Hi there! New to the boards
I want to get the general opinion around here of two breeds.
I see a lot of misconceptions and, in my opinion, incorrect information being given when it comes to the American Bulldog. I don't mean here necessarily, but lately I look around and want to cry when I see anything regarding American Bulldogs.
I have owned a few APBT's, all males. None of my dogs were dog aggressive. They had high prey drive that we focused on toys, mainly wheelbarrow tires and tennis balls. Early attempts to chase cats, squirrels, and other small fuzzy things were discouraged and we never had any problems. They were good dogs, loyal, protective (back then we didn't have resources to "protection train" it was unknown to us) but stable, and loving.
With that said, my opinion of the breed is high (bias, perhaps? hah) but my opinion of a majority of people who own them is very low. APBT's are easy to find, easy to buy, and for the average person not easy to train or handle. There are stereotypes and stigmas, people get a pit and automatically think their dog is going to be a dog aggressive cat killer. Well, perhaps not at birth but since they were expected to be that way the behavior seems "normal" and thus "acceptable" and there you have it.
After two Rottweilers, three German Shepherds, a Doberman, and some lovable mutts, I have gone with the American Bulldog.
Who thinks/believes that the American Bulldog is the same breed as the APBT?
They have similar looks, a "bully" appearance, but I personally don't believe the AmBull is the same dog at he Pit. Why? The last word in American Pit Bull Terrier. TERRIER. In the old-style of APBT it is very clear and obvious that there is terrier blood, the muzzle is longer, skull more narrow, legs longer. Today the APBT has been taken to an extreme of conformation, being low slung, too wide in the front and too narrow in the back, simply bred for the size of their head and how much weight they could get on a short frame.
http://www.richardfstratton.com/photo1.htm
-VS-
http://www.txbigbullies.net/images/dm111.jpg
(Nothing against these breeders, some of the bullier pits are nice looking dogs, it is their personal preference to breed dogs of that physical type and I mean no insult)
I'm not saying it is the absolute indisputatble truth but my personal opinion is that the American Bulldog was the "Bull" in American Pit Bull Terrier, not the English Bulldog. Then again I'm also a believer that the American Bulldog is a larger version of what the English Bulldog looked like before the ban of Bull-baiting and dog fighting in the early 1800's (1835 I think?) So in a way, the English Bulldog could have been the source but not the English Bulldog as we see it today.
I now own a 2 year old American Bulldog stud that I have trained myself in personal protection, obedience, and as a service dog. He goes to Restaurants, Grocery Stores, County Fairs, and even movie theaters. He has been in crowds of more than 10,000 people, being shoved, stepped on, kicked (all accidental as happens in large crowds during fairs) My cats eat his food from his bowl with him, my ferrets jump all over him, and he is not dog aggressive at all. Loves everyone, extremely loyal, and the first protection dog I have trained myself. He is stable, obedient, confident, and intelligent.
He is the best dog I have ever owned. I am stuck on this breed! There are definite similarities between the APBT and the AmBull, but as with any dog of any breed, the bloodlines and the training make the dog. I have been around Ambulls that are out of control and dangerous dogs, same as pits, but in general I think the Ambull is a more stable dog, being more rare and bred as a working dog (hog dogs primarily) with limited polution from stupid people trying to make a buck.
I pray that the American Bulldog doesn't become as the Pit - bred in every backyard and fought in every ghetto. Realistically it is a frail hope, as Americans have an uncanny ability to ruin breeds of dog.
So, what do you think? Same Breed? If yes, why do you believe so?
Anyone here have experiences with both breeds they wish to share, either good or bad?
Hit me with some opinions