Hello,
Can anyone tell me the pro's and con's of an American Bulldog? I've looked around on websites etc and have totally fallen in love with the breed. The dog would be mainly used for agility (but I don't want another BC!). I currently have a young BC bitch, a 4year old male BC and an 8 year old male ESS, plus female Daxie and Patterdale. The only thing I would be worried about was if I got a male AB would it be more likely to fight with the male BC? Are there any successfully competing in agility?
Thanks,
Charlotte

hi,

i researched the breed before i decided to own one and this is my conclusion.

ABs can be trained to your circumstances , however you must not forget the power of the AB , hundreds of years of breeding with one goal in mind - to defeat man or animal- to pin , catch , or hold AB`s are willing to fight. So before you purchase consider the following.
Owning an AB can be a big responsibility, a responsible owner learns to channel the AB`s prey drive through play, protection training ,or hunting. An irresponsible owner who ignores them eventually supresses them.
When new owners ask "why does my dog chase cats or other dogs?" the better qusetion is "why would he not?"
ABs were bred to bait animals not herd. Never forget that the AB can be lethal if not trained proporly.
Generally speaking ABs can sometimes be aggresive, sometimes they want to fight, wether it be with another dog, or a stranger knocking at your door.
ABs will behave like fighters when left to their own volition.
While all dog breeds have similarites they also have differences , ABs are, they were not bred to retrive, they were not bred to herd or to sniff out drugs. I instead, they were bred to fight in the pits, and to hunt or catch animals.

So wether you decide to train for sport, hunting or protection, please be responsible there is no need for them to be banned like their closest cousins the American pit bull.

And lastly if you decide to own one please dont buy a male dog - this is only asking for trouble.
HELEN.

Hi Helen,
Thanks to you and everyone else for their replies.
I was thinking more towards getting a male rather than a female, would you say don't get a male because I already have one? I find males have more "oomph" in them for agility, but then again I'd still be prepared to get a female.
I will research the breed a lot more before I make the final decision but as I won't be getting one for at least 1 - 2 years there's no hurry!
Charlotte

Hi Helen.
How refreshing for someone to give an honest opinion on their chosen breed. For what its worth I don't think Char should get one, her reasons are just not apparant to this breed.
Dawn.

i wouldnt recommend one if you have never delt with a molosser breed before let alone a ambull before.

Hi Charlotte, i have to say that in the years we have been going to there rallie/shows we have never seen any bad/nasty behaviour and most of them are owned by families with children so i would say if you want one go and check lots of kennels out first then go away and think lots of luck jackie.

Great points made by Helen! In the USA they seem to be known as the "worlds greatest baby sitters", HA! I am not trying to imply that they do not get along with children, but they ARE big, strong, rough, tough dogs! An AB is not an AB, there are different types; Standard, Johnson, Old Southern Whites, and Hybrids, each have different flaws and benefits. ALL the types are bred to kill or deal with "critters". A BC may be too much for even an average AB to be expected to tolerate, especially one who wants to be Alpha. I have 2 Performance ABs, a male and a female both 4 yr old, and a 3 yr old male Rat Terrier (10lbs). I think an AB would do well at agility. They can climb a tree or ladder to gain access to your roof and think nothing of jumping off the other side, I've also heard, out of a 2 story window! Obviously they have more courage than they have sense, lol. I have watched my female balance and walk on top of a 6' chainlink fence. ALL the males I know are big klutzes.
The male AB I own does not consider the feisty Rat a threat worth his time, and they get along wonderfully. The female can not physically dominate the male, and knows it, so they all live in harmony in the house. IF my female would ever decide to not be so agreeable, it would be a disaster. ALL AB are dog aggressive, some less than others, most have high prey drive, but none will tolerate being pushed, and have the gameness and abilities bred in to them so totally, that they will persist in an actual battle, and I cannot imagine that they would lose...no matter what it took. Be careful with this breed. A lot of research is in order, and some personal contact if possible. Most people who want an AB would be much better off and happier with an APBT.

Thanks ever so much lizardlady, that's really great advice and has given me a lot of information!
Charlotte

Hi Lizard lady.

I agree with what you say that the APBT would probably be a better choice but for the fact that we are not allowed to own them in the UK anymore, but we can own ambulls if we want. I opted for two ISBTs when my old APBT died of old age. Because they banned the pit it caused an upsurge in demand for ISBTs and Am Bulls which in turn will no doubt lead to problems for the breeds reputations in the future.

Mick

i agree too with you mr murphy
with unexperienced molosser handlers going straight and buying a dog like ambull/isbt etc its just gona mean a bad thing for us who do own them responsibly.