American Bulldogs are alert, confident, and active dogs that take all their duties seriously. While they are excellent watchdogs and protectors, they aren’t always stern – in fact, the breed has a reputation for clowning around and acting silly for their owners. American Bulldogs work hard, and play even harder. 

Despite their rough and tough appearance, they’re friendly and outgoing dogs. They’re excellent watchdogs and will alert their owner to the presence of strangers, but they’ll then head over to introduce themselves to the potential new friend. While they may be initially wary, they quickly warm up to people and begin to display their characteristic goofy antics when they become excited and happy. 

The American Bulldog is clever and capable, with a keen intellect and the agility and power to match. There’s almost nothing a driven and focused American Bulldog can’t do. They aren’t aggressive by nature, and are not prone to biting. They’re gentle and sweet with children, and make wonderful family dogs when properly trained and socialized. 

American Bulldogs aren’t quite as energetic as other all-around working breeds, but still need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep from getting bored. A bored dog will tend to invent their own games to play, and many owners will not appreciate the results. 

Most American Bulldogs require at least an hour to an hour and a half of exercise each day, whether it be walking or jogging, off-leash play in a fenced yard, or some sort of vigorous training. 

The muscular build of an American Bulldog means they need relatively high-intensity exercise, even if they don’t have as much stamina as more slim dog breeds. Shorter, more intense sessions will help keep their bodies in top shape. 

Games are also important for an American Bulldog’s mental stimulation, as they need to be entertained as well. Fetch, tug-of-war, or scent work are all good options for this breed. Lower-impact exercise such as jogging or swimming may be better for heavier American Bulldogs, to help preserve their joint health.  

American Bulldogs do not need much in the way of grooming, as their short, coarse coat is very low maintenance. They shed lightly all throughout the year. 

A brushing session once a week is typically enough for most American Bulldogs. You can use a bristle brush or glove to keep your American Bulldog’s coat smooth and shiny. Most American Bulldogs don’t need to be bathed very often – every one to two months is enough for many owners, aside from when the dog gets particularly dirty from outdoor play. 

Tooth brushing should be done daily, if possible. Regular tooth brushing will help protect your dog’s teeth and gums and prevent dental issues that may develop into larger medical problems later on. 

Nail trimming can be done once or twice a month, depending on how often your American Bulldog needs it. If their nails are making noise on wood or tile floors, it’s time for a trim. 

American Bulldogs need to begin training early on in life, as they’re very heavy and powerful animals. It’s much easier to wrangle an American Bulldog puppy than a full-sized adult or even an adolescent, as they grow very quickly in the 4 to 7 month stage of life. 

While some American Bulldogs may be independent thinkers, they’re very trainable. They just require a consistent and patient owner who understands what they’re thinking. The best way to get an American Bulldog puppy to do what you want is positive reinforcement. Rewarding your dog for following commands with pets, play, or treats will quickly teach them the proper behaviors. 

Most American Bulldogs can be trained to play well with humans, whether friend or stranger, but they do require supervision when interacting with children. They are also more wary of interacting with other dogs, even with training, so they may not be the best choice for a multi-dog household. 

American Bulldogs are generally healthy and can normally live up to 10 to 16 years old. American Bulldogs may be prone to:

• Cherry eye – a condition in which the dog’s third eyelid becomes inflamed, possibly causing dry eye or other issues
• Hip dysplasia – a malformation of the hip joint where the ball and socket do not fit together properly, leading to pain and weakness in the rear legs
• Allergies – a reaction to allergens such as fleas or ticks, food, or other environmental factors
• Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis – an inheritable neurologic disease that may cause weakness or imbalance in the limbs, and possibly loss of vision

American Bulldogs are a large breed of dog, standing at 22 to 25 inches at the shoulder for males, and 20 to 23 inches for females. Most male American Bulldogs will normally weigh between 60 to 120 pounds, which is a very wide range. Female American Bulldogs will weigh between 60 to 80 pounds as adults. 

The American Bulldog needs a lot of play and a lot of attention. Their high energy and need for vigorous exercise mean that they require a large outdoor space, preferably a fenced yard, for their play sessions. While they are adaptable dogs, they don’t do well in apartments. They are equally at home in cities or in rural areas. 

While they were originally working dogs, they’re now used more as companion animals, and most American Bulldogs need a lot of attention from their human family members. They love to be involved in all family activities and will prefer to sleep inside the house. Their short coat does little to protect them from the elements, so they don’t do well as outdoor dogs.