American Bulldog

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American Bulldog

American Bulldog Characteristics

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Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
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American Bulldog Breed Information

Breed Group: Not AKC Recognized

Weight: Male: 70-120; Female: 60-100 lbs

Height: Male: 22-28; Female: 20-26 inches

Color(s): white, brindle, brown, red, or tan

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Overview

Nearly extinct after WWII, the American Bulldog was saved by the efforts of one man named John D. Johnson. Originally used for the blood sport of bull baiting, this breed became prized by farmers for their intelligence, working abilities, stamina, and protective nature. American Bulldogs were also used to hunt wild boar, bear, raccoon, and squirrel. Considered to be a rare breed, the American Bulldog is ranked number one for their versatile capabilities.

Character

The American Bulldog is extremely athletic, powerful, and muscular. Strong and agile, this breed is very swift and is capable of leaping heights of six feet or more. They are brave, alert, courageous, and fearlessly determined.

Temperament

American Bulldogs are typically friendly, happy, and devoted. They get along very well with children but due to their size are best suited for homes with older considerate children. They will generally do well with other dogs they have been raised with but do not do well with other small household pets or cats. The American Bulldog is a faithful and loyal companion that has strong guarding instincts. They are reserved and wary of strangers and aggressive toward dogs they do not know. This breed is not recommended for the novice dog owner.

Care

The short coat is easy to groom. Regular brushing with a firm bristle brush will help minimize loose hair. Bathing should only be done when necessary using a mild shampoo. A relatively healthy breed, the American Bulldog may be prone to hip dysplasia.

Coat

The American Bulldog has a close fitting coat that is short and harsh. The coat color comes in solid white, with various combinations and patterns of brown, tan, red, and brindle. This breed is an average shedder.

Training

Early intense socialization and obedience training are an absolute must for this breed. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with firmness, fairness, patience, and consistency. The American Bulldogs talents include tracking, hunting, schutzhund, weight pulling, and guarding.

Activity

The American Bulldog does best when they are given a job to do. They enjoy frequent securely leashed walks, family play sessions, and romping in the yard. This breed does best on a farm with room to roam or in a home with a large fenced yard. They will do okay in an apartment dwelling provided they are given sufficient exercise, attention, and stimulation.

Ask a Question American Bulldog Questions & Answers

QUESTION: I am thinking of adopting a 19 month old male american bulldog male (neutered). My wife has a shih tzu female will they be ok together?

Anonymous - 2/1/2012 5:21:27 PM

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With proper intro YES! Make sure none of you are scared or feeling anxiety. Dogs can feel that & react... so intro is best... my american bull was 1 1/2 y.o when I got him & 'he & my maltese get along fine...

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 7:34:20 PM

QUESTION: Do american bulldogs drool ???

Anonymous - 1/25/2012 2:37:21 PM

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I have 2 american bulldogs, they drool because of exhaustion & after drinking water ...hope this helps..

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 7:35:23 PM

QUESTION: How much to feed a 11 month old ABD per day

Anonymous - 1/20/2012 8:52:34 PM

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QUESTION: how tall does a american bulldog get

Anonymous - 1/19/2012 4:25:34 PM

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QUESTION: My dad has a 2 year old american bulldog. Yesterday he got into a fight with a bull terrier he only got a little cut but im scared he'll get into another fight - should we take him to the vet or how do we take him out without fighting?

Anonymous - 1/19/2012 2:07:37 PM

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Are you sure they were fighting? Sometimes it looks like that with the growlin & viciousness but bulldogs are known to play rough my 2 ABD play all the time & have cut a inch wide...

Anonymous - 2/2/2012 7:37:23 PM

QUESTION: I have an 8yr old male American Bulldog. Does he still have it in him to breed?

Anonymous - 1/16/2012 2:05:52 PM

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Most likely yes. HOWEVER, you can have your vet assess the viability of your american bulldogs sperm when you make your appointment to have your dogs elbows, Hips, and knees checked, to ensure you aren't breeding any genetic problems onto a new generation. This should be done, even if you don't plan to send the films on to have your dogs joints proclaimed "OFA good". You should also have your dog checked for NCL, as (even if your dog doesn't show signs of this terrible illness) he can be a genetic carrier and pass it onto his pups, resulting in disaster. If all of this turns up good, and his sperm count is good, PLEASE make sure you have a minimum of 8 - 10 good/responsible homes lined up for the pups BEFORE you proceed.

Anonymous - 1/22/2012 8:47:54 AM

QUESTION: I have 2 9week old american bull dog/ american pit mix. Whats the best food (wet or dry) and best brand to use?

