American Bulldog. Abe Fishman

      

       Physical Characteristics of the American Bulldog

      (from the National American Bulldog Association Standard)

       Head: Rectangular when viewed from the side.

       Eyes: Round to almond shaped, any color except blue.

       Nose: Wide open nostrils, black.

       Muzzle: Square, wide and deep.

       Jaws: Should display great strength.

       Bite: Scissors to one-quarter-inch undershot.

       Skull: Flat and widest between the ears.

       Neck: Muscular, slightly arched.

       Shoulders: Very muscular, side sloping shoulder blades.

       Chest: Deep brisket, wide but not too wide.

       Height: 19 to 27 inches.

       Back: Medium in length, sloping from rump to withers.

       Hips: Very muscular.

       Coat color: Any color except flat black or any blue.

       Stifles: Should be well angled.

       Weight: Any weight between 85 to 105 pounds for males; 65 to 90 pounds for females.

      Contents

       History of the American Bulldog

      The author presents a theory here to counter popularly held beliefs about the American Bulldog’s true history. Learn about the early working dogs, breeds involved in the American Bulldog’s lineage and the divergence in type that occurred with the creation of distinct bloodlines. Find out how the breed was revived from near-extinction and what the future has in store for this striking and unique bully breed.

       Characteristics of the American Bulldog

      Are you the right owner for the American Bulldog? While he is known by many to be an affectionate, loyal and fun-loving companion, he is a large, very powerful dog that needs an owner to show him who is boss. Learn the pros and cons about the American Bulldog, including health concerns in the breed and what the breed requires from a good owner in order to be a well-adjusted, happy and well-behaved member of the family.

       Breed Standard for the American Bulldog

      Learn the requirements of a well-bred American Bulldog by studying and comparing the descriptions of the breed set forth in the breed standards of two major registries. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

       Your Puppy American Bulldog

      Find out about how to locate a well-bred American Bulldog puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

       Proper Care of Your American Bulldog

      Cover the specifics of taking care of your American Bulldog every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of dog identification.

       Training Your American Bulldog

      Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the American Bulldog, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

       Healthcare of Your American Bulldog

      By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

       Your Senior American Bulldog

      Know when to consider your American Bulldog a senior and what special needs he will have. Learn to recognize the signs of aging in terms of physical and behavioral traits and what your vet can do to optimize your dog’s golden years.

       Behavior of Your American Bulldog

      Analyze the canine mind to understand what makes your American Bulldog tick. The following potential problems are addressed: different types of aggression, separation anxiety, sex-related behaviors, digging, jumping up, barking, food-related problems and more.

      KENNEL CLUB BOOKS^® AMERICAN BULLDOG ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-205-4

      Copyright © 2005 • Kennel Club Books^® • A Division of BowTie, Inc. 40 Broad Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 • USA Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in China

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

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      Photography by:

      Paulette Braun, T.J. Calhoun, Alan and Sandy Carey, Wil de Veer, Isabelle Français, Bill Jonas, Nancy Liguori, Tam C. Nguyen and Nikki Sussman.

       Illustrations by Renée Low and Patricia Peters.

      The publisher wishes to thank all of