Australian Bulldog breed Information
Australian Bulldog: The Ultimate Dog Breed Guide 2020
Introduction
Assume you live in a property: a big house with all the features a perfect house does have. But wait a second, something is missing: An Australian Bulldog that will be your companion, especially if you work from home. It is a smart, loyal, and sweet-natured pet that will keep your property safe from any external assault because it is a watchdog not a guard dog. However, the way it looks is a deterrent to strangers.
In this post, we’ll be dwelling meticulously on the Australian Bulldog breed. So, to be close to everything related to this breed, keep on reading the article.
What Are the Characteristics of the Australian Bulldog?
1. Trainability
The Australian Bulldog is a smart breed which greatly benefits from early exercising. As discussed before, this breed has the tendency to act dominantly towards other dog breeds, so training and exercising will be crucial to mitigate this tendency.
According to experts, this breed should be exposed to other dog breeds, animals, and children, so that they can get along with them in the long run.
If an Australian Bulldog is bred with other dog breeds and animals from a young age, it will be friendly, easily trained, and friendly. The Aussie bulldog has an average of 3 out of 5 stars trainability level.
2. Friendliness & Temperament
All Aussie Bulldog owners agree to the fact that this dog breed is affectionate, sociable, and ongoing. Generally speaking, bulldogs have originally been bred with the ability to fight other animals, so they are less reserved than other dog breeds. This fact also applies for the Aussie Bulldog.
Australian Bulldogs are proud-looking and confident in nature. They tend to act like your companion pets since they are loyal in nature and love to socialize with people.
This kind of breed is not aggressive when it comes to human beings. However, they can be great watchdogs. To your surprise, the Aussie can sometimes act as dominants towards other dogs and cats in the territories they dominate. Yet, with proper interaction with such dogs, they can get along with them.
That is the reason why experts recommend training your Aussie Bulldog puppy as soon as possible, so that they become sociable and less aggressive towards other pets. The Aussie bulldog has an average of 4 out of 5 stars temperament and friendliness level.
3. Health & Grooming Needs
Luckily, the Australian Bulldog is in fact a low-maintenance dog breed. It does not need much grooming compared to other breeds. The only thing you should do is offer it regular brushing.
Moreover, you have to wipe off the skin folds on your dog’s face on a daily basis, so that you protect it from any skin infections. Water, food, and dirt which are logged in between these folds can cause skin irritations.
In addition to that, you should clean its ears on a regular basis to avoid the same issues. The Aussie bulldog has an average of 3 out of 5 stars health and grooming needs level.
4. Physical Needs
The Australian Bulldog does not need much exercise. It only needs a walk every day and a game played with the family. Aussie bulldogs love to play in water and/or chase the water hose.
Extreme temperatures can be bad for it, so in such climates, it should stay at home. It is easily trained and dealt with that it is willing to respond to instructions and please its owner.
In spite of the fact that this breed looks formidable, it loves its adopters and the time it spends with them. Physical and mental training will help the dog overcome or even avoid any behavioral issues.
It’s worth mentioning that this dog is fond of settling in a yard to roam around; it’s not bred for living in apartments. However, since it loves spending time with the family, it will happily settle anywhere as long as it’s surrounded by its adopters.
At a glance, the Australian Bulldog is an excellent and fun choice to raise. The Aussie bulldog has an average of 4 out of 5 stars physical needs level.
Important Stats You Should Know about the Australian Bulldog
Other Fun Facts about the Aussie Bulldog Breed
- Australian Bulldogs look like their fellow English bulldogs at first sight; their large heads, big muzzles, and flat faces are what make us mistake them for each other.
- An adult Aussie bulldog male’s height ranges from 46 - 51 cm/18 – 20 inches, and weighs from 28 – 35 kg/ 60-78 pounds.
- An Australian Bulldog puppy’s price ranges from $2,000 to $2,500 USD.
- The Australian Bulldog is larger and heavier than the English bulldog. In fact, it’s this large size that is responsible for protecting the Aussie Bulldog from health issues and conditions.
Australian Bulldog History & Origin
The Australian Bulldog is a freshly developed breed that appeared with the aim to create a bulldog that can cope with the Australian climate. A number of breeders were involved in the process of developing this new version of bulldog. They intended to create a dog that can handle many roles such as being obedient, family companion, loyal, watchdog, and friendly.
Such characteristics were easily achieved due to the fact that bulldogs in general have durable body structures. The long muzzle in bulldogs means that they don’t have breathing problems and are perfectly resilient to hot and cold weathers.
Breeders created this new kind of bulldogs by molding the traits of the English bulldog, Bullmastiff, Boxer, and British Bulldog into a new bulldog breed: the Australian Bulldog. Each kind had something unique to offer the new breed.
Features like good appearance and affection are originally from the British Bulldog; Boxer and Mastiff provided the traits of a watchdog. And the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had to offer the well-built body muscles.
