American Bulldog vs Bulldog

An American Bulldog
Photo: Frikkii
A Bulldog
Photo: Pleple2000

Side by side

American Bulldog
Bulldog
Adult weight
Males 34–45 kg (75–100 lb); females 27–36 kg (60–80 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 23–32.2 kg (51–71 lb); females 20.2–28.4 kg (45–63 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 1,621, mean ±1 SD)2
Height
Males 55.9–68.6 cm; females 50.8–63.5 cm (registry figure)3
Males 35.6–38.1 cm; females 35.6–38.1 cm (breed club figure)4
Lifespan
10–15 years5
Median 9.8 years6
Fully grown
12 months, both sexes7
11 months, both sexes7
Group
Working (AKC)
Pinschers & molossoids8
Coat
No sourced figure
Short coat8
Shedding
No sourced figure
Sheds through the year
Grooming
No sourced figure
A brush once a week
Exercise
No sourced figure
A moderate amount
Health
Dry eye (much more likely); Blood blister in the ear flap (more likely)9,10
Breathing obstruction from a short muzzle (far more likely); Cherry eye (far more likely)11,12
Class
Watchdog
Companion

Which suits you

Size
The American Bulldog is larger on average: about 36 kg (79 lb) as an adult, against 26 kg (57 lb) for the Bulldog.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (American Bulldog: sticks close to its people; Bulldog: friendly with everyone) and on handler demand (American Bulldog: needs an experienced owner; Bulldog: suits a first-time owner).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

American Bulldog
Working · Large

In temperament it is confident and loyal, friendly with its own people and naturally watchful, and often reserved with strangers.

Bulldog
Pinschers & molossoids · Medium

In temperament the modern Bulldog is calm, affectionate and good-natured, steady rather than lively, though often determined and somewhat stubborn.

The American Bulldog page →The Bulldog page →

Breed traits

Day to day
American Bulldog
Bulldog
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
American Bulldog
Bulldog
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Sticks close to its people
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
American Bulldog
Bulldog
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Quiet
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour13. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home14,15.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The American Bulldog grows to the heavier adult, about 36 kg against the Bulldog's 26 kg.
American Bulldog
Bulldog
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More comparisons

Compare the American Bulldog with
Bulldog vs French BulldogAmerican Pit Bull Terrier vs BulldogBulldog vs PugAmerican Bulldog vs American Pit Bull TerrierAmerican Bulldog vs American BullyAmerican Bulldog vs American Staffordshire TerrierAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·