant of the Old English Bulldog (they do not exist in their pure form today) . Individuals once brought to the New World were crossed with pit bulls, mastiffs and bullmastiffs. This version is supported by the majority of dog handlers.

At the end of the 19th century, the bulldog was destined to change: a breed was developed that included breeds similar in temperament, but slightly different in appearance. This was explained by the fact that the breeders did not adhere to correct crossbreeding; an admixture of blood from other species was allowed. The modern ambul breed comes in two types: classic and standard.

Origin story

The description of the breed was first found in works of the 18th century. The territory of America was just beginning to be developed; the first settlers were transported to it along with their pets. The main way to feed themselves and their family was farming. People worked hard, the owners of farms and pastures were worried that their property needed protection. Bulldogs were reliable guards; it turned out that they could not only protect the owner and his property, but also serve as shepherds. Those bulldogs cannot be called American, but the modern breed has many similarities. Farmers were not particularly concerned about the appearance of the dogs; they needed a reliable protector. The breeders who bred the American breed centuries later worked on its appearance, obtaining the desired result.

Modern American bulldogs have completely transferred their character, strength, and fighting qualities from their ancestors. No matter how hard breeders work to change their appearance, dogs still feel like protectors and require competent education and training. In the 20th century, the breed standard was presented to the public and created a real sensation. There were immediately thousands of people willing to purchase such a reliable protector.

The presented characteristics of the American bulldog immediately attracted the interest of the police and security agencies. They took representatives of the breed into service.

In Russia, bulldogs gained particular popularity after a while - in the 90s of the last century. Celebrities became interested in them, American bulldogs began to appear on television and in the media, which attracted even more attention to them. The breed is still popular today.

Breed characteristics

The modern American Great Dane is an animal of medium size. Standard height varies from 52 to 65 cm. Adults have a body weight from 27 to 52 kg. As for the types of ambulas, the classic breeds are slightly larger: males are approximately 55-70 cm tall and weigh 27-57 kg. Males look much more massive than females. The life expectancy of pets is from 10 to 12 years.

Ambules are distinguished by the physique of fighting breeds. They are not distinguished by their long muzzles, their heads are very strong and wide, their skulls are square in shape. Classic Bulldogs have a slightly smaller and rounder head than Standard Bulldogs. The chin and cheeks are well defined. The breed is characterized by the presence of powerful jaws; the animal is distinguished by its large teeth. The nose is black or brown, with large nostrils, large. Round eyes set wide apart. The ears are strong, triangle-shaped, and set high. The neck is short and massive.

The American Bulldog has a straight body, slightly convex at the lower back. High backside may be present. His body, chest, shoulders, hips are powerful, well developed, paws are of medium length, straight, set wide. The tail is long, narrow at the tip, wide at the base, and does not curl. Representatives of this breed have short, shiny hair, its height is up to 15 mm.

Classic ambulatory standard - Johnson type

The classic Ambule breed or Johnson type closely resembles the Old English breed. It has a developed body and good muscle mass, and is an excellent guard. The dog is designed for dangerous and hard work, very energetic. The characteristics of the breed make it possible to easily cope with all difficulties. The main features are as follows:

• the paws have enormous strength, are round, set at an angle, the toes with claws form an arch shape;
• the head is large and square, proportional to the muscular, slightly sloping neck, the crown is slightly flat;
• the muzzle is wide, the nose is large, black;
• the eyes are almond-shaped, widely spaced;
• ears are medium-sized, semi-erect, set high;
• the jaw is massive, the teeth are strong;
• The coat is smooth and short.

The standard variety of the breed is the Scott type.

The Ambule of the standard variety or Scott type differs from the classic breeds in its more athletic build, slightly elongated muzzle and lighter weight. The standard bulldog breed was bred to chase prey and perform security functions. The animal has similar features to pit bulls. Personality: Can be aggressive. The Scott type is often called "mixed" or "hybrid". The animal has the following distinctive features:

• the head is square-wedge-shaped, less folds, muzzle - about 40% of the entire head;
• eyes are round, almond-shaped, medium-sized, black or brown;
• the teeth are strong, number - 42-44, the bite is moderate or pincer-shaped, the shape is reverse scissors;
• medium sized ears;
• The neck is muscular, slightly elongated, tapering towards the head, of medium size.

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The body of a standard bulldog type differs from the classic type. The features are as follows:

• the coat is short, smooth, soft is allowed, but generally hard, should not be long or curly;
• the shoulders have good muscles, the shoulder blades are wide and sloping;
• the chest is moderate, deep, the front part should not be very wide or narrow, the elbows are straight;
• the body is athletic, balanced, the ribs are convex, the stomach is tucked, the top line is straighter than the classic type, the hips are not narrow, but not wider than the shoulders, the back is short;
• The paws are of medium size, the toes are tightly packed, the movements of the limbs are athletic.

Breed color

The American Bulldog has a primarily white coat color. In color, a combination of white with red, red, and brindle markings is allowed. Spots of brindle or red colors sometimes occupy about 90% of the entire surface of the body. Red shades range from red-brown to just brown or red. The ambulant is not allowed to have black, black-brown, merle, red-black colors of the breed.