In fact, it takes much time to create a new dog breed and achieve the required characteristics. Participation between breeders was fruitful throughout the development process. Luckily, the breeders succeeded in making health a priority and did not sacrifice it for gorgeous looks. In short, they have developed a dog that is perfect by all accounts.
It’s worth mentioning that the name, Australian Bulldog, was created by Noel and Tina Green, the original founders of breeding programs under which this kind of bulldog was created.
Physical Characteristics of the Australian Bulldog
The Australian Bulldog – also called Aussie Bulldog – is a pleased-looking dog which has an easily recognized nature and is fond of socializing with its adopters.
The Australian Bulldog has very distinctive looks and physical traits. Regarding its muzzle, it isn’t squished so much as in the case of other dog breeds. This medium squish, in fact, helps the dog breathe easily.
The Aussie Bulldog has a feature that many animals don’t have: freedom of movement. It offers the bulldog more freedom and naturalness when moving.
Its head is large, containing a large nose, round and dark eyes, and average-sized, fold-over ears. Teeth are partly covered; that is, they are not completely protruding.
The body is rock-hard, the neck is thickly sold, and the chest is deep. Similarly, the legs are solid, strong, and muscled enough to run, move and chase. Its tail is usually straight and thick.
What are the Major Health Issues of the Australian Bulldog?
The main reason for breeding the Australian Bulldog was to come up with a new breed that is healthier than the English bulldog. The non-bulldog blood that had been added to the new version helped breeders reach that goal.
The being said, numerous efforts have been exerted to help the Aussie Bulldog avoid any congenital conditions. However, health issues haven’t been eliminated entirely from this breed. It still until this moment suffers from many issues that the English bulldog suffers from.
Taking into account the fact that it has a short face, the Australian Bulldog is vulnerable towards some breathing issues that it can be subject to heat exhaustion compared to its fellow breeds.
Experts recommend wiping its face with a cloth every day so that the wrinkles on its face are cleaned. This will also help the dog avoid any skin issues from accumulating and deteriorating.
However, almost similar to the English bulldog, this breed can suffer from the following health issues:
1. Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is considered one of the most common health issues the Australian Bulldog can suffer from. It’s a genetically inherited disorder and is more common in giant dogs, though.
This health issue is usually caused by a malformation in the hip joint. In the dog’s hip, the upper leg bone is connected to the hip by fitting into the acetabulum. In a perfectly healthy dog, the upper leg bone fits perfectly in the acetabulum, both of which are coated in a layer of cartilage.
This cartilage prevents these two bones from rubbing against each other. Bulldogs suffering from Hip Dysplasia have something wrong with the upper leg bone, acetabulum’s shape, and/or the cartilage.
Although such a condition is genetically inherited, there are also some external risk factors that can lead the dog to suffer from it. The following are the common risk factors:
- Weight: overweight dogs are more likely to develop this condition than normal ones.
- Size: large dogs are more prone to develop Hip Dysplasia.
- Age: as you might have guessed, the older the dog is, the more likely it’s to show symptoms of the condition. However, the condition can be present from birth.
- Build: dogs with thick bodies are more prone to Hip Dysplasia.
2. Elbow Dysplasia:
Similar to Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia is a genetically inherited condition that affects the Australian Bulldog, especially the big-sized, giant ones.
The risk factors that can lead to this condition include the following:
- Weight: overweight dogs are more likely to develop this condition than normal ones.
- Size: large dogs are more prone to develop Hip Dysplasia.
- Age: as you might have guessed, the older the dog is, the more likely it’s to show symptoms of the condition. However, the condition can be present from birth.
- Build: dogs with thick bodies are more prone to Hip Dysplasia.
3. Entropion
Entropion is deemed one of the most common genetically inherited visual issues that affect the Australian Bulldog.
The condition causes the eyelid of the dog to rub up against the surface of the eye. Over time, the rubbing itself can cause pain and damage the eye that, if left untreated, can cause blindness.
The factors that can lead to this condition are listed below:
- Genetics: as aforementioned, this condition is genetically inherited. So, if your dog’s ancestors had this condition, he might suffer from Entropion.
- Wrinkled skin: dogs, like the Australian Bulldog, with skin folds are more prone to develop this condition.
- Facial structure: dogs with flat faces and short muzzles are more likely to develop this kind of disease.
- Size: giant dogs are more prone to develop Entropion.
- Age: although this condition is present once the dog is born, older dogs can develop more symptoms and suffer more severely than young ones.
4. Allergies
Allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder that affects the immune system of the dog. Allergy reactions are featured by the excessive activation of specific white blood cells, leading to an extremely inflammatory response.
Common allergies include eczema, fever, asthma, food allergies, and hives.
5. Epilepsy
Epilepsy in Australian Bulldogs can be genetically inherited or a result of head trauma or CNS infections. The most common symptom of this condition is recurring seizures which start at a young age.
6. Ectropion
Ectropion is another common condition in bulldogs that usually impacts the lower eyelid.
