American Bulldog
The popular American Bulldog (ABD) is known by different names. The Johnson type (also called Classic type and sometimes Bully type) and the Scott type (also called Standard type and sometimes Performance type) are the well-known types of these dogs.
They are popular to serve as protectors and hunters. Their lineage would be traced to the Old Bulldog of England. With the passage of time, the general make up of this breed of dog has remained practically the same. The names Johnson and Scott were taken from the names of two breeders who succeeded in keeping the breed, John Johnson of Summerville, Georgia and Allen Scott. They got interested in this breed of dog because of the danger of its extinction.
Appearance
Generally, the ABD has a short coat. Some of these dogs sport a white coat; others have some patches combined with the more prominent white, while still others have the black and white brindle. The ABD club requires that ABDs to be recognized should have a white coat at someplace in its body. The Scott type is smaller than the Johnson type.
Although ABDs do not have many variations of coat color, this is the only way to identify them as they are. Today, it is more common to see a Scott and a Johnson combined. The average height of ABD dogs ranges between 22-28 inches while that of bitches is between 20-26 inches. The average weight for dogs is 70-120 pounds and 60-100 pounds for bitches.
Why Are They Confused with Other Dog Breeds?
Sometimes this dog can be mistaken to be another breed of dog. The confusion arises from the appearance and name of the ABD, specifically with the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and other European dogs respectively. There is a close similarity between the physical appearances of the ABD and the APBT, while the name is often confused with the names of some other European dogs.
There are some features that make the ABD and the Pit-bull similar. Both of these breeds are muscular and their colors can be white or those with patches of other colors. What makes them distinct are the shape of their heads and ears. A Pit-bull’s head is wedge-shaped, while that of the ABD is box-shaped. The overall appearance of the ABD is much more on the bulkier type than any of its close relatives.
Temperament
The ABD, despite its large appearance is one of the friendliest dogs, although sometimes it can unintentionally hurt small playful children. It is a happy, friendly and confident pet, which makes it easy to get along with even to those who are new to it. Even as a puppy, it should already be trained how to bond with other dogs. This can be done by socializing it with other puppies and even with other household pets. Since it tends to be a jealous type with their masters, there should be enough control on some of their excessive behaviors.
One has to be knowledgeable about dog training if he wants to own an ABD. By nature, it could be demanding and challenging to train such a dog breed. However, once this dog develops a bonding with his master, it could be one of the most lovable pet dogs a man could ever have. Records have shown that ABDs could even help his master in some weight pulling jobs.
An ABD would always want to expend its energy through many activities. Its happiness and contentment can be maintained if it has a job to do much of the time. It would be advantageous if the owner has a wide area for training. Here, the owner can maximize the chance to develop the natural capacity of the dog.
As part of its natural temperament, it could be hostile towards cats and some other pets, but an early exposure to these household pets could probably result to a “friendlier” cat and dog relationship. The ABD prefers to get tired than to remain sitting down. It has a high prey drive. It is always ready to run after a possible hunting prize. Once it receives correct training, it could be a dependable and truthful servant of his master.
History of the American Bulldog
The history of the ABD can be traced as far back even before the time of Caesar in the British Isles. He was the one who made a report about a violent dog of the Mastiff-type. When the Normans arrived in 1066, there was now a breeding between the Mastiff-type and the Alaunts which resulted to the production of another type. What is very obvious about this cross-breeding is that the ABD handed down the white coat of the Alaunts. This is one of the features among Mastiff-type breeds.
There was a time when bulldogs were used for different purposes both in the home and in the field. The ABD used to be a protector and a hunter. Owing to these somewhat multiple talents, they were used in some blood sports. What became popular was the bull-baiting and later on, dogs were used in gambling. These multiple tacks of the ABD were carried to different parts of the British Isles to her colonies and to the US. Many people found out that the dog can do work on the farm, to hunt, to guard the house and other properties and can be a source of fun or income from gambling.
The ABD was then given some kind of a cruel image due to its abuse, until a law declared in 1935 by the UK government prohibiting bull-baiting. This was once a very popular blood sport involving the use of dogs and bulls. Since then, the dog was gradually “converted” to a softer breed of dog which could be fit for a pet. Other breeds were produced from this dog including the Pug. Retention of the original characteristics of the ABD was maintained over time.
When the population of the ABD reached near extinction, there were two men who did a very significant contribution in the revival and preservation of this breed. John Johnson and Allan Scott worked together in order to save the ABD from being wiped off from the face of the earth. At first, it was John Johnson alone who did the pioneering in saving the ABD from extinction. He looked for the remaining breeds and started their work from these remnants. For a time, both of them worked using the same line breeds. However, each of them later had his own line.
For Johnson, he made use of atavistic bulldogs and maintained the dog’s athletic strength. Having a curiosity of its own, Scott looked for some other groups pf dogs. On Scott’s side, he used dogs which were not from Johnson’s stock and this resulted to the present breed of Standard ABD. Their going separate ways somehow produced good result because it has created two types of the American Bulldog.
Present State of the American Bulldog Breed
The prominence of the ABD cannot be underestimated. Here and there, it is used in several different ways. You can find it in the home as a pet or a guard, in the field as a hunter, a worker, or as a cattle drover, and even in the cities and anywhere else, as K-9s. They are also part of the dog show and sports world. Unquestionably, the ferocious image of the bulldog has been changed into a friendly and gentle reputation.
With the exclusion of the APBT in some European countries, people have turned to the ABD as its closest relative to take the place. Since people always wanted a dog to be a friend, the presence of bulldogs adds color to the house. Now, it can be told that the ABD will be here for a long time, doing its work as happily and faithfully as it could. Making its master happy and satisfied is the bulldog’s motto.
