Buying or Adopting an American Bulldog

Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]

The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is an American Bulldog the right breed for you?

American Bulldog Review
I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find

Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family.

Are YOU the right owner for an American Bulldog?

Can you provide what this breed needs?

• Someone home most of the day
• Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
• No dogs of the same sex in the household
• No cats in the household
• Extra safety precautions – ongoing supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your American Bulldog, especially the presence of strange dogs who might start something your American Bulldog might finish in a tragic manner
• Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
• Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your American Bulldog stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief
• "Mental exercise" – interesting activities that keep the mind stimulated, such as a challenging dog sport (agility, schutzhund, carting, or weight pulling); challenging dog toys; a homemade obstacle course; tricks and games such as Musical Toys and Hide 'n Seek; instructions in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words
• An indoor lifestyle, except for exercise and bathroom breaks
• A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a smaller dog
• An owner with enough money to treat the health problems American Bulldogs are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
• Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your American Bulldog to lots of people and other animals, diligently correcting any signs of misbehavior or aggression
• Commitment to establish the proper Leader-Follower relationship with your American Bulldog, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say

Which sex? What age?

Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?

Where can you buy or adopt an American Bulldog?

American Bulldogs are a pretty common breed in the United States. They're not difficult to find.

Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
You might find an American Bulldog available from a Dog Rescue group. American Bulldogs might be turned over to Rescue because they need too exercise, or because they're too rambunctious or destructive. There might be dominance issues, or aggression toward other animals.

Owners often give up their American Bulldog when it becomes apparent that the dog is too much for them to handle. You would need to provide these dogs with the exercise, training, and socialization that they are lacking. Other American Bulldogs are given up simply because of changed family circumstances, and these dogs may have no behavior problems at all.

Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
American Bulldogs are occasionally found here, but American Bulldog Rescue groups keep their eyes peeled on shelters and humane societies across the country. When an American Bulldog turns up at a shelter, the rescue group typically moves in quickly to take the dog.

Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy an American Bulldog from a show breeder, who breeds American Bulldogs to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring.

Or you can buy an American Bulldog from a performance breeder, who emphasizes an energetic temperament and strong "prey (chasing) drives" for hunting wild boar, or for participating in protection dog sports (schutzhund) or weight pulling competitions.

Some breeders are a combination of show/performance, though how they prioritize those two goals can vary greatly. You can also buy an American Bulldog from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.

Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of an American Bulldog puppy should have:

• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
• a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) certifying the dog to have normal elbows

If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your American Bulldog ends up with hip and elbow dysplasia.

Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
American Bulldogs are not seen very often in pet shops, but it's possible. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!

Which puppy?

Choosing the Right American Bulldog Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of American Bulldog puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

AKC Registered Puppies: Are AKC Papers Important?
Should you buy only an AKC registered American Bulldog puppy? Do AKC papers and pedigrees really matter?