First off, let's hope this doesn't become too debateable!!

I was generally wondering what peoples' opinions are on this breed of dog? Even though it's not actually a KC registered breed it is increasingly becoming more popular in the UK. After extensive research into the breed I think the next dog I consider getting would be an American Bulldog, and this is coming from a girl that said I'd only ever have huskies!!

I think these dogs have sadly been caught on the wrong end of the DDA alongside other breeds, but that would kick up a whole different debate. For those who want some more info, the breed is of mastiff type that was originally bred to bring down livestock and, yes, fighting and guarding (you knew it was coming!). Sadly, they have become "extensions" for certain young men because "they look hard". Fab, that's all we need.

Another thing to look at is their health issues. Considering this is a relatively new breed to the UK (i'm on about the Am.Bull, not its descendants such as the Brit.Bull and Old.Bull) there are some health factors to name such as: Hip Dysplasia with the Am.Bulls median being 15 and average being 19, Cruciate Ligament, Elbow Dysplasia, Entropion, Ichthyosis, NCL and Patella Luxation. Some could argue "name me a breed that doesn't have health problems", and that is more than fair enough!

Weight-pull, ahhhh, where do I begin. I LOVE IT!! My youngest Sibe does it and can't get enough, the older of the two is only content on pulling if it involves my arm coming out of my socket, forget pulling a weighted trolley. I think the UK more than owe it to the American Bulldogs for making weight-pulling popular in the UK. Just another reason why they have yet another tick in my book.

However, all of the above is a mixture of my opinion on why I like the breed and facts on why I'm a bit hesitant and I'd love to know what your views are on these dogs!

I don't know much about them but the breeder I got my dog from had 2 at that time and they were huge.  Seemed to be very gentle though but died quite young.  I think they look lovely but like most breeds if you do your research and put the work in you are more likely to end up with a great companion.  It's cutting corners that causes problems.

i like the look, the composition isn't to far off the bullmastiffs (i have 3). never seen one in the flesh but have been looking about, seem a bit smaller than my lot (maybe slightly more dogue de bourdeux?). there are quite a few in rescue (as you say, the hard man look) i think if your willing to look into them why not? there are plenty of breeds with a 'past' that now make great pets.

They are slightly smaller than the bullmastiffs but their height and weight range is so diverse. It completely depends what "type" they are as there are two predominant types. The "Johnson" is the more bully, chunky and bigger size then the "Scott" is the more agile smaller size, commonly confused with the pitbull *smacks head* - shows what people know! And then there's the mixture of the two.

From my in-depth research in the breed they seem to make brill pets but then again with time and dedication, what dog doesn't?

The main problem as I see it is that they are a breed if you like that has no recognising at all by any national Kennel Club.

So there is no central registry/Authority to set standards (both physical mental and ethics for breeding), and anyone breeding can add in what the hell they like for what ever reason they like.

Personally I do not think there is any place for many baiting breeds in this country or any more guarding protection type.  Here I would include some of the Russian breeds which were kept for their fierce protectiveness and ability to defend property from large predators and people.  It is similar to trying to keep a Foxhound in a family home, too much dog for it's environment resulting in frustration for the dog, with the majority of people not able to understand or control these drives.

We already have problems with fitting working Collies and Gun dogs into ordinary Pets homes.

If you want a dog for weight pull I would stick to the heavyweight sled dog breeds.  Then again theres a case in point with these breeds being totally unsuitable fr the average home and suffering for it.  Their popularity in the USA has resulted in such poor breeding that Husky types are one of the main dog bite culprits and Home Owners Liability Insurance will not include them.

AS you know I am totally anti BSL, and to prevent any more undue restrictions for owners of the breeds we already have as popular family members I would not with to see the introduction of any more breeds whose original purpose has not been toned down to fit in with modern day living.

From what I ahve read on both pro (breeder sites) and perhaps anti (general sites) the essentialy working  nature (baiting) ability of the American Bulldog is stressed, so they are not like our Bulldpog or the British Stafford where these drives have been selected against when bringing the breeds into modern times.  I suspect the original sharpness of the Bullmasiff has long goen too, not so soem of these breeds that peopel are bringing in.