Anonymous - 1/15/2012 5:51:07 PM

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QUESTION: Our 12 week old american bulldog, around 27 lbs, isn't eating at all. He has been sleeping all day. What are some possible scenerios that could cause this?

Anonymous - 1/11/2012 4:01:26 PM

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At 12 weeks old, he should be running you ragged! He needs to be taken to the vet immediately, as the previous answer indicated, it could be something as simple as intestinal parasites, to Parvo (which is HIGHLY contagious, as well as having a very high fatality rate). Either way, he needs to be seen by a professional to determine why he's not running you till you drop, at that age.

Anonymous - 1/22/2012 3:57:38 AM

I would definitely get him to the vet. He could have something as simple as coccidia to something like parvo. It's important to keep him hydrated too. Try pedialyte and a high calorie canned dog food. If he doesn't eat or drink poor little guy needs medical attention.

Anonymous - 1/12/2012 9:26:57 AM

QUESTION: I just adopted a 1 year old AB. She is so sweet and gentle. We have a 6 yr old carian terrier that we introduced the other day. She was going crazy and is so strong while both were on leashes, we are still afraid of putting them together. How should we introduce them off leashes? (They are both afraid of the spray bottle technique) which is a good thing just in case.

Anonymous - 1/11/2012 3:06:44 PM

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QUESTION: I have a cross American bulldog and bullmastiff..he is eight months old and 90 lbs 24 inches at the withers..about how much bigger can I expect him to be?

Anonymous - 1/2/2012 3:25:12 PM

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I see the previous answer of 120 - 140 lbs, and must disagree. We have pure bred AB's and they are on the large end, coming in around 26 - 29 inches and between 110 - 145 lbs with a good BMI). That said, IF the AB parent was of larger stature, given the puppy is already 90 lbs and 24 inches tall, and considering the some types of Mastiffs can get as large as 180 lbs and 31 inches, I would assume you are looking at around 150 lbs and 28 inches. In any case I would CERTAINLY make sure I was spending a ton of etiquette training time with him/her now. Finally, you may want to consider buying a pony saddle. Just sayin'.... LOL Good luck!

Anonymous - 1/22/2012 8:32:26 AM

26-27 inches and 120 -140 lbs

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 7:52:15 PM

QUESTION: I have a white american bulldog and she recently began getting red itchy spots on her. She has black spots on her that seem to appear more and more. Can you tell me or give me an idea of whats going on with her until I can get her seen?

Anonymous - 1/1/2012 9:10:57 PM

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My ab has an allergy to grass and she turns really red. I give her 25 mg of benadryl and she is on prednisone. I believe she is also allergic to fleas.

Anonymous - 1/17/2012 7:20:48 PM

american bulldogs are not notorious for allergies. Make sure you're not feeding a food with soy or corn. Nustock is a great product for skin ailments.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 7:54:17 PM

American bulldogs are notoriously known for their allergies..and skin conditions..I used bacitracin on my dog until it went away...some vets that don't deal with ABs will try to tell you that it is a form of mange that is hereditary...it's not..use oatmeal baths until you have her seen

Anonymous - 1/3/2012 4:06:57 PM

QUESTION: We just adopted a 4 year old female american bulldog that is so sweet and gentle. I have a 6 week old puppy that was here first. He is an american bull/pit mix. My big girl is spayed but has had a litter of puppies before. I am wondering if she can be trusted with the puppy. When he whines she nudges him with her nose and licks him and sometimes she will look in his box at him. I just dont want to see anything happen to the puppy. BTW if she does get aggressive the puppy will get a new home not her because she is the best thing that has come into our families life in a long time.

Anonymous - 12/31/2011 9:36:14 PM

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In my experience ABs have a tendency to be mothering. It's a trait that they have especially if they veiw it as part of the pack. My daughter has fallen and cried or yelled out, and the first thing you see is from across the yard our male AB running to check on her. He licks her and sniffs her to figure out if she is ok. You should be fine.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:44:41 PM

If she didn't like him, she would have killed him by now. She should be fine with them being opposite sex.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 7:55:51 PM

QUESTION: My 4 1/2 yr old AB is going to be having puppies in about 3 weeks. I want to keep one of the pups. (Both she and the puppy will be "fixed" so no more puppies!) Which would be better to keep, a male pup or a female? I personally prefer female dogs but am concerned about how they will get along as the pup matures. Is it a "gender" issue or a "temperament" issue I should look out for?

