American Bulldog temperment

[missyc]

Anybody have info on this breed? DS deserately wants one, but I've heard that they aren't good family dogs. One person even said they they are in the same category as pit bulls and rottweilers (can't get homeowners insurance). Anybody know or have experience?
TIA

 

[Pugdog007]

I don't know a lot about them but can tell you with confidence that they are not aggressive.

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

The American Bulldog is one of my favorite dogs. Even though I have never owned one personally many of my friends have. As far as their temperment goes... a well bred socialized AB is laid back and great with kids. They're a little large for me, males grow from 95 -150 pounds. I'm still partial to American Pit Bull Terriers/American Staffordshire Terriers. I have a 7 year old APBT/AST named Elvis that weighs 65 pounds. Elvis is duel registered in the AKC and UKC. He is almost a confirmation show champion in the UKC. He is an outstanding representation of his breed. But before I bought him as a pup I did a lot of research on bloodlines, and I researched American Bulldog bloodlines too. Both breeds have the same roots hundreds of years ago back in England. APBT's became smaller and gamier because of the terrier crosses while the ORIGINAL BULLDOG (not the little English Bulldog of today) was a very large dog that went extinct. You can see some impressive AB's in the 1994 movie: "Squanto: A Warrior's Tale". This movie shows the British coming to this country with their bulldogs. So it wasn't until the 1940's when John D. Johnson down in Georgia created a strain of large bulldogs that looked like the original bulldogs of England. After 60 years or so the American Bulldog is now a pure breed. John D. Johnson as far as I know is still alive and breeding. If I were to buy an American Bulldog puppy, I would only get it from the source...a pure JOHNSON. Check out his website and give them a call. Ask them as many questions as possible. My friend's dog had bad dysplasia problems. If you chose to get one make sure the parents are OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certified. Big dogs are prone to joint dysplasia. The last thing you want is a poor quality puppy that you'll have to put down in a couple of years because it's crippled. If you want to see a beautiful American Bulldog watch "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" (1993). Chance is a young AB. The 1994 "The Little Rascals" movie also has a young AB as Petey. The original Petey back in the 1930's was an American Pit Bull Terrier. I loved that dog, he reminds me of my boy Elvis. Well, I hope that helps.

http://www.johndjohnsonkennels.com/

 

[missyc]

The American Bulldog is one of my favorite dogs. I'm still partial to American Pit Bull Terriers/American Staffordshire Terriers. http://www.johndjohnsonkennels.com/

Don't want to offend you....but this (quote above) scares me. I would never consider a Pit Bull or a Rotweiller so maybe that's my clue that this isn't the breed for me either. JMHO Thanks for all the info anyways!
Problem is, DS loves big huge "manly" dogs!!
Hmmmm..................

 

[Shugardrawers]

Though they resemble Pit Bulls, American Bulldogs have a totally different temprament. They are excellent family pets but because they are large and powerful, probably not a great choice for a family with very young children. While some breeds do have a tendency to be territorial and protective, aggression is more a matter of training than breeding. AB's do not have a reputation for being particularly aggressive. In fact, well trained AB's are suprisingly sweet and gentle. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

Don't worry I'm not offended. I'm glad you're are taking this very seriously. The trouble these fad type breeds are getting into is partly due to irresponsible owners who have no idea about dog behavior, and they want a particular breed only for the image. That's why the APBT has suffered so greatly. They are the strongest dogs pound per pound in the world and this has attracted the dregs of society and as a result the breed has been almost ruined since the 1980's. Unfortunately the AB might be the next "manly fad breed" much to it's detriment. So I'm not offended that you're scared, this is the result of what this cruel world has done to a beautiful animal. Remember Petey of the Little Rascals NEVER malled any of the Rascals, in fact there were several Petey actors back in the 30's. Just like I said before any breed has to be WELL BRED and WELL SOCIALIZED. Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis the world famous dog trainer/behaviorist said: "There are no bad breeds, only bad breeding and bad socialization." And he was pertaining to the APBT. My point is that you need to be prepared to buy the the best bloodline, train it, and socialize it, no matter what the breed is. Maybe you're right you should not get one.