American Bulldog Vs Pitbull: What Is The Difference

Last Updated on: 10th May 2023, 11:05 pm

The main difference between American bulldog and pitbull is their history.

The American bulldog is a descendant of the English mastiff, while the pitbull is a descendant of the terrier.

American bulldogs were bred to be working dogs on farms, while Pitbulls were bred as fighting dogs in blood sports.

Key take Away

  • Despite their differences, both American bulldogs and Pitbulls are loyal and affectionate dogs that make great family pets.
  • They are both intelligent breeds that can be easy to train with consistent, positive reinforcement.
  • However, because of their history as fighting dogs, it is important to socialize and train both American bulldogs and Pitbulls from a young age to prevent aggression.
  • American bulldogs and Pitbulls require a lot of exercise, so owners should be prepared to provide daily walks or runs, as well as plenty of toys and games to keep their dogs mentally and physically stimulated.
  • Both dog breed are susceptible to health problems, so it is important to consult with a veterinarian about the best way.
  • The average lifespan for an American Bulldog is about 10 to 12 years, while Pitbulls have a longer average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.

If you’re wondering about the difference between American Bulldogs and Pitbulls, you’ve come to the right place. Both breeds are strong, loyal, and loving dogs that make great family pets.

However, there are some key differences between these two popular breeds.

What is American Bulldog?

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The American Bulldog is a descendant of the English Mastiff. They were originally bred as working dogs on farms, mainly for managing cattle and chasing away wild pigs.

The American Bulldog almost went extinct by the end of World war II but thankfully, a group of breeders came to the rescue and today they are more commonly bred and kept as pets.

American Bulldogs are larger than Pitbulls, with males weighing in at around 50-70lbs and females at 40-60lbs. They have a short, stiff coat that is available in a variety of colors, including white, black, brindle, and red.

American Bulldogs have a wide head and strong jaw and are known for their powerful build. They are loving and loyal dogs that make wonderful family pets. However, because of their history as working dogs, they require a lot of exercises and may not do well in an apartment setting.

What is Pitbull?

A friendly gray and white Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog with floppy ears and a happy expression

The Pitbull is a descendant of the American pit bull terriers. They were originally bred for blood sports such as bull-baiting, dog fighting, and ratting which usually took place in pits earning it the name ‘Pit bull’ but today they are more commonly kept as pets.

These dogs mostly include the American Staffordshire bull terriers, the American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire bull Terrier, and sometimes the American Bulldog. However, the distinct breed is American pitbull terrier.

Pitbulls are smaller than American Bulldogs, with males weighing in at around 30-50lbs and females at 30-40lbs. They have a short, stiff coat that is available in a variety of colors, including white, black, brindle, and red. Pit bulls have a strong jaw and muscular build and are known for their tenacity. They are also very loyal and are amazing family pets. They have had great history from service dogs, to farm dogs etc. However, because of their history as fighting dogs, they require early socialization and training to prevent becoming aggressive dogs .

Note: The United Kennel Club does not recommend them as watchdogs.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Appearance

American Bulldogs are typically larger and heavier than Pitbulls. They also have a more “bully” appearance, with a large head and muscular body. American Bulldogs tend to weighs about 60-120 pounds and stands at a shoulder height of 22-27 inches.

Pitbulls are usually smaller and leaner, with a longer snout and narrower chest. They weigh about 30-60 pounds and stand at a shoulder height of 17-21 inches.

Looking at their body build, the Pitbull looks more athletic than the Bulldog and would be a great fit if you’re going for a smaller size.

Another difference between the two breeds in their appearance is their color. American Bulldogs are usually white with brown, black, or bridle patches and some may have back ‘eyeliners’. While the Pitbull can be just about any color in the rainbow.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Color

The two breeds come in various colors, such as white, black, brindle, and fawn. Both the American Bulldog and Pitbull have coats with short fur that can be either smooth or rough. The most common color for an American Bulldog is white with some patches of red or brown; however, they can also be seen in solid red or brown. For Pitbulls, the most common coat color is a combination of white and black or brindle. Other possible colors include blue-gray and tan. In all cases, it is important to keep in mind that different variations in coat color do not signify any

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: History

The American Bulldog has a long and varied history. They are believed to have descended from the ancient Molosser dogs of England, where they were used by farmers for herding livestock and hunting game. By the 19th century, the breed had been developed into a larger working dog with strong guarding instincts. Today, these dogs are still often seen as companion animals but also serve in law enforcement and search-and-rescue roles.

Pitbulls have a much shorter history than their American Bulldog cousins. Originally bred from bulldogs for fighting in the 1800s, Pitbulls were used for blood sports such as ratting and bearbaiting until these activities were outlawed in 1835.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Intelligence

American Bulldogs and Pitbulls are both intelligent breeds. American Bulldogs have been bred for centuries to be loyal, strong, and obedient working dogs, so they are eager to please their owners and make good obedience school candidates. The Pitbull’s intelligence comes from its bulldog ancestry; it is an eager learner that can easily be trained with consistent commands. Both breeds excel in agility training and enjoy activities such as fetching balls or frisbees. However, the American Bulldog is generally considered more biddable than the Pitbull.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Cost

The cost of purchasing an American Bulldog or a Pitbull will vary depending on the individual dog and its pedigree. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500-1000 for an American Bulldog puppy and up to $1500 for a Pitbull pup. It is important to do your research before buying one of these breeds in order to ensure that the breeder is reputable and not selling unhealthy pups. Additionally, both breeds require regular vet visits and vaccinations, so it’s important to factor this into your budget when making your decision.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Temperament

American Bulldogs are known for being loyal, protective, and gentle with children. They are also stubborn and need firm training. Pitbulls are also loyal and loving, but they are often more energetic and playful. They can be willful but respond well to training.