Anonymous - 12/25/2011 2:45:28 AM

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Keep a male. They do better with the opposite sex.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:45:45 PM

Not necessarily true. I have a female AB, a female rott, and a female miniature dachshund that were all introduced and different times and ages and they are all the best of friends. Introduce them slowly as with any other breed and they will establish their place in the pack. You just have to make sure you are the leader.

Dvldog727 - 1/14/2012 3:53:07 PM

Keep a male. AB's are same sex dog aggressive, regardless of relation.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 7:57:16 PM

QUESTION: We have a 1 year, 70 lb. neutered male AB and a 3 year old female boston terrier. They are beautiful dogs and get along well, both love to play and wrestle together. We are thinking about getting another boston terrier puppy. We have plenty of room for them to play and love to give. However, we are worried about adding a 3rd dog to the mix. And if so, what gender would be best. Our AB is very well behaved, but loves to puppy play still. Wondering if he would be safe with a puppy.

Anonymous - 12/6/2011 6:18:10 PM

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Female boston terrier. AB's are same sex dog aggressive.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 7:58:06 PM

QUESTION: My female American bulldog is 8 month old and weighs about 85 pounds is that average ??

Anonymous - 12/4/2011 3:15:05 AM

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Your american bulldog a little above average. The Johnson strain averages 70-75 at 8 months. As long as you can see her last rib, she's fine. Cut back on food if you can't.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 7:59:45 PM

My American bulldog is male and weights 65lbs. At 8 months old, they are known to have thyroid disease so have her checked out, or she may need less at dinner time

Anonymous - 12/8/2011 4:19:25 PM

QUESTION: I have an 8 month old AB female she is so hyper and high strung is that normal ? What age do they normally start to calm down ???

Anonymous - 12/4/2011 3:11:25 AM

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Never lol :) 7yr old male and a 2 yr old female. They both enjoy running at an average of 10-15 mph for about 7 miles. Maybe try a treadmill. It works for a lot of people. As for hyperness about 3 yrs old they should start to mellow, but will still have plenty of energy.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:49:10 PM

Depends on the bloodline, but the american bulldog is a working dog. Exercise her for at least 30 minutes. A tired bulldog is a good bulldog.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 8:01:13 PM

our AB is 4 yrs old and is still very active and can still act like a pup at times..my guess she'll start to slow down in a yr or so then i'll wish i could turn back time

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 3:15:19 AM

My male american bulldog is 20 months old and he is still that way..after 3 yrs old they will start to mature a bit

Anonymous - 1/2/2012 4:20:58 PM

QUESTION: I have an 11 week old american bulldog and his front legs shake sometimes,is this normal for puppies when they are growing?

Anonymous - 11/28/2011 12:45:57 PM

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Our male american bulldog did the same thing at that age, he's 6 months now and it's gone, we never found out why. I had him vet checked and they had no idea what it was either. Just be very sure you're feeding a high quality food as they grow so darned fast you want to make sure their getting the best possible nutrition. Stay away from foods with corn, we feed blue buffalo chicken but watch that too cause too rich & they can get the runs.

Anonymous - 1/30/2012 12:10:11 AM

If your american bulldog is cold yes, but shouldn't shake as he's moving.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 8:03:08 PM

QUESTION: my american bulldog wont stop pooping everywere in my backyard and i want her to poop in one spot and i dont know what to do

Anonymous - 11/27/2011 10:08:01 PM

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American Bulldogs respond well to you putting it in the same place and showing them where it is. It takes consistency. EVERYTIME they go out you must do this. You can't do it for a couple of days and not for another couple days it won't work. I have 2 1/2 acres and my dogs go from one side to the other to go to the bathroom. CONSISTENCY is everything with this breed.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:51:31 PM

Pile the poop where you want it to go. praise when they go there.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 8:02:17 PM

I have the same problem with my american bulldog.. good luck :)

Anonymous - 12/4/2011 3:12:42 AM

QUESTION: Can you age an American bulldog just by looking at them, if so then what would you look for?

Anonymous - 11/16/2011 9:21:34 PM

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No you can't. I mean you can guess by posturer and grey fur, but no you really can't. Vet would be the best bet. They can check teeth and get a better estimate.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:53:14 PM

QUESTION: I am trying to figure out the average size and weight of an AB puppy of 2 months. The vet told me he is big for his age he weights 12 pounds. He just turned 2 months!!!