Other common conditions include:
- Heart Murmur
- Patellar Luxation
- Spinal Deformities
- Skeletal Growth Abnormalities
- Sever Elongated Soft Palate
- Narrow Nostrils
- Respiratory Allergies
- Shortness of Breath
- Snoring
- Heat Sensitivity
- Snorting
- Cherry Eye
- Grunting
Coat Characteristics & Colors
Obviously, the Australian Bulldog is distinguished by its short, smooth coat that is easily groomed. This breed is considered an average shedder whose shedding is easily controlled with a bristle brush.
The Australian Bulldog’s coat comes in a number of colors including red, black, fawn, and shades of brindles. However, black breeds are not as common as the others.
How & What Food to Feed the Australian Bulldog
Mainly speaking, all dog breeds are in need of a healthy, well-balanced diet. The Australian Bulldog is a healthy breed, yet without the appropriate diet and nutrition to back them throughout their life stages, they can easily develop many health problems.
So, to avoid such health deficiencies and issues, the Australian Bulldog must eat high-quality food. The majority of dog owners prefer to go for dry food as it contains all the nutrients any dog needs. However, not all dry food types are manufactured alike, and not all of them are good to let your dog thrive on them.
Try to feed your dog high-grade food with natural ingredients and meat being on top of the list of ingredients. Experts also recommend avoiding kibbles that contain a lot of artificial ingredients.
Since the Australian Bulldog is medium-sized, it should be fed a diet that harmonizes with its size, no more; no less. It is worth noting that this dog is mostly active, meaning they need high-quality food suitable for active dogs.
When you pick up the type of food your dog needs, make sure you offer it the right amount that it really needs. An Australian Bulldog usually needs up to 3 cups of kibble a day. Split your dog’s diet into three separate meals, so that you keep it full throughout the day and avoid bloating. If you feel the need to change your dog’s diet, consult a vet before you go ahead.
Consider feeding your Australian Bulldog the following dog food:
- Canidae Life Stages Dog Food
- Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Dog Food
- Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Bulldog
- Artemis Fresh Mix Adult Dog Food
- Fromm 4-Star Grain-Free Surf-Turf Dog Food
Watchdog Abilities
In a word, the Australian Bulldog isn’t a good watchdog or even a guarding dog. However, you can train your bulldog to be a watchdog.
Many people keep a dog because they need extra security around their homes. A watchdog or/and a guard dog will in fact hinder an intruder to break into your property. Such dogs normally take special training classes before they become perfect watch dogs.
Watch Dogs usually notify their owners of any person coming close to their property. Even if your Australian Bulldog isn’t trained to be a watchdog, barking is enough to discourage any intruder.
All in all, Australian Bulldogs aren’t good watchdogs. Yet, you can train yours to become a very good one.
Aussie Bulldog Puppy
The Australian Bulldog female can have from 4 to 9 puppies at a time. Usually, 7 is the average number of puppies that many expect from a pregnant Australian female bulldog.
Similar to other breeds, the Aussie Bulldog needs socialization and exercising from a very young age.
Socialization helps the puppy get along with other breeds, animals, and even humans. Exercising is also a must if you seek to control the independence that this breed innately inherits.
What’s the Lifespan of the Australian Bulldog?
The lifespan of Australian Bulldogs ranges from 10 to 12 years.
Australian Bulldog Breed Organizations in Australia
1. Mini's Bulldog Rescue Club (Nonprofit Organization)
It all began when Jay rescued an Australian Bulldog called Mini in 2015, then he decided to focus on helping other bulldogs in need. After two years, the organization became a registered charity with a small team of volunteers who have helped over a hundred dogs since then. It’s founded in Newcastle, yet it gives a helping hand to other states' bulldogs. You can Google it to know more about the services it offers.
2. Addair Aussie Bulldogs (Pet Breeder)
Addair Aussie Bulldogs is run by mother & daughter, Tracey Willan & Ebony O'Connor. It’s a small breeding organization producing beautiful, quality Australian Bulldogs.
Australian Bulldog Rescue Groups in Australia
1. Rehoming Bulldogs Australia
The ultimate goal of this rescue group is to provide Australian stray bulldogs with shelters and loving homes to settle at. It’s a safe place where squishy-faced, 4-legged friends can find a new family member in Australia.
2. Mini's Bulldog Rescue Club (Nonprofit Organization)
Not only is Mini’s Rescue Club organization considered a breed organization, but also it is a rescue group that is responsible for providing a safe home for Australian bulldogs.
Final Thoughts
In short, you cannot mistake an Australian Bulldog for other breed types. The smooth skin, short coat, furrowed brow, pushed-in nose, distinctive jaw, small-sized ears, and hanging chops that the dog has all yell out, ‘I am an Aussie Bulldog.’ Its smooth short coat that comes in a variety of colors is also a unique mark that the Aussie Bulldog is characterized by. Although this breed is healthy and attractive, it can suffer from many health issues, especially if they’re left untreated. A visit to the vet on a regular basis can prevent such issues from affecting your beloved four-legged family member.
End of Post
Australian Bulldog Photo Gallery
