Riverina Bulldog Kennel

Breeding American Bulldogs

 INFORMATION

 

Our first litter for FBK'S Juda was over FBK'S Marlyn and was on her fourth heat. These pups have proved to be everything of

the Ab standard and more! Juda's puppies were always a treasured part  of our family and

when it came time (8wks) for them to go we were devastated, each one holding a special place in our hearts. It was a great

family experience and we loved and cherished every moment. 

 Every one of the new owners being  thrilled with their new bulldog pups. We do have contact details for anyone interested in hearing testimonies first hand.

We like to keep in touch with the new owners and see regular photos of our babies! 

 

 American Bulldog Details 

Height: Height- Dogs 22-28 inches (55-70 cm.) Bitches 20-26 inches (52-65 cm.)

Weight: Dogs 70-120 pounds (32-54 kg.) Bitches 60-100 pounds (27-45kg.)

Colour: combinations of solid or varying degrees of white, all shades of brindle, brown, red, or tan.  

Coat: short, harsh coat  

General Appearance: Large, very muscular, sturdy dog with a large, powerful head and jaws. He is very strong, but agile and light on his feet. The head is square and broad with muscular cheeks and a furrow between the rounded eyes. The strong muzzle is shaped like a box. A variety of ear types are acceptable including rose, half-pricked and pendant.

Temperament: American Bulldogs should not be excessively timid, shy or aggressive towards man and preferably not overly aggressive with other dogs.

Characteristics: Essential characteristics of the American Bulldog are those which enable it to work as a hog and cattle catching dog, and a protector of personal property. These tasks require a powerful, agile, confident dog with a large head and powerful jaws. The American Bulldog is a gentle, loving family companion who is fearless enough to face an angry bull or a human intruder; Good with children; Good with pets

Lifespan: Up to 16 years

Recommended for: Firm, Responsible people & families.

 

Grooming- The short, harsh coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.

Exercise- Moderate exercise is needed.

Health- A very healthy, hardy dog. Some strains have hip dysplasia. Please watch out  for breeders that haven't had their stock tested. 

History-  Early Bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bull bating. Some of these dogs emigrated with their masters from England to America. Eventually the English Bulldog was bred down in size and his personality was softened, but the American version remained a larger, fiercer dog.
The American version has longer legs and more speed and agility than the English show dog. Thanks to the efforts of John D. Johnson and Allan Scott, the American Bulldog exists today.
The American Bulldog has also been used as a guard and in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They have even been trained to drive cattle and guard stock from predators. Farmers prize these dogs for their stamina, protectiveness, intelligence and working abilities. Some of the American Bulldogs talents are hunting, watchdogging, tracking, weight pulling, and guarding.

An American Bulldog should never be confused with uniquely different breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Bulldog is a brave and determined, but not hostile dog. Alert and self-confident, this breed genuinely loves children. Because of its strong protective instincts, the American Bulldog should be well-socialized and obedience trained at an early age. Some may be aggressive with other dogs and reserved with strangers. They need to be around people to be truly happy. This breed tends to drool and slobber.

 Temperament- Typically, the American Bulldog is known as a loving family pet that is good with other pets and children as well. This breed of dog is fearlessly determined and will attack predators or any threat toward its owners. It is confident, powerful, and agile with powerful jaws and a large head that has made it quite naturally used in hunting everything from small squirrels to larger game like bears. The American Bulldog has also been trained to guard stock and drive cattle.

The American Bulldogs are known for their great versatility as working dogs as well. They are able to learn many different things, but they are also very independent. They are obstinate, dominant and willful. They want to be the boss in any situation. They will see if you can make them do something they do not want to do. As an owner, you must be consistent, firm and always mean what you say.

In addition, American Bulldogs need to be exposed regularly to friendly strangers because they have a natural protective instinct toward anyone they do not know. They need to know how to recognize the difference between good people and bad people. If they do not have careful socialization they can end up biting others and being suspicious of everyone.

It is important to note that there are many American Bulldogs who will not get along and tolerate another dog of the same sex. They have strong instincts and will chase fleeing animals and capture cats. When breeding, training, handling, socializing and or management of the American Bulldogs goes awry these dogs are known for being able to seriously maim or even kill other animals.