Anonymous - 11/14/2011 12:44:53 PM

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I hate to say it too though, a lot of vets still think they are pits of English bulldogs.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:56:44 PM

Your american bulldog is going to be a beautiful dog then :) Our last litter averaged 12-14 lbs at 8wks. Vet said they were as close to perfect as they anyone could ask for. A lot of puppies get worms and such, so they end up much smaller as puppies and burst in size once they are through that stage.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:55:08 PM

He's not that big. My biggest american bulldog pup was 18 lbs at 8 weeks. Most are 18 lbs at 2 months and gain 10 lbs per month after that until they are a year old and then they only gain 10-20 lbs until they turn 3 years.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 8:05:40 PM

My AB is 12 weeks and weighs 30 lbs the vet says he is nice and healthy. I think your puppy is fine.

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 1:38:43 PM

QUESTION: i adopted an american bulldog at 8 weeks and he is a fantastic dog. he has no papers becuse he was rescued from a hobby breeder when new laws were passed. is there anyway to find out his bloodlines and get him registered, or should i just be happy i have a beautiful, happy, mostly healthy bull baby?

Anonymous - 11/10/2011 9:05:39 PM

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I wouldn't let your american bulldog jump down from couches, beds, etc. And absolutely watch him on the stairs, you need to do whatever you can do to make sure he doesn't jar his hips until he's 6 months old.

Anonymous - 1/30/2012 12:13:42 AM

As for registration you can check into the NKC.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:58:03 PM

ive tried as well. we adopted our american bulldog from a shelter and i tried looking up different breeders across north america and no one responded back to me. i've had some x-rays done on her and they did show eventually she will have hip problems. one tip of advice i can give you is do not let them run! it is very easy to blow their knees out. try swimming to for a healthy low impact workout and walking (of course)

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 3:19:59 AM

QUESTION: This is our first time breeding American Bulldogs. The puppies are 3 weeks old. Should they be walking? Their front legs seem strong but they can't stand on their back legs.

Anonymous - 10/29/2011 9:31:26 AM

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Your american bulldog puppies should be crawling like squatting and walking on all four legs. The back legs should be useful by now.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 6:59:03 PM

American Bulldog puppies should be at least crawling by then.

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 8:06:54 PM

American Bulldog puppies should certainly be motoring around at this point - what kind of surface do you have them on?

lullsbrookab - 10/31/2011 7:14:52 PM

QUESTION: We have a 1 yr old AB and my other half and I are having a disagreement about feeding her milk. I say it is not good and could cause problems with her respiratory system as she gets older and is what is causing her to vomit and he says it won't hurt her at all. Can anyone clarify this for us?

Anonymous - 10/23/2011 3:54:54 PM

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I think small amounts every now and again are ok, but not regularly. If you want to give your american bulldog a human food treat, try a fried egg. It makes their coats look great. Of course don't just give a whole one every day to start. It has to be worked up to that.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 7:01:12 PM

it will cause diahrrea, generally not a good idea

chewchewabs - 1/5/2012 8:13:14 PM

Dogs as a general rule are lactose intolerant. Every once in a while our male American Bulldog will steal cereal milk if the kids don't pick up their bowls and the blowout from his backend is HORRIBLE! However I have never heard of it being tied specifically to respiratory problems.

lullsbrookab - 10/28/2011 10:27:20 AM

QUESTION: I have a beautiful AB. What can I wash him with to keep him white and what is the best brand of food to give him?

Anonymous - 10/22/2011 3:50:59 PM

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I use Whisk laundry detergent. Learned about it when my daughter was showing her goat. It is great to bring out the white. Since we bath dogs more than goats though, I also use a conditioner on their coat. For feed we use Diamond Naturals. No corn, wheat, or soy. Meat is first on the list of ingredients. $30 for a 40 lb bag.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 7:03:27 PM

LOL, keeping an all white dog white can be a never ending battle! We have three all white AB, and it is a task - it seems like as soon as they are clean they find some mud to play in! There are a variety of shampoos out there that are specially formulated for white dogs (we use Snowy Coat). As far as food goes, we recommend Taste Of The Wild. It is a great protein rich, grain free food... the better quality food you feed the less health, skin and coat issues you'll run into.

lullsbrookab - 10/28/2011 10:30:11 AM

QUESTION: I have an American Bulldog and I was thinking about breeding her to have a litter. She is 7 years old. I wasn't sure if that is too old? What would be the age to stop breeding or when they get too old?

