Five Questions You Should Ask American Bulldog Breeders

The American Bulldog is most notable for its short and stout stature, shuffling gait and round head with lots of wrinkles across its flat face. They are a medium sized dog that lives to be 8-10 years of age. The AKC recognizes the breed as one of the most popular dog breeds for house pets and it is largely due to its unique, comical looks and great disposition. American Bulldogs generally get along well with children, other pets and people they meet, (if well socialized). They’re a quiet breed, compared to many others, in that they don’t tend to bark excessively, get overly excited, although they are known to be quite comical and attention seekers. Speaking of attention seeking, they are not exactly lap dogs, but they sure would love to be. This is a great breed if you want a dog that does not require a lot of exercise, (one decent walk daily should do), and you live in a moderate size, to even smaller size home. If you are looking to purchase an American Bulldog, you will want to locate a reputable breeder for the breed and ask the breeder plenty of questions before you walk away with one of their pups. Here are five questions you should ask an American Bulldog breeder before buying.

1. Are you a full-time breeder?

There is a big difference between a full-time and hobby breeder. Before you consider purchasing an American Bulldog puppy from someone who claims to be a breeder of the breed, make sure you know if they breed these as purely a hobby or if it is a fulltime job for them. Someone that makes breeding a specific breed of dogs really gets into what they are doing to make sure they give their dogs the best care and upkeep, they know all about their dog’s lineage, and find the best buyers for their puppies. All of their ducks are in a row when it comes time to selling the puppies of a litter. You do not want a breeder who makes this their sole business where their female Bulldog and stud are constantly churning out litters of puppies, so ask how often they breed their dogs. On the flipside, one who simply dabbles in the breeding of American Bulldogs, may not be as knowledgeable about the breeding process either.

2. Is this the right breed for me?

The breeder should want all of her puppies to go to a good home. They will typically question a buyer and find out as much about you and the home you plan to provide the puppy before selling. You should ask the breeder if this is the right breed for you to get the conversation started and let them ask you pertinent questions that would tell her that this breed is a good fit, or it is not a good fit for you and your lifestyle. A good breeder knows all of the positive and negative downfalls to the breed and should be able to give you a well rounded description of all of them.

3. Ask to meet the parents

When looking over the litter of puppies, ask to see the parents so that you can see what type of dogs the pups hail from. The breeder should have both mom and dad on the property for you to see and get to know, and they should exhibit calm, friendly personalities that are not skittish, aggressive, or temperamental in any way. If the breeder makes excuses for you not to meet the parents, or if either of the parents exhibits any type of behavior that makes you nervous, or question their good nature, you should walk away and look for a different breeder.

4. Ask to see the pedigree registration form

Your puppy’s owner and breeder should have all of the AKC registration papers and forms on hand for you to see, so that you know you are getting a solid, AKC registered pup. You should be able to view the lineage of your puppy’s family and see that they are all registered with the AKC. Getting a registration form is also very important if you plan to show your American Bulldog, too, so be sure that you have one in hand when you leave the breeder’s home with your puppy. If the breeder cannot, or will not provide the registration of her American Bulldog line, you will want to look for another breeder.

5. Ask to view the health records

One of the most important thing when purchasing a puppy is to make sure you are taking home a healthy dog. The breeder has the responsibility to make sure all the puppies in the litter are healthy by getting them examined with a veterinarian and have all their shots up-to-date before being released to a new, permanent home. Ask to view the health records of both sets of parents, along with the litter of puppies. You will want to make sure you know the dates all of the shots were given, as well as when the puppy had been de-wormed. Again, if the breeder cannot produce the medical records, or won’t, find a breeder who is up front and has nothing to hide.

Finding the right dog for you is important, and that starts with finding a trustworthy, knowledgeable and safe breeder. You should be able to freely ask the breeder any question you have, and they should be willing to answer the questions with patience and so that you understand everything, and feel comfortable enough to leave with one of their pups. If at anytime you do not, don’t risk it by leaving with a puppy you don’t feel 100% comfortable leaving with.

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