Bulldog vs American Bulldog
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Bulldog | American Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Large |
| Adult weight | 18.1 to 22.7 kg | 27.2 to 45.4 kg |
| In pounds | 40 to 50 lb | 60 to 100 lb |
| Adult height | 36 to 38 cm | 51 to 64 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Short smooth | Short smooth |
| Shedding | Moderate | Low |
| Lifespan | 8 to 10 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Fine with supervision |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | United States |
The main differences
- The American Bulldog is the bigger dog: 27.2 to 45.4 kg against 18.1 to 22.7 kg for the Bulldog.
- Both have moderate energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- The American Bulldog usually lives longer: 10 to 12 years against 8 to 10 years.
Temperament
Bulldog: Alert, bold, loyal, dependable and courageous, fierce in appearance but possessed of affectionate nature.
American Bulldog: Friendly, courageous and calm, the American Bulldog is a heavy working farm dog with a longer muzzle and longer legs than the show Bulldog. The breed is recorded by the AKC through the Foundation Stock Service rather than as a fully recognised breed.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Bulldog
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
- Hyperuricosuria (HUU), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
American Bulldog
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, screened by hip and elbow evaluation of breeding stock
- Ichthyosis, an inherited skin condition that makes the outer layer of skin flake and itch
- Allergic skin disease, showing as itching, fur loss, red skin and recurring infections
- Ear infections, often secondary to allergies and to wax build up
- Other inherited disease, which breeders should pre screen breeding pairs for
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Bulldog or the American Bulldog?
The American Bulldog. Adults weigh 27.2 to 45.4 kg, against 18.1 to 22.7 kg for the Bulldog, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Bulldog or the American Bulldog?
The published life expectancy is 8 to 10 years for the Bulldog and 10 to 12 years for the American Bulldog. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Bulldog or the American Bulldog better with children?
They score the same: fine with supervision with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type, country of origin and health notes