The Australian Bulldog is an adorable dog with a pure, loving nature. You will have a loyal friend and devoted companion by your side if you decide to welcome an Australian Bulldog into your family.
It is hard to resist this dog’s wrinkly face and lively, playful attitude to life. The Australian Bulldog is a great family pet and gets along well with children of all ages.
It is adaptable and can live happily in an apartment or house setting as long as its needs are met, including regular exercise, companionship, and mental stimulation. It needs an owner or family that can devote time to taking care of its physical, psychological, and emotional health and well-being.
The Australian Bulldog was bred to handle the Australian environment which is harsh and hot. Its breeding has a strong influence coming from the Bullmastiff and Boxer breeds as well as English bulldogs which they share many characteristics with.
The Australian Bulldog is an excellent pet and a great watchdog. It will rarely be aggressive towards people, so isn’t a good guard dog. But it will alert you to anyone coming onto your property or that it sees as a potential threat, so it makes a good watchdog.
The adult Australian Bulldog usually grows to be 17-20 inches high and 50-78 pounds in weight. Females are generally smaller and lighter than males. It’s expected lifespan is 10 to 12 years.
Characteristics and Nature
The Australian Bulldog is a handsome, muscular breed that carries an air of pride, confidence, and strength.
You can expect your Australian Bulldog to be affectionate, loving, and loyal. They are also confident and outgoing with a strong personality. You won’t find many shy or meek Australian Bulldogs. They are naturally quite the opposite and, therefore a joy to raise.
This character strength comes partly from the bulldog’s history as it was originally bred to fight large animals and be aggressive. Although these traits have been bred out of this bulldog breed, there is still some subtle traces.
The Aussie Bulldog is a laid-back chap with a loyal following worldwide due to its lovely temperament and nature. You can expect your dog to make many new friends when you are out and about. People love to stop and admire bulldogs and have a chat about them.
The Aussie Bulldog looks a lot like the English Bulldog but without such a squished muzzle. It also has longer legs, wider hips, and not so many facial wrinkles. Usually, it is bigger than the English or French Bulldog.
Once you know your Australian Bulldog you will quickly recognize the difference and uniqueness between it and the other bulldog breeds.
Grooming
The Australian Bulldog has a short, smooth coat that requires low maintenance grooming. It doesn’t shed a lot and can be classed as a low to medium shedder. Use a firm bristled brush to groom your pet when needed.
Clean your dog’s teeth regularly from the puppy stage, so it gets used to the toothbrush sensation. Clean its adorable facial wrinkles frequently, taking care always to dry the skin and fur properly to avoid infection. Also, clean its ears as needed.
You can give your Australian Bulldog a bath in warm, soapy water when needed, such as after a messy outdoor play session, but otherwise, it doesn’t need bathing too frequently. Once or twice a month, nails need to be trimmed at home or by a professional pet groomer.
In the grooming department, the Australian Bulldog is considered low maintenance compared to other breeds. Any time you offer to groom your dog, it surely will lap it up, as it enjoys any attention and human interaction it can get.
Training and Socialization
Like all bulldogs, the Australian Bulldog needs to be trained and socialized as early in life as possible. It is a smart dog that likes to please, so it responds well to training, rules, and boundaries.
If you train your pet well from puppyhood, you will have given it a great start to life. From then on it will remain obedient with consistent praise and enforcement of the rules.
The Australian Bulldog tends to show a dominant side with other dogs, so try to give it time around other dogs when it is a puppy as much as possible. If it is exposed to other dogs early, you should be able to keep this tendency under control.
If you already have a dog at home when the Australian Bulldog joins the family, it will readily accept the other dog (and any other pets).
It is also important your dog is around other people, including children, as part of the socialization training.
You will get the best results using positive training methods and lots of praise, including verbal rewards, physical rewards, and food treats. They need a strong master who will be kind yet firm at all times.
Your dog should know you are the leader or boss and it will look to you as the alpha. Once you can establish this relationship with your bulldog the process of training should come naturally.
Exercise
Daily walks and active play sessions will make for a happy and healthy dog. Australian Bulldogs are intelligent canines requiring plenty of mental stimulation. Exploring different routes and changing places you go for exercise is recommended.
Always wait an hour after your dog’s meal before exercising or better still, exercise before feeding your dog.
Make sure your dog doesn’t overdo the exercise as they can overheat rapidly and have breathing problems since they are a brachycephalic breed (flat face and short nose). This breed of bulldog can handle walks of 45 to 60 minutes as they have more endurance than some of their bulldog cousins.
A sign your Australian Bulldog needs more exercise is acts of destruction. If you notice your shoes are chewed, furniture scratched or big holes appear in the garden it might be a sign your dog needs more active play and exercise.
