This month’s breed is the protective and intelligent American Bulldog. You may recognize American bulldogs from two well known movies: Chance from Homeward Bound and Pete the Pup from The Little Rascals.
American Bulldogs originated from British Bulldogs, but there are now few similarities between them. American Bulldogs are very athletic and are used for hunting, tracking and guarding.
American Bulldogs are loyal, reliable, brave and determined. They are not a hostile breed and truly love children. American Bulldogs can become hard to handle without daily mental and physical exercise. This breed is generally inactive when indoors, so apartment living is ok with proper exercise.
When training an American Bulldog, keep in mind their protective instincts. You will need to socialize and obedience train them at an early age to prevent them from becoming wary of strangers. They are alert and self-confident, so they require a consistent “pack leader” to tell them what is expected of them.
The American Bulldog has a unique story. Due to a man named John D. Johnson, the breed survived extinction after the end of World War II. Mr. Johnson and his father found the best specimens of Bulldogs in the Southern U.S. and started breeding them which, in turn, revived the breed. There would be no American Bulldog if it was not for Mr. Johnson.
American bulldogs are known for performing acts of heroism toward their owners because of their loyalty. If you are interested in a dog with the heart of a companion and amazing athleticism, the great American Bulldog could be the right dog for you!
