American Bulldog

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 11-14 years
The American Bulldog is considered to be a healthy breed and does not have too many medical conditions that afflict it. With that said, this does not mean that this breed is free from genetic and other health conditions that may occur. When breeders do not properly screen their pups, diseases are passed down and can be spread quite quickly and easily.

The American Bulldog has been known to suffer from the following conditions, hip dysplasia, thyroid problems, deafness, entropion, and bone cancer.

Hip dysplasia is a common disease found in many different breeds, specifically larger breeds. You need to keep an eye on your pup and have him or her properly screened. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint or socket is deformed. This causes pain for your pup and can lead to serious arthritis in the area.

Thyroid problems may affect your American Bulldog. It is important to have your pup checked if you think that there may be a thyroid problem. This condition can be managed with medication and an adjustment in diet. If your pup does have a thyroid condition, you may notice that he or she gains too much weight or is not able to gain any weight at all.

Deafness may be present in your pup and can be present when your pup is born, but it is not common. Most dogs will develop the condition later on in life. If you think your pup cannot hear or may be partially deaf, it is important to let your vet know, so that tests can be conducted.

Entropion occurs when the eyelid curls inward on your pup’s eye. This can lead to scratches on the eye from the eyelashes, and this can lead to an infection.

Bone cancer may develop in your American Bulldog. Your vet should regularly check for cancerous cells in your pup’s body. Early detection of cancer can save your pup’s life.

The American Bulldog has a life expectancy of 11 to 14 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The American Bulldog is considered to be a brave and reliable pup. You can count on him or her to be there when you need them and also to respond to your commands with ease and swiftness.

This breed is loyal to those who are in his or her family. This breed is not considered to be hostile or aggressive, but if he or she does not receive the proper socialization, he or she may be dog aggressive.

The American Bulldog is determined and will accomplish whatever he or she wants, whenever he or she wants it. This breed does well with children and treats them with respect. You can expect your pup to protect you and your family, and he or she will become a hero and do what needs to be done if your pup thinks that you are in a bad situation.

Your pup will act as a watchdog and alert you when intruders or strangers are nearby. You can expect your pup to be vocal about it. This breed is reserved with strangers, so a proper introduction is needed when you have guests over.

It is important to understand that this breed needs an owner who is a pack leader and will lead him or her. The American Bulldog tries to be alpha, so you need to work hard to make sure this does not happen.

Your pup will be easy to train and will listen to the commands that you give him or her, but you may run into some difficulty when your pup wants to be stubborn or act dominant.

The American Bulldog needs exercise and if he or she does not receive an adequate amount, you may notice that your pup is too rambunctious and destructive.

On a final note, this breed does drool and slobber a lot, so be prepared.

Grooming

Grooming your American Bulldog is quite easy. You only need to brush their coat once per week or as needed. Baths should only be given on occasion and as needed too. If you do need to bathe your pup, make sure you choose a mild shampoo.

You should clean your American Bulldog’s ears once per week to ensure that they are free from debris. Proper care will ensure that ear infections are avoided.

Lastly, you should trim your pup’s nails at least once per month to ensure that they do not grow too long, as this is painful for your pup.

Diet

Your American Bulldog will consume anywhere from 4 cups to 5 cups of dry food per day. It is important that you feed your pup a premium dry kibble that is packed with protein and nutrients needed to promote growth.

Your puppy’s food should be free from chemicals and fillers, as these provide no nutritional value to your pet. If you choose to feed your American Bulldog wet food, make sure that you only do it on occasion, as wet food is not nutritious.
 

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American Bulldog Puppies For Sale

Adopt An American Bulldog

Cost

An American Bulldog puppy will cost you about $800. The price of the puppy can rise or fall depending on the demand of the breed and the cost of the breeder. It is important to remember that the price does not determine the health of your puppy. With that said, a puppy who costs $300 is in no way more or less healthy than a pup that costs $900.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The American Bulldog is considered easy to groom and train, but he or she needs a leader who is going to be dominant and alpha. This breed does well with children and other pets, but you should supervise them as this breed can become wound up and rambunctious when not properly exercised. This breed is affectionate and will show you a lot of love. This breed ranks a 2.

 

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