Are they good with kids? Are they a good guard/alert you of something dogs? What type of personality do they have? Good farm dogs? How do they compare to the boxer?
Bad hips. If you get one, make sure the parents are well screened!!
I have met lots, and they are generally quieter in demeanor than boxers. The majority of the ones I have met had good personalities. I don’t know if they are good with kids,other dogs or if they would make a good farm dog. I think a lot of that boils down to how they are raised/trained.
I believe they can be good dogs, but there are also a LOT of poorly bred ones out there.
Rare to meet one who comes from health tested stock. I seldom meet one who doesn’t either try to bowl me over or need an immediate muzzle placement.
I’ve only met two American bulldogs, but known lots of “pits”. Most are pretty good with kids, kinda stubborn but eager to please at the same time, happy-go-lucky and like to chase things without the narrow-minded focus of say, a bird dog. Most of them are dumb as a box of rocks in a lovable way.
As a trainer, I tend to see a different sub-section of dogs than is totally representative of the population. They’re not real popular in the circles I run in, so I’ve got a limited selection to describe to you, but the ones I’ve seen are generally high drive dogs. They require significant socialization with other animals, especially small dogs/critters. They can be territorial and protective of their family. This pretty much mirrors my experience.
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/americanbulldogs.html
We have one. She’s the first I’ve ever been around, but DH and his family have had several.
Ours is wonderful with kids, very happy go lucky. She’s friendly meeting new people. Good with other dogs once she gets to know them. There is always a growly/suspicious introduction. She’s never gone after a dog, but she’s on guard. Protective, but a chicken at the same time…if she sees something new that scares her, she will bark at it, then run and hide between DH’s legs:lol: Smart, athletic…she’s awesome.
Great. I’m officially one of those people…"MY baby is the Best, Smartest, most Awesome dog EVER. :rolleyes: :lol:
I’ve know a couple and thought they were great dogs. They were friendly and very sweet. They are big, strong dogs.
I have a Boxer and Pit Bull and they all got along well and ran and played until they pretty much dropped (a good thing 
). But both of my dogs kind of love everyone and get along really well with other dogs.
My boyfriend had an American Bulldog named Biscuit that was the love of his life. He lost her to bad hips eventually, but she was a rescue. He currently has an American Bulldog/Boxer cross and he is the sweetest, goofiest dog over. He’s pretty short on brain power, but long a kindness.
Photo of Harley-dog. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201344934883729&set=a.10201344932963681.1073741830.1184135915&type=3&theater
I don’t really think they look anything like a pit, something in the mouth area is just too different.
Most of the ones I’ve met have been sweet enough but lack boundaries with dogs and people. Lots of jumping, leash pulling, etc. Almost all have been owned by first-time dog owners so I don’t know how much was nature v. nurture.
Overall, I thought they were nice dogs but not my first pick. I’ve never met a well-bred dog so perhaps that would change my perspective. Around here they are backyard oops and usually crossed with some type of pittie.
I’ve met quite a few well bred ones, but even then, they have a propensity for health issues especially with regards to eyes, teeth, skin infections in the folds of skin on the face, etc (many squish faced dogs have similar challenges) and hips. If I recall correctly, bull dogs have the highest rate of hip dysplasia.
Personality wise, I’ve never met one I didn’t like over the course of the last 20 or so years. HOWEVER, I have met more than a few who didn’t have terribly good manners because they’re just small enough that some folks don’t treat them like “dogs” and train them (as is kind of common with smaller dogs) but they’re solid enough/strong enough dogs that lack of manners can create challenges for those of us who need to handle them.
I am not a huge fan of the bulldogs from the standpoint that they just don’t seem to be meant for this world–ie: most have to be delivered via c section, yada yada. But I really have nothing negative to say about the dogs I’ve met.
Our neighbor had one that would break his chain and head over to our place. Very nice dog, super strong, friendly (he was an unneutered male). Can’t remember how he was with our cats…they might not have been let outside yet. Another female came in to be spayed at the clinic I work at, again very sweet and mellow. Another dog came in for heartworm treatment–did super with that, the shots are painful and he took it like a trooper. I think they are a little calmer than Boxers.
Severe dog-aggression, with the size and power to be lethal in a hurry. Which makes it a bad family dog as it needs a physically strong, dedicated owner to be the sole handler if you want to maintain one safely. Watch the YouTube video of Gabby Giffords’ husband - a big, strong man - struggling to pull the family’s American Bulldog off a sea lion.
[QUOTE=BuddyRoo;7121675]
I’ve met quite a few well bred ones, but even then, they have a propensity for health issues especially with regards to eyes, teeth, skin infections in the folds of skin on the face, etc (many squish faced dogs have similar challenges) and hips. If I recall correctly, bull dogs have the highest rate of hip dysplasia.
Personality wise, I’ve never met one I didn’t like over the course of the last 20 or so years. HOWEVER, I have met more than a few who didn’t have terribly good manners because they’re just small enough that some folks don’t treat them like “dogs” and train them (as is kind of common with smaller dogs) but they’re solid enough/strong enough dogs that lack of manners can create challenges for those of us who need to handle them.
I am not a huge fan of the bulldogs from the standpoint that they just don’t seem to be meant for this world–ie: most have to be delivered via c section, yada yada. But I really have nothing negative to say about the dogs I’ve met.[/QUOTE]
I think you’re talking about English bulldogs. American bulldogs are much larger and have very different personalities.
Maybe with some, but definitely not all. Our bully is very submissive, to whoever is handling her. DH, myself, our friend’s 2 year old little girl…
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Severe dog-aggression, with the size and power to be lethal in a hurry. Which makes it a bad family dog as it needs a physically strong, dedicated owner to be the sole handler if you want to maintain one safely. Watch the YouTube video of Gabby Giffords’ husband - a big, strong man - struggling to pull the family’s American Bulldog off a sea lion.
[QUOTE=talkofthetown;7123466]
Maybe with some, but definitely not all. Our bully is very submissive, to whoever is handling her. DH, myself, our friend’s 2 year old little girl…[/QUOTE]
Ditto this. My boyfriend’s AB is submissive to everyone (Corgi and cats included) and everything.
wow, thanks for all of the help everyone. Probably sticking w boxer or dane. My #1 priority is kid safe with a little guard thrown in there.
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Rare to meet one who comes from health tested stock. I seldom meet one who doesn’t either try to bowl me over or need an immediate muzzle placement.[/QUOTE]
Agreed. I myself have seen too many ill behaved/poorly bred ones with my own eyes to ever consider one as a pet or guard dog.
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wow, thanks for all of the help everyone. Probably sticking w boxer or dane. My #1 priority is kid safe with a little guard thrown in there.[/QUOTE]
Don’t consider either one of those breeds. Get a reliable hound or something similar.
American bulldogs are working dogs and make terrible just-pets.
My #1 priority is kid safe with a little guard thrown in there.
get an adult black Labrador. About as kid-safe as you can get, and big black dogs who won’t actually bite anyone, ever, are your best bet for “guarding”.
I love them and am seriously considering one after my last Ridgeback passes on. They have prey drive but it’s different from the sighthound prey drive and I’m tired of the sighthound prey drive for now. BTW the whole Gabby Gifford’s dog on the sealion isn’t people aggression it’s prey drive. Dogs are predators. You’d have to pull all my ridgebacks off that sea lion too.
Paula
