American Bulldog

The American Bulldog is a large, wrinkly-faced dog with a compact and muscular build. With proper training and socialization from a caring owner, they can be loving, well-mannered pets.

American Bulldog Breed Overview

Loyal, athletic, and generally friendly, American Bulldogs are descendants of their British counterparts, the English Bulldog. They were originally used in America as all-purpose dogs, performing tasks like herding livestock and guarding for centuries. Despite being large and strong, they can sometimes be sensitive and clumsy, giving them a sweet and goofy appeal.  

American Bulldog Facts

• Enjoys being active
• Best paired with experienced dog owners
• Susceptible to health issues
• Does best in a suburban or rural setting with plenty of outdoor space
• Requires regular grooming, especially of their faces
• Barks to alert

How to Care for Your American Bulldog

The American Bulldog needs specific care, including nutrition and feeding, grooming and hygiene, and living arrangements. Here’s what you need to know.  

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed an American Bulldog

American Bulldogs should be fed dog food specifically created for larger breeds. These recipes, such as the ones found in Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE foods, have important nutritional contents such as glucosamine, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and more, which can help with joint health and mobility, skin and coat health, muscle development, and digestion. They can have sensitive stomachs and skin issues, so look for formulas that cater to these conditions, like Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach foods.

How Much to Feed an American Bulldog

How much dog food you should feed your dog depends on weight, age, the amount of exercise they receive, and other factors. Large dogs like the American Bulldog do best on scheduled feeding, which is usually twice a day. If you’re unsure how much to feed your dog, use the Purina Feeding Calculator.

American Bulldog Treats & Supplements

High-protein, low-calorie treats can be used for training. Treats should not exceed 10% of the dog’s daily caloric intake to maintain a healthy weight. The American Bulldog does have some health concerns to consider, like hip dysplasia, allergies, and cataracts, and supplements might be useful to help them with these conditions as they age.

Health & Wellness

American Bulldog Veterinary Care

American Bulldogs should get regular vet checkups for vaccines, parasite prevention, and more. Talk to your vet about a dental hygiene routine and spaying or neutering your dog.

American Bulldog Enrichment & Exercise Needs

The highly active American Bulldog often gets confused with the English Bulldog, which is not as active. These are two different dog breeds with different enrichment and exercise needs. They enjoy having space to roam and run, long walks on a leash, and mental stimulation, such as through positive reinforcement training, puzzles, and playtime. American Bulldog puppies will benefit from gentle, nonimpact exercise until they have fully grown joints.

Understanding Your American Bulldog’s Behavior

American Bulldogs can be friendly, easygoing, and well-mannered dogs with owners who are dedicated to training and socialization. Because of the breed’s history as a working dog, early and frequent socialization is important.  These large dogs do well with experienced owners who are patient and committed to training, and consistent enrichment is best for the breed. They can be super sensitive, so positive reinforcement is the best method to train American Bulldogs. They can be susceptible to separation anxiety, so keep that in mind if it’s not a match for your lifestyle.

What to Expect as Your American Bulldog Ages

Training and socialization should be well-established early on to help them age into a confident dog. Talk to your vet about the preventative measures you can take to potentially counteract issues they might have, such as hip dysplasia, respiratory issues, allergies and skin irritations, and cataracts, and when it is best to switch them to a senior dog food. A healthy American Bulldog can live 10 to 12 years.

American Bulldog Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

The American Bulldog has a short coat that is easy to care for with regular brushing to keep them shiny and smooth, and occasional baths as needed. They may be prone to sensitive skin, which can be improved with food that contains omega-3 fatty acids, like Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach. Their skin folds will also need to be cleaned regularly to prevent infection.

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

Ear cleaning should be part of your regular routine, and paws should be inspected for cuts and scrapes that can become infected. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly to prevent dental decay.

Anal Gland Care

Regular anal gland care can prevent the glands from becoming abscessed, infected, or impacted. If your dog is scooting, there’s a foul odor, they’re licking, or are having difficulties going to the bathroom, it’s time to call your vet.

Living With an American Bulldog

Living Space

The American Bulldog can grow to 100 pounds – something to keep in mind when considering whether or not they will fit into your lifestyle and space. While they don’t necessarily need a huge farm (although they would love it!), they do need a decent amount of space for a bed, outdoors to roam, a large enough car to transport them to the vet, and more.

Socialization

The American Bulldog’s working history means socialization is important to the breed.  Make sure to expose them often and early to different social situations. They are prone to separation anxiety, but socialization can help them Firm, but loving training should accompany socialization tactics to create a well-rounded dog. Due to their size and the fact that they can be clumsy, especially as puppies, families with small children and/or elderly relatives might not be the best fit.

Climate Considerations

American Bulldogs do best in mild, temperate climates. They can have respiratory issues, which can be compounded by extreme weather.

Potential Challenges

The American Bulldog might have behavioral challenges like separation anxiety and excessive barking, both of which can be alleviated by lots of mental and physical stimulation. They are also intelligent, which means they can pick up bad habits as quickly as good ones, so training and socialization are key.

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