American Bulldog Personality

Pets are very sociable and active. Adult bulldogs are balanced, persistent, and determined. This animal will not sit quietly at home and will not become a simple pet, so during active walks it is necessary not only to play sports with the animal, but also to let it run quietly without a leash. Outwardly, your four-legged friend may seem overweight and immobile, but this is only the first impression. Bulldogs love to frolic, expressing their joy, and may not notice anything in their path. For this reason, you should not have a boule in a house where there are elderly people or small children.

Fighting character

The meaning of the word “bulldog” is “bull dog” and determines its fighting character. The American Bulldog was bred as an individual with a very strong character, with a penchant for fighting skills, the main task of which was baiting bulls. He is capable of becoming a versatile work assistant, and at the same time he will be independent and stubborn. Dominant traits may predominate in their character, which makes them excellent companions for working in a security agency.

Loyalty to the owners and uncompromising

The popularity of the ambul is in his attachment to the family and boundless devotion to his owners. In a family setting, they fully demonstrate their friendliness and affection, play willingly, and are very patient with small children. For an ambulant, the relationship with the owner is extremely important. Growing up, pets strive to understand the boundaries of what is permitted, so the owner must be attentive and demanding at the same time.

Trainability

The presence of high intelligence allows you to train a dog at the proper level, but its stubbornness and willfulness causes certain difficulties in training. Success will come when the owner copes with the dog’s desire to dominate, reassures the willfulness of its nature, and is persistent and decisive. However, if the command is learned, it will be remembered for a long time.

Hostility towards strangers

The peculiarity of amboules is that they are very attached to their owners, but are capable of showing aggression towards strangers, both people and animals. The attitude towards “strangers” will range from restrained, sometimes friendly, to a little aggressive and wary. Sometimes aggression manifests itself towards relatives. This is due to the dominant nature of the breed. To prevent this from happening, an even small puppy should be accustomed to other people, animals, and taught to communicate. Its competent socialization from the moment of birth is important.

Interesting Facts

Scientists believe that the intelligence of an ambulatory dog ​​is superior to that of a French bulldog, Rottweiler, Stafford, and Boston terrier. Celebrities who have chosen an American Bulldog as a pet:

• Adam Sandler.
• Pink.
• Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
• David Beckham.
• Charlize Theron.

The American Bulldog is not an aggressive, but a kind animal that can become a full-fledged member of the family. With the right approach to training and upbringing, the owner will not at all encounter an obstinate character and aggressiveness on the part of the pet. However, before buying an animal, you should understand that a dog requires significant financial expenditure and is also a big responsibility.

Maintenance rules and care

To properly care for your pet and monitor its hygiene, you should stock up on special equipment. You can find it at any pet store. Need to purchase:

• for combing - a rubber mitten;
• for washing - special shampoo for short-haired dogs;
• for brushing teeth - a brush and toothpaste;
• for paw care - a nail clipper.

The basic rules for keeping and caring for animals are not complicated. To keep your pet always fit and healthy, follow these recommendations:

1. The coat, even short, must be combed. You need to brush it weekly when shedding occurs - 2 times a week.
2. Every week you should check the animal for parasites, be sure to feel the belly, and brush the teeth.
3. Every day you need to wipe your eyes with a damp cloth, treat and clean the folds from saliva.
4. You need to bathe your bulldog as needed, but it is best once every 4 months.
5. Nails are trimmed once a month.

Getting used to walking and physical activity

This breed is very active and requires constant physical activity. During long walks, it is important to adhere to the following rules:

• do not let your pet struggle or pull on the leash;
• teach to move on a leash in different directions;
• allow free running only in specially designated areas;
• Exercise your dog regularly.

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Dog food

The dog is unpretentious in food. However, this does not mean that you can ignore the animal’s diet. Bulldogs need a balanced diet, especially during active growth. Three meals a day are optimal for puppies. It should consist of dry and wet food, natural additives in the form of rice, buckwheat, millet porridge, and corn flour. It is useful to give offal and beef meat, vegetables and dairy products. At the age of six months, for the normal health of the dog, it is recommended to transfer the puppy to two meals a day.

Health

Their unusual appearance and physical characteristics make these dogs vulnerable in terms of health. It is believed that they are predisposed to many diseases; compared to other species, nature has endowed these dogs with poor health. In order for the ambul to grow normally, develop, and not get sick, the owner must carefully, lovingly and carefully care for his pet. It is important to know which diseases have the highest predisposition:

• Allergic reactions - the most common food allergy, it can manifest itself either in the form of a minor rash on the skin or in the form of serious attacks of suffocation. There are also allergies to perfumes, shampoo or soap.
• Discopathy is a pathology of intervertebral discs.
• Dysplasia - affects the joints, accompanied by severe pain, lameness and even immobility.
• Deafness is congenital.
• Skin diseases.
• Eye diseases.
• Immunodeficiency is a severe pathology that leads to the development of other serious diseases due to a decrease in the body’s protective functions.
• Tumors of the perianal region are neoplasms that develop in close proximity to the anus.
• Cardiovascular system defect – congenital
• Problems with the respiratory system - snoring, difficulty breathing.
• Difficult birth.