Contrary to popular belief both dog breeds love people and do not cope well when left alone for a long time. They can be trusted with children, especially Pitbull. That’s why they’re often referred to as Nanny dogs. Although it’s not advisable to leave young children alone with any dog.

The main difference between the Bulldog and the Pitbull’s temperament is how well they relate to other animals. Pitbulls are usually more aggressive towards other animals like cats, other dogs, and any small animal they see as prey. This aggressive behavior can be traced to their history of dogfighting.

American Bulldogs may also attack other animals but are considered less aggressive than Pitbulls. This is because it’s easier to socialize them when they’re younger to reduce the possibility of them attacking or trying to kill other animals.

Both dog breeds are generally very friendly and do not bark as much as other dog breeds. This is a huge contrast to their tough and intimidating which makes them the first choice for people who use them as guard dogs to scare off intruders.

Their appearance may be scary but they make great family pets and maybe too friendly to be good guard dogs.

While both dog breeds don’t bark much, most Pit bulls like to talk a lot. They make a lot of vocalization sounds in an attempt to communicate with their humans. If you find this behavior adorable, then you’d love the Pitbull, but if whining and other unusual dog noises irritate you, go for the quieter American bulldog instead.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Exercise

Both American Bulldogs and Pitbulls need plenty of exercises to stay healthy and happy. However, American Bulldogs may require a bit less exercise than Pitbulls. They were bred to be work animals and so they have plenty of energy.

They need at least one hour of exercise daily preferably in a large backyard that is fenced. They also make great jogging buddies, so you can take them with you when you jog. It’s also good to mix up their exercise routines to keep their mind and body entertained.

If you chose any of these dog breeds, and you live in a small apartment, have in mind that you need to dedicate at least one hour daily walking or jogging with them. But if you live in a house with a large fenced yard, you can let them loose to run freely within the yard without your help.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Training

Both breeds are intelligent and easy to train. However, American Bulldogs may be more stubborn and require more patience during training. Pitbulls are often eager to please and respond well to positive reinforcement.

You need to be comfortable with being firm during training if you want to own either of these dog breeds. More especially, the American Bulldog requires an owner that is experienced because of their stubborn nature.

If properly trained, they can learn to do many types of work and dog sports and if not, they can become antisocial and aggressive.

This is where socialization comes in. It is very important to start socializing these dog breeds in their puppy stage, as early as 3 to 12 weeks. Introducing them to other dogs and animals early can reduce their chances of getting too aggressive.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Health

Both the American Bulldog and Pitbull are generally healthy breeds. However, they are both susceptible to health problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia hyperthyroidism, demodectic mange, and heart disease.

American Bulldogs are more prone to develop other health issues like cataracts and breathing problems while Pitbulls are more prone to skin allergies. The American Bulldog’s breathing problem may affect their day-to-day living and they may struggle to breathe during certain activities like exercise. You can help out by exercising during cooler parts of the day or by using a harness during exercise.

The average life expectancy for an American Bulldog is about 10 to 12 years, while Pitbulls have a longer average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.

Keep in mind that these are just predictions and the best way to guarantee your dog lives a long and healthy life is to buy them from a licensed reputable dog breeder, that way you’re sure they are in perfect condition,  brush their teeth regularly, feed them well and do not allow them to become obese.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Feeding

Both breeds need a high-quality diet to stay healthy. American Bulldogs may require more food than Pitbulls due to their larger size.

The amount of food your dog will eat will depend on size, age, and lifestyle. The best way to determine how much food your dog needs is to look at the packaging instructions.

You should also know that both dog breeds are prone to bloating so to avoid this, do not feed your dog immediately before or after exercise.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Grooming

American Bulldogs and Pitbulls both have short, easy-to-care-for coats. However, American Bulldogs may shed a bit more than Pitbulls.

Their grooming needs are quite simple and easy. All they require is to brush their hair once a week with a rubber brush to help shed out loose hair and distribute natural hair oils. Then follow up with an occasional bath with dog shampoo to help them stay clean and smell nice.

If your dog has skin allergies, you can also bathe them with shampoos made for sensitive dogs.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Price

American Bulldogs and Pitbulls are both affordable breeds. However, American Bulldogs may be slightly more expensive due to their larger size.

There are two options for acquiring a new dog, you can either adopt from dog shelters or buy them from reputable breeder. The price of adopting from dog shelters is considerably lower than when you buy from a breeder.

The starting price for a pit bull from a breeder is about $800 while a bulldog cost about $1500.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull:Which breed is Better for Families with Children?

American bulldog vs pitbull: Both breeds are loyal, loving, and protective of children. However, American Bulldogs may be more stubborn and require more patience during training. Pit bulls are often eager to please and respond well to positive reinforcement.

American Bulldog vs Pitbull: Which Should You Choose?

When choosing between an American Bulldog or a Pitbull, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and needs. Both breeds make great family dog, but there are some key differences between them.

American Bulldogs are typically larger and may require less exercise, while Pitbulls are often more energetic and playful. Consider your lifestyle and choose the breed that is right for you!

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