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American Bullador |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
U.S.A. <> Canada -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the American Bullador |
| Although not a recognized breed per se, the American Bullador is a popular hybrid, combining the popular American Bulldog and the Labrador Retriever, two great favorites in the United States. Crossbreeding of the two parents began in the 1900s to create healthier offspring while retaining the excellent traits of both parent breeds. The American Bulldog's loyal, conscientious watchdog qualities and the Labrador's even-tempered, intelligent and calm temperament are just some of the characteristics that breeders seek to capture in their American Bulldog puppies. |
History of the American Bullador |
| The American Bullador is a cross between two American favorites: the American Bulldog and the Labrador Retriever. The intentional hybrid breeding of these two favorites was to produce a new line that was healthier and stronger than its parents, but possessed some of the best qualities of both sides. The Bulldog genes in this hybrid are sometimes reported as American Bulldog and other times as English Bulldogs or both. Both English and American are closely related through the Mastiff (Bull) lineage, but the American Bulldog is larger than the English Bulldog and has a close resemblance to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breeds, another close relative. Breeders have been crossing and breeding multi-generational American Bulladors in the USA since the 1900s and hope to establish a recognizable breed over time, but currently there are no established standards for appearance, and the American Bullador can vary in looks from a striking American Bulldog to an unmistakable Labrador. Weight can also vary considerably in this hybrid from 25 kilos to a reported 45 kilos, although the average range is between 25 and 38.5 kilos between the sexes. The American Bullador is recognized by the Dog Registry of America and the American Canine Hybrid Club as a working-class hybrid. The American Bullador is a devoted watchdog and family protector that doubles as a fantastic family companion, but whose temperament varies depending on which parent of the breed the hybrid leans towards. If your American Bullador is more Bulldog, he'll probably be a little more stubborn and have more energy to burn, but if the Labrador is stronger, he'll be easier to train and slightly less active. |
A little of the American Bulldog |
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| The American Bulldog was developed as a general-purpose farm dog in the southern United States, with a specialty in catching pigs and cattle. The breed is a direct descendant of the old English Bulldog, now extinct, and is widely regarded as the modern breed in appearance, temperament and use closest to its ancestor. The American Bulldog was almost extinct by the middle of the 20th century, but was revived by the efforts of two breeders, John D. Johnson and Alan Scott, who subsequently developed two distinct lines that were named for them. In recent years, the American Bulldog has experienced a massive increase in popularity and is one of the fastest-growing breeds in the USA. Many have classified this breed as a type of Pit Bull, a member of a group of dogs collectively known as Bully Breeds, but this is totally inaccurate and regarded with great distaste by the vast majority of lovers of both American Bulldog and American Pit Bull Terrier. The two varieties of American Bulldog are sometimes referred to as the Southern White, Old Southern Whites and American Pit Bulldogs. The Scott type is also known as the Standard or Performance type, and the Johnson type is also called the Bully or Classic type. | ||
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| Presentation of the American Bulldog | ||
A little of the Labrador Retriever |
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| According to popular belief, the Labrador Retriever originated on the coast of Newfoundland, where fishermen were seen using a similar-looking dog to bring in fish. An excellent water dog, its weather-resistant coat and unique otter-like tail enhance this characteristic. Compared with other breeds, the Labrador Retriever is not very old: its breed club was only formed in 1916, and that of the Labrador Yellow in 1925. Labrador Retrievers enjoyed their first success in field trials, after being introduced to Great Britain in the late 1800s by Colonel Peter Hawker and the Earl of Malmesbury. A dog named Malmesbury Tramp was described by Lorna, Countess Howe, as one of the ancestors of the modern Labrador. | ||
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| Standard of the Labrador Retriever |
Appearance of the American Bullador |
| The American Bullador is a cross between an American Bulldog and a Labrador Retriever, but can bear striking resemblances to either parent. Considered a medium to large dog, the American Bullador can stand up to 63.5 centimeters and weigh up to 45 kilos, although the average height and weight are slightly lower. The American Bullador's coat is dense with short hairs that have a glossy finish. The coat is also waterproof, a characteristic it derives from genes recovered from Labrador. The American Bullador's head is square, with almond-shaped eyes and a long muzzle. The ears are set high on the head but droop and are generally larger than those of its Bulldog parent. The Bullador's muscular body conveys strength and agility. The tail is low, long and curved. Often, the tail tapers to a point and may be lightly feathered, like a Labrador. The American Bullador's legs are straight and end in compact paws with thick pads. |
Temperament of the American Bullador |
| The American Bullador is known for its courage and as an excellent protector of its family. They also love dogs, but tend to be more aggressive if not properly trained and socialized. Bullador training should start early and be firm but never negatively reinforced. The American Bulldog parent brings a slightly stubborn and sometimes strong-willed trait to the hybrid, so training may require patience if your hybrid leans towards its Bulldog roots. Despite the stubborn nature, the American Bulldog parent also brings an intense love of its people to the American Bullador and your dog will be very loyal and affectionate. The Labrador reinforces love and affection and makes the hybrid eager to please, so training may not be as difficult as you expect if he leans towards the Labrador. As far as children are concerned, this hybrid is an excellent family dog, but will be very protective and territorial around other dogs and strangers. |
Needs and activities of the American Bullador |
| Good socialization at an early age is important to help your American Bullador become familiar with other dogs, pets and people. Both parent breeds bring a lot of energy to the American Bullador, but while the Labrador has plenty of stamina, the Bulldog prefers short bursts of energy. You'll find that your American Bullador is more consistent with its activity levels, but also quite capable of bursts of strength and will need daily exercise. |
Maintenance of the American Bullador |
| The American Bullador is a low-loss hybrid, thanks to its Labrador parent. However, the dense coat catches dead and loose hairs and will require weekly brushing to remove them. When brushing, also check the American Bullador's ears and remove any dirt, wax or debris with a vet-approved cleaning solution to prevent ear infections. It's also important to brush your American Bullador's teeth regularly to prevent gum and tooth disease. American Bullador nails are strong and grow quickly. If they are not naturally kept short due to contact with harder floor surfaces, you'll need to trim them every two to three weeks to prevent splitting and overgrowth. |
English (United Kingdom)