Ambuldog: in a special list of "potentially dangerous" (9 photos)

American Bulldog. Their maintenance entails a bunch of prohibitions, requirements and sidelong glances from grandmothers at the entrance. But are these dogs really so dangerous?





The American Bulldog, Ambull, or Ambulldog, is the largest representative of the bull-type mutts. These include pit bulls, bullies, Staffords and bull terriers. Adult males grow up to 65 centimeters at the withers and gain almost 60 kilograms of weight. These are far from the most record-breaking dimensions among all other dog breeds. English mastiffs, for example, grow to at least 75 centimeters at the withers, and can weigh over 100 kilograms! But for some reason they are not on the list of especially dangerous dogs, while the American bulldog is. Let's figure it out further!



Oh no, a bloody fight between two killers: an American bulldog and a Rottweiler! The faint of heart should not watch this horror (joke).

The appendices to the law explain that this list is made up of breeds that are genetically predisposed to aggression. It also includes dogs that were bred specifically for baiting, and aboriginal breeds that "were not selected for humans." Which of these items does the Ambuli fall under?





Even such a formidable breed sometimes wants a simple human to lie on the grass and sunbathe.

If you delve into history, the roots of the American breed will come from Great Britain. The ancestors of Ambuldogs are considered to be old-type English bulldogs. Those mutts from the 15th-16th centuries were not at all like modern English bulldogs. The old version was much lighter, stronger and meaner. Yes, they were used for bull baiting, dog fights and other bloody amusements. But upon arrival in America, the dogs had to change their profession.



Anyone would look menacing in such gear. Does it remind you of anyone, by the way?



The most menacing character of the old "Tom and Jerry".

It is not known for certain when the bulldogs crossed the ocean, but on the other side they had to change from being passionate and fighting dogs to farm dogs. The woolly ones were kept to guard the owner and the ranch. Yes, there was a bit of aggression towards humans in the selection of these mutts, but only towards strangers. German shepherds and Dobermans, for example, have been trained to protect their owners for several centuries, and no one has become a cannibal because of this. The Ambuls' duties also included hunting game and working with the herd. Perhaps they also participated in dog fights, but this was not their main duty - look at how much work there is on the farm!



He managed to bulk up by summer. And you?

The breed's position was shaken during World War II. After 1945, the American Bulldog population dropped to a critical minimum. Then two cynologist-breeders, John Johnson and Alan Scott, took up the matter. They combed through all the American backyards and created two types of one breed at once on the crumbs of the old population.

Today, the standard Scott type can be distinguished by a longer muzzle, a light athletic build and a pronounced hunting instinct. And the classic Johnson type is distinguished by a strong, stocky carcass, a large snub-nosed muzzle and good guard instincts. Both types are considered one breed, there is no ban on their crossing, so it is easy to find hybrid mutts that combine the qualities of both types.



On the left is the Scott type of bulldogs. On the right is the Johnson type of bulldogs.

American bulldogs continue to be bred as guards and bodyguards, as working dogs on farms and for hunting game. According to owners and dog handlers, ambulis are an adequate breed. They get along well with all family members, including elderly pregnant children. Ambuldogs can be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers. But this is not a feature of a particular breed, but, in fact, the reason why people domesticated all dogs in general.



Why do they dislike us so much? We're just doing our job!

So, under what points did the American Bulldog end up on the list of "potentially dangerous"? Its selection has been going on for several centuries - they can in no way be called an aboriginal breed. These dogs have not been involved in animal baiting for several centuries. Their aggression can be directed at humans... like any other guard breed! So how, then, does the American Bulldog differ from a standard guard dog? That's right, nothing!



You look at such a dog, and immediately want to apologize. Even if you did nothing.

Should you be afraid of Ambuls? Of course not. They, like any other breed of dog, should be well trained, not sparing time, effort and money for a dog trainer. Ambuli do not experience pathological hatred for all living things and do not strive to kill everything within a kilometer radius - only inadequate owners can make them like that.