Anonymous - 10/16/2011 9:18:26 PM

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Personally I wouldn't breed her at that age. I breed ABs now but I did have an Akita before and wanted to breed her so i could keep a pup from her, but by the time I was in a place I could do so she was 7 and i didn't want to put her through that.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 7:05:21 PM

First question I would ask is why do you want to breed your American Bulldog? Is she a champion dog? Has she had all her health testing (hips, elbows, eyes, etc..) and what does her pedigree look like? What is her temperament? If you aren't breeding to better the breed by using the best stock then you aren't doing any favors to the breed. Regardless, 7 years old is too old for breeding her.

lullsbrookab - 10/28/2011 10:32:40 AM

Def too old. I have heard american bulldogs should not be bred after 5 years old unless you have vet approval. Since you waited this long you may as well not even worry about it now. It will only take years off her life now. I personally wouldnt breed after age 6.

Anonymous - 10/19/2011 3:26:01 PM

QUESTION: Is the American Bulldog suitable for a jog partner?

Anonymous - 10/15/2011 8:27:58 PM

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Have your american bulldogs elbows and hips checked to make sure they are good and if so then yes they would make a good jogging partner.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 7:08:31 PM

Be careful american bulldogs are prone to blowing their knees out, walking and swimming is best

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 3:22:39 AM

My AB is 18 months old n he gets walked and taken tot he dog park for an hr in the mornings by my partner and then in the afternoon i take him with me on my jog for an hr, he loves it. he's fit and healthy and can keep up, just take it slow at first and progress (like humans do when they start a new exercise regime).

Anonymous - 12/18/2011 6:49:08 PM

It depends on the American Bulldog. We have a male who loves to run and hike, and we have a female who is happy to never get off the couch (and if you make her she acts like she just might die!) To the person who said they couldn't take their dog for a walk without being afraid the dog would faint, I'd be concerned about the quality of the dog you got... especially if you got it from a breeder. A correctly bred AB should not have that much difficulty....

lullsbrookab - 10/28/2011 10:35:48 AM

QUESTION: We have a white american bulldog, is this breed to be maintained inside or outside? I believe outside as she's too big for inside the house and my husband believes inside because of her color, white.

Anonymous - 10/10/2011 1:13:35 PM

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An American bulldog is fine inside and probably actually prefers it.. as long as there are people around... they can be as lazy or active as their owners... I would NOT recommend leaving them outside...

Anonymous - 10/21/2011 8:24:41 PM

The american bulldog breed is NOT an outdoor dog. 1 they will get sunburned and 2 they are not suited to extremes in temperature - hot or cold. They behave beautifully indoors. If you leave them outside they will not get the attention they crave and absolutely must have.

Anonymous - 10/13/2011 11:51:23 PM

QUESTION: Do you give an american bulldog much walkies when they are pregnant?

Anonymous - 10/5/2011 3:43:29 PM

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No and good luck with the puppies I love american bulldogs.

Anonymous - 1/27/2012 5:50:50 PM

Yes, but you have to be sensible and avoid situations like jumping bumping into things and stay clear from other dogs or anything that causes your american bulldog to react. I walk my girls more when pregnant. They will need the stamina when delivering pups for 24 hours

Anonymous - 10/19/2011 3:27:03 PM

QUESTION: i`m going to rescue an 11 month old american bulldog , how can i tell it is not a pitbull or mix, are there any distinct differences ?

Anonymous - 9/26/2011 3:37:03 PM

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11 months is hard to say. An AB usually has thicker lips, and a boxier head, but at 11 months a male AB's head can still look narrow and thinken up more in about 6 mos. The AB tends to have more "Wrinkles" in the muzzle, a pit is usally smooth and tight. The AB also generally has a thicker body build, no matter if it is a classic or standard AB body. You'll be able to tell more in about 6 months to another year.

btrometer - 1/16/2012 7:16:45 PM

I already have rescued an american bulldog & would also like to know how to tell if there is any pitbull in him. Not that I have anything against pits or pit mixes & as he is neutered, not for breeding either. I'd just like to know what he is. Can anyone help?

Anonymous - 11/10/2011 4:36:38 PM

QUESTION: I have a 1yr olde engilsh bulldogge and she has been passed around alot we are her 4th owner and the only problem i see with her is we cant seem to get her potty trained. Can you suggest anything?

Anonymous - 9/26/2011 10:04:27 AM

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yes yes check with a vet that theres nothing wrong with her ex:bladder infections..start her on a potty routine. 6 am pee then 10am pee then 1pm pee etc keep with it and look for signs. your english bulldog might not whine to go out but the minute you see her get up from her bed take her out

Anonymous - 1/5/2012 3:25:49 AM

First take her to the vet, if there's nothing medically wrong then you should crate train her. Bulldogs will not mess where they sleep.

Anonymous - 10/13/2011 11:52:52 PM

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