American Bulldog overview
Life expectancy: 10 to 14 years
Size: 22 to 25-inches (male); 20 to 23 inches (female)
Coat: Short, dense and harsh
Temperament: Friendly, dominant, confident, assertive, loyal, energetic
Exercise needs: Between one and two hours daily
Origin/native country: United States
American Bulldogs are a descendant of the British Bulldogs taken to North America in the 17th century by colonists to work on farms. This large-breed dog got stuck into many tasks from herding livestock to catching large animals but they were also used in baiting contests. They also approached extinction by the late 1940s until John D Johnson and Alan Scott revived the breed, leading to the creation of the Standard or Scott-type American Bulldog.
This breed is not to be confused with the American Bully which was developed in the 1980s and 1990s – those are a mix of other bully breeds. Indeed, American Bulldogs are larger and more athletic while Bullies are stocky. But do American Bulldogs make good pets? Let’s find out.
How much exercise does an American Bulldog need?
American Bulldogs were bred to work on farms, carrying out tasks such as herding cattle. To that end, they are powerful, athletic and energetic dogs so you have to ensure they are kept very active. “American bulldogs require one to two hours of exercise every day to keep them mentally and physically stimulated,” says vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. “A bored dog is more likely to become destructive.”
The exercise doesn’t need to be especially demanding for you. It can entail going for a brisk walk or picking up the pace and having the dog accompany you on a jog. Rather than embark on one big exercise session, however, it’s best to split it up. It’s also important that you keep the breed’s mind ticking over by playing games – fetch and tug-of-war are always good to try and you may want to present the breed with some puzzles. Just be aware that American Bulldog puppies should be eased in. Experts suggest five minutes walking per age month.
Are American Bulldogs aggressive dogs?
American Bulldogs look a little scary thanks to their large muscular build and sizeable head. They also have a bite force of 305 PSI so it’s fair to say this is not a breed that you want to be messing around with. After all, they’re not listed as one of the best guard dog breeds for nothing.
But that is not to say American Bulldogs are inherently aggressive. Although they will display aggression if they feel threatened or if they are trying to protect their owners, if you properly socialize and train this breed then you will find the dogs are actually friendly and affectionate.
“As with many breeds, poor socialization and training could lead to aggressive tendencies,” affirms Dr MacMillan. “A dog that is also bored, frustrated, and anxious is also much more likely to show signs of aggression.”
The key then is to handle them well, keep them physically and mentally stimulated and train them positively as soon as you can.
Are American Bulldogs easy to train?
So the next question is whether or not you’re going to find training tricky and the answer depends on how experienced you are with dogs.
“American Bulldogs are intelligent, but their confident temperament can make them challenging for novice pet owners,” says Dr MacMillan.
Training, therefore, requires persistence and patience. You need to be dominant and show the dog who is boss. It’s also important to introduce them to other dogs, people and livestock from a young age and ensure they become familiar with the everyday outdoor environment.
“American bulldogs require consistent and patient training,” says Dr MacMillan. “They also have a stubborn streak and can be headstrong so you must stick to positive reinforcement training and seek professional advice if you are struggling.”
Do American Bulldogs make good family pets?
With great training and socialization, you will find an American Bulldog is a wonderful addition to a family home, offering protection and love. At the same time, you may want to avoid bringing this breed into a home where there are very young children simply because American Bulldogs are large and capable of knocking into, and injuring, a child.
Older children are more likely to be better at handling an American Bulldog than an inquisitive younger child. It’s also important that your home has plenty of space inside and out. Again, due to their size, American Bulldogs are not really a large breed suitable for apartment living.
Do American Bulldogs need lots of food?
American Bulldogs need a high quality diet capable of supporting their growth and development so that means plenty of animal-based proteins and a good mix of vegetables, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals.
“Receiving the right amount of a good quality complete diet is also important in helping your pet to lead a long and healthy life,” says Dr MacMillan
As for how much food this breed will need (important when considering ongoing costs), well that depends on the type of food you are feeding, as well as the manufacturer’s formulations, Dr MacMillan says. “American Bulldogs are a large muscular breed, so will require more food and be more costly to feed than a smaller dog like a Shih Tzu or Jack Russell Terrier.
Do American Bulldogs need a lot of grooming?
American Bulldogs are low maintenance breed in terms of grooming. Since they have a short coat, you’ll only need to brush them every week to ensure their coat is kept clean and smooth. This will also remove any excess hair and help manage year-round shedding which peaks around spring and in the fall (you may want to step up the brushing to a couple of times a week at this point).
Otherwise, you just need to bath this breed every couple of months or so and ensure their teeth are brushed. “You should ensure your American bulldog gets all their vaccinations, anti-parasite treatment, and regular dental check-ups,” says Dr MacMillan.
American Bulldog common health problems
As with most pedigree breeds, American Bulldogs are prone to certain health conditions, notably hip and elbow dysplasia.
“Affected joints don’t develop properly leading to painful lameness as the dog grows,” says Dr MacMillan. You can combat this problem to some extent. “Parents should be screened before mating to reduce the chances of passing inherited joint problems onto their puppies,” Dr MacMillan adds.
American bulldogs are also at risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). “Flat-faced breeds often have narrow nostrils and airways, as well as too much soft tissue in the back of their throats, leading to breathing issues,” Dr MacMillan explains.
Other issues include skin disorders and allergies are common in American Bulldogs. “Affected dogs can be allergic to a variety of things including, grass pollens, house dust mites, and food proteins. They will require lifelong management to keep things under control,” Dr MacMillan says.
Should I buy an American Bulldog?
American Bulldogs are wonderful pets if they’re properly cared for and you will get so much enjoyment from having them around. They’re fun, loving and loyal, offering great protection, and they’re great if you’re active because they’ve got so much energy to burn off. But they do need a lot of training to handle their aggressive tendencies and they’re not particularly ideal if you live in a small home or have young children around – you’d be better with one of the best dog breeds for families.
Want to learn more about this breed? Here are our favorite American Bulldog facts
Dr Rebecca MacMillan
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
This feature was last updated on February 11, 2025.
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