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AMERICN BULLDOG HISTORY:
The American Bulldog is a breed of domestic dog. Though larger in size, American Bulldogs are the closest surviving relative of the Old English Bulldog, because they were not altered to as great an extent while in America as their European cousins. There are generally considered to be two types of American Bulldog's, the Johnson type and the Scott type. These types are named after the breeders who were influential in developing them, John D. Johnson and Allen Scott. These are more commonly known as Classic, or Bully type, and Standard, or Performance type. By the end of World War II the breed was almost extinct. Mr. John D. Johnson, a returning war veteran, decided to resurrect this breed. Along with Alan Scott and several other breeders, Johnson began to carefully breed American Bulldogs, keeping careful records and always with an eye for maintaining the breed's health and working abilities. The American Bulldog was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1999.
At some point, Alan Scott began infusing non-Johnson catch bulldogs from working southern farms with John D. Johnson's line creating the now Standard American Bulldog. At another point, Mr. Johnson began crossing his line with an atavistic English Bulldog from the North that had maintained its genetic athletic vigor. This created a falling out between Johnson and Scott causing them to go their separate ways and breed the two significantly different versions of the American Bulldog.
The American Bulldog is a stocky and well built, strong-looking dog with powerful jaws. American Bulldogs coat is short and generally smooth. American Bulldog's are a light to moderate shedder. Colors, while historically predominantly white, have grown in recent years to include any color pattern: including black, red, brown, fawn and all shades of brindle. The color conformation is quite varied, but blue or any degree of merle is undesirable. It is considered a fault or disqualification by most breed standards. Black pigmentation on the nose and eye rims is preferred, with only some pink being allowed. Eye color is usually brown. American Bulldogs can be droolers. This varies and is more prevalent in those that are looser jowled or lipped. The Johnson type American Bulldog is generally a larger, heavier dog with a shorter muzzle. Scott type American Bulldog's often resemble a large, leggy Pit Bull. It is important to note that many modern American Bulldogs are a combination of the two types. In general, American Bulldogs weigh between 27 to 57 kg (60 to 130 lb) and are 52 to 70 cm (20 to 28 in) at the withers, but have been known to greatly exceed in that "out of standard", non working, stock. The Johnson American Bulldog type is often confused with the "white" Boxer due to the strong resemblance between the two breeds.
An American Bulldog is typically a happy and friendly dog that is at ease with its family and fine with outsiders. American Bulldog's bond strongly with their master and family. American Bulldog's love children and are good with them, provided they are socialized early. The more exposure to good training practices, other dogs and people, the more likely the success at being controlled both inside and outside of their environment. One way to help accomplish this goal can be done in the simplest of ways, by walking them regularly in a local park. There they can meet other people and dogs. While its genetics and breeding were to produce a working farm utility dog that could catch and hold large herbivores, kill vermin, and guard an owner's property, when properly introduced and socialized, this breed will become a great family pet.
American Bulldogs are now safe from extinction and are enjoying a healthy increase in popularity, either as a working dog or as a family pet. All over the world, they are used variously as "hog dogs" (catching escaped pigs or hunting razorbacks), as cattle drovers and as working K-9s. They are also bred with the Catahoula Leopard Dog in a specific formula to obtain the faster and more agile Catahoula Bulldog. American Bulldogs also successfully compete in several dog sports such as Schutzhund, French Ring street protection sport, Iron Dog competition and weight pulling.
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