With proper care, an ambulette can live 10-12 years.

Raising a pet and training

The training process should begin from the moment the animal appears in the house. It is important to define boundaries and set your own rules:

1. If the animal begins to bite, you need to stop it immediately in a stern voice.
2. Make sure that the puppy does not pull on the leash or bite it. From childhood, you should take your dog with you on a short leash, otherwise it will be difficult to keep an adult dog nearby.
3. Do not let your dog rest its front paws on people. The adult is a large bulldog that can drop a person.
4. Eat only from a bowl or the hands of the owners, and not pick it up from the ground (protection against poisoning and parasites).

The most important principle in raising and training a dog with a difficult character is the complete absence of compromises and concessions. She will feel any weakness. However, you need to understand that behind the stubbornness of the animal is the character, and not its stupidity. American bulldogs are very smart animals, so only persistent commands and the right actions of the owner will lead to the desired results.

Mating

Participating in mating is a female dog aged two years or older. Usually mating takes place on the tenth day of estrus, and after a couple of days the meeting of the pair is repeated.

After about a month or so, you can confirm with an ultrasound that pregnancy has occurred. On average, about eight puppies are born, but litters of 15 babies per pregnancy are also known. American bulldog puppies are born two months after mating; in the last month of pregnancy, the dog needs to be switched to an enhanced, more vitamin-rich diet with a high calcium content.

American Bulldog puppies

A female American bulldog is capable of giving birth to about 15 cubs weighing up to 500 g at a time. After a month and a half, these babies become very similar to an adult. By this time, the puppies should be completely weaned off their mother's milk, but complementary feeding should be done gradually. The food is not fatty - the dog quickly gains weight, which can negatively affect the puppy’s paws and the condition of the hock joints.

The breed is formed late: only by 2.5 years, sometimes by 3 years, the four-legged friend is fully grown. During this period, raising the animal should be as productive as possible. However, during walks you should not give a young puppy much physical activity. Duration of the walk: from 30 minutes to 2 hours. The duration of walking the dog increases gradually.

Where can I buy

It is best to buy a dog from kennels. They provide every fan of the breed with the opportunity to purchase an American Bulldog with a good pedigree and choose a completely healthy dog. You can buy it in such nurseries as:

• Guardian Angels, Moscow;
• TENDER BIS Russia, St. Petersburg;
• "Josser", Moscow;
• Guardian Angels, Moscow.

How to choose

When choosing a dog from a kennel, the first thing you need to do is ask the breeder for a certificate of veterinary examination of the puppy in the litter (6-8 puppies). The animal should be approximately 1.5-3 months old. A healthy ambul puppy has shiny fur, clean eyes and ears. The dog should be cheerful and active. If he is afraid of something or shows excessive aggression, then it is better to refuse such a purchase.

A healthy dog ​​weighs 5-6 kg. It is important to pay attention to his diet and behavior. There is no need to choose an ambulant that is too passive or very aggressive. Dog standard: agile, playful, little or no aggression. An important criterion is mutual sympathy. If a puppy or an adult animal shows interest in you, then in the future the dog will be able to become a real four-legged friend.

Diseases

Owners are always concerned about how long American bulldogs live , how to care for them so that they delight them with their devotion longer, and what diseases they should be afraid of.

Ambuli are strong and healthy animals. Most often they suffer from allergies and joint diseases. To avoid allergic reactions, you must adhere to a diet. Allergens can include household chemicals, food, insect bites, and reagents on city streets.

Dysplasia of the hip or elbow joints is common in bulldogs. These ailments sometimes require long-term treatment and surgical intervention. The degree of dysplasia can only be determined by a veterinarian; if it is advanced, the dog will not be able to lead a full life.

Bulldogs are also diagnosed with:

• entropion of the eyelid;
• deafness;
• immunodeficiency;
• pulmonary aortic stenosis;
• tumor in the perianal area.

Only regular visits to the veterinary clinic will help prevent health problems for your devoted pet.

Ambulance price

The cost of a dog depends on its pedigree and the availability of documents. The table shows the price for an ambulette without documents and pedigree:

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Like any dog ​​breed, the American Bulldog has its pros and cons. Among the advantages in the first place are loyalty, reliability as a guard, good learning ability, intelligence, self-control, the ability to quickly assess a situation in case of danger, a high threshold of arousal. This breed of dog, like no other, is capable of selflessness. The animal is ready to give its life for its family.

Disadvantages include the stubbornness and stubborn nature of the dog. If the owner does not make the proper effort in training, the animal can become dangerous. Among the physiological characteristics, many people do not like the animal’s excessive salivation and very loud snoring. It is difficult to keep a bulldog in an apartment; the animal tolerates loneliness very hard, yearning for its owner can damage furniture and tear wallpaper.

Application

A pet cannot be called universal in use, since it requires a certain amount of employment throughout its life. The dog will be a good companion if you work with him regularly. The history of the breed suggests its use for official purposes and for protection.

There are successful examples when American bulldogs were used in hunting to drive wild boars and even took part in a fight with a bear, while their modest size compared to a large predator did not prevent them from being successful.