A BRIEF LOOK IN THE AMERICAN BULLDOG HISTORY

The American Bulldog descended from working catch dogs (wild & rough cattle and wild boar), and today the modern American Bulldog has evolved into America's #1 family and property protection dog.

American Bulldogs are powerful, strong willed dogs, but with basic obedience training and early socialisation they make good canine citizens.

Bulldogs in their pure form could be found in America as early as the 17th century. In colonial American Bulldogs were used by butchers and even engaged in baiting contests with bulls, bears and buffaloes. The modern American Bulldog originates from the original dogs that managed to survive as farmers  catch-dogs in isolated pockets of the south eastern United States. Originally its purpose on these southern plantations and ranches was to provide  protection to people and property as well as handling (catching) large animals such as cattle and hogs. Farmers still prize these dogs for their stamina, protectiveness, intelligence and working abilities. They could and did catch and hold their owners rough cattle including Bad Brahma Bulls, and did double duty on the farm protecting against feral dogs and trespassing humans. Regional varieties developed and many names were applied to the southern Bulldogs. Some of the more common names were Old English White, White English, Swamp Bulldog, Backwoods Bulldog, Old Country White and many others.

Two basic types of American Bulldogs have emerged in the past thirty years of breeding, due primarily to the efforts of Alan Scott and John D. Johnson. Mr. Scott selected for the best cattle and hog-catching dogs, usually somewhat lighter in musculature and bone than the Johnson dogs, with a less Mastiff-like head. Mr. Johnson selected for big, mastiffy-styled dogs with a hard protection drive, more massive, with a larger, broader head and shorter muzzle, and a definite undershot bite. Though starting with much of the same stock, one can easily see how the lines would quickly diverge into the courageous and agile "Scott" or as we call them these days "Standard" type dogs, and the impressive, often more man-aggressive "Johnson" or the "Classic/Bully" type dogs. Both forms have their attributes and their weaknesses. However, today, most American Bulldogs have crosses to two three or more of these lines and are not as easily distinguishable referred to as hybrids.

The Bully-type bulldogs have grown immensely in popularity in recent years due to their large size, impressive heavy looks, and often very protective nature. It is  in our opinion that if it were not for the efforts of John D. Johnson in promoting and selecting for large, impressive-looking dogs, the American Bulldog would still be primarily an extremely rare, backwoods dog, if not extinct. However, despite their popularity, the Bully-type bulldogs often have the following weaknesses; intolerance to hot weather, shortness of breath, joint troubles (especially knees and elbows), extreme dog aggressiveness, short life-span, and lack of the extreme athletic ability necessary for the working dog.

Alan Scott worked on his strain of dogs until around 1980 when his lines were continued by other breeders, including Joe Painter, Steve LeClerc and Mr. Williamson (and many more). These Standard-type bulldog breeders selected for prey drive, agility, gameness, and/or ability to catch bulls and wild hogs . The highly athletic, high prey-drive bulldogs they developed are very similar in appearance to the working bulldogs found throughout our record of canine history, both in America and Western Europe. Many of these dogs can run for miles, jump readily over a 5-foot fence, catch a wild boar with a minimum of injury to themselves, and tolerate the hottest weather without a problem. They tend to be quite muscular and are often sound and powerful in the hindquarters. Things to consider with this type of dog are that there seems to be a higher occurrence of shyness, that they are usually medium in size, as opposed to large, and that they often possess a head-type more often associated with pit-bulls or hounds.

Certain individuals in the South have been responsible for an exciting development in the American Bulldog world. They have discovered and made available some new bloodlines of surviving original type "White English Bulldogs." These are the original dogs predecessing the modern American Bulldog and are still in the unbroken chain of bulldogs dating back to days in England and before, that are loyal to and protect the family, will catch a wild hog or a 1500 lb. bull with little regard to self-preservation, yet sensitively respond to training and the master's commands or else "be buried behind the barn" at an early age. They are medium to large in size, usually predominantly white in color, active and moderately social with a high level of prey drive and a closely undershot bite. Examples of this type of dog include Joshua's Sandvalley Sam, Vanguard's Magnum Force, Hines Snowbird/Flash, Rice's Sgt. General Hooker and White Iron, Blackwell's Polar Bear, and Scarborough's Dutchess of Snow White, none of whom have any Johnson or Scott blood, yet are as true American Bulldogs as any alive, and are the same types of dogs as Mr. Johnson and Mr. Scott started keeping pedigrees on in the 1960's.

Popularity of the American Bulldog increased in the late 1980's when it became noticed and widely accepted by the public, and even more when the book "The working American Bulldog" by Dave Putnam was publíshed.

Even though not one out of a hundred of today's American Bulldogs get the opportunity to perform traditional catch-work with cattle or wild boar, the traits this breed inherited from it's gladiator ancestors of bravery, gameness, assertiveness, intelligence, mental stability, pain tolerance, and natural protectiveness, can relate to adverse situations and conditions that can and do happen in today's crime infested cities, suburbs and even rural areas.

The American Bulldog can be wary of strangers but is at home with children and immediate family. If a child and pup are allowed to grow together, you will have a built in baby-sitter. As with any dog, you must be cautious when introducing him to new people. American Bulldogs know what and whom they like; they are an excellent judge of character. You will not be able to force this dog to like someone if his instincts tell him otherwise. His pack comes first and that's who will receive his loyalty.

One of those traits that separate American Bulldog from other so called protection breeds is its ability to act cool and calm in the heat of battle. The American Bulldog is not afraid to take charge in situations where his family or his family's property are endangered.

The American Bulldog is assertive but not aggressive. This dog will not tolerate being mishandled, mistreated, or attacked.
It will defend itself to whatever means necessary. It is naturally protective of what and whom it thinks it owns. While very discreationary, they will be fearce defenders when seriously threatened. Total control through obedience is essential because of this dogs size and power.

If you do not have the time and energy it takes to train and exercise an active dog, then this breed is not for you or your family.

Responsible ownership of the American Bulldog is a must.