 

 

 

 

Health Problems- Though the American Bulldog is a healthy and sturdy animal it is important to be aware of the potential health  issues it can be faced with. To begin, the most devastating and prevalent health concern for the American Bulldog or any other breed for that matter is Canine hip dysplasia otherwise known as CHD. CHD occurs when the femoral bone does not fit properly in the joint socket causing pain and difficulty in standing or walking. In addition, if CHD is not treated properly it can cause another disease that is known as Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD.

Some other health concerns you will want to be aware of regarding your American Bulldog follows:

  • eye problems
  • Entropion eyelids
  • elbow dysplasia
  • skin and allergy problems that can be signals of immune problems.

    Bulldogs are also susceptible to Heart murmurs    , but these are usually benign as well as deafness.

    When you are purchasing an American Bulldog    , it is thus very important to make sure you are dealing with a reputable breeder who certifies and gives their puppies health screenings. You want to also make sure that they give you warranties for the dog or dogs that they are selling you. Make sure that the dogs also have had all their screenings for hip dysplasia, NCL, DNA and elbow dysplasia.

    Grooming- the American Bulldog has a short coat that is harsh to the touch. This breed of dog sheds regularly and thus, brushing its coat regularly is a good idea. You can use either a bristle brush or a rubber mitt to groom your American Bulldog's coat. We use a new tool out that is fantastic........the furminator. Not only does it shed bags full of fur but also taking away the dead skin as well! Brushing your dog's coat outside your home on a weekly basis is a good recommendation. This will ensure that your dog has a shiny coat and also keeps hair from accumulating around the house. Furthermore, American Bulldogs do not need bathes on a regular basis. Only bathe your American Bulldog when he or she needs a bath (i.e. it has gotten muddy or has gone into the ocean and its coat is salty).

    In addition to brushing your American Bulldogs coat, you will also want to trim their nails once a week to prevent overgrowth. This is a very simple process and you will only need a pair of animal nail clippers that can be found in most pet stores. Be sure to trim only the top portion of the nail.

    You might also need to clean your American Bulldog's ears especially if they suffer from bacterial infections, allergies, or have a wound or injury. When you clean their ears use baby oil and a cotton ball. It is imperative that you do not clean too far into the ear as you can damage the ear canal. Be sure to only wipe gently around the outer part of the ear. If you notice your bulldog is scratching its ears or shaking its head too often, you will want to take it to the vet to check for infections.

    Exercise- American Bulldogs are at their best when they are given a job or task to accomplish. These dogs love to be walked frequently with a secure leash. They enjoy playing with family members and romping and roaming in a generous yard.

    The American Bulldog should be exercised on a daily basis for at least one hour a day regardless of the weather conditions. Keeping your bulldog indoors is fine, but you must make sure it has sufficient exercise. Just as long as you are able to give your bulldog sufficient exercise so that they can release their pent up exercise, your dog will be happy and healthy.

    Training- When you decide to train your American Bulldog you must be prepared. If you are not, the breed tends to become bored easily and will end up using its energy on things within your home like tables, shoes and other such things. Remember adequate daily attention consists of only one hour. But, you need to make sure that you have this time and energy to exercise and train this active breed. If not you will probably want to try another type of breed.

    Training an American Bulldog must begin early for this breed. They do not do well with heavy handed or harsh training methods so this is important to keep in mind. Training that is fair, firm, consistent and patient work best for this breed. American Bulldogs have many skills that can be enhanced like hunting, guarding, weight pulling, and tracking.

    It is important to note that this breed's level of training requirements is moderately high. These dogs do not do well with self discipline and, thus, they will need much attention and time. Because they are highly intelligent and confident they have been known to get in trouble easily and become inappropriately protective. These potential problems can be remedied with proper attention, care and training.

    House breaking your American Bulldog is very important and must be started as soon as possible. Thus, it is important to create an immediate daily routine to help prevent urination accidents that can occur when you first bring a dog home. If you set a consistent routine like taking your dog outside before you go to work, when you get home, and one additional time before bedtime this will help your dog learn to have more control during the times you are not home. Instilling daily routines will also help to make the American Bulldog feel more comfortable around people and their surroundings. Depending on the situation, developing a routine can potentially take up to six months, and once your dog is trained you will need to maintain the routine in to keep your dog happy and feeling secure.