This annoying behavior can be your dog’s way of letting you know it is bored, lonely, or dissatisfied.
Companionship
The Australian Bulldog loves people and thrives with the companionship that is consistent and frequent. They would happily spend every moment of the day with their owners. But it is also essential to teach them to have some alone time without fretting or reacting.
Always supervise your dog closely when it is with children of any age. Although this dog adores kids, there is still an unpredictability factor with animals and children. For example, if your child suddenly jumped on top of your dog, it might mistake play for aggression and give a warning nip.
An Australian Bulldog that isn’t given enough attention can become bored or even destructive. Leaving it at home for long periods isn’t a good idea as you could return to a trashed house. If you can take your dog with you when you go out, it will be wagging its tail with joy.
Diet
The Australian Bulldog is an active dog that needs to be fueled on a healthy diet of high-quality dog food rich in protein and fat. You can buy dog food specially made for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors.
They can be fed 2-3 times a day with dog treats in-between meals if you use them for a reward or have an especially high-energy active dog. Giving them several meals a day will lessen the chance of bloating and gas.
If your dog is putting on too much weight, ask your veterinarian for nutrition advice. Your vet may recommend a diet change, exercise adjustment, or a combination of both.
Always have a bowl of fresh water available for your pet.
Health Issues
The Australian Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed, so it can develop breathing problems. It seems to suffer from fewer health problems than the English and French bulldogs.
Like many bulldog breeds, this bulldog is sensitive to hot temperatures, so it needs careful monitoring, especially in summer. Avoid taking your dog outdoors during the hottest part of the day and avoid direct sunlight when possible.
Even during cooler times of the day, overheating can occur if your pooch exercises too strenuously. Panting and fatigue can signal it is time to rest. If you see signs of overheating, make your dog rest immediately.
Usually, it should recover quickly, but if you feel like it is in discomfort, distress or pain contact the vet directly.
It is also prone to canine hip dysplasia, skin allergies, and bloat. Health issues should be discussed with your breeder during the initial stages of buying your pet.
Always carry water with you to keep your dog hydrated. Offer water to your dog often during playtime.
Invest in an insurance plan to cover medical bills, which can be expensive. While hopefully, you won’t need it, you will be given peace of mind, especially in your pet’s later years of life.
History
The Australian Bulldog was bred from the English Bulldog, the Bullmastiff, the Boxer, and the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Australian Bulldog was bred by Noel and Tina Green (Jag lines) and Pip Nobes with the two programs later being merged. The aim was to produce a bulldog more suited to Australia’s climate, which is hot, dry, and harsh in many areas such as farmland and the Outback.
In 1998 the first bulldog was officially presented and the Aussie Bulldog Club of Australia (ABCA) was established in 2007.
The ABCA maintains a database of breeding records and memberships to support the development of the breed. Many dedicated Australian dog breeders invested time and effort into making the Australian bulldog breed a success.
Other Interesting Facts
- The Australian Bulldog is recognized by the Aussie Bulldog Club of Australia (ABCA), the American Pet Registry (APRI), and the Dog Registry of America (DRA). But it’s not accepted for registration by the American Kennel Club.
- Coats are usually two colors. Colors include brindle, brown, white, tan, fawn, red, and chocolate. Black or coats with three colors are recognized but must come from BBD lineage only. So these coat colors aren’t common.
- Female Australian Bulldogs give birth to litters of four to nine puppies.
- The scientific name for the Aussie Bulldog is Canis lupus familiaris.
- Aussie Bulldogs don’t mind the water but are not good swimmers. Always supervise your dog closely when it is near water.
Buying Or Adopting Your Dog
You can expect to pay $US2,000 to $3,000 for an Aussie Bulldog puppy. Using a reputable breeder who you can depend on when buying your puppy or dog. A professional breeder should give plenty of information, advice, and answer all your questions proactively and in detail.
When researching breeders, look for recommendations. Look online, ask friends and family and local vets, pet stores, and other people you know in the pet industry. Take your time to find a breeder that is excellent and reliable.
Never buy a pet from a pet store or puppy mill. The animals are often mistreated and can come with health issues.
You might consider adopting an adult or senior bulldog. There are many lovely dogs needing rescuing and forever homes. This might require a lot more work, depending on the dog’s previous home or situation but it can also be incredibly rewarding.
Also, a senior dog can be less active and not need so much exercise to make great pets for the elderly or less active people.
Plus, you should find a professional veterinarian who will take care of your dog’s vaccinations and any medical issues that arise during its life. Keep the vet’s number on speed dial so you can reach out for help at any moment.
Now you have all the information you need to start the search for your Australian Bulldog. If you decide to buy this beautiful breed of dog you will have a gentle, even-tempered, and loving pet. We wish you the best of times in life with your lucky bulldog. It surely will be your best mate for life!
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