American Bulldog

History, origin & features

The American Bulldog is descended from the “Old English Working Bulldog”, once used by the British for herding and guarding cattle. Many English migrants to the USA brought their working dogs with them. It was precisely in the United States, particularly in the southeastern states of Georgia, Alabama and Florida, that the most powerful and athletic specimens were selected to give rise to the breed as we know it today.

John D. Johnson developed the Bully type, while Allan Scott created the Standard type. The first American Bulldog dogs were registered by the National Kennel Club in 1970. At the time, they were called American Pit Bulldogs. They were later given the name American Bulldog to avoid confusion with the Pitbull. The American Bulldog is a medium-sized molosser-type dog. Powerful, compact and athletic, they have well-developed bones and muscles. There are 2 types of American Bulldog. The first, called the Bully, is stockier, with a shorter muzzle and pronounced stop. The second, called Standard, is taller on its legs and more slender, yet massive. Its muzzle is also longer. Today, most dogs are hybrids. In other words, crosses of the 2 types, Bully and Standard. Coat: hard, very short, almost close-cropped.
Color: white, with or without colored markings, or solid with white markings.
Head: large, broad and powerful. The stop is well defined, especially in the Bully type.
Ears: Medium-sized, set fairly low, wide apart and folded at the sides.
Eyes: small, dark.
Body: massive, but harmonious. Strong neck, powerful, broad chest, straight back and sloping croup.
Tail: Strong at the base, tapering to the tip, hanging at rest and carried above the topline when active.