In this blog post we will compare the American Bulldog and Pit Bull breeds. Topics such as the historicity of these breeds, physical and behavioral characteristics will be discussed.
American Bulldog X Pitbull
As much as American Bulldog and American Pit Bull dogs are very similar, they are of different breeds and have unique physical and behavioral characteristics, which make them different breeds.
Main differences between dogs:
| American Bulldog | Pitbull |
| The skull is longer than the muzzle | The length of the muzzle is slightly greater than or equal to that of the skull. |
| Weighs about 22 to 68 kg | Weighs about 13 to 27 kg |
| Live from 8 to 15 years | Live from 10 to 15 years |
| Often found in colors like white, white with all shades of brindle, red and white, brown and white, beige and white, deer and white. Black and white, brown and white and Cream | Can be found in any color except merle |
| Bark occasionally | Rarely bark |
| Recommended as guard dogs | Not recommended as guards due to their extremely friendly dog. |
Below we will discuss a little more about the physical and behavioral characteristics of these two breeds.
Brief description of the breeds origin
American Bulldogs, originally from England, were working dogs that due to their strength, courage and familiarity with the herds led them to be used to herd livestock and guard property.
While the Pitbull originates from the crossing of Bulldogs and Terriers. The result was a dog that brought together all the virtues of great warriors: endurance, courage and kindness.
Like the American Bulldogs, Pitbulls were used for house protection, in the capture of semi-wild cattle and swine, as hunting companions, and as companions for human families.
Physical characteristics
The American Bulldog is a medium-sized dog with a longer-than-wide body and muscular limbs. Large head and powerful jaws, broad muzzle, medium-sized round eyes, small ears set high on the skull, V-shaped, drooping or semi-pointed. It has a deep, broad chest with well sprung ribs.
On the left is an American Bulldog and on the right is a Pitbull breed.
The Pitbull is also a medium-sized dog, with a solid build and well-defined musculature. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. The head is of medium length, with a flat skull and a broad, deep muzzle. The ears are small to medium in size, set high. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapering towards the tip.
The American Bulldog’s coat should be curly and soft. The animal can be found in different colors like solid white, white with all shades of brindle (white, red, yellow, blue, brown, black or gray), red and white, brown and white, beige and white, deer and white. , black and white, brown and white, mahogany and white, cream and white.
The Pitbull, on the other hand, is a very short-coated dog and can be found with many coat shades, except merle. Pitbull truffles can also be found in two versions – red and black.
Behavior/Temperament
The two breeds have similar temperament and behavior. Both the American Bulldog and Pitbull are powerful, agile, and reliable dogs. While the American Bulldog can be aggressive towards strangers. The Pitbull tends to be friendly to humans but can be a little aggressive towards other animals.
Both breeds are very obedient and loyal to their tutors and family. It is considered a calm, courageous, and confident dog, with no sign of fear or shyness. They are companion dogs full of joy and energy.
Due to their size and muscular body, they are breeds that need daily physical activity, lots of play and training. When trained from a young age, aggression towards both humans and other animals can be controlled.
General health and care
Both American bulldogs and Pitbulls need to keep vaccination and deworming up to date, so it is advisable to visit the vet at least once a year. They tend to be very healthy, active and playful dogs.
As for general care, periodic baths should be carried out using specific products for dogs. Fur brushing can be done once a week due to the short coat of these breeds. Nails can be clipped whenever animals go to bathe.
Tooth brushing should be done every 48 hours with the use of specific toothpaste for dogs. Tooth brushing prevents the appearance of tartar that can lead to gingivitis and other health complications.
They are breeds full of energy, thus needing a lot of physical activities, games and games with the tutor. Frequent walks should be made with these dogs, always using a dog muzzle, avoiding aggression to other animals and/or people.
Conclusion
In this blog post we were able to find out more about the American Bulldog and Pitbull breeds. Topics such as the physical characteristics and behavior of these strong, courageous and hunters dogs. We have seen that the Pitbull descends from American bulldogs which makes them share physical and behavioral characteristics.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs): American bulldog Vs Pitbull
Is an American Pit Bull aggressive?
The Pitbull has a certain level of aggression towards other dogs, but the same should not be shown for humans. Due to their powerful physique, the breed needs tutors who carefully socialize them and who train their dogs to be obedient from a puppies age.
How big is the American Bulldog breed?
The size of the dogs is measured by the height of the withers, for American Bulldog males the minimum is 23 cm, not exceeding 32 cm. And females with at least 20 cm, should not exceed 28 cm.
Are American Bulldogs and Pitbulls good family pets?
Yes, they are smart, agile, faithful and companions. They are famous for being cheerful, healthy and love to please. They can be excellent family dogs as well as guard dogs.
References
CBKC – Brazilian Canine Cynophilic Confederation, 2018 Official Breed Standard: American Pit Bull Terriers. https://www.portalvidapet.com.br/pdf/padrao-raca_pit_bull.pdf Accessed 11th Jan 2022.
CBKC – Brazilian Canine Cynophilic Confederation, 2019 Official Breed Standard: American Bulldog. Available in: https://cbkc.org/application/views/docs/padroes/padrao-raca_218.pdf. Accessed 15th Jan 2022.
Pictures from Pixabay.com