I believe people have enough breeds to choose from if they like that looks.

You have the Bull mastiff, Boxer, Bulldog and the ubiquitous Stafford.  Then for those loving size the DDB, Mastiff and Neo.

I know the Neo and DDB are recent introductions, but theri history adn lines can be easily reserached as they are long recongnised regulated breeds.

ive met a few now, & they have all been lovely, non dog agressive, fun, lively agile.I like them. If i ever was going to get a bully breed i think i would def consider one of these...

"I suspect the original sharpness of the Bullmasiff has long goen too"- oh yes! big sooks. very defensive of home and family but in a non aggressive, more warning way. they rarely bark (as they were designed not to) but will bark when someone approaches the house, mainly to let us know (very impressive noise). they will totally back down as soon as their owner oks the person. i couldn't reccomend them enough. you should see what they are like with my bf, our youngest loves him and won't move from sitting on his feet in the house, shes done that from as soon as they saw he was with me.

Hi Keira
One of Indy's great pals on his morning walk is an American Bulldog. He's a lovely chap, just over a year old, and so far a smashing nature. Not keen on flat faces myself (obviously :)

Kat

Hi i think that not having a set breed standard is a huge problem, i have seen many searching the web. All have different head types, bites, size, basic lack of common features overall. As you say they are the new staffies for the hard man, because they dont cost a great deal either. They are a nice looking dog if you get one that is from decent lines, when i got my DDB they had one dog and he was lovely he was a true ''johnsons'' type. I think it might be easier if i show some pictures of what i mean, from some of my friends in the piczo world. To me the dog on this link is just like a bordeaux but no ginger lol http://clarks-american-bulldogs.piczo.com/?g=3608874&cr=7, id prefer less of the head type one more like this http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/766/65005705.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Home/Animals/Mammals/Carnivores/Families/Dogs-and-Relatives/Domestic-Dog/Companion-Dogs/American-Bulldog/American-Bulldog-4.html&h=768&w=517&sz=84&hl=en&start=23&um=1&tbnid=oylnwpLhhovRkM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Damerican%2Bbulldog%26start%3D18%26ndsp%3D18%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rlz%3D1T4ADBS_enGB246GB247%26sa%3DN hmmmmmmmm sorry bout the long link, im not very computer literate. and this one looks completely different chest is so wide almost to deformity.http://higgsbullbreeds.piczo.com/?g=11084138&cr=7&linkvar=000044    I think a person previous said this, there are plenty of similar breeds to choose from that have a standard and are recognised by kc, as yet i dont think the breed has and reputable breeders that healthcheck correct me if im wrong but why no point seeing as they are not Kc reg. Too much variation and i think 'some' people are going to give the breed a bad name before it even has a name in this county, such a shame. the good ones are nice though. Get a Bordeaux they are the best, but im not biased at all Honest lol :P

We've had a few Am Bulldogs go through our classes and one of our trainers owns one too. The main problem I seem to find with them is temperament... I have not come across any aggression, but the opposite... very timid to the point that some won't approach people or be touched by them. We have had about half/half... the nice confident ones are fab, steady guys with big personalities... the shy/insecure ones are fab too, but that's not the temperament they should have.

I am not a bullbreed person at all, but if I had to chose a bullbreed... it would be the American Bulldog.

Vera

god that chest was a bit meaty, very very bulldog. sorry but i disagree, bullies are best :D bourdeus are lovely to though i conceed

Prefer the clean lines of the bullmastiff best.  Nothign over exagerated, be it muscle, size or head.

tehe, ta barbara :D

Myself i would stick the the best of british bully, cant beat them. Love them to bits, all this victorian olde tyme etc etc is aload of rubbish for people to make money. How is crossing a BB with a staffie and old tyme??? Nonsense

In Response to LouiseDDB
Myself i would stick the the best of british bully, cant beat them. Love them to bits, all this victorian olde tyme etc etc is aload of rubbish for people to make money. How is crossing a BB with a staffie and old tyme??? Nonsense  A Staffy cross Bulldog does not produce 'Olde Tyme Bulldogges'...where did you get this information from? Because it's wrong!!

