American Bulldog at a glance
- Height
- 50–70 cm
- Weight
- 27–45 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Size.
Is the American Bulldog right for you?
Like every breed, the American Bulldog is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You enjoy long walks and an active, outdoor life.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You cannot offer well over an hour of exercise every day.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
How would the American Bulldog fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the American Bulldog
The American Bulldog, often called the AmBull, is a large and sometimes very large, muscular and robust dog with a broad head and chest. It is a type rather than a breed, so appearance varies, but a good example should be well built, long-legged, well muscled and never fat. A well-bred, well-raised American Bulldog is typically friendly, enthusiastic, eager to please and able to settle when needed.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Exercise
High
Typically more than an hour a day, with time off the lead.
- Energy level
Lively
A lively dog that enjoys being busy.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
High
Tends to shed a lot, so expect hair around the home.
- Trainability
Moderate
Generally trainable with patience and consistency.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Can be selective
Can be selective about other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Experienced owners
Best with an experienced owner.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The American Bulldog is not recognised as a pedigree breed by major canine organisations, including the Kennel Club. Pedigree documents for these dogs record family history only and may not be accurate.
Its ancestry traces back to England and the working mastiff types of the early 18th century or before, used for driving cattle, guarding farms and, unfortunately, bull-baiting. Working-class immigrants took dogs like these to the United States, where they were valued for their eager nature and their ability to thrive on a less than ideal diet. They resemble the Continental Bulldog and the extinct Old English Bulldog.
American Bulldog temperament
Well trained and socialised, American Bulldogs are typically friendly, playful and easy-going with their family, and many are very affectionate and like to stay close to their owners. Despite their size they are surprisingly sensitive.
They are usually excellent with people but far less easy-going with other dogs, so socialisation is vital and caution is still needed. Their background in guarding means constant passing foot traffic can leave them stressed and frustrated. They can be vocal, and they do not cope well when left alone.
Size and appearance
American Bulldogs are large, typically standing 50–70 cm and weighing around 27–45 kg, although some are heavier. They should look massive rather than tall, but not squat.
The coat is short, smooth and hard. Common colours include white, black, and white combined with black, brindle, brown or tan.
How much exercise does a American Bulldog need?
American Bulldogs are very active and playful and usually need one to two hours of walking a day. A mix of walks, training, games, scent work and off-lead running in secure places keeps both body and brain occupied.
They are best suited to homes with plenty of room and a large, very secure garden with fencing that keeps a heavy, athletic dog in and trespassers out.
Training a American Bulldog
American Bulldogs can be quick learners, but they learn the wrong things just as fast as the right ones, and once a lesson is learned it is not easily forgotten. Their size and bouncy nature, especially as puppies, can make them clumsy, and an untrained adult can cause harm without meaning to.
- Start careful socialisation and habituation early.
- Use positive reinforcement and fun games; force and fear can create a frightened, potentially dangerous dog.
- Teach them not to run up to strangers or other dogs.
- Help them link strangers and other dogs with good things coming from you, but never rely on them completely around unknown dogs.
- Build up time alone gradually, with patient training.
American Bulldog grooming
The short coat is easy to keep clean and only needs a bath when the dog is dirty. Weekly brushing helps control shedding, which can be heavy: the short hairs stick to clothes, furniture and carpets.
Living with a American Bulldog
An American Bulldog with an excellent temperament and thorough socialisation and training may suit an experienced owner with dog-aware teenagers. Because of their size and strength they are not recommended for homes with small children, frail or vulnerable people, or several dogs.
All dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Can be selective about other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A secure garden is strongly advised.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Best with an experienced owner.
American Bulldog health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Purina describes the American Bulldog as having a higher risk of health issues. Buy only from responsible breeders who test their breeding dogs and put health and temperament first. Knowing about these conditions helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every dog will be affected.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
Some American Bulldogs are short-nosed, some more than others. In these dogs, breathing can be obstructed, which can reduce their ability to exercise or even cause severe breathing distress.
Skin fold inflammation
Short-nosed dogs often have excess skin around the face, and the skin inside these folds can become sore and prone to infection.
Eye ulcers
Painful erosions on the surface of the eye, more common in short-nosed dogs because their eyes tend to be more prominent.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
The breed can also be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a American Bulldog home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a American Bulldog cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a American Bulldog home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically 10–12 years, not just the first year.
Buying a American Bulldog
If you have decided the American Bulldog suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a American Bulldog
American Bulldogs do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
American Bulldogs looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find American Bulldog adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
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View breed guide
American Bulldog FAQs
Is the American Bulldog good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the American Bulldog live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the American Bulldog need?
High: typically more than an hour a day, with time off the lead. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the American Bulldog shed?
Tends to shed a lot.
How much grooming does the American Bulldog need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the American Bulldog easy to train?
Generally trainable with consistency. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the American Bulldog be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the American Bulldog bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the American Bulldog good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the American Bulldog live?
Typically 10–12 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the American Bulldog get?
Adults typically stand 50–70 cm at the shoulder and weigh 27–45 kg.