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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+8
Dogs
# The American Bulldog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United States
An athletic, loyal and protective molosser, very attached to its family.
Size LargeLife expectancy 11–14 yearsBudget ≈ €150/monthPuppy €800 – €1,300
[Find a breeder 12](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=american-bulldog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Fair
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Excellent
Strengths and weaknesses
- Loyalty: He develops a deep attachment and great devotion to his family.
- Guarding ability: Vigilant, courageous and reserved with strangers, he naturally protects the home.
- Dynamism: Athletic and playful, he willingly accompanies an active owner.
- Easy maintenance: His very short coat mainly requires gentle weekly brushing.
- Physical strength: Its size requires solid training and reliable leash control.
- Selective canine sociability: It may try to dominate other dogs, especially those of the same sex.
- Need for exercise: Inactivity and outings that are too short do not suit its athletic temperament.
- Limited climate tolerance: Its short coat offers little protection against the cold, and high heat calls for caution.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Experienced owners: A consistent person who is comfortable with powerful dogs will know how to channel his qualities.
- Active households: He enjoys long outings and regular activities with his family.
- Families with plenty of time: Very attached to his loved ones, he thrives with daily presence and interactions.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary owners: Its high need for exercise cannot be met by short outings.
- Inexperienced owners with little support: Its strength and assertive temperament make its handling demanding.
- Households with unsocialized dogs: Cohabitation can be delicate with dogs of the same sex or poorly prepared.
- Daily prolonged absences: Its attachment to the family and its need for activity do not go well with frequent isolation.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
60 cmAmerican Bulldog
- Height at the withers
- 53–67 cm
- Weight
- 30–55 kg
- Coat
- Short, hard and close
- FCI group
- Companion molossoid (not recognized by the FCI)
- Origin
- United States
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the American Bulldog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The American Bulldog descends from the Old English Working Bulldog, formerly used in Great Britain to drive cattle and guard farms. English migrants brought these working dogs to the United States, where a selection carried out mainly in the states of the Southeast, notably in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, favored powerful and athletic individuals. John D. Johnson developed the Bully type, more massive, while Allan Scott shaped the Standard type, more slender. The first individuals were registered by the National Kennel Club in 1970 under the name American Pit Bulldog, then renamed American Bulldog in order to avoid any confusion with the Pitbull. The breed is not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. In France, the French Club of the American Bulldog was created in 1999.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The American Bulldog is a powerful, compact and athletic molosser, endowed with a solid bone structure and well-developed musculature. The Bully type is stockier, with a short muzzle and a pronounced stop, while the Standard type is longer-legged, more slender and has a longer muzzle; many dogs today combine both types. The head is large, broad and square, the eyes are small and dark, and the medium-sized ears are set rather low and folded to the sides. The body remains massive but harmonious, with a strong neck, a broad chest, a straight back and a sloping croup. The coat is harsh, very short and almost close-cropped. The coat color is white with or without colored markings, or colored with white markings. The tail, strong at the base, tapers toward its tip.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Loyal, devoted and affectionate with his own, the American Bulldog is a cheerful, playful and expressive family companion. His courage, vigilance and reserve towards strangers make him an excellent guard dog without being naturally aggressive. He may however seek to dominate his congeners, especially dogs of the same sex, which requires early and ongoing socialization.
Affectionate Playful Sociable Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Active working dog, the American Bulldog needs long walks, regular exercise and activities shared with its owner. It enjoys life at home but does not tolerate prolonged inactivity well. Its power requires responsible handling, and its interactions with other animals must be prepared with care. Its short coat is simply brushed once a week and its shedding remains moderate.
Training
## Training and socialization
Training must begin as soon as the puppy arrives and combine firmness, consistency, fairness and positive reinforcement. The rules must be stable, because this powerful dog can test limits. Early socialization with people, varied environments and well-balanced dogs is essential, especially to prevent tensions between dogs of the same sex. Recall, leash walking and managing excitement should be worked on regularly.
Budget
## Price and budget for the American Bulldog
The purchase price varies depending on the lineage, the quality of the selection work, the health screenings carried out, the reputation of the breeding kennel and the dog's intended purpose. The initial cost represents only part of the budget to plan for this large dog.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-bulldog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
Overall robust and resilient, the American Bulldog nevertheless shows predispositions to certain joint disorders and to hernias. Its growth, weight and physical activity must be supervised in order to preserve its musculoskeletal system.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-bulldog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
This muscular and active dog needs a complete, digestible and properly portioned diet, adapted to its age, its level of exercise and its size. During growth, a large-breed puppy formula helps control the rate of development.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-bulldog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The breed is also called American Bulldog. It has two major historical types: the Bully developed by John D. Johnson and the Standard associated with Allan Scott. Many modern dogs come from lines combining these two morphologies. Before adopting its current name, it was registered in the United States under the name American Pit Bulldog.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the American Bulldog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the American Bulldog suitable for a family with children?
It can be an affectionate, playful and protective companion with children if it is properly socialized and trained. Due to its strength, interactions should always be supervised and children should be taught to respect the dog.
### Can it live in an apartment?
Apartment living is possible but poorly suited to its needs if outings are insufficient. It needs long walks, daily exercise and regular companionship; a more spacious environment is generally preferable.
### Is the American Bulldog easy to train?
Its intelligence and attachment make learning easier, but its strength and assertive temperament require a consistent, available and experienced owner. Early socialization is essential.
### Does it shed a lot?
Its shedding and hair loss are moderate. Gentle weekly brushing is generally enough to remove dead hair and keep the skin in good condition.
## Find a American Bulldog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most American Bulldog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[American Bulldog breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [American Bulldog breeders in Normandy3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/normandy)
### American Bulldog breeders by country
[37 breeders of American Bulldog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/germany) [12 breeders of American Bulldog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog) [2 breeders of American Bulldog in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/finland) [1 breeder of American Bulldog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/austria) [1 breeder of American Bulldog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/netherlands) [1 breeder of American Bulldog in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/switzerland) [1 breeder of American Bulldog in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog/united-kingdom)
[All breeders of American Bulldog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog)
## Ready to welcome a American Bulldog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bulldog)
## Discover other breeds
[French Bulldog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/french-bulldog)
[English Bulldog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/english-bulldog)
[Continental Bulldog
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/continental-bulldog)
[American Foxhound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-foxhound)
[American Staffordshire Terrier
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/american-staffordshire-terrier)
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