American Bulldogs are lovely but certain lines such as 'Hines' and 'Scott' can be quite dog to dog aggressive, so make sure you fully research all the lines and types before making any kind of decision, especially if they are to live in multi dog households :)

Yes i know its nonsense, that is why i wrote the word nonsense as it cannot possibly be so. I saw this or a similarly worded proclimation in an advert. I do know it is wrong. Fyi its not me interested in getting an ABD because like you i agree them to be too agressive towards dogs and i have my Bordeaux's. I have met one once he was nice but abit rough in play.

I've researched Olde Tyme Bulldogges for a long, long time never owned one, just always been interested in alternative type Bulldogs to the 'British' pretty much like the American Bulldog, there are different strains such as Dorset, Victorian, Sussex and of course there is the Olde Tyme Bulldogge which are very different dogs to the Dorset, Victorian and Sussex.  If you could actually find someone who has been into these dogs since the early late 70's early 1980's you would find that these dogs are no longer crossbred many being in their 10th generation and over (Kennel club only requires 5 generations, unless the rules have changed since I last looked).  I find their history interesting, and do find people whom have been with these dogs from the beggining to be very open and honest concerning these dogs.  And now I am dogless after loosing my last dog in November not quite ready to have another dog after loosing my Corso girl, I don't think I will be going for the ABD to be honest even though I do like them, still researching other breeds but have thought about Dorsets, Victorians, Sussex and the Olde Tyme Bulldogge for quite a while now...But will see :D

If you can find one of these breeders then go for it, but alot of people are just messing about with crosses that are the ugliest things ive ever seen. The british bulldogs are now seen as healthy if you buy wisely, ive always wanted one but i dont have the room at the moment. Hopefully in the future, corsos are great too sorry about your loss. I think i just love the molosser breed in general, and the little puggles and bullies just melt my heart.

I've met one AB and he was gorgeous in both looks and temperament,he was a fair bit smaller than a bull mastiff.
I say as long as you seek out an exceptional breeder,try and find some previous buyers of their dogs/references etc you shouldnt have any problems,in the right hands these types of dogs are great big sooks :-D

One day when i have enough land i would love to have either of the two aforementioned breeds.

I have a great story about a bullmastiff...Apparantly they let burglars/intruders into the house,but wont let them leave again??
A couple had gone away for a long weekend and a burglar entered their house on the Friday night,their BM let him in no problems,but when he went to leave, the dog blocked his exit,so long story short the burglar spent 3 days ontop of a wardrobe with the dog patrolling below him!

In Response to LouiseDDB

>alot of people are just messing about with crosses that are the ugliest things ive ever seen.
>the little puggles and bullies just melt my heart.

'Puggles' are crosses ...... so are you pro or anti?

Pugglies and bullies as dallies, a nickname for the breed. I meant full pug, i am against crosses :D

I don't have to find people that have been in the breeds I mentioned should I choose to go for one of these dogs in the future, the people whom have been involved with these dogs are easy to find should you have done your homework properly. I've met the three main people in the breeds and spoken to them many times over the telephone.  I found them to be very honest about the ancestry of their dogs and breeding programmes.  Anyway, as much as I love all dogs I am not going to get involved with yet another 'Bulldog' debate :)

this is true, they were bred as capture rather scare guard dogs so its an inate trait for them. in our case my darling Chad who grew up with me was at the (fairly ripe for a bully) age of 12-13 and his eyesight was going a wee bit. my mum forgot her keys and so decieded to climb through the kitchen window. she says the next thing she knew was she was lying on the kitchen floor being pinned by him who was growling in her face. apparently she was absolutely pertrified. anyway, after a few seconds of screaming "it's me it's me!" he cottoned on and gave her lots of slobbery kisses. also before i was born our first bullie Cassie had a similar incipdent. my dad was going out with one of his mates for the evening but was working beforehand. he said he'd leave the door open so he could come in an wait if dad was in the shower (the friend had met cass before so he thought it'd be fine). dad got out of the shower and heard a wee voice calling "Keith..." (very scared sounding), found him pinned to the wall with a snarling cassie on him. as soon as he told her off all licks though. they make great family pets because the will defend the home but are unlikely to attack to injure. love kids to, my wee cousin used to